Updates

• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Lénárd Pásztor said:Very interesting idea! It will be a nice MOC! :)
  The first version definitely was. Imagine a black and white space vehicle with twelve wheels from the 8880 super car, about 30 studs wide and over 120 studs long....  moreLénárd Pásztor said:Very interesting idea! It will be a nice MOC! :)
  The first version definitely was. Imagine a black and white space vehicle with twelve wheels from the 8880 super car, about 30 studs wide and over 120 studs long. The cockpit alone was about 20x24 studs - and everything Minifig size, including the pilots. The cockpit also had moonbase-compatible airlocks.
  I'm looking forward to the upgrade then and will stay with the trains in the meantime.  

  • October 26, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks posted a topic in the forum Support:

  Multi-SBrick MOC with Android controls?

  Hi!
  I don't have an SBrick (yet), but I'm going to buy a "trial" one in November, and mayby a larger pack on black friday, if you're going to have a sale again.
  While sorting my LEGO I stumbled over the remains of an older MOC of mine. It is basically a...  moreHi!
  I don't have an SBrick (yet), but I'm going to buy a "trial" one in November, and mayby a larger pack on black friday, if you're going to have a sale again.
  While sorting my LEGO I stumbled over the remains of an older MOC of mine. It is basically a modular "moon car", which originally had several nearly-independent drive modules, i.e. each had a motor for driving, and they had a common motor for steering with a long axle and all the problems coming from that.
  I thought about re-making this MOC with the SBrick, and a servo motor and a drive motor in each drive module. Each module woud have its own battery and its own SBrick to keep the modular idea.
  Basic layout:
  
  Each drive train will have two steerable, driven axles, with one or two motors for driving and a servo motor for steering.
  So for the drive motor I need to be able to control either three or six motors distributed over three SBricks with one control.
  For the steering it gets a bit more tricky: When the moon car wants to turn left, the...    less

  • October 26, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Alexey Tikhvinsky said:This is international forum, so please DO NOT SPEAK YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE, use English. Using your native language here is rude and impolite.
  Well, I can understand them. They are so seriously pissed that they returned to their...  moreAlexey Tikhvinsky said:This is international forum, so please DO NOT SPEAK YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE, use English. Using your native language here is rude and impolite.
  Well, I can understand them. They are so seriously pissed that they returned to their native language for their rant.
  And like them I hope that SBrick starts to get their act together. I withhold any recommendations and purchases until you have a real, working product. The software I've seen matches the reports I've read: The SBrick App is far, far away from being a marketable piece of software. If I was in charge I would reassign the person responsible and find someone to start from scratch.
  Your Developers are lost with their heads in the clouds without being able to produce a working, basic product. The line of appearence, disappearence, and re-appearence of bugs indicate a completely messed up development process without even the most basic attempts on verifying the product before shipping. My boss would rip me another one if I was...    less

  • March 16, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Norman Chalcraft said:
  2015-02-04
  
  Social...  moreNorman Chalcraft said:
  2015-02-04
  
  Social functions
  
  2015-02-06
  
  Share brick with friends (shared secondary password)
  
  Unscheduled
  
  Gather & save data about brick usage & voltage / temp informations
  About screen
  First steps screen
  Brick list improvements
  Social feed
  Social messages
  Social events
  Help screen
  Synchronize user's sets
  
   
  Shame that it doesn't include anything about being able to control a Sbrick.
  
  100% ACK. I'm not really sure if they are writing an SBrick control APP or a second Facebook.
  Make the brick work first and foremost. At the moment you are aiming to build a non-driving car with a mega-ultra-soundsystem...
   
