Updates

• 
  Bruce McIntosh: Hi John, I am very interested in how you managed to control the sbrick from a gamepad. Any suggestions on whereI can start to learn this?

  • March 19, 2016

  • 
    T P Look here http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120823

    • March 19, 2016
  • 
    Jorge Pereira I didn't control the SBrick directly from a gamepad - I use a linux computer as a gateway or proxy: a laptop, a raspberry pi or a Mindstorms EV3 running ev3dev reads the gamepad data and sends the proper gatt commands to the SBrick. If you have some...  moreI didn't control the SBrick directly from a gamepad - I use a linux computer as a gateway or proxy: a laptop, a raspberry pi or a Mindstorms EV3 running ev3dev reads the gamepad data and sends the proper gatt commands to the SBrick. If you have some basic notions of linux and python you may start from here: http://ofalcao.pt/blog/en/2014/sbrick-remote-control-with-a-wireless-gamepad
    The eurobricks link that T P post above is for an Android App that allows you to use the Android as the gateway. I don't know how to program specifically for Android so I can't help you there but you may ask the author.  less

    • March 20, 2016
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    • 2 like this
  • 
    Paolo DGZ do that works on mac?

    • March 20, 2016
  • 
    Jorge Pereira The idea works in whatever computer you have that can "speak" bluetooth 4.0. Unfortunately my code doesn't work Mac unless you manage to run pure Linux on it. My code uses gatt commands that are only available in BlueZ 5, the Linux bluetooth stack.

    • March 20, 2016
  • 
    Bruce McIntosh Hey, thanks again. I will have a look at the forum. Obviously a lot to learn here.

    • March 21, 2016
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Thanks, I'll try it tonight.

  • March 16, 2016
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi!
  Updated Android app today, seems fine. But what I really enjoyed was the Simple Control last week - I finally managed to upgrade the firmware from 4.2b to 4.8 with it and that made all the difference: I have a Sony Xperia Z1 and every time I wanted...  moreHi!
  Updated Android app today, seems fine. But what I really enjoyed was the Simple Control last week - I finally managed to upgrade the firmware from 4.2b to 4.8 with it and that made all the difference: I have a Sony Xperia Z1 and every time I wanted to use the SBrick I spent almost 10 minutes trying to get a sucessfull session, now EVERY TIME it works immediately.
  Thanks and keep perfecting the app.  

  • March 11, 2016
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Hi!
  I have two sugestions for extra features on the controles:
  - turn off the motor at zero
  - quick turn...  moreHi!
  I have two sugestions for extra features on the controles:
  - turn off the motor at zero
  - quick turn off
  My castle Gate House has 3 slides (liftbridge, portcullis and bells). When I bring the slide to zero, the motor stops but it keeps "humming". For a crane that's good (it breaks/holds position) but I would prefer an option to choose between break and stop.
  During PLUG exhibition sometimes people passed between me and the Castle while controlling the liftbridge or the portcullis and I felt the need for a quick turn-off to release all tension. Releasing the slides is not enough (with auto-reset and the above suggestion would be enough but without auto-reset motors just keep running).  less

  • March 11, 2016
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi. It's safe to use 9V with the SBrick. I've used LEGO old 9V batteries cases (both 1xPP3 type and 6xAA type), just need to use a PF cable as an adapter because old 9V plug is not compatible with SBrick PF-type plug.
  If you're going to control just a...  moreHi. It's safe to use 9V with the SBrick. I've used LEGO old 9V batteries cases (both 1xPP3 type and 6xAA type), just need to use a PF cable as an adapter because old 9V plug is not compatible with SBrick PF-type plug.
  If you're going to control just a M-motor, a PP3 battery works but doesn't last long, 6xAA is better.  

  • February 18, 2016
• 
  Jorge Pereira posted a new video:

  1:29

  SBrick Castle Gatehouse

  My Castle Gatehouse module, for PLUG exhibition next weekend at Oeiras, Portugal. The drawbridge, the portcullis and the bells are controlled by SBrick. There's also sound - not for purists ;)

  • #Castle
  • #drwbridge
  • #portcullis
  • #bells
  • #sound

  • February 1, 2016

  • Tamas Misik and Lénárd Pásztor like this.
• 
  Jorge Pereira posted a new video:

  1:09

  Spookydoo!

