Custom Application

[John Gutmann]

I am looking for someone who can program in a language like VB, or java, or c for computers. I need a program written that on the serial port will just output a simple string of a few characters. and maybe something that slides (like a on screen linear pot) to change values from 0-255.

I have no idea where to look to find someone who can help me or if anyone is willing to help me.

Please let me know
thanks

[6600gt]

Originally Posted by sparksandtabs

I am looking for someone who can program in a language like VB, or java, or c for computers. I need a program written that on the serial port will just output a simple string of a few characters. and maybe something that slides (like a on screen linear pot) to change values from 0-255.

I have no idea where to look to find someone who can help me or if anyone is willing to help me.

Please let me know
thanks

You know what I am currently working on something exactly like that.
It can simulate all 4 joysticks. Move a button around in 2D space and it acts like a joystick.
Still working on simulating pwms using sliders and a ton of other features.
I keep making it more complicated by the minute as I keep thinking of new features to add.

I am doing it Visual C++ 2005 .NET 2. What I am doing is a long way from finished but a for now a couple of sliders shouldn't be too hard to do.
I can't test anything right now because I don't have access to a the OI/RC.

This is just one of the things I have been working. It simulates almost everything that can be done on a single OI port(except some switches and leds). I am planing on sending the data for all the ports about 20 times a second over the program port(don't want to overwhelm the RC).

[John Gutmann]

It wouldn't be for the system we use, it is going to be to control my robotic arm once I finish it. I don't need anything like PWM just a serial output at 9600 baud, and sending characters. simple as that.

[6600gt]

Are you going to type these characters that are to be sent?

For starters download Visual C++ 2005 Express Editon form microsoft.com and set it up. .NET 2 is still beta so the app is going to have to compiled on your computer(I believe).

[John Gutmann]

No the characters will not be typed, Basically I am just sending these commands to my servo controller. So to start off I want an app that will send the strings for the simple mode which is just 0x80 0x<servo number> 0x<servo position>
Due to the servo numbers being able to go up to 255 the servo position does not have a valid value of 255, so it is 0-254.

I am attaching a simple drawing of what I would like, the picture alone is self explanatory for the rest.

When you hit the set button it sends the string.

[EHaskins]

VB 2005 Express is free here. VB 2005 has a very simple serial communication control. When you register VB 2005 you can download an e-book that has some very basic information on VB. Read that book and you should be able to figure how to do this.

If you have any questions PM or e-mail me and I will help you any way I can.

EDIT: I am curious are you referring to the robotic arm from the "Build Your Own Humanoid Robot"? Your drawing looks like the VB6 program from that book.

Hope this helps
Eric Haskins
haskinseric@hotmail.com

[Russ Beavis]

Being a true LabVIEW weenie, I'd highly recommend borrowing the LabVIEW Student Edition CD from last year's kit of parts (I think that you can also download an eval version from www.ni.com). It's very easy to configure a serial port and generate a few bytes in a loop based on a slider.

For reference, I've attached a pair of VIs that I'd created for last year's competition to control a Mini-SSC (purchased from Jameco, provides 8 PWM outputs controlled via serial port). "Mini SSC.vi" is the "GUI" and "write to Mini SSC.vi" is the low-level "function" that writes data from a serial port.

Good Luck!

[John Gutmann]

hmmm.....it jsut so happens that is the same servo controller I am using! how'd you guess?!

I have never even heard of that book, everything I am doing I am desgining myself.

[6600gt]

Originally Posted by sparksandtabs

No the characters will not be typed, Basically I am just sending these commands to my servo controller. So to start off I want an app that will send the strings for the simple mode which is just 0x80 0x<servo number> 0x<servo position>
Due to the servo numbers being able to go up to 255 the servo position does not have a valid value of 255, so it is 0-254.

I am attaching a simple drawing of what I would like, the picture alone is self explanatory for the rest.

When you hit the set button it sends the string.

I can make something like that if you want to test it out...
Does the data stream have to periodic sent to the controller?

[John Gutmann]

Originally Posted by 6600gt

I can make something like that if you want to test it out...
Does the data stream have to periodic sent to the controller?

The data stream only has to be sent once.

[gobeavs]

Didn't .NET do away with legacy communication protocol support? Was getting the serial port to work easy?

[6600gt]

Originally Posted by gobeavs

Didn't .NET do away with legacy communication protocol support? Was getting the serial port to work easy?

.NET2 has built in support for serial port...drag and drop

[gobeavs]

Originally Posted by 6600gt

.NET2 has built in support for serial port...drag and drop

Ah, ok. Thanks for clearing that up.

[John Gutmann]

ok so I have someone helping me with this right now.....but we are having some troubles sending the right data over the serial port. Is there anyone who can help?

[bear24rw]

Originally Posted by sparksandtabs

ok so I have someone helping me with this right now.....but we are having some troubles sending the right data over the serial port. Is there anyone who can help?

Are you using .NET 2? And what code do you have so far to try to send it out...?