  Leg bedre,
  Christian  less

  • February 1, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Fernando Correia said:
  Christian Treczoks said:a software like this would never, ever, be released.
  Yes, maybe not beta and still alpha quality. And then?
  I am well aware that software quality is no longer an issue today. A lot of software is thrown at...  moreFernando Correia said:
  Christian Treczoks said:a software like this would never, ever, be released.
  Yes, maybe not beta and still alpha quality. And then?
  I am well aware that software quality is no longer an issue today. A lot of software is thrown at the users in stages where it is not yet finished in the name of "rapid development". But a software that blows up at the second touch after it had several public iterations already? And how many times have we had the case of a "this bug is still there" in this discussion? Yes, ok, not all faetures are there, and bugs will lurk somewhere in the deep - thats alpha - but at least the shallow and reported bugs should be dealt with before any new release, even in alpha.  less

  • January 8, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Just updated.
  a) Select my MOC, tap "linked profiles" -> crash.
  b) How do I remove a set from the "my sets" list?
  c) And why is this app "portrait mode only"? - Nearly every other app I use works in any orientation, and, as a table user, I prefer...  moreJust updated.
  a) Select my MOC, tap "linked profiles" -> crash.
  b) How do I remove a set from the "my sets" list?
  c) And why is this app "portrait mode only"? - Nearly every other app I use works in any orientation, and, as a table user, I prefer landscape.
  Still quite alpha, it seems. If my software would crash after only two taps, QA would rip me another one, and I would have to bring cake for all. But a software like this would never, ever, be released.
  Leg bedre, Christian  

  • January 7, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks posted a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  SBrick Unique ID

  Hi!
  Sorry if this is a non-issue, as I have no SBrick yet, but:
  Apart from the BT_ADDR of an SBrick, are there other means to identify a specific brick?
  It would be nice if you could give a description string to an SBrick that can be polled and displayed...  moreHi!
  Sorry if this is a non-issue, as I have no SBrick yet, but:
  Apart from the BT_ADDR of an SBrick, are there other means to identify a specific brick?
  It would be nice if you could give a description string to an SBrick that can be polled and displayed by the applications. So in addition the the rather cryptic numbers you would have a small text like "Red train, front" or "Black Supercar" or "Johns robot arm, Brick 4".
  An extension of this would be to be able to store four strings in the brick describing the assigned ports' use. Like: "Port A: Drive", "Port B: Steering", "Port C: Forward Lights", "Port D: Rear lights" which could be used when building a profile.
  These strings should be storeable in the SBrick by the application.
  Leg bedre, Christian  less

  • January 7, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks is now friends with Holger Matthes.

  • January 3, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Joachim Jacobsen said: How about a voltage/power meter showing on the app?
  That is. indeed, a very good idea. Take a  voltage divider for the input power and measure it in one of the analog ports.
  Leg bedre, Christian

  • January 3, 2015
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi!
  I read about a Function "Identify LED". What does this function do? Is this a kind of WeDo device identification? If yes, does it work even if the WeDo device identification (150kOhm from GND to C1) is not available?
  I'm asking because I rewired the...  moreHi!
  I read about a Function "Identify LED". What does this function do? Is this a kind of WeDo device identification? If yes, does it work even if the WeDo device identification (150kOhm from GND to C1) is not available?
  I'm asking because I rewired the 8870 a bit to alternate between LEDs depending on the PF cables polarity, and omitted the 150kOhm.
  Would I have to re-install the resistor in order to make the 8870 work with the SBrick? If the SBrick identifies a port as having an 8870, does it support both polarities or is it just one direction, 0 to 9V?
  Leg bedre & Merry Christmas,
  Christian Treczoks  less

  • December 24, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Barry Li said:
  Would really love to be able to control individual LED of a PF light.
  That will be a great feature for vechile signal...  moreBarry Li said:
  Would really love to be able to control individual LED of a PF light.
  That will be a great feature for vechile signal lights.
  
