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In lugnet.announce, Lee Magpili wrote:
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check out www.mindstorms.com/press
lego just put out a press release all about the NeXT version of mindstorms,
they put a whole spec out on it..
heres a bit from the article explaining the specs
LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT highlights include:
• All-new NXT intelligent brick
• 3 interactive servo motors feature inbuilt rotation sensors to align speed
for precise control
• New ultrasonic sensor makes robots “see” by responding to movement
• New sound sensor enables robots to react to sound commands, including sound
pattern and tone recognition
• Improved light sensor detects different colors and light intensity
• Improved touch sensor reacts to touch or release and allows robots to feel
• 519 hand-selected, stylized elements from the LEGO TECHNIC® building system
ensure robot creations will be sturdy and durable while also looking authentic
• Opportunities for physical programming of robots and interaction with robots
during programming
• 18 building challenges with clear, step-by-step instructions help acclimate
users to the new system to create robots ranging from humanoids and machinery
to animals and vehicles
• Digital wire interface allows for third-party developments
• Information, inspiration, news, community programs and more at
www.mindstorms.com
whaaa!!
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Wow! I’m not sure of what to say. It looks like they decided to start using
phone cord for wire, which is actually a good idea I think. I’m a little
disappointed in the over stylization though. What ever happened to good old
fashioned studded bricks? Ondrew
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In lugnet.robotics, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
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Wow! I’m not sure of what to say. It looks like they decided to start using
phone cord for wire, which is actually a good idea I think. I’m a little
disappointed in the over stylization though. What ever happened to good old
fashioned studded bricks? Ondrew
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The slide on the Wired article mentions that it is a 6-wire digital cable. I
can’t remember if RJ-11 can do 6-wire. It might be something between RJ-11 and
RJ-45. Impressive regardless.
Ray
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Subject:
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Re: mindstorms NXT
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 5 Jan 2006 13:26:19 GMT
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Original-From:
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"Simon Bogaert" <simon.bogaert@advalvas.be>
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Viewed:
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7022 times
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RJ11 indeed does 6-wire. Normal phone cord only has 4 metal contacts in
place, but there's space for another two...
Regards, SuSEQ aka Simon Bogaert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray Sanders"
> The slide on the Wired article mentions that it is a 6-wire digital cable.
> I
> can't remember if RJ-11 can do 6-wire. It might be something between RJ-11
> and
> RJ-45. Impressive regardless.
>
> Ray
>
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In lugnet.robotics, Simon Bogaert wrote:
> RJ11 indeed does 6-wire. Normal phone cord only has 4 metal contacts in
> place, but there's space for another two...
RJ11, yes. But not standard type: if you look closely the cable retainer is
uncentered...
Philo
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Subject:
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Re: mindstorms NXT
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 5 Jan 2006 19:46:15 GMT
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Original-From:
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"Simon Bogaert" <simon.bogaert@advalvas.be>
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Viewed:
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7189 times
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You're right... But if the other dimensions are still within close range of
those of a RJ11, I guess roll-your-own connectors can 't be that hard...
Regards, Simon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Philippe Hurbain"
> RJ11, yes. But not standard type: if you look closely the cable retainer
> is
> uncentered...
>
> Philo
>
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Subject:
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Re: mindstorms NXT
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 5 Jan 2006 21:35:30 GMT
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Original-From:
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Kyle McDonald <KYLE.MCDONALD@SUN.COMstopspam>
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Viewed:
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7596 times
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Simon Bogaert wrote:
> You're right... But if the other dimensions are still within close
> range of those of a RJ11, I guess roll-your-own connectors can 't be
> that hard...
Actually the offcenter connector has a name already. If I recall
correctly it was RJ-12.
6 wires, off center. I think DEC used them on keyboards and serial ports
on VT-xx0 terminals a long time ago. I'm pretty sure they can still be
found.
It's probably good LEGO didn't pick a standard RJ-11 jack, I'd hate to
think of what could happen to the NXT (or the child) if a kid eve
plugged it into a real live phone line.
-Kyle
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Subject:
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Re: mindstorms NXT
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 5 Jan 2006 22:37:22 GMT
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Original-From:
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Juergen Stuber <juergen@+antispam+jstuber.net>
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Viewed:
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7037 times
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Hi Philippe,
"Philippe Hurbain" <philohome@free.fr> writes:
> In lugnet.robotics, Simon Bogaert wrote:
> > RJ11 indeed does 6-wire. Normal phone cord only has 4 metal contacts in
> > place, but there's space for another two...
>
> RJ11, yes. But not standard type: if you look closely the cable retainer is
> uncentered...
we have uncentered RJ11 on DSL splitters here in Germany.
But I never saw them other than on the end of a special cable,
and they won't fit into my crimp tool.
Cheers
Jürgen
--
Jürgen Stuber <juergen@jstuber.net>
http://www.jstuber.net/
gnupg key fingerprint = 2767 CA3C 5680 58BA 9A91 23D9 BED6 9A7A AF9E 68B4
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In lugnet.robotics, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
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What ever happened to good old fashioned studded bricks? Ondrew
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You can connect some technic bricks to the sides and have studded bricks very
easily. Studless design allows you to access the batteries, display, and
buttons much easier. Also technic connection are significantly stronger than
the old fashioned studs.
Plus this thing is sleek. Something the kids today will like.
Matthew C. Ruschmann
http://superpositioned.com
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In lugnet.robotics, Kyle McDonald wrote:
> Simon Bogaert wrote:
> > You're right... But if the other dimensions are still within close
> > range of those of a RJ11, I guess roll-your-own connectors can 't be
> > that hard...
>
> Actually the offcenter connector has a name already. If I recall
> correctly it was RJ-12.
