Don's Electronic Thing part 4

So far:
I have most of the MicroScout code written.  I want to a command to toggle the microscout switch reader subroutine on and off.  Then the main microscout code will be done.

Then the next is the IR circuit.  After the circuit is completed, time to build it.

Don's Electronic Thing part 3

I just received my HC-05 Bluetooth module!  Spent some time figuring out how to setup the circuit,

The fellow at this link has a nice simple setup that clearly shows how to hook up the BT module.

https://howtomechatronics.com/tutorials/arduino/arduino-and-hc-05-bluetooth-module-tutorial/

I did get it to pair with my android tablet (yea!).  Now I need to figure out the arduino coding to read it...


update:

   It does work!  I used a "chat" program in RFO Basic to send simple commands to the arduino, making a couple of Leds blink.  Next is to get the switch feed back to work.

Don's Electronic Thing part 2 -- Software V1.0

Here is my sketch (program) for my Don's Electronic Thing V1.0

  I put in some blank sections for some of the other Lego computer bricks.  The program is a little repetitive.  I think I will re-write some of it later.  To use this, download it to your arduino, and open the serial monitor (button in upper right corner of the arduino ide).  When it says "Ready" on the serial monitor, type any commands in the space at the top.  Anyway, here is the current working version:

/*
Don's Electronic Thing Version 1
 -- Drive lego(cr) computer bricks from an Arduino Uno.
 -- Working on:
 MicroScout program 4.
 */

// init variables
String message="Test Message!";
// Pin assignments
int MS1Led=2;
int MS1Sw=3;
int MS2Led=4;
int MS2Sw=5;
int MS3Led=6;
int MS3Sw=7;
int IRTrn=8;
int IRRec=9;
int BTTrn=10;
int BTRec=11;
int BTConLed=12;

// MicroScout direction variables
int MS1=1;
int MS2=1;
int MS3=1;
int MSNum=0;
int MSAct=0;

// Infared variables


// Bluetooth variables



void setup() {
  //pinmodes
  pinMode(MS1Led,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(MS1Sw,INPUT);
  pinMode(MS2Led,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(MS2Sw,INPUT);
  pinMode(MS3Led,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(MS3Sw,INPUT);
  pinMode(IRTrn,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(IRRec,INPUT);
  pinMode(BTTrn,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(BTRec,INPUT);
  pinMode(BTConLed,OUTPUT);
  //serial setup/output ready
  Serial.begin(9600);
  delay(5000); // give user time to open serial monitor.
  Serial.println("Ready");  
}

void loop() {
  // listen for message
  // recieve messages from the serial monitor
  // in future will be from a BT HC-05 module

  while(Serial.available()==0) {
  }
  message=Serial.readString();
  Serial.println("you typed:");
  Serial.println(message);
  //Serial.println(message);
  // process message
  // if message starts with a two letter code then 'gosub'
  // to appropiate 'subroutine'
  if (message.startsWith("MS0")) {
    MS0();
  }
  if (message.startsWith("MS")) {
    MicroScout(); 
  }

  if (message.startsWith("VL")) {
    VLL();
  }

  if (message.startsWith("RS")) {
    RCXSend();
  }

  if (message.startsWith("RR")) {
    RCXRec();
  }

  if (message.startsWith("BM")) {
    Manas();
  }

  if (message.startsWith("YS")) {
    SpybotSend();
  }

  if (message.startsWith("YR")) {
    SpybotRec();
  }

  if (message.startsWith("CS")) {
    ScoutSend();
  }

  if (message.startsWith("CR")) {
    ScoutRec();
  }



  // end of voidloop
}


// code for MS program 4
void MicroScout() {
  /*
 now to pickout the ms number, and function number
   MS0x -- send same command to all MicroScouts.
   MS1x -- MicroScout #1
   MS2x -- MicroScout #2
   MS3x -- MicroScout #3
   0 -- stop motor
   1 -- motor forwards
   2 -- motor backwards
   */
  //Serial.println("MicroScout");

  //  Serial.println(message);

  int mlen=message.length();
  if (mlen==4 ) {

    MSNum=message.charAt(2);
    MSAct=message.charAt(3);
    MSNum=MSNum-48;
    MSAct=MSAct-48;