  I had the same idea. It is not as easy as some thing. My first idea when I saw the diode bridge was to basically bridge it and reverse the polarity of one LED. Bad Idea, said Frank, as the cut-off voltage of 9V for the "off" LED would just burn it.
  So I removed the board and made a "floating", simplified circuit: GND from the power side to the cathode (-) of both LEDs, and C1 respectively C2 via 4.7k to the LEDs anodes (+). I left the capacitors off, and also the 150k signaling resistor for the WeDo.
  Made four of them as switch indicators or signal lights, might build more.  less

  • December 17, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  From my first trials with the Android app, the "add Set" function is FUBAR. It starts with a bunch of sets from 1965, and once you found that you have to choose the year from the top right menu, you get a fat selection of all sets in 2014: Duplo,...  moreFrom my first trials with the Android app, the "add Set" function is FUBAR. It starts with a bunch of sets from 1965, and once you found that you have to choose the year from the top right menu, you get a fat selection of all sets in 2014: Duplo, Friends, Valentine promotion, whatever. Somewhere in this armlong list there are the five or six sets that might make sense to use with an SBrick application. You can't search by set number, and you are drowned in an ocoean of sets that even with a mother lode of fantasy nobody will ever consider to equip with an SBrick.
  Come on, guys, whatever set selector you chose here - it definitely was the wrong choice for this project. Why don't you just list the sets that actually HAVE power function items? We're talking of a small subset - A handful of technic models and the train sets. And make it searchable by keyword and number - The year it was issued is a complete trainwreck when it comes to selection criteria. I either have to dig through a few years of sets,...    less

  • December 14, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi, Javier,
  Thanks for the tip. I'm having a loot at it tonight. I wonder why they start with 1965, when Power Functions popped up no earlier than 2008.
  Sadly there is no documentation yet. If you need someone to help, to proofread, whatever, just drop...  moreHi, Javier,
  Thanks for the tip. I'm having a loot at it tonight. I wonder why they start with 1965, when Power Functions popped up no earlier than 2008.
  Sadly there is no documentation yet. If you need someone to help, to proofread, whatever, just drop me a note. I could do a German translation, too.
  Leg bedre,
  Christian  

  • December 12, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Just a few questions about the SBrick software.
  Is the source of the SBrick software available? Do you intend to make it available at a time in the future? Alternatively, is there a public available android library/API for the SBrick?
  At the moment, I'm...  moreJust a few questions about the SBrick software.
  Is the source of the SBrick software available? Do you intend to make it available at a time in the future? Alternatively, is there a public available android library/API for the SBrick?
  At the moment, I'm less than impressed with the software - I donwloaded it yesterday and I clicked on "add sets" and it only gave me the oddest assortment of sets one can imagine - it looked a bit like "the ten oldest LEGO set on bricklink" or something like that.
  Is there any kind of documentation available for this?
  Leg bedre,
  Christian  less

  • December 12, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Barry Li said:Would really love to be able to control individual LED of a PF light.
  As far as I know this is not possible, as both are connected to the same power lines. But I'm considering to hack the black "distribution box" to switch on either one or...  moreBarry Li said:Would really love to be able to control individual LED of a PF light.
  As far as I know this is not possible, as both are connected to the same power lines. But I'm considering to hack the black "distribution box" to switch on either one or the other based on the polarity. This would save a lot of materials with traffic lights, switch indicators, etc.
  Barry Li said:That will be a great feature for vechile signal lights.
  Not only for that...
  Leg bedre,
  Christian  

  • December 4, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  @jorge Yes, that is what I wanted to do. With four ports, and a bit slower, but basically thats it.
  If it can be done with a Raspberry Pi, it is OK, but my original question was whether this is possible with the SBricks programmable firmware.

  • December 2, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Jorge Pereira said:
  For smaller and cheaper uses a Raspberry Pi is better - just need to add a USB BT 4.0 dongle, a microSD card and a wall charger with USB output.
  
  Oh, there is an SBrick control software or library for the Raspberry, too?
  But apart...  moreJorge Pereira said:
  For smaller and cheaper uses a Raspberry Pi is better - just need to add a USB BT 4.0 dongle, a microSD card and a wall charger with USB output.
  
  Oh, there is an SBrick control software or library for the Raspberry, too?
  But apart from that, is what I asked for possible with the SBrick?  