> 6 wires, off center. I think DEC used them on keyboards and serial ports
> on VT-xx0 terminals a long time ago. I'm pretty sure they can still be
> found.
>
> It's probably good LEGO didn't pick a standard RJ-11 jack, I'd hate to
> think of what could happen to the NXT (or the child) if a kid eve
> plugged it into a real live phone line.
I am sure that safety was the reason. But I checked out the old DEC connectors
and I think they were polarized to the opposite side! grrrrrr
JB
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> > Actually the offcenter connector has a name already. If I recall
> > correctly it was RJ-12.
> > 6 wires, off center. I think DEC used them on keyboards and serial ports
> > on VT-xx0 terminals a long time ago. I'm pretty sure they can still be
> > found.
Yes, quite easily! but...
> I am sure that safety was the reason. But I checked out the old DEC connectors
> and I think they were polarized to the opposite side! grrrrrr
...from connectors drawings and LEGO images, I think that John is right. grrrr!
I scoured AMP online catalog - phew :P - and found nothing with the latch on
the right side.
Standard RJ connector with filed retainer will enable some tests anyway...
Philo
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In lugnet.robotics, Philippe Hurbain wrote:
> Standard RJ connector with filed retainer will enable some tests anyway...
Yes, I plan on trying that. Since the connectors fit flush into the receptacle,
a simple structure of half wide beams may be able to be placed in such a way as
to hold the connectors in place.
JB
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> I am sure that safety was the reason. But I checked out the old DEC
> connectors
> and I think they were polarized to the opposite side! grrrrrr
>
> JB
Well, if LEGO is encouraging third party involvement, then I would assume
they wouldn't mind releasing information on how to get these connectors
(reverse MMJ?).
-Rob
www.brickmodder.net
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In lugnet.robotics, Rob Hendrix wrote:
>
> > I am sure that safety was the reason. But I checked out the old DEC
> > connectors
> > and I think they were polarized to the opposite side! grrrrrr
> >
> > JB
>
> Well, if LEGO is encouraging third party involvement, then I would assume
> they wouldn't mind releasing information on how to get these connectors
> (reverse MMJ?).
>
> -Rob
> www.brickmodder.net
I read this on http://nxtbot.com/blog/?p=9#comments :
----------
Raphael Jacquot Says: January 6th, 2006 at 4:03 pm. Those connectors are in
fact strandard. they are the DEC 6c (similar to RJ-12 with offset catch) for
instance, available here: http://www.actionelectronic.com/pppto.htm#Dec
----------
If it comes up right, the RJ12 plug with offset catch should be at the top of
the screen, otherwide it's about half way down the page. I hope that's the
right plug. Who's up for a pack of 100 and a reel of cable?
Mark
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Subject:
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Re: mindstorms NXT
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Sat, 7 Jan 2006 06:55:44 GMT
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Original-From:
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Russell Nelson <nelson@#Spamless#crynwr.com>
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Viewed:
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6916 times
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Ray Sanders writes:
> The slide on the Wired article mentions that it is a 6-wire digital
> cable. I can't remember if RJ-11 can do 6-wire. It might be
> something between RJ-11 and RJ-45. Impressive regardless.
RJ-13 is 6-wire.
--
--my blog is at blog.russnelson.com | A computer without Python is
Crynwr sells support for free software | PGPok | like a CPU without memory:
521 Pleasant Valley Rd. | +1 315-323-1241 | it runs, but you can't do
Potsdam, NY 13676-3213 | Sheepdog | anything useful with it.
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In lugnet.robotics, John Barnes wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Kyle McDonald wrote:
> > Simon Bogaert wrote:
> > > You're right... But if the other dimensions are still within close
> > > range of those of a RJ11, I guess roll-your-own connectors can 't be
> > > that hard...
> >
> > Actually the offcenter connector has a name already. If I recall
> > correctly it was RJ-12.
> > 6 wires, off center. I think DEC used them on keyboards and serial ports
> > on VT-xx0 terminals a long time ago. I'm pretty sure they can still be
> > found.
> >
> > It's probably good LEGO didn't pick a standard RJ-11 jack, I'd hate to
> > think of what could happen to the NXT (or the child) if a kid eve
> > plugged it into a real live phone line.
>
>
> I am sure that safety was the reason. But I checked out the old DEC connectors
> and I think they were polarized to the opposite side! grrrrrr
>
> JB
It just dawned on me, and I'm not sure if this has been suggested yet but…
It would be simple to take the LEGO connectors and attach a standard socket to
it (such as RJ11) thus making an adaptor so standard plugs could be used in
making custom sensors.
NXT - LEGO plug - small wire - RJ11 socket - RJ11 plug - long wire - custom
sensor
Which makes me ask: Can anyone tell if the new sensors have the wires attached
or if they have sockets just like on the NXT? If they are not permanently
attached then we won't have to sacrifice a sensor to get the plugs. One wire
would yield two adaptors. I'm really hoping that the sensors have sockets so we
will be able to use various lengths of wires depending on the construction of
the robot.
-Tim
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In lugnet.robotics, Tim Byrne wrote:
> Which makes me ask: Can anyone tell if the new sensors have the wires attached
> or if they have sockets just like on the NXT? If they are not permanently
> attached then we won't have to sacrifice a sensor to get the plugs. One wire
> would yield two adaptors. I'm really hoping that the sensors have sockets so we
> will be able to use various lengths of wires depending on the construction of
> the robot.
Well, the press-kit renderings show the motors have sockets. The only shot I
could find of the back of a sensor is an un-connected touch(?) sensor on the
Tribot. It's pointed toward the floor, underneath another touch sensor mounted
below the ultrasonic sensor. But it doesn't sport the printed orange icon shown
on the sensors, so maybe it's not what I think it.
The important thing is the Tribot image shows an empty socket on the mystery
sensor!
Steve
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