  This is my Halloween MOC. The SBrick controls 1 regular LEGO PF lights, 3 of my own UV black light, my own fog generator and also a micro motor.

  • #UV
  • #Fog
  • #Scooby

  • November 2, 2015

  • Patrick Dam, Lénárd Pásztor, and Tamas Misik like this.
  • 
    Lénárd Pásztor haha, awesome Jorge!

    • November 2, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Sorry, did not understand you had already modded the PF battery.
  Old 9V-type cable isolation is very poor, new PF cable isolation is somewhat better... but when using a few Amps even the PF metal contacts tend to get to hot, so if you don't burn the...  moreSorry, did not understand you had already modded the PF battery.
  Old 9V-type cable isolation is very poor, new PF cable isolation is somewhat better... but when using a few Amps even the PF metal contacts tend to get to hot, so if you don't burn the cable isolation you melt the plug.
  If you really want more power, consider using RC car/plane batteries. I used a 2S 7.4V LiCoO2 1500 mAh battery for my early SBrick stress tests, costs 1/4 of a LEGO LiPo and lasts 2x more (but you also need a charger). It has 25C capacity so in theory you can get 37.5 A (play safe, please).  less

  • September 2, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Sorry for you disappointment but that behavior is expected when using Power Function batteries because they have internal protection to cut at ~800 mA, much less than what a single RC motor can consume.
  You could disable the internal protection (search...  moreSorry for you disappointment but that behavior is expected when using Power Function batteries because they have internal protection to cut at ~800 mA, much less than what a single RC motor can consume.
  You could disable the internal protection (search in Eurobricks forum) or make your own PF battery with something like a RC 2S LiPo and half of a PF cable. Be carefull, wire diameter of PF cables cannot hold much more than 2A, could melt with 2 LEGO RC motors at full power.
  But I like your relay idea, gave me some ideas for the future :)  less

  • August 30, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira joined the event Tomar BRInCKa 2015 - LEGO Fan Event

  • April 10, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira posted a new video:

  44

  Motorless LEGO Speed Champion

  After some discussion in my LUG I decided to try "magnetic traction" to move LEGO cars without visible motors.

  • #Magnetic

  • April 6, 2015

  • 6 people like this
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Why do you need to connect all the negative terminals of each device? Can you give more details about your devices?
  SBrick outputs aren't «positive» nor «negative» - they are «floating». There is a chance you can do...  moreWhy do you need to connect all the negative terminals of each device? Can you give more details about your devices?
  SBrick outputs aren't «positive» nor «negative» - they are «floating». There is a chance you can do what you want but you have to assure that you never reverse the polarity on all ports. So there's a risk one day you do revert and brake something.
  If your reason is all your devices being externally powered and having a common ground/earth then you should consider galvanic isolating your SBrick ports with optocouplers.  less

  • March 19, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira posted a new video:

  1:08

  Automatic LEGO Train Turntable

  My system receives a LEGO Train driven by a SBrick, waits for the user to release the BLE channel, takes control and drives it to a train turntable to reverse the direction.Then it drives the train back to the starting point. Each train has an RFID tag u...

  • #Mindstorms
  • #Train

  • March 18, 2015

  • 4 people like this
  • 
    Technicmaster0 . You stole my idea
    
    

    • March 19, 2015
  • 
    Jorge Pereira Sorry Technimaster0. I've been playing with RFID since Xmas then I was striked by this idea after an hobby train exhibition were my LUG showed some LEGO trains and track modules, 3 weeks ago.

    • March 20, 2015
  • 
    Jakob Peterhänsel Very cool!

