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Unread 05-01-2008, 03:55
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Re: **FIRST EMAIL**/FRC Game Hint #2

The only concrete clue is the IR board.

For the following reasons I don't think they will be used to receive commands from the teams.
  1. The existing command system is more than adequate and the adding of 4 somewhat less reliable command channels does not seem to be of much utility.
  2. If each team brings a potpourri of remote controls to the games testing for inadvertent interference between teams would be a bit of a nightmare.
  3. The 30-40 degree field of view

However if the IR emitters are part of the Playing Field then a host of ideas come to mind.

Game piece identification

In some past games colors were used to distinguish team pieces i.e. red and blue pool tubes. Maybe this time the game pieces will all look alike and you will have to identify your team's pieces by looking for a specific IR signature they emit.

Game targets/goals

Targets or goals may be marked with IR emitters. Their location may be changed between matches or even dynamically during the match.

Crude GPS system

Place an emitter in each corner of the game field and by scanning or each emitter (The ir board detects 4 IR signatures) the angles could be used to triangulate the position and bearing of your robot. Scanning would need a rotating mirror and optical slit.

Hint #2 with a longitude, latitude and azimuth makes me like this idea most.

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Speculation is free, just remember you get what you pay for.

Maybe I should get an hour of sleep before kickoff..

Good luck everyone.