"David thank you I have ordered the upgrade and we are experimenting
with putting some of our written programs into a My block to save
space, is this correct? "
I'm not sure about that. I'd guess that the only benefit would be
reduce screen space. The primary purpose of a my-block is to
capture repeatable sequences of a program ( like a sub-routine ,
function, macro , or class) so they can be defined in one place and
easily maintained. As a secondary benefit, there would be a
reduction in program size because the space for sequences of blocks
housed in a my-block need only be allocated once.
There is some decent coverage of this is in the NXT Idea Book that you
mentioned. Myblocks are demonstrated In the chapter named " Marty -
A Performance Art Robot". For example the My-blocks named "pen-up"
and "pen-down" are repeatable sequences.
"One student had a question, Could each mission be programmed and be
put into a "My Block", and then put each "My Block" into one program?
They are working on ways to not have to spend time at the table
scrolling through the brick to find each mission file. Even when the
missions are downloaded to the brick in order of their runs they still
have to scroll to find them."
The kids get pretty good at knowing where to find their programs in a
hurry so I'd suggest that you only combine two or three programs at a
time. Our team does this when missions return to base and don't
require additional attachments that delay the robot from being sent
out again. This techique was outlined here on the listserv a few weeks
ago and should still be in the archive : https://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A1=ind0811&L=vadcfll-l
in a topic named "Moving robot in base while program pauses"
"Viewing the rotational count while pushing the robot."
Here's an alternative that demonstrates how mathematical formulas
learned in school can be applied to the robot:
Have the kids use a tape measure on the table to get the desired
distance. Then have them measure the circumference of their wheel.
( added bonus if any of the team members knows the formula for the
circumference of a circle.) Explain that the vehicle will travel a
distance equal to the circumference of the wheel for every 1 rotation
of the motor ( this assumes that you are not connecting two or more
different sized gears from the motor to the wheel).
Here is the formula for calculating the rotational count for your
motor block:
rotations = desired distance to travel / wheel circumference
degrees = rotations * 360
Have fun,
David
On Nov 30, 2008, at 9:25 AM, Tracy Reed wrote:
> Larry,
>
> Scroll the screen until you find the "view" window. Select and
> scroll over to the gears window, one will have a "R" and one will
> have a "D" in the bottom corner. Select the window with "D" and
> then a window with port, A, B or C will come up, select the port you
> wish to program, (for us A is an arm and B and C are controlling the
> wheels). Once you select your port you will manually push your
> robot to the desired distance / location. The degrees will come up
> on the window and you can key that into your move block. If you
> select "R" it will give you the # of Rotations needed and if you
> select "D" it will give you the degrees needed. We have found the
> degrees to be more accurate than the Rotations. Be sure when
> programming the move block to key in "Degrees". We are still
> experimenting with this on curve turns and it has not been as
> accurate. It has worked well with turns, our arm and straight
> shots. If you are traveling backwards the degrees will show on the
> screen as " - 720 " you do not key in the "-" just choose the
> backwards arrow on your block.
>
> I do hope I explained this clearly. We are still playing with this
> new discovery. If I am missing information or someone can add to
> this I would be grateful. I do know it has made our programming go
> much faster. One of our team members received the "Lego Mindstorms
> NXT Idea Book" and it is awesome. The kids cannot wait until the
> off season to plow through these projects.
>
> Note on the move block issue. David thank you I have ordered the
> upgrade and we are experimenting with putting some of our written
> programs into a My block to save space, is this correct? One
> student had a question, Could each mission be programmed and be put
> into a "My Block", and then put each "My Block" into one program?
> They are working on ways to not have to spend time at the table
> scrolling through the brick to find each mission file. Even when
> the missions are downloaded to the brick in order of their runs they
> still have to scroll to find them.
>
> Thank you,
> Tracy
>
> unIn a message dated 11/29/2008 6:40:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
> writes:
> Tracy,
>
>
>
> We noted your phrase, “they have learned how to access the view
> window and push the robot manually to it's desired stopping point
> and then key in the degrees on the move block.” How do you do that?
