|
|
| |
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for the LEGO Dacta 9708 Intelligent House Activity Pack (DOS/WIN) to
use with Control Lab.
https://brickset.com/sets/9708-1/Intelligent-House-Activity-Pack
This is a rare pack from 1997 and includes project disk, teacher guide and quick
reference guide.
If someone still have the project disk/software and can share with us, please
let me know.
A. Santos
|
|
| |
Problem solved! Here's what the fellow wrote, in case this is of use to anybody
in the future.
Thanks,
-Jason
"
I tried the null modem last night but I was making other changes as well so when
it did not work I removed it. That is the key. A null modem or null modem
cable must be used.
If your other buyer is a programmer he can avoid having to use Robolab by going
to one of these two websites for the Control Interface code/dll files.
For Java development:
http://www.timo.dk/wp/2009/01/25/java-control-class-for-dacta-70909/
For VB.Net development:
http://news.lugnet.com/dacta/?n=261
These methods are much easier if he is a programmer.
For future reference, I am using a new Dell Precision M6500 laptop with windows
7 64bit loaded. I have a VMware Virtual machine running with Windows XP SP3
loaded and I am using a USB - Serial converter mapped to com port 6. I now have
the control interface working using the VB.Net demo program (website posted
above) and I am getting good readings on all sensors.
"
|
|
| |
Some helpful info from a fellow to whom I sold another 9701/9751 set a while
ago.
Thanks,
-Jason
"
also for me it was not easy to get the interface running. OK, in a short and
brief form some infos how I got the fun I expected to have with the Lego
computer technology. Prior to my explanations: There is no way to test the
functionality of the interface without the computer. To run it needs the
software ControlLab (old) or RoboLab (new) programmed with LabView form National
Instruments.
Further on the software and hardware I use. Hardware: 5 year old Laptop Fujitsu
Siemens. Software: I use Windows XP SP2 and Lego RoboLab 2.5.4 which gives the
opportunity to use the old control lab interface.
Second the steps I tried to get forward: My first trial was with normal serial
interface but searching the internet leads me to a site where it is mentioned to
have a 'Nullmodem'. The handbook Lego delivered with the control lab interface
only mention a special cable but in literature about Lego Mindstorms they
specified the cable. I also have to use an adapter male/male to connect the
'Nullmodem' to the control lab interface. After setting this hardware connection
I tried the software connection via RoboLab but failed on each trial. This
software requires a specific comport but my computer automatically numberes the
free serial comport with a different number. Searching again in the internet
leads to the info that you can renumbering the comport on the computer without
any disturbances when devices which refelct to that comport are not used (in my
case an internal modem was connected I do not really need). After renumbering
the comport via device manager in Windows I got the interface finally running
with the Mindstorms software
"
|
|
| |
More info from the buyer, in case this sheds any new light:
"I tried connecting to a couple of different computers and nothing. I have used
a VB.Net program and a Java program, both supposedly working on windows XP SP3
with a usb to serial converter and/or serial cable, with the same results (No
response from the interface)."
Thanks,
-Jason
|
|
| |
Howdy-
I recently sold a 9701 set + 9751 serial interface & my buyer is having trouble
operating the 9751 interface.
I have 2 more such sets & observe the same behavior.
I plug in the AC adapter and the Stop & Power lights illuminate.
At this point, what can I do to test the interface or the inputs or the outputs?
I plugged a yellow switch onto a yellow interface plug & press the switch & see
no illumination.
I plug a blue light sensor onto a blue plug & the light sensor illuminates.
What else can I test, with or without a computer, to determine if it's
functioning properly?
Thank you very much,
-Jason
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Brian Bachmeier wrote:
> In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> > I just uploaded a PDF document to the "Box" url mentionned in the first message.
> > This document (Lego70909DLL.pdf) is a tutorial on how to make ControlLab
> > Interface (CLI)project in VB.NET using the proposed DLL. It is also a reference
> > document that lists all Properties and Methods available from the CLI.
> >
> > The document is in a preliminary stage and I will probably make some corrections
> > and I will also add some tips and tricks like how to add timing to CLI project
> > programs and how to make "One Shots" and more...
> >
> > Yves
>
> Thanks for the update. The documentation is well written and organized.
> I look forward to future updates. If you need any help with testing or
> anything, just drop me an email.
