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In lugnet.announce, Lee Magpili wrote:
> check out www.mindstorms.com/press
>
> lego just put out a press release all about the NeXT version of mindstorms
I know that I am second guessing people who clearly know more than me, but what
is wrong with the following idea relating to powering it.
Make the RCX in two parts. One is the diplay/CPU (A). The other is the power
sources (B).
B plugs into A, connected by a wire.
The power input for A would also be able to take an AC adapter.
Advantages:
-More flexibility in physically setting up the RCX as part of a contruction if
you choose to use the battery(power could be far away from the RCX itself, or
mobile with respect to RCX)
-If you use AC power, you eliminate the bulk of the battery pack.
The only downside I see is that if you disconnect A from B then volatile memory
would be erased.
Why was the option for an Adaptor not included with the NXT? How much cost could
it have added?
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In lugnet.robotics, Gyl Midroni wrote:
> Make the RCX in two parts.
Yes, that would make sense to me. The only thing I can think of that
recommends against it is use by kids. With both assemblies in one case, the kid
can't loose the batteries. Consumers are used to their toys (and, for that
matter, their electronics) being as idiot-proof as possible.
> Why was the option for an Adaptor not included with the NXT?
I suspect cost - remember, it was taken out of the RCX after 1.0.
--
Brian Davis
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Brian Davis wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Gyl Midroni wrote:
>
> > Why was the option for an Adaptor not included with the NXT?
>
>
> I suspect cost - remember, it was taken out of the RCX after 1.0.
We dont know if it was taken out due to cost, OR due to the number of
problems it had caused there customer service dept.
I recall several posts from people claiming to have fried there units
because they had plugged some non-acceptable power source into the rcx.
Chris
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On 08/01/06, Chris Magno <cmagno@rogers.com> wrote:
> Brian Davis wrote:
> We dont know if it was taken out due to cost, OR due to the number of
> problems it had caused there customer service dept.
> I recall several posts from people claiming to have fried there units
> because they had plugged some non-acceptable power source into the rcx.
There is soemthing about that seems very, very likely. What they could
do is a moulded, polarised connector, something that is their own, but
not too hard for a real tinkerer to copy if they wanted to, and make
sure the spec is well known. That way, those who have tinkered and
broken it have gone out on enough of a limb that they are aware of the
possible risk.
I like the idea of the possibility that the NXT could be powered
through the USB port. I dont know that it is, but that really would be
a great feature. A feature which a hacker might also be able to use to
supply power via batteries if need be. I have a USB spec book
somewhere - I will have to check, I know that it has something about
the initial host supplying low current until negotiation has occured,
and then allowing higher current draw.
--
Danny Staple MBCS
OrionRobots
http://orionrobots.co.uk
(Full contact details available through website)
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danny staple wrote:
> On 08/01/06, Chris Magno <cmagno@rogers.com> wrote:
>
> > Brian Davis wrote:
> > We dont know if it was taken out due to cost, OR due to the number of
> > problems it had caused there customer service dept.
>
>
> > I recall several posts from people claiming to have fried there units
> > because they had plugged some non-acceptable power source into the rcx.
>
>
> There is soemthing about that seems very, very likely. What they could
> do is a moulded, polarised connector, something that is their own, but
> not too hard for a real tinkerer to copy if they wanted to, and make
> sure the spec is well known. That way, those who have tinkered and
> broken it have gone out on enough of a limb that they are aware of the
> possible risk.
>
> I like the idea of the possibility that the NXT could be powered
> through the USB port. I dont know that it is, but that really would be
> a great feature. A feature which a hacker might also be able to use to
> supply power via batteries if need be. I have a USB spec book
> somewhere - I will have to check, I know that it has something about
> the initial host supplying low current until negotiation has occured,
> and then allowing higher current draw.
> --
> Danny Staple MBCS
> OrionRobots
> http://orionrobots.co.uk
> (Full contact details available through website)
Oddly enough, have you seen this:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=21400
Half way down it says that the NXT will have a:
Rechargeable battery system
Will the "battery system" be a preshrunk battery pack with some
connector on it to plug into the NXT? Could a hacker then find that
plug and plug a wal wart INTO the nxt?
Chris
YA, and while I'm wishing, maybe I can get the NXT to generate next
weeks lotto numbers.
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danny staple wrote:
> I like the idea of the possibility that the NXT could be powered
> through the USB port.
I consider that unlikely because of the power requirements of the Motors
and the NXT unit. I don't know how much the new motors pull, but the
"old" motors took 250mA @ 9V under load. According to the USB specs, the
port should provide 500mA @ 5V. Most USB port actually fail to provide
this power level, so 300mA @ 5V is a better bet.
So, A USB powered NXT would mean: NO MOTORS - PERIOD ;-)
Hey, and that would be boring, wouldn't it?
Yours, Christian
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Gyl wrote:
> Why was the option for an Adaptor not included with the NXT? How much cost could
> it have added?