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Larry Sides
>
> Madison Menagerie Robotics
>
>
>
> From: First Lego League Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]
> ] On Behalf Of Tracy Reed
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 4:34 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Limit to move Blocks
>
>
>
> David,
>
>
>
> We started up the NXT ( we have version 1.0) fresh today, after a
> good rest. and everything worked fine, it took the block plus
> several more! We did discuss one common factor, this seems to
> happen after the robot has been in use for maybe 2 or so hours with
> LOTS of programming or changes to a program. Any thoughts?
>
> The blocks are no longer on the program for me to attatch, the
> student took them off when he could not get them to work. I did
> look at them and they were simple move blocks, ports b and c, 75 %
> power, 2 rotations, brake. The original block was done in degrees,
> they have learned how to access the view window and push the robot
> manually to it's desired stopping point and then key in the degrees
> on the move block.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tracy
>
>
>
> In a message dated 11/26/2008 10:24:12 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
> writes:
>
>
> In that case the obvious answer is out of memory error when
> downloading
> but from what you are saying there is no such error and it appears to
> download just fine. Therefore I think you are making a assumption
> that
> the block was not included. There may be physical conditions where
> they block does not appear to run.
> Can you you attach your program?
>
> Also do you want to cc the listserv again since there are a couple of
> others that have chimed in?
>
> David
>
> [log in to unmask] wrote:
> > Hi David,
> > Yes, a team member had 15 blocks and added another and it would not
> > transfer it to the NXT. He also added 4 identical blocks and they
> > would not download. We have also had this problem where we would
> add
> > a move forward mini move it would not pick it up on the NXT so we
> > would put an identical move block in front of it and it would take
> > it? I will be sure the kids are "saving" the new move before
> > downloading. It happens sporadically. There is no problem dragging
> > the move block and having it show up on the computer screen, it just
> > does not always transfer to the brick. We download and it
> downloads as
> > always (compiling info is up on the screen and we get the beep when
> > finished) There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to this, it
> > has only happened with one or two long programs. We reboot
> everything
> > and keep playing with it and usually it will end up taking it so
> we go
> > back and delete the "phantom blocks that are identical" and all is
> > well. I was reading up on My blocks to see if that would
> help. I
> > can't find anywhere in the NXT book where there are limitations on
> > blocks in a program.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tracy
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 11/26/2008 9:15:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> > [log in to unmask] writes:
> >
> >
> > Hi Tracy,
> > What do you mean by " it will not take anymore "? Is it that
> > you can
> > not drag in another block, save the program, download to the
> brick?
> > David
> >
> > Tracy Reed wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > > I was wondering if anyone knows what the # of move blocks a
> single
> > > program can use. It seems we are writing programs and when we
> > get to
> > > approx. 15 blocks it will not take anymore. Is there a way
> > around this?
> > >
> > > Your input is greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > > Tracy Reed
> > > 4-H L.E.A.D Huskies
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > *One site has it all.* Your email accounts, your social
> > networks, and
> > > the things you love. *Try the new *MailScanner has detected a
> > possible
> > > fraud attempt from "pr.atwola.com" claiming to be* AOL.com
> > >
> > <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212962939x1200825291/aol?redir=http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp%26icid=aolcom40vanity%26ncid=emlcntaolcom00000001
> >
> >
> > > today!*
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > >
> ______________________________________________________________ To
> > > UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit
> > > https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select
> > "Join or
> > > leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L
> mailing
> > list
> > > - to which FLL administrative announcements will be
> distributed -
> > > visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html
> and
> > > select "Join or leave the list".
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > *One site has it all.* Your email accounts, your social networks,
> and
> > the things you love. *Try the new *MailScanner has detected a
> possible
> > fraud attempt from "pr.atwola.com" claiming to be* AOL.com
> > <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212962939x1200825291/aol?redir=http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp%26icid=aolcom40vanity%26ncid=emlcntaolcom00000001
> >
> > today!*
>
>
>
>
> Life should be easier. So should your homepage. MailScanner has
> detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.aol.com" claiming to be
> Try the NEW AOL.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ______________________________________________________________ To
> UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html
> and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the
> VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative
> announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html
> and select "Join or leave the list".
>
>
>
> Life should be easier. So should your homepage. MailScanner has
> detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.aol.com" claiming to be
> Try the NEW AOL.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> ______________________________________________________________ To
> UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html
> and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the
> VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative
> announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html
> and select "Join or leave the list".
______________________________________________________________
To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".
If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".
|