    • March 28, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Frederic Ayrault said:
  When I use your tool I get SBrick Hw: 4.0 and SBrick Fw: 4.1. But I still can not get temperature end voltage informations (00.0°C and 0.0 V) (to use your tool with 4.1 I had to add a elif for 4.1 in...  moreFrederic Ayrault said:
  When I use your tool I get SBrick Hw: 4.0 and SBrick Fw: 4.1. But I still can not get temperature end voltage informations (00.0°C and 0.0 V) (to use your tool with 4.1 I had to add a elif for 4.1 in sbrick.py)
  
   
  Thanks. That confirms my first idea, 4.1 fw doesn't expose temp or volt. I never included 4.1 in the python code because I wasn't really sure. I have to modify the code to treat 4.0 and 4.1 as two of the same kind.
  Just curious, what linux distro are you using? Any kind of troubles with the python scripts or with the bluetooth connection?  less

  • March 10, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Did you power off the SBrick after the udpate?
  I read another post where you used my tool... when you say here "hardware and firmware version are 0.0, battery level is 0.00V and devide id is (null)" you are refering to another tool, like Nordic, right?...  moreDid you power off the SBrick after the udpate?
  I read another post where you used my tool... when you say here "hardware and firmware version are 0.0, battery level is 0.00V and devide id is (null)" you are refering to another tool, like Nordic, right? What does my tool show at command line (after power cycle the SBrick)?  

  • March 10, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  I would love to see one library for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support.
  I've been using Python and there is bluepy, it works as a sort of python library but when I tried it it didn't work for me .
  I've been using native linux support for BLE - most...  moreI would love to see one library for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support.
  I've been using Python and there is bluepy, it works as a sort of python library but when I tried it it didn't work for me .
  I've been using native linux support for BLE - most modern linux distributions (I use Ubuntu, by the way) include BlueZ, the Bluetooth stack for Linux. BlueZ 5.x includes support for BLE and has a command line tool ("gatttool") that talks BLE. Until I find a working library I can use (python would be cool but I'm a good copy&paster for other languages ;) ) I use a dirty trick: I use python system calls to invoke gatttool from my python scripts.
  You can see some short examples at the SBrick official wiki: https://social.sbrick.com/wiki/view/pageId/20/slug/linux-client-scripts
  Unfortunatly, BlueZ 5.x/gatttool is Linux-only so my scritps are useless on Android, iOS, OSX, Windows (well, for OSX/Windows one might try a VM with Linux inside and USB redirection for the Blueooth 4.0 USB dongle to be seen by the VM,...    less

  • March 3, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  I don't know if I said it here before but I'm not from Vengit :)
  I'll be glad to test an API with you but all my systems are Linux so in order to help you I would have to get an old laptop and install a trial version of Windows on it (the Linux laptop I...  moreI don't know if I said it here before but I'm not from Vengit :)
  I'll be glad to test an API with you but all my systems are Linux so in order to help you I would have to get an old laptop and install a trial version of Windows on it (the Linux laptop I use is from my company so I cannot use it for that purposes, not even a VM). Some months more and I might try Windows 10 for Raspberry Pi 2 to see if this Microsoft IoT talking is just marketing hype or really something more...
  And if you really want world domination with SBrick and Visual Studio please get yourself a MS Kinect 2 and control your MOCs with body gestures , voice, heart-rate, body heat... it's a shame Kinect 2 only works in Windows :(  less

  • March 3, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  I'm afraid we all have to wait more. Vengit released the SBrick protocol so anyone can make it's own API but it's not so simple as it sounds, BLE is still quite new.
  I think Microsoft is including support for BLE in Visual Studio because Windows 10 is...  moreI'm afraid we all have to wait more. Vengit released the SBrick protocol so anyone can make it's own API but it's not so simple as it sounds, BLE is still quite new.
  I think Microsoft is including support for BLE in Visual Studio because Windows 10 is going to be release near October and MS is trying to compete against Android and Linux at appliance/embedded/gadget level, there is even a version on W10 for Raspberry Pi 2.  

  • March 1, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  The BLE standard has ~100m range outside. There is a video at SBrick where someone got ~60m. So 30m outside, open air, nothing in between its quite possible. Of course, it also depends on the client devic, don't know if iPhone 6 is an average BLE device...  moreThe BLE standard has ~100m range outside. There is a video at SBrick where someone got ~60m. So 30m outside, open air, nothing in between its quite possible. Of course, it also depends on the client devic, don't know if iPhone 6 is an average BLE device or not.
  It should be possible to create a BT repeater. But lag would double (at least) and as BT is not like Wifi you would probable be allowed to extend the range of just one device. So don't see much demand for such a repeater.  

