computoman

Here we want to interface an rc controller to a computing device so that we do not have to manually manage it. You can use all kinds of external sensors or just pre-program the computer or micro-controller for a specific task.You can use everything from robot arms to controlling RC models. Computer/micro-controller interface Probably the easiest way to use a computer is to use the standard parallel port (not usb). The micro-controllers are varied so you have to look for the digital type interfaces as to what to use. I.E. for the Raspberry Pi you would use the GPIO You will need to see the manuals as the pins vary between units even of the same vendors. But for the original Arduino  looks something like this: The computer/microcontroller interface, uses 4 inexpensive npn transistors and 4 resistors. RC controller You can disable the power lines, because you will be using the power lines from the interface. Took my controllers joystick portion from the uni...

More fun than old fashioned wrestling.

It vibrates around via an electric toothbrush.

There are times in electronics where you need more data lines than the device you are using can handle. This is true of microcontrollers and especially the old computer parallel port. The one shortcoming of the following setups is that you can use only one line at a time, but then you can use just three lines to control eight lines. That frees up control lines if you need to use the control lines for other tasks, Time slicing can make the setups more interactive. The 74151 is a 8 input channel multiplexer. It is exceptionally useful when you need to expand your inputs. This allows you to convert 3 outputs and 1 input into 8 addressable inputs.   You would have to write software that would cycle through all the inputs to  for them to be consistently valid. You would need know what the memory locations of the specific data lines are to take advantage of the multiplexer. An example might be: data = inp(&h379) IF (data and 32) = 32 then print "Out o...

There are times in electronics where you need more data lines than the device you are using can handle. This is true of microcontrollers and especially the old computer parallel port. The one shortcoming of the following setups is that you can use only one line at a time, but then you can use just three lines to control eight lines. That frees up control lines if you need to use the control lines for other tasks, Time slicing can make the setups more interactive. The 74151 is a 8 input channel multiplexer. It is exceptionally useful when you need to expand your inputs. This allows you to convert 3 outputs and 1 input into 8 addressable inputs.   You would have to write software that would cycle through all the inputs to  for them to be consistently valid. You would need know what the memory locations of the specific data lines are to take advantage of the multiplexer. An example might be: data = inp(&h379) IF (data and 32) = 32 then print "Out o...

Have not made much time to work on special projects. One thing I need to start back on is robopet.  There is nothing real super snazzy about this unit although it could be. Mainly I will use it for carrying snacks back and forth from the kitchen during sporting events. There will be a second level not currently attached to hold the goodies. More information about the unit follows. Electronics: Using an old Pentium I computer, usb wireless, DC battery power, dc-dc atx ps and compact flash with an ide conversion interface. Powered wheels came from two Tonka RC cars that I dissected. Made a special wiring hardness to connect the parallel port with the control electronics. Now I need to start testing the electronics for the motor control. Hoping the h-bridge can take the current. If not, I think I have a IC that will. Worst case scenarios is to do it the old fashion way with transistors. After that, everything should fall into place. Using a standard power supply to test the un...

Simple blinker or flasher. No fancy ic's (integrated circuits) are required. Perfect for robots. Transistor: (NPN) 2n3904 For an alternate light blinker (like at a railroad crossing) you might try: Blink lights on the parallel port. #!/bin/bash echo "infinite loops [ hit CTRL+C to stop]" for (( ; ; )) do    sudo parcon 1h2h3h4h5h6h7h8h    pause 1    sudo parcon 1l2l3l4l5l6l7l8l    pause 1 done

Nowadays people use the Arduino and the Raspverry Pi to control all sorts of motors and other things. but also older computers can do the same thing with the parallel port. In fact, you can add several parallel port cards to even make a cnc machine, http://www.machinegrid.com/2008/12/parallel-port-tutorial-part-1/   is a good article about using the l293d chip as what is known as a h bridge with the parallel port. Note: In Qbasic you can control the parallel port with out 888, 0 instead of outportb(0×378,0×00); as used by the C language.

Have not made much time to work on special projects. One thing I need to start back on is robopet.  There is nothing real super snazzy about this unit although it could be. mainly I will use it for carrying snacks back and forth from the kitchen during sporting events. There will be a second level not currently attached to hold the goodies. More information about the unit follows. Electronics: Using an old Pentium I computer, usb wireless, DC battery power, and compact flash with an ide interface. Made a special wiring hardness to connect the parallel port with the electronics. Now I need to start testing the electronics for the motor control. Hoping the h-bridge can take the current. If not, I think I have a IC that will. Worst case scenarios is to do it the old fashion way with transistors. After that, everything should fall into place. Using a standard power supply to test the unit, but it will run on battery when I finish it. Since the motherboard is AT and t...

You are probably using Linux without even knowing it. http://venturebeat.com/2012/04/03/invisible-linux/

Bobby aka Bob has written several articles already, Maybe it is time for me to do one also. He mentioned that I was into robots. Actually my favorite projects are to re-purpose old computers for new re-uses. Doing robots is certainly one of those ends. Do not think I have bought a completely new computer in over five years. Would love to have a completely new machine. Several issues have me more and more into older equipment. First is that you can get the items free or very cheap. Despite the argument that older equipment requires more electricity, You can with proper planning not really use that much more in power for a single installation. For the corporate world where you would be using maybe thousands of systems, then you want the new greener equipment (being all things are equal). Secondly you are not really purchasing equipment any more but actually renting it. Look at the fine print of the EULA (End User Licensing agreement) agreement of you newer systems. Compani...

Bobby aka Bob has written several articles already, Maybe it is time for me to do one also. He mentioned that I was into robots. Actually my favorite projects are to re-purpose old computers for new re-uses. Doing robots is certainly one of those ends. Do not think I have bought a completely new computer in over five years. Would love to have a completely new machine. Several issues have me more and more into older equipment. First is that you can get the items free or very cheap. Despite the argument that older equipment requires more electricity, You can with proper planning not really use that much more in power for a single installation. For the corporate world where you would be using maybe thousands of systems, then you want the new greener equipment (being all things are equal). Secondly you are not really purchasing equipment any more but actually renting it. Look at the fine print of the EULA (End User Licensing agreement) agreement of you newer systems. Comp...