OK. Take a NXT brick and turn it over. Have a closer look at its
underside. You'll notice a curious breakout in the casing of the battery
pack. It has the right size for a little coaxial power plug like the one
used for the 9V trains. All it takes would be a replacement lid for the
battery pack, one that includes the socket and the contacts that connect
directly to the right battery contacts in the case.
There are two variations of this scenario possible: Either its a dumb
wall socket power supply, and the electronics included in the battery
lid, or its a more intelligent wall wart, and just socket and contacts
in the lid.
Yours, Christian
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In lugnet.robotics, Christian Treczoks wrote:
> OK. Take a NXT brick and turn it over. Have a closer look
> at its underside.
I think several hundred of us would just *love* to do that. One small
problem... how did you get to? Pleeeease...
> You'll notice a curious breakout in the casing of the battery
> pack. It has the right size for a little coaxial power plug
> like the one used for the 9V trains.
Well, that would be very handy. Restoring one of the number one requested
items dropped from the 1.0 brick would be a good move (at least for me).
--
Brian Davis
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Brian Davis wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Christian Treczoks wrote:
> > OK. Take a NXT brick and turn it over. Have a closer look
> > at its underside.
> I think several hundred of us would just *love* to do that. One small
> problem... how did you get to? Pleeeease...
I always wanted to say that: "I could tell you, but then I would have to
kill you" ;-)
Yours, Christian
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On Wed, January 11, 2006 3:29 am, Christian Treczoks wrote:
> Brian Davis wrote:
> > In lugnet.robotics, Christian Treczoks wrote:
> > > OK. Take a NXT brick and turn it over. Have a closer look
> > > at its underside.
> > I think several hundred of us would just *love* to do that. One small
> > problem... how did you get to? Pleeeease...
> I always wanted to say that: "I could tell you, but then I would have to
> kill you" ;-)
Brian,
If it makes you feel any better, the information has been tracked back to it's
source, and it's a long way from where you live.
Steve
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Question for the in-the-know crowd -- does the NXT have 3 motor ports and 4
sensor ports, or 7 general-purpose ports? IOW, could you connect 4 motors
and only 3 sensors?
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On Wed, January 11, 2006 10:44 am, dan miller wrote:
> Question for the in-the-know crowd -- does the NXT have 3 motor ports and 4
> sensor ports, or 7 general-purpose ports? IOW, could you connect 4 motors
> and only 3 sensors?
I'm sure I've read there are 3 motor ports, and 4 sensor ports. But, things may not
be that black and white. Remember, each motor has a rotation sensor built in.
However, the pictures do show motors connected to port A, B & C, and sensors
connected to port 1,2,3 & 4. (letters vs numbers)
Steve
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In lugnet.robotics, Steve Hassenplug wrote:
> However, the pictures do show motors connected to port A, B & C, and sensors
> connected to port 1,2,3 & 4. (letters vs numbers)
>
> Steve
Amuzingly, "4" is missing from Lego's model images (which are rendered) but is
there for the live teenager shots. Could it be a "special" plug for the
ultrasonic sensor? I hope not.
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Is it my poor memory, OR did the first communication from lego say that
it was 3 in and 3 out, PLUS the Ultrasonic sensor.
In the rendered pics of the NXT, it has output pots 1 -3 labeled, but
the 4th is not.
always questions, and silence from Ralph and Dave. (ya I haven't
forgotten about you too)
dan miller wrote:
> Question for the in-the-know crowd -- does the NXT have 3 motor ports and 4
> sensor ports, or 7 general-purpose ports? IOW, could you connect 4 motors
> and only 3 sensors?
>
>
>
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On Wed, January 11, 2006 12:21 pm, Chris Magno wrote:
> Is it my poor memory, OR did the first communication from lego say that
> it was 3 in and 3 out, PLUS the Ultrasonic sensor.
>
> In the rendered pics of the NXT, it has output pots 1 -3 labeled, but
> the 4th is not.
I'm pretty sure you won't find any place that says 3in+3out.
The rendered pictures do show 1 unmarked port.
What about this (actual photo?):
http://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/LEGOAboutUs-ImageLibrary/images/2057/pic1A6E9A98-5347-4B2B-8D11-C3F317395BE6.jpg
Steve
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In lugnet.robotics, Chris Magno wrote:
> always questions, and silence from Ralph and Dave. (ya I haven't
> forgotten about you too)
Maybe they're too busy playing with some new robotics system or another? :-)
--
David Schilling
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David Schilling wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Chris Magno wrote:
>
> > always questions, and silence from Ralph and Dave. (ya I haven't
> > forgotten about you too)
>
>
> Maybe they're too busy playing with some new robotics system or another? :-)
>
> --
> David Schilling
So, Dave. Glad to hear from you. What have you built?
You too Ralph. I know you read this.