>
> Brian
I guess I found this a week too late - "MS Visual Basic .NET 2008 Express
Edition" has been replaced with a "2010" version now. MS .NET Framework has
also moved to V4.
Has anyone tried this with the new MS code? Which of the four VB packages
should I download? Choices are:
- Visual Web Developer 2010 Express
- Visual Basic 2010 Express
- Visual C# 2010 Express
- Visual C++ 2010 Express
I'm guessing it would be the second option, but I can't tell if it includes
support for VB.NET.
Thanks!
Eric.
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> I just uploaded a PDF document to the "Box" url mentionned in the first message.
> This document (Lego70909DLL.pdf) is a tutorial on how to make ControlLab
> Interface (CLI)project in VB.NET using the proposed DLL. It is also a reference
> document that lists all Properties and Methods available from the CLI.
>
> The document is in a preliminary stage and I will probably make some corrections
> and I will also add some tips and tricks like how to add timing to CLI project
> programs and how to make "One Shots" and more...
>
> Yves
Thanks for the update. The documentation is well written and organized.
I look forward to future updates. If you need any help with testing or
anything, just drop me an email.
Brian
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Here is my first attempt to build a VB.NET DLL class to facilitate somehow the
> building of VB.NET programs that talk to the old ControlLab Interface "B",
> 70909.
>
> http://www.box.net/shared/xc44rksi2h
>
> This folder includes Source files and also setup files.
> To RUN the DEMO applications you need Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (FREE)
> already installed on your PC.
> To use the Source, you need Vusal Basic .NET 2008 Express Edition. (FREE)
I just uploaded a PDF document to the "Box" url mentionned in the first message.
This document (Lego70909DLL.pdf) is a tutorial on how to make ControlLab
Interface (CLI)project in VB.NET using the proposed DLL. It is also a reference
document that lists all Properties and Methods available from the CLI.
The document is in a preliminary stage and I will probably make some corrections
and I will also add some tips and tricks like how to add timing to CLI project
programs and how to make "One Shots" and more...
Yves
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Brian Bachmeier wrote:
>
> The updated program works perfectly. At first I thought there was another issue
> because one of the outputs (B) on the CLI with the touch sensor also went on....
> but after checking the code I see you added that little surprise also (motorB on
> CLI with touch sensor goes forward, motorA on other CLIs goes On Left).
>
> Thanks very much for sharing your work. I can definitely imagine a lot of
> different applications (train layouts with automated swtiches, lego contraptions
> with many lights and motors etc).
>
> I am not a Visual Basic expert but have written some simple programs in the
> past, and the ability to easily program a nice windows interface is great.
>
> Are you planning to put together some documentation (commands, declarations,
> etc)?
>
> Let me know if there is anything that I can help you out with, testing or
> otherwise.
>
> Brian
Thank you for your quick feedback Brian.
Indeed, I added the Output 2 that follows the switch connected to the same CLI.
I did it while correcting the mistake you pointed out.
I actually have a lego light connected on this output 2...
I am planning in my spare time to build a PDF document that will explain all
Methods, Properties, declarations, sample program...). I might start with a
quick guide that list the Methods and Properties first and I will improve the
document regularly with more explanations and images...
I will update the BOX folder regularly and post msg here about significant
updates.
I am glad it works with 2 CLIs. I hope the response time was as good as one
CLI. The interest for this VB.NET project, according to me, is really the
possibility to build a program that controls multiple CLIs to increase the the
quantities of I/Os while keeping a fast response time.
Thanks again!
Yves
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> >
> >
> > Thank you Brian. I made a mistake and corrected it I think. So you can
> > download the updated file (same name) from the same url mentionned before.
> >
> > But according to what your saying, it sounds good.
> >
> > Thank you very much for your interest.
> >
> > Yves
>
>
> Brian, I just put in the BOX folder the LegoMultiCLISource.zip file that is the
> Source for the Multiple CLIs test demo project.
>
> Thank you again for your help.
The updated program works perfectly. At first I thought there was another issue
because one of the outputs (B) on the CLI with the touch sensor also went on....
but after checking the code I see you added that little surprise also (motorB on
CLI with touch sensor goes forward, motorA on other CLIs goes On Left).
