light up buttons

[Al Skierkiewicz]

According to robot rules and the IFI OI ref guide, you can use the LED outputs on the OI for anything you want as lond as they only use power from the OI LED ports which are internally limited to 10 ma. You can use the dashboard to port data to an outside self powered box that could interpret the data as outlined in the rules.

<R79> Teams are permitted to connect a portable computing device (Laptop computer, PDAs, etc.)
to the RS232 Output of the dashboard port of the Operator Interface for the purpose of
displaying feedback from the ROBOT while participating in competition matches. Please
note that AC power will not be available at the playing field so these devices will have
to run on internal batteries.

<R83> All equipment connected to the joystick ports of the Operator Interface must be powered
solely through the power available through the port. External power sources of any type are
not permitted on any equipment connected to the joystick ports. Portable computing
devices can not be connected to joystick input ports on the Operator Interface. Powerpassive
devices (e.g. joysticks that draw their power solely through the Operator Interface
joystick port) are permitted. The one exception to this rule is Innovation First Incorporated
USB adapters (IFI Part Number USB-CHICKLET) may be used to connect USB devices to
the joystick ports of the Operator Interface. If used, this USB adapter must be powered with
a 7.2V battery similar to the back-up battery. Teams can not use power from the
competition port or any other source to power the USB adapter. The USB adapter must be
positioned within the OPERATOR CONSOLE so that the indicator lights may be seen during
inspection and operation in a match.