pic: Game hint

[Milaki]

If you all want the link is up because I just looked at it and it gives you a PDF file that gives instructions on the IR sensor (yes it is one) or at least a IR Control Decoder Board

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Pavan

We need an IP check on this ASAP, both registration address as well as the post address. We need to confirm this came from NDI or NH.

It is fake, I assure you. I know i've said that, but with all the speculation I'm sure it got skipped over.


I like the 'random active goals' idea. A lot. a lot a lot.

EDIT: Also, I have received the email as the shipping contact for team 1923.

[Big Kid]

i know I'm a rookie and all this year but since someone suggested a IP trace i did my self the favor and ran a DNS trace and this is what my findings were.

The site's and the PDF file on the site's web registration is under the name of U.S. Fndn for Insp & Recog of Sci & Tech, which is none other then FIRST, the address registrated with the sites is 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH.

now, myself even with this information i have some doubts about the "hint"

[Jeff K.]

Was it even meant to be a game hint? But it could have to do with a field component, like an IR beacon. That would be cool.

[Big Kid]

accually it more like FIRST may be telling us that we will or might have to put that thing on our robots, if this is offical and not just some hoax, to be successful on accomplishing the main goal in this year's game.

[Bill Moore]

Reading the PDF, it references this board as a modified TinyIR2 from TaunTek.

Acknowledgement is also given to Vishay for donating the IR Sensors. The bottom series looks like the sensor in the upper right corner of Joe's photo. (I couldn't see the part ID in the photo.)

Does any of this help you electrical types narrow the purpose?

[AdamHeard]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet......

but, Joe pulled off the canceled championship hoax in 2003.

So, I wouldn't put it past him for it to be a hoax, and if it is in fact real, the mischievousness of FIRST by sending it to someone known for a hoax is awesome.... perhaps Dave's doing?

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Libby K

It is fake, I assure you. I know i've said that, but with all the speculation I'm sure it got skipped over.


I like the 'random active goals' idea. A lot. a lot a lot.

EDIT: Also, I have received the email as the shipping contact for team 1923.

Maybe if its in boldface people will read it.
Come'on people, she knows Dean personaly, so I'm pretty sure she would know what she's saying.

[vivek16]

Originally Posted by Jeff K.

Was it even meant to be a game hint? But it could have to do with a field component, like an IR beacon. That would be cool.

well apparently the envelope it came in said GAME HINT! ...

-vivek

my guess is that we will have different game pieces that send different signals, maybe two types of game pieces and then after each match begins they show which game piece which alliance will be using?

[JaneYoung]

Just a thought here,
If there are packages that are to go out to the main contacts or alternates, many of them would be delivered to schools most likely. Next week is the last week of school for many as the holidays approach. To create a hint that involves delivery, it would make sense that the information came out this early. Lots of logistics involved in this one.

[billbo911]

Just for the sake of argument, I'll bite.

I'm going to put two things together and see if we can get a little closer to the/an answer.

In Atlanta, Woodie said, "Just be careful about the stock market, with jello, gerbils, and K'nex blocks."

To me, the stock market is full of ups and downs. I won't touch jello and gerbils, but K'nex blocks..... Remember the three basic First scoring shapes.

Now, add in this new detector. It is a receiver, not a transmitting unit. IR in generates 100ms +5vdc pulse. Up to 4 discreet outputs.


OK, here is what my polluted mind comes up with.

A part of this years game will be goals that transmit an IR signal indicating where (think height) the goal is. Some higher, some lower (ups and downs). We will be using a rectangular or square scoring piece.

You can either manually position the scoring item at the right height, or, using the input from the IR transmitter, automatically (autonomously) position it.

My guess is they will not be using a 38KHz transmitter to limit the amount of reflected and false signals on the field. (See the PDF for the "Gift board", page 2 at the end of section 4)

OK, fire away and tear this apart, or, support this with solid evidence.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet......

but, Joe pulled off the canceled championship hoax in 2003.

So, I wouldn't put it past him for it to be a hoax, and if it is in fact real, the mischievousness of FIRST by sending it to someone known for a hoax is awesome.... perhaps Dave's doing?

It's been brought up. Page two or three, if I remember correctly. There are, however, ways to verify (e.g., talk to one of the other Rosses.) The connection has also already been brought up. The fact that others have gotten this as well seems to indicate that it is not a hoax.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by billbo911

My guess is they will be using a 38KHz transmitter to limit the amount of reflected and false signals on the field. (See the PDF for the "Gift board", page 2 at the end of section 4)

4 Training the Chip
If you have successfully trained the FIRST IR board, but find that it does not respond when the remote is positioned more than a few feet away, the remote is probably not using a 38KHz modulation frequency. To solve this,
switch to a different remote (or setting on a universal remote) and re-train.


oooooo great find billbo. This indicates they expect it to be used from a distance not up close.

[henryBsick]

Autonomous use.
Field will have transmitter.
IR receiver will be present on each robot to recognize the field's signal then react accordingly:
-go to a certain area and get a certain game element?
-score pre-loaded game elements in specified location?
-defend opponents scoring area?



-The Sick Word
(waitin for a riddle)

[Robostang 548]

Ok, I don't really have any ideas or theories as to what this thing is for but I'm pretty sure that it is either going to be on the field or on the robot. What I'm wondering is if because teams are now using a KOP item that uses the IR spectrum, if there will be a rule in the 2008 manual that will be restrict teams from using other IR devices because of this. My team used an IR range finder for our autonomous mode last year and we have been talking about using one for next year. We've already spent a bunch of money on some newer IR range finders and this device may end up keeping us from using them. Even if we cant use them, this receiver is probably going to be an awesome part of next years game.

-Don