Communicating with Feeder

[nighterfighter]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

Use a laptop to flash the color fullscreen

Yes. This seems to be the most effective way.

...And when it isn't flashing full-screen color, it shows random pictures of funny kittens to distract the other team!

[smistthegreat]

Another idea for a low tech system, just a simple poster that the analyst would hold up signaling which shape and which side to load on, similar to the play calling cards that Oregon uses in NCAA football like this: http://media.spokesman.com/photos/20...52 f96b62dbc7

[MagiChau]

I would say using LEDs are the best option. Seems like a lower chance of getting the desired game piece wrong.

[bassoondude]

Another low tech option would be to have the analyst hold up their right arm for one color, left for another, and both for the third. the exact colors can be decided before a match

[blayde5]

Originally Posted by bassoondude

Another low tech option would be to have the analyst hold up their right arm for one color, left for another, and both for the third. the exact colors can be decided before a match

I will second this. The simplest option is often the best. Just make sure they human player has a good memory

[Jogo]

Okay, yeah let's keep this simple. Should we try to set up a standard on CD?

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Jogo

Okay, yeah let's keep this simple. Should we try to set up a standard on CD?

Clarification?

[UkuleleGuy]

Personally, I really like the LED idea. LEDs are not hard to hook up, and would be much easier to see than having to peer across the entire field over robots and poles.

[KrazyCarl92]

Originally Posted by bassoondude

Another low tech option would be to have the analyst hold up their right arm for one color, left for another, and both for the third. the exact colors can be decided before a match

Although I agree that hand signals would be simplest, esp. if made a standard, left/right can be confusing for some b/c of the mirroring aspect; left for the analyst is right for the HP. Therefore I believe in a standard for Analyst--> HP comm, something like:

fist = circle
arms in a triangle (like "A" in YMCA dance) = triangle
arms out at right angles = quadrangle

^^^FRC community: IT IS UP TO US TO SET OUT A STANDARD PRIOR TO COMPETITION, WE SHOULD DECIDE ON SOMETHING WELL IN ADVANCE TO BEST SOLVE THE PROBLEM!

[Tetraman]

It's not that difficult.

Hold up a fist - Requesting a circle

Hold up a hand, palm out fingers together - Requesting a Square

Hold up a hand, back of hand fingers apart - Requesting a Triangle

[nighterfighter]

Originally Posted by KrazyCarl92

^^^FRC community: IT IS UP TO US TO SET OUT A STANDARD PRIOR TO COMPETITION, WE SHOULD DECIDE ON SOMETHING WELL IN ADVANCE TO BEST SOLVE THE PROBLEM!

Not really. You just talk to your alliance before the match.

[Joe Schornak]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

It's not that difficult.

Hold up a fist - Requesting a circle

Hold up a hand, palm out fingers together - Requesting a Square

Hold up a hand, back of hand fingers apart - Requesting a Triangle

We had issues with cross-field communication in 2009, when we were trying to communicate with our human player on the other side of the field. We tried hand signals initially, but they just devolved into large desperate waves as we tried to get his attention. There's probably going to be too much happening for the feeder to keep an eye on the drivers for the whole game. To make matters worse, the view to and from the driver stations will become obscured as more logo pieces are placed.

Thus, I support on-robot signaling. However, for that classy feel and improved visibility, use neon or LED underlighting colored corresponding to the desired color. It would be fairly intuitive to give a red piece to the robot with bright, flashing red lights.

[nighterfighter]

Originally Posted by Joe Schornak

It would be fairly intuitive to give a red piece to the robot with bright, flashing red lights.

Haha, that's what YOU think!

[Grim Tuesday]

IMO LEDs are the best method. Or we dress like The Beatles.

[ChristopherBuck]

Originally Posted by Joe Schornak

We had issues with cross-field communication in 2009, when we were trying to communicate with our human player on the other side of the field. We tried hand signals initially, but they just devolved into large desperate waves as we tried to get his attention. There's probably going to be too much happening for the feeder to keep an eye on the drivers for the whole game. To make matters worse, the view to and from the driver stations will become obscured as more logo pieces are placed.

Thus, I support on-robot signaling. However, for that classy feel and improved visibility, use neon or LED underlighting colored corresponding to the desired color. It would be fairly intuitive to give a red piece to the robot with bright, flashing red lights.

Good point. Game pieces obscuring alliance station + not looking at each other would equal many problems. So is the general idea to wire a few LEDs to various relays or DIOs on the sidecar?