  • February 28, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira posted a new video:

  2:23

  SBrick Toolkit for Linux: Record and Play

  Remember the LEGO Technic Control Center? Now you can record and play your own LEGO automations with a big bonus: since you keep it in a file you can be a SBrick Jockey and edit it (cut, copy, mix, loop) and share with others.

  • #Python
  • #Linux
  • #Record
  • #Play
  • #Export
  • #Import
  • #File
  • #Automation
  • #Software

  • February 21, 2015

  • Mihai Dreve likes this.
  • 
    Mihai Dreve Jorge strikes again! Mindstorms capability, now for PF, all thanks to the sBrick

    • February 23, 2015
• 
  Gabor Szigeti is now friends with Jorge Pereira.

  • February 21, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  2x 9V Motors? That's probably more than 3A, the SBrick cuts power at 3A (per port) that's why you see "just a few miliseconds and stop" (also amazing you get 3A with just PP3-style batteries... a 250 mAh will last less than 5 minutes at 3A but watch its...  more2x 9V Motors? That's probably more than 3A, the SBrick cuts power at 3A (per port) that's why you see "just a few miliseconds and stop" (also amazing you get 3A with just PP3-style batteries... a 250 mAh will last less than 5 minutes at 3A but watch its temperature... it might explode).
  You'll have to wait for multi-port support.
  Until that happens you can try reducing power consumption to just 2.8~2.9A. You can do that applying 6~7 Volt instead of 8~9 like you're doing now - adding something like a power diode or resistor in serial with the motors or using a 4 AA battery pack with a PP3 plug to connect to your MiniZip.
  But if you're using 2 RC motors in one port I think you don't want to reduce power at all :)  less

  • February 20, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  I think there will be an API for Windows but not for now, they focus is in Android/iOS/Windows Mobile App. Perhaps Windows Mobiule could be ported to Windows and Microsoft is also making big promo of Windows 10 and IoT, Raspberry Pi 2.0 release last week...  moreI think there will be an API for Windows but not for now, they focus is in Android/iOS/Windows Mobile App. Perhaps Windows Mobiule could be ported to Windows and Microsoft is also making big promo of Windows 10 and IoT, Raspberry Pi 2.0 release last week announced support for W10 "embedded" so next Visual Studio will support BLE for sure.
   
  If you're really interested in Mindstorms, I use my EV3 with SBrick. Linux, of course :) Just look for ev3dev.  

  • February 19, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi.
  If you're familiar with linux, please take a look at these two wiki...  moreHi.
  If you're familiar with linux, please take a look at these two wiki pages:
  https://social.sbrick.com/wiki/view/pageId/11/slug/the-sbrick-ble-protocol
  https://social.sbrick.com/wiki/view/pageId/20/slug/linux-client-scripts
  For Windows I'm not familiar with recent versions of Microsoft Visual Studio (the Express Edition used to be free), if there is support for Bluetooth Low Energy you might try it.
  Just a note: your Bluetooth dongle needs to be 4.0. You said you used yours to program the NXT bricks but since both NXT and EV3 talk only BT 2.x you may have a BT 2.x or 3.x dongle, in that case you need to buy a more recent one (~$20).  less

  • February 19, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira posted a new video:

  1:51

  SBrick Stress Test Tool v0.50

  With a big help from another SBrick user I can now present you a much mature version of this python tool for Linux. All source code available at https://github.com/JorgePe/SBrick-Stress-Test

  • #Python
  • #Linux

  • February 18, 2015

  • Lénárd Pásztor likes this.
  • 
    Lénárd Pásztor Hi, this is awesome! Did you created a wiki page for it?

    • February 19, 2015
  • 
    Jorge Pereira Nop. I did created a link at the end of the actual wiki page (Developers Area > Linux Client Scripts). The wiki is a bit unsorted/chaotic but if you want I can add a wiki page just for it.
    We are still improving the tool (I hope to implement Quick...  moreNop. I did created a link at the end of the actual wiki page (Developers Area > Linux Client Scripts). The wiki is a bit unsorted/chaotic but if you want I can add a wiki page just for it.
    We are still improving the tool (I hope to implement Quick Drive and also merge my Firmware Upgrade Utility... as soon as I have the time) so sooner or later it will be renamed to "SBrick Controller for Linux" or something like that.  