    //check direction here
    //if needed do reverse blink

    if (MSNum==1) {
      // check for motor direction
      if (MSAct==1 && MS1==2) {
        RevBlink();
        MS1=1;
      }
      if (MSAct==2 && MS1==1) {
        RevBlink();
        MS1=2;
      }

      if (MSAct==0) {
        digitalWrite(MS1Led, LOW);
      }
      if (MSAct==1) {
        digitalWrite(MS1Led, HIGH);
      }
      if (MSAct==2) {
        // microscout go backwards.
        digitalWrite(MS1Led, HIGH);
      }
    }

    if (MSNum==2) {
      // check for motor direction
      if (MSAct==1 && MS2==2) {
        RevBlink();
        MS2=1;
      }
      if (MSAct==2 && MS2==1) {
        RevBlink();
        MS2=2;
      }

      if (MSAct==0) {
        digitalWrite(MS2Led, LOW);
      }
      if (MSAct==1) {
        digitalWrite(MS2Led, HIGH);
      }
      if (MSAct==2) {
        // microscout go backwards.
        digitalWrite(MS2Led, HIGH);
      }
    }
    if (MSNum==3) {
      // check for motor direction
      if (MSAct==1 && MS3==2) {
        RevBlink();
        MS3=1;
      }
      if (MSAct==2 && MS3==1) {
        RevBlink();
        MS3=2;
      }

      if (MSAct==0) {
        digitalWrite(MS3Led, LOW);
      }
      if (MSAct==1) {
        digitalWrite(MS3Led, HIGH);
      }
      if (MSAct==2) {
        // microscout go backwards.
        digitalWrite(MS3Led, HIGH);
      }
    }

  }

  message="";
}

void MS0() {
  // The MicroScout "MS0x" command sends the same action to all 
  // MicroScouts.
  MSAct=message.charAt(3);
  MSAct=MSAct-48;
  message="MS1";
  message.concat(MSAct);
  MicroScout();
  message="MS2";
  message.concat(MSAct);
  MicroScout();
  message="MS3";
  message.concat(MSAct);
  MicroScout();

}

void RevBlink() {
  if (MSNum==1) {
    digitalWrite(MS1Led, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS1Led, LOW);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS1Led, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS1Led, LOW);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS1Led, HIGH);
  }
  if (MSNum==2) {
    digitalWrite(MS2Led, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS2Led, LOW);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS2Led, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS2Led, LOW);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS2Led, HIGH);
  }
  if (MSNum==3) {
    digitalWrite(MS3Led, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS3Led, LOW);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS3Led, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS3Led, LOW);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(MS3Led, HIGH);
  }
}

// code for MS VLL?
void VLL() {
  Serial.println("VLL");
}

// code for RCX
void RCXSend() {
  Serial.println("RCXSend");
}

void RCXRec() {
  Serial.println("RCXRec");
}

// code for Bionicle Manas
void Manas() {
  Serial.println("Manas");
}

// code for Spybot
void SpybotSend() {
  Serial.println("SpybotSend");
}

void SpybotRec() {
  Serial.println("SpybotRec");
}

void ScoutSend() {
  Serial.println("ScoutSend");
}

void ScoutRec() {
  Serial.println("ScoutRec");
}

Don's Electronic Thing part 1 -- Initial Concept.

I would like my Don's Electronic Thing to have the following features:

  A) It will be based on a single Arduino Uno micro controller board.  Until I got one, I didn't realize how small, and powerful they are.  Programming it reminds me of writing software on my old Radio Shack Color Computer.

  B) Bluetooth module (probably an HC-05 type.)  This will allow most any bluetooth enabled PC/Phone/Tablet/etc.  to control it.  (Essentially anything with a programming language with bluetooth access.)  Be able to use touch screen controls, just like the more modern computer bricks.

  C) IR transmit/receive Leds.  This should allow it to communicate with most of the Lego IR devices.  I'm hoping to control the RCXs, the Manas, and the Spybot.  I don't have any Scout bricks, or anything newer than the RCX.

  D) Three "MicroScout Ports" -- Yes I said MicroScouts!  I have three, and they still work.  It is kind of cool to find a way to make them more useful.  Each "port" will consist of a single Led, and connector for a switch.  The Led will send signals, to a MicroScout.  The switch will track the motor rotations.

  E) Power will be supplied by a "cell phone charger battery".  These things are available nearly everywhere, at fairly low prices.  Also they will be easy to charge/swap in and out.

  F) Housing (so far):  Will be a blue, low profile, outlet box.  The Arduino Uno fits neatly into this box.  I bought the box from my local Manards home store.  I got the idea from a fellow on the web.  (http://www.instructables.com/id/Dirt-Cheap-Arduino-Enclosure/.)  Though I would like to find a plastic lid the same color.

Progress So Far:

I decided to tackle the simplest communication first:  The MicroScout Program 4. (Program 4 allows simple control of  a motor by turning a light on, or off.  Reversing the motor one just double flashes the light -- like double clicking a mouse button.)  I wired up a two Led circuit on my small breadboard, and started writing a sketch (program), to control them.  So far, I can type commands on the serial console on my computer, and watch the lights turn on, and off.  Exciting!