:)
Chris
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In lugnet.robotics, Christian Treczoks wrote:
> Gyl wrote:
> > Why was the option for an Adaptor not included with the NXT? How much cost could
> > it have added?
> OK. Take a NXT brick and turn it over. Have a closer look at its
> underside. You'll notice a curious breakout in the casing of the battery
> pack. It has the right size for a little coaxial power plug like the one
> used for the 9V trains. All it takes would be a replacement lid for the
> battery pack, one that includes the socket and the contacts that connect
> directly to the right battery contacts in the case.
>
> There are two variations of this scenario possible: Either its a dumb
> wall socket power supply, and the electronics included in the battery
> lid, or its a more intelligent wall wart, and just socket and contacts
> in the lid.
>
> Yours, Christian
Very interesting. Perhaps there is some plan to sell the NXT with a power
adapter for the educational sets. Currently the RCXs that are with those Team
Challenge Sets have the power adaptors. (It makes sense in a classroom to be
able to plug these things in and have them working for all your students without
worrying if the batteries need to be replaced)
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On 1/10/06, Tim Byrne wrote:
>
> Very interesting. Perhaps there is some plan to sell the NXT with a power
> adapter for the educational sets. Currently the RCXs that are with those Team
> Challenge Sets have the power adaptors. (It makes sense in a classroom to be
> able to plug these things in and have them working for all your students
> without
> worrying if the batteries need to be replaced)
And a large portion of the current RCX in education use is as a data
logger, not a mobile robotics platform. In this configuration, AC is
a definite requisite.
If they intend to offer a functional equivalent in the NXT
(educational) then an AC adapter would be necessary there, too.
-Rob A>
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In lugnet.robotics, Rob Antonishen <rob.antonishen@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 1/10/06, Tim Byrne wrote:
> >
> > Very interesting. Perhaps there is some plan to sell the NXT with a power
> > adapter for the educational sets. Currently the RCXs that are with those Team
> > Challenge Sets have the power adaptors. (It makes sense in a classroom to be
> > able to plug these things in and have them working for all your students
> > without
> > worrying if the batteries need to be replaced)
>
>
> And a large portion of the current RCX in education use is as a data
> logger, not a mobile robotics platform. In this configuration, AC is
> a definite requisite.
>
> If they intend to offer a functional equivalent in the NXT
> (educational) then an AC adapter would be necessary there, too.
>
> -Rob A>
Hopefully it will not be specifically tied to education, but merely an add-on
option.
Kev
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In lugnet.robotics, Kevin L. Clague wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Rob Antonishen <rob.antonishen@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > On 1/10/06, Tim Byrne wrote:
> > >
> > > Very interesting. Perhaps there is some plan to sell the NXT with a power
> > > adapter for the educational sets. Currently the RCXs that are with those Team
> > > Challenge Sets have the power adaptors. (It makes sense in a classroom to be
> > > able to plug these things in and have them working for all your students
> > > without
> > > worrying if the batteries need to be replaced)
> >
> >
> > And a large portion of the current RCX in education use is as a data
> > logger, not a mobile robotics platform. In this configuration, AC is
> > a definite requisite.
> >
> > If they intend to offer a functional equivalent in the NXT
> > (educational) then an AC adapter would be necessary there, too.
> >
> > -Rob A>
>
> Hopefully it will not be specifically tied to education, but merely an add-on
> option.
>
> Kev
The educational press release says that the educational set will have an AC
adapter for its rechargeable battery system:
http://www.lego.com/education/mindstorms/images/eng/downloads/Education_Press.pdf
Mark
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In lugnet.robotics, Mark Bellis wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Kevin L. Clague wrote:
<snip>
> >
> > Hopefully it will not be specifically tied to education, but merely an add-on
> > option.
> >
> > Kev
>
> The educational press release says that the educational set will have an AC
> adapter for its rechargeable battery system:
> http://www.lego.com/education/mindstorms/images/eng/downloads/Education_Press.pdf
>
> Mark
Then I hope it is also available as a simple add-on.
Kev
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In lugnet.robotics, Mark Bellis wrote:
> The educational press release says that the educational set will have an AC
> adapter for its rechargeable battery system:
"Rechargeable battery system" may still require take the battery out. But
hopefully, we can recharge while it is in the unit.
Thanks for the link. It had a "Soccer" robot and hints at redeveloping the
engineering and scientific inquiry programs.
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Andy Cross wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Mark Bellis wrote:
>
> > The educational press release says that the educational set will have an AC
> > adapter for its rechargeable battery system:
>
>
> "Rechargeable battery system" may still require take the battery out. But
> hopefully, we can recharge while it is in the unit.
>
> Thanks for the link. It had a "Soccer" robot and hints at redeveloping the
> engineering and scientific inquiry programs.
Now this is an interesting link. some nice NXT pictures. and good
speculation on powering the NXT
http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=26545
Thanks
Chris
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