    • February 19, 2015
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    • 1 likes this
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Lénárd Pásztor said:
  We also thinking about creating a battery that designed to use with SBrick.
  
  Oh boy, that would be great! Something like the Power Functions LiPo battery with built-in charging circuit and a plug to connect a...  moreLénárd Pásztor said:
  We also thinking about creating a battery that designed to use with SBrick.
  
  Oh boy, that would be great! Something like the Power Functions LiPo battery with built-in charging circuit and a plug to connect a common wall adapter power supply (like the PF) but with a 5~6A limitation instead of just 800 mA.
  And several sizes, like S (just 500 mAh to be used withou cable, just plugable to the bottom of the SBrick, with the same horizontal dimensions of the Sbrick) and L (say 5000 mAh)
  I buy it, tired of cutting and soldering LiPo cables and power Function cables.  less

  • February 10, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Just to report that I'm using Firefox 35.0.1 also but with Ubuntu 14.10 full updated and had no problems (but did only a basic profile, just 4 sliders and no background image). If you want I can try to repeat NXT45 actions to see if it also happens with me.

  • February 8, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  jean-christian rey said:
  an electrical outlet,for  last electrical system, i have these mini red motors,and another grey motors,it will be nice if we can make them fonctionnal
  
  You already can... use a Power Functions extention cable and an old 9V...  morejean-christian rey said:
  an electrical outlet,for  last electrical system, i have these mini red motors,and another grey motors,it will be nice if we can make them fonctionnal
  
  You already can... use a Power Functions extention cable and an old 9V electrical cable or electrical plate to connect to the motors. The PF dark grey plug connects to the SBrick output, the light grey plug to the 9V plug/plate.
  Some of my videos show the micro (red) motors working (sometimes I make my own cables by cutting a PF cable and a 9V cable and soldering it but thats just because I want short cables). This one uses 2 9V-micro and 1 PF-M.  less

  • February 8, 2015
• 
  Jorge Pereira posted a new video:

  4:05

  SBrick Stress Test Tool v0.1

  SBrick firmware allows reading temperature and voltage. My tool (simillar to the 'Test2 profile' from the SBrick App) was written in Python after reading the protocol at the wiki. It allows to read those values while controlling each port. With a 11.1V ...

  • #Python

  • February 8, 2015

  • 4 people like this
  • 
    Jorge Pereira i have to apologize... one SBrick was harmed in the making of this film.
    Today I noticed that the Ground plug of my DIY PF-battery was showing some wires - the plastic of the plug melted around the screw connection as also the isolation of the wires. I...  morei have to apologize... one SBrick was harmed in the making of this film.
    Today I noticed that the Ground plug of my DIY PF-battery was showing some wires - the plastic of the plug melted around the screw connection as also the isolation of the wires. I took the adapter off the SBrick to repair it and found it solid attached to the SBrick - plastic around GND and 9V pins melted a bit also.
    So kids, don't try this at home - keep your SBrick far from 7A and 70ºC.
    http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jorgepereira/SBrick/stresstests/sbrick7a.jpg  less

    • February 8, 2015
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    • 1 likes this
  • 
    Fernando Correia All in the name of science!
    It was a brave SBrick. RIP!

    • February 9, 2015
  • 
    Jorge Pereira Oh no, it's still alive and kicking. Just the power plug was afected and not much. This brave SBrick is now driving two 9V RC motors and pulling 4 Kg of groceries around my kitchen floor. All in the name of science, of course

    • February 9, 2015
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    • 1 likes this
  • 
    Jorge Pereira http://youtu.be/EXusoyo8QAs

    • February 9, 2015
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    • 1 likes this
• 
  Jorge Pereira replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Played with it also, created my own "Test2 Profile" (today's Android App release doesn't have it anymore) in 2 minutes, works fine.
  May I suggest parameters like "width", "height", x and y so my 4 sliders be all equal and equally spaced?

  • February 7, 2015