Thanks very much for sharing your work. I can definitely imagine a lot of
different applications (train layouts with automated swtiches, lego contraptions
with many lights and motors etc).
I am not a Visual Basic expert but have written some simple programs in the
past, and the ability to easily program a nice windows interface is great.
Are you planning to put together some documentation (commands, declarations,
etc)?
Let me know if there is anything that I can help you out with, testing or
otherwise.
Brian
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> In lugnet.dacta, Brian Bachmeier wrote:
> >
> > I did some quick testing on the LegoMultiCLI program that you posted. I was able
> > to connect two CLIs to my computer as follows:
> >
> > CLI 1: connected to COM1 serial port
> > CLI 2: connected to COM6 (using USB to Serial adaptor)
> >
> > I ran the program and selected the appropriate COM ports and then hit the Start
> > button. I had a touch sensor connected to port 1 on CLI 1.
> > When I pressed the touch sensor, the output 1 did start properly on CLI 2.
> > When I released the touch sensor though, the output remained on. The input
> > light on CLI 1 would toggle on and off with each press of the sensor, but the
> > output on CLI 2 only reponded to the first press.
> >
> > I moved the touch sensor to CLI 2 and it had the same effect where the output on
> > CLI 1 only responded to the first press.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > I will try to get VB installed in the next couple days so that I can view the
> > source code files to help with some testing.
> >
> > Brian
>
>
> Thank you Brian. I made a mistake and corrected it I think. So you can
> download the updated file (same name) from the same url mentionned before.
>
> But according to what your saying, it sounds good.
>
> Thank you very much for your interest.
>
> Yves
Brian, I just put in the BOX folder the LegoMultiCLISource.zip file that is the
Source for the Multiple CLIs test demo project.
Thank you again for your help.
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Brian Bachmeier wrote:
> In lugnet.dacta, Jetro de Chateau wrote:
> >
> > That sounds very promising! I have absolutely no idea about VB. My idea was to
> > build something for a display at a LUG event which would require the interface
> > to be connected to a laptop. Unfortunately, the only laptop I have that has a
> > serial port (the other 'big' problem of the interface) runs windows 98 and
> > cannot run XP - Will that be a problem?
> > Otherwise, do you think your VB application will work over a USB-Serial
> > converter? (robolab doesn't - I've tried half a dozen different adapters).
> >
> > Jetro
>
> I have not had any problems using the CLI with a Startech USB-Serial converter
> on my laptop (running WinXP). I have also used the converter successfully with
> Robolab 2.5.4 and 2.9.
>
> http://www.startech.com/item/ICUSB232-USB-to-RS232-DB9-Serial-Adapter-Cable-Male-to-Male-Serial-Adapter-USB-to-Serial.aspx
>
> Brian
I am using a Prolific USB-Serial Adapter for my CLI project and it works great.
I am using it on a Dell Latitude E6500 with Win XP SP3.
I don't believe my VB solution will work on windows 98 because it needs the
Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 sp1 which, I think, does not install on win98.
I understand that this solution is still NOT the ultimate solution since VB.NET
is not as easy as simple lego logo langage.
I did choose VB.NET because I currently use VBA (Visual Basic for application)
that comes as part of all MS Office applications (Excel, Access). VB.NET
express edition is Free and not that difficult to learn by ourself compare to
other langages. A lot of good ref exist on the net.
And it offers lots of possibilities. Not only it provides a way to make a
program to handle CLI's I/Os but it also gives a great Graphical User Interface
(GUI) where we can put Push Buttons and feedback indications, counters
indications etc... (try Lego70909DemoSource.zip to have a look at the GUI for
testing all CLI's I/Os).
I could eventually write a PDF document that explains, step by step with images,
how to build a Lego CLI application in VB.NET if people shows interest in
building their own lego CLI project using my VB.NET DLL.
If you tell me what exactly you want to do with your CLI at your LUG event (What
is connected to your CLI I/Os, How many CLIs, A functionnal description
explaining the logic in relation to all I/Os.), I would be glad to build a
program for you. As long as it is not a very long term contract ;-).
Yves.
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Brian Bachmeier wrote:
>
> I did some quick testing on the LegoMultiCLI program that you posted. I was able
> to connect two CLIs to my computer as follows:
>
> CLI 1: connected to COM1 serial port
> CLI 2: connected to COM6 (using USB to Serial adaptor)
>
> I ran the program and selected the appropriate COM ports and then hit the Start
> button. I had a touch sensor connected to port 1 on CLI 1.
