Tag Archives: gris

Custom slider controls in Scratch

Posted on February 7, 2013 by engineerzero

To acquire user input for the Scratch version of Grisbot’s computer interface, I’m using slider controls. In the above example, I’ve made a ‘slider icon’ in the form of a red ‘I.’ Position the mouse over the icon and hold … Continue reading →

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Mini grisbot test status

Posted on January 2, 2013 by engineerzero

I have completed screen-to-photocell calibration and control code transfer. Mini grisbot passes both with flying (or at least hopping and skipping) colors. The remaining test phase is to calibrate the servo timings to execute the path as shown on the … Continue reading →

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Dual Sensor Mode in Processing

Posted on August 6, 2012 by engineerzero

Here is GRIS in Processing, revised to accommodate dual sensor mode communications between the computer and robot. The square on the left flashes data, while the square on the right flashes the clock signal. Each data bit lasts two frames. … Continue reading →

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Dual Sensor Communications Protocol

Posted on May 24, 2012 by engineerzero

Photoresistors are cheap, and the ATMega328 chip has spare analog pins, so why not use a dual sensor configuration for the GRISbot communications protocol? Here’s what the sensor cowling looks like with two photoresistors (aka LDRs) inside: Likewise the screen … Continue reading →

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Protocol Layers for GRIS Communications

Posted on May 22, 2012 by engineerzero

Years ago, I tried to read a book on telecommunications protocols. I didn’t get very far before learning that there were such things as ‘protocol layers’ that made the subject a lot more complex than simply translating voltages (or light … Continue reading →

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GRIS bot photos

Posted on May 17, 2012 by engineerzero

Here she is, the integrated prototype. Note the cowling is fastened on the back and that the breadboard has just the ATMega328, not the whole entire Arduino board. An overhead view showing the arrangement of the servos, wheels, breadboard, and … Continue reading →

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GRIS bot circuit diagram

Posted on May 7, 2012 by engineerzero

I’ve been working on this thing for months now, and it seems rather odd that only today did I think to make a circuit diagram. I think this is correct. I’ll get around to posting a photo soon too and … Continue reading →

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GRIS Calibration Flow Chart

Posted on May 2, 2012 by engineerzero

I spent an hour working on this chart tonight. It shows the calibration procedure program flow. I don’t expect anyone to follow it, this is basically for my own edification when I (attempt to) write the code tomorrow. I sure … Continue reading →

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GRIS Light Calibration

Posted on April 29, 2012 by engineerzero

For some time now, the biggest roadblock to implementing my robot has been with screen communications. Now and then the path data transfer procedure works perfectly, other times it doesn’t work at all. I suspect it has something to do … Continue reading →

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Mintduino Blink Test

Posted on April 12, 2012 by engineerzero

Finished assembling Mintduino. The ATMEGA328 chip not only has the Arduino bootloader, it also has the LED blink sketch pre-installed, so when the battery was attached to the Mintduino, the Green LED started to blink. Tomorrow: attaching the FTDI cable … Continue reading →

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