  • November 28, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  For one project I would need four PF outputs producing changing PWM levels for LEDs. On a higher level, I need the LEDs' level to be in four waves of identical frequency in the range of .25 to .50Hz and a 90° phase shift. The waveform is that only...  moreFor one project I would need four PF outputs producing changing PWM levels for LEDs. On a higher level, I need the LEDs' level to be in four waves of identical frequency in the range of .25 to .50Hz and a 90° phase shift. The waveform is that only one LED is at full power, then dims while the next rises, simulating a light moving from one LED to the other. Actually, I'm using four PF LED pairs, so I will have two spots moving around a circle of eight LEDs.
  Would it be possible to make the SBrick do this on its own, with the bluetooth controller just used to switch this program on and off? It would be a waste to have a smartphone running an application just to keep the lighthouses' light circling all day...  less

  • November 28, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  I don't know what it would involve technically to make a translation (i.e. what software would I need), but I could do a german translation if you need one.
  Leg bedre, Christian

  • November 28, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks posted a topic in the forum Introduce Yourself:

  Hello from Christian Treczoks

  Hi!
  My name is Christian Treczoks, I am member of and LEGO Ambassador for the MBFR (Modellbaufans Rheinland e.V.) in and around Cologne, Germany. For my LUG, I am also the project coordinator for our new modular train track system. LEGO building wise,...  moreHi!
  My name is Christian Treczoks, I am member of and LEGO Ambassador for the MBFR (Modellbaufans Rheinland e.V.) in and around Cologne, Germany. For my LUG, I am also the project coordinator for our new modular train track system. LEGO building wise, building RC train things is a bit off the beaten track for me (pun intended), as I usually build more like this: http://treczoks.net/Auenland.jpg
  I earn my bricks by telling electrons what to do, i.e. I write firmware for microcontollers and FPGAs, so the SBrick is an interesting thing in more than one way.
  I'm 46 (at the moment), married, two kids.  less

  • November 28, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  An Idea that might be a bit off the beaten track, but you never know...
  How about a box containing an RFID reader (e.g. SL030 or SL031 from http://www.stronglink-rfid.com/)? Put an RFID tag into every engine and cart, and put the reader next to the...  moreAn Idea that might be a bit off the beaten track, but you never know...
  How about a box containing an RFID reader (e.g. SL030 or SL031 from http://www.stronglink-rfid.com/)? Put an RFID tag into every engine and cart, and put the reader next to the track, and you can track who's passing by. I know the SL031 from my job, it has a simple 3.3V UART interface, the documentation is OK, and if you've got a problem those guys are very helpful.  

  • November 27, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  I suggest one simple add-on for the next generatiion SBrick: A magnetic switch (reed switch). I then could place a magnet under or next to a track/road and determine (and pass back to the contolling application) when the engine/car passes the magnet....  moreI suggest one simple add-on for the next generatiion SBrick: A magnetic switch (reed switch). I then could place a magnet under or next to a track/road and determine (and pass back to the contolling application) when the engine/car passes the magnet. Could be used for speed measuring, train layout watchdog (train X has not passed the magnet, go check whether it has derailed somewhere), etc.
  And advanced concept would be a brick with two quantum hall sensors so I could make a model follow a wire under the surface.  less

  • November 27, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks joined the group Broadcasters Group - Official Group

  • November 27, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks → Broadcasters Group - Official Group: Hi! I'm one of those LUG Ambassadors, and I started a discussion on the SBrick on the internal LEGO Ambassador forum (https://lan.lego.com). In my LUG (http://mbfr.org) I am the project leader for our new modular train layout system. When I saw the...  moreHi! I'm one of those LUG Ambassadors, and I started a discussion on the SBrick on the internal LEGO Ambassador forum (https://lan.lego.com). In my LUG (http://mbfr.org) I am the project leader for our new modular train layout system. When I saw the ridiculous prices for the 9V tracks, I started a discussion if we should better not start with the 9V track system but the RC tracks, and maybe use the SBrick for controlling the trains. As soon as the SBrick will be available, I'll get one to give it a test drive, and maybe we will order in bulk for our LUG.  less

  • November 27, 2014

  • Jorge Pereira likes this.
  • 
    Lénárd Pásztor Hi! Welcome here! It's good news, because we love playing with trains! Check the video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU82tOBT1Jk

    • November 27, 2014
• 
  Christian Treczoks has just signed up. Say hello!

  • November 27, 2014