Subject:
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RE: Spybotics - A great disappointment
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Tue, 23 Jul 2002 17:43:34 GMT
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Original-From:
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Marco Correia <(marco@soporcel.)NoMoreSpam(pt)>
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Reply-To:
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<MARCO@stopspammersSOPORCEL.PT>
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Viewed:
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1187 times
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> -----Original Message-----> Of Dave Baum
> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 2:50 AM
>
> It is programmed using visible light, but the commands are very
> different from CodePilot/MicroScout. The protocol itself is just
> 4800bps turned into light. The packets have a simple format
> (preable, data bytes, checksum). The commands in the packets are
> identical to RCX commands (minus a few commands that aren't
> supported, plus a few new ones).
So, in theory, comms between CyberMaster/RCX/Scout and Spybotics is
possible,
provided that a fiber optic is used and an emulator is coded, although,
at 4800bps I don't know if that's feasible with standard firmware and NQC.
> > hmmm... doesn't the RIS 2.0 USB IR-Tower has a LED for VLL output ?
> > Maybe it could be used in that mode.
> maybe. It would need input too, and I don't know if enough
INPUT ? Oops, I was forgetting that !
So, the Spybotics unit has light output too ?
Ok, so two fiber optic are need then :) for theoretical pBrick comms
with Spybotics.
> light could get through that dark plastic. Even so, you'd need some way
> of getting the tower really close to Spybotics (or use fiber optic).
Yes, like I would expect using that with a MicroScout, but since
there's also the need for INPUT, this isn't a possible solution
anymore for users with the RIS 2.0 USB IR-Tower, without RS-232 port.
> > What is the purpose of the thing that looks like a IR-rc (I
> > think someone also called it a Beacon) ?
> You can use that to interact with the Spybotics brick.
> You can manually control the motors or send it messages.
So there's message capability, great.
> I think there are also some modes where it broadcasts a signal
> and the Spybotics can detect where it is.
Through the inbuilt LightSensor, right ?
Is the LightSensor used for the visible light comms with the PC
or is there a special light input/output for that ?
> > And also, is there a way to control more than one unit at
> > the same time ? i.e. Can I control the 4 units independently,
> The spybotics have IDs and are intended to be used in groups, but I
> haven't experimented with this yet.
Hmmm... well, but the use of IDs is less usefull when there's
no "medium/long range" comms, like we have with the infra-red
controlled pBricks (including MANAS).
The units can be used in groups, but can't *interact* with each
other using "medium/long range" comms, right ?
From what you said, I understand all possible comms are done at "close
range" to the point of physical (optical) contact with visible light.
I still haven't seen a picture where the visible light input/output is done
on a Spybotics unit.
Would it be possible to link two Spybotics using two crossed fiber optic for
message exchange ?
...sorry for all these questions :/
I know I'll have to buy a unit eventually (well, at least one), and sort all
these questions myself, like I did with the VLLbricks, but, since there are
already Spybotics owners here, one can always try to get these answers more
sooner than later ;)
There might be no disappointment after all, eh :)
So, at home tonight, I'll download the "newer" RIS 2.0 SDK (I think I still
have the beta version, or something) and NQC 2.5 a1 and hopefully figure out
what can be done with a Spybotics pBrick.
Thxs for all this info (and for NQC) Dave !
mc.
PS: After writing this msg, I checked Dave's NQC 2.5 a1 msg
and saw the reference to the "six LEDs" and the SetLED() cmd.
So, this is how the unit does Light output :)
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | RE: Spybotics - A great disappointment
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| (...) From what Jake said at lugnet.lego.direct and from what you say above, I don't understand if IR or Visible Light (or both !?!?) are used to download programs to the Spybot. About VLL, from Jake McKee: (...) That's a *very good* thing, *both* (...) (22 years ago, 24-Jul-02, to lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Spybotics - A great disappointment
|
| (...) It is programmed using visible light, but the commands are very different from CodePilot/MicroScout. The protocol itself is just 4800bps NRZ turned into light. The packets have a simple format (preable, data bytes, checksum). The commands in (...) (22 years ago, 23-Jul-02, to lugnet.robotics)
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