> When I pressed the touch sensor, the output 1 did start properly on CLI 2.
> When I released the touch sensor though, the output remained on. The input
> light on CLI 1 would toggle on and off with each press of the sensor, but the
> output on CLI 2 only reponded to the first press.
>
> I moved the touch sensor to CLI 2 and it had the same effect where the output on
> CLI 1 only responded to the first press.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> I will try to get VB installed in the next couple days so that I can view the
> source code files to help with some testing.
>
> Brian
Thank you Brian. I made a mistake and corrected it I think. So you can
download the updated file (same name) from the same url mentionned before.
But according to what your saying, it sounds good.
Thank you very much for your interest.
Yves
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Jetro de Chateau wrote:
>
> That sounds very promising! I have absolutely no idea about VB. My idea was to
> build something for a display at a LUG event which would require the interface
> to be connected to a laptop. Unfortunately, the only laptop I have that has a
> serial port (the other 'big' problem of the interface) runs windows 98 and
> cannot run XP - Will that be a problem?
> Otherwise, do you think your VB application will work over a USB-Serial
> converter? (robolab doesn't - I've tried half a dozen different adapters).
>
> Jetro
I have not had any problems using the CLI with a Startech USB-Serial converter
on my laptop (running WinXP). I have also used the converter successfully with
Robolab 2.5.4 and 2.9.
http://www.startech.com/item/ICUSB232-USB-to-RS232-DB9-Serial-Adapter-Cable-Male-to-Male-Serial-Adapter-USB-to-Serial.aspx
Brian
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I just added a demo file in the folder http://www.box.net/shared/xc44rksi2h.
> It is called LegoMultiCLISetup.zip and contains the installable test application
> for multiple (Max 3) CLIs.
>
> I would appreciate if someone could try it with 2 or 3 CLIs at the same time and
> give me some feedback. I have only one CLI and cannot test this Multiple CLI
> control feature.
>
> Once installed, start the application, Select Com ports for the CLIs that are
> connected to your PC. Don't forget to put a "Checkmark" to the port you want to
> use.
>
> Press Start CLIs. Pressing a Switch on port1 of any CLI will start motors on
> port 1 of other CLIs. Release the switch to stop motor(s).
>
> Ex., If you use 3 CLIs, pressing a Switch on Port 1 of of CLI#1 will start
> Motors on port 1 of CLI#2 and CLI#3. A switch on port 1 of CLI#2 will
> start/stop motors on CLI#1 & 3.
>
> Thank you for your feedback.
>
> Yves
I did some quick testing on the LegoMultiCLI program that you posted. I was able
to connect two CLIs to my computer as follows:
CLI 1: connected to COM1 serial port
CLI 2: connected to COM6 (using USB to Serial adaptor)
I ran the program and selected the appropriate COM ports and then hit the Start
button. I had a touch sensor connected to port 1 on CLI 1.
When I pressed the touch sensor, the output 1 did start properly on CLI 2.
When I released the touch sensor though, the output remained on. The input
light on CLI 1 would toggle on and off with each press of the sensor, but the
output on CLI 2 only reponded to the first press.
I moved the touch sensor to CLI 2 and it had the same effect where the output on
CLI 1 only responded to the first press.
Any ideas?
I will try to get VB installed in the next couple days so that I can view the
source code files to help with some testing.
Brian
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> In lugnet.dacta, Jetro de Chateau wrote:
> >
> > Thanks a lot for sharing. I have one of these interfaces but my main problem
> > with it (using Robolab) has always been the incredibly slow response to inputs
> > (press a touch sensor and wait about 1 second for the motor to stop).
> > Can you tell me anything about response times in your program?
> >
> > Jetro
>
> Hi Jetro,
>
> This is the exact reason why I started this project.
> I did try Robolab (V5.1 I think) and was very disappointed about the time
> response.
>
> Of course, If people don't know about Visual Basic (VB), there is some learning
> if they want to use the proposed DLL in their own projects since it is NOT as
> easy as Lego Logo or any graphical programming langugage.
>
> But still, The VB certainly brings more power and you can build a pretty User
> Interface with buttons and lights on your computer screen...
>
> If you try my Installable Demos (Using the Setup), I did set the Scan Time to 50
> ms which is very Fast. If you open the source of the Demos in VB.NET, you can
> change this Scan Time to whatever you want.
>
> The Demo 2 will give you a good idea of the response time at 50 ms since the
> Output 1 follows the status of a switch connected to input 1.
>
> The installable versions (setup) of the demos don't request to have VB.NET
> installed, but you need to have MS .NET Framework 3.5 sp1 (free) which you might
> already have. If demo 2 or 3 don't install, proceed to the installation of Demo
> (1) first.
>
> I believe I've read somewhere that the CLI sends updates of its inputs about
> sixty times per second. So, I guess that a scan time of about 15-20 ms is the
> fastest you can get for a user program.
>
> Give some feedback if you try it.
>
> Thank you.
That sounds very promising! I have absolutely no idea about VB. My idea was to
build something for a display at a LUG event which would require the interface
to be connected to a laptop. Unfortunately, the only laptop I have that has a
serial port (the other 'big' problem of the interface) runs windows 98 and
cannot run XP - Will that be a problem?
Otherwise, do you think your VB application will work over a USB-Serial
converter? (robolab doesn't - I've tried half a dozen different adapters).
Jetro
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Jetro de Chateau wrote:
>
> Thanks a lot for sharing. I have one of these interfaces but my main problem
> with it (using Robolab) has always been the incredibly slow response to inputs
> (press a touch sensor and wait about 1 second for the motor to stop).
> Can you tell me anything about response times in your program?
>
> Jetro
Hi Jetro,
This is the exact reason why I started this project.
I did try Robolab (V5.1 I think) and was very disappointed about the time
response.
Of course, If people don't know about Visual Basic (VB), there is some learning
if they want to use the proposed DLL in their own projects since it is NOT as
easy as Lego Logo or any graphical programming langugage.
But still, The VB certainly brings more power and you can build a pretty User
Interface with buttons and lights on your computer screen...
If you try my Installable Demos (Using the Setup), I did set the Scan Time to 50
ms which is very Fast. If you open the source of the Demos in VB.NET, you can
change this Scan Time to whatever you want.
The Demo 2 will give you a good idea of the response time at 50 ms since the
Output 1 follows the status of a switch connected to input 1.
The installable versions (setup) of the demos don't request to have VB.NET
installed, but you need to have MS .NET Framework 3.5 sp1 (free) which you might
already have. If demo 2 or 3 don't install, proceed to the installation of Demo
(1) first.
I believe I've read somewhere that the CLI sends updates of its inputs about
sixty times per second. So, I guess that a scan time of about 15-20 ms is the
fastest you can get for a user program.
Give some feedback if you try it.
Thank you.
|
|
| |
In lugnet.dacta, Yves Levesque wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Here is my first attempt to build a VB.NET DLL class to facilitate somehow the
> building of VB.NET programs that talk to the old ControlLab Interface "B",
> 70909.
>
> http://www.box.net/shared/xc44rksi2h
Thanks a lot for sharing. I have one of these interfaces but my main problem
with it (using Robolab) has always been the incredibly slow response to inputs
(press a touch sensor and wait about 1 second for the motor to stop).
Can you tell me anything about response times in your program?
Jetro
|
|
| |
Hi,
I just added a demo file in the folder http://www.box.net/shared/xc44rksi2h.
It is called LegoMultiCLISetup.zip and contains the installable test application
for multiple (Max 3) CLIs.
I would appreciate if someone could try it with 2 or 3 CLIs at the same time and
give me some feedback. I have only one CLI and cannot test this Multiple CLI
control feature.
Once installed, start the application, Select Com ports for the CLIs that are
connected to your PC. Don't forget to put a "Checkmark" to the port you want to
use.
Press Start CLIs. Pressing a Switch on port1 of any CLI will start motors on
port 1 of other CLIs. Release the switch to stop motor(s).
Ex., If you use 3 CLIs, pressing a Switch on Port 1 of of CLI#1 will start
Motors on port 1 of CLI#2 and CLI#3. A switch on port 1 of CLI#2 will
start/stop motors on CLI#1 & 3.
Thank you for your feedback.
Yves
|
|
|
