Summary of Contents for K'Nex Education 79018
- Page 1 Education ™ K’NEX COMPUTER CONTROL ™ User’ s Guide for: K’NEX Interface Computer Control Software 79018 EDAD/ÂGE/ALTER 888-ABC-KNEX...
- Page 2 The Computer Control Interface & Software User’s Guide CAUTION - ELECTRIC TOY: Not recommended for children under 8 years of age. As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent electric shock. The product should be examined periodically for potential hazards; any potentially hazardous components should be repaired or replaced.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents – K’NEX Interface What’s in the pack? ............................6 What is computer control? ..........................6 The K’NEX Interface interface ......................... 7 What you need for computer control ......................8 Setting up for the first time ..........................9 Using the K’NEX Interface after the initial set-up .................. - Page 4 The flowchart or procedure selector toolbar ..................24 The Symbol toolbar ..........................25 The Map and Text View ........................... 25 I/O and Variable panels ..........................26 Program terminology ............................. 27 Placing symbols and entering commands ....................27 Connecting the symbols ..........................28 Deleting flow lines ............................
- Page 5 Run only the current procedure or flowchart .................... 46 Pause and Single Step ..........................46 Single Step: xx ............................. 46 Breakpoints ..............................47 Follow Flowchart ............................47 Downloading your program .......................... 48 Stored program limits ..........................48 Download Program Limits .......................... 49 Set Interface Sensors .............................
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Page 6: What's In The Pack
What’s in the pack? What is computer control? Many types of technology can be controlled, including mechanisms and electrical components. Computer control provides unique opportunities for students to develop elegant and precise solutions in a simple way. The idea of students using a computer to control can appear daunting but in reality when the K’NEX Computer Control software is used it is a surprisingly easy, rewarding, and creative process. -
Page 7: The K'nex Interface Interface
Why use a computer? Lights, motors and buzzers can easily be controlled by simple on/off switches, magnetic and tilt switches, mechanical timers, etc. Why do we need to use a computer? What makes using a computer better? Accuracy – especially timing (and positioning) Capability –... -
Page 8: What You Need For Computer Control
The K’NEX Computer Control Interface is equipped with: Digital Outputs Red & black sockets To power LEDs and buzzer. Configured for motors to allow speed control Motor Outputs Green sockets and movement in a forward or reverse position. For switch-type sensors which can register an Yellow &... -
Page 9: Setting Up For The First Time
Setting up for the first time Turn on your computer. Step 1 If the K’NEX Computer Control software is not already on your computer, install the software. For details of how to install and use the software, please refer to the software portion of this user guide. Notes: •... -
Page 10: Using The K'nex Interface After The Initial Set-Up
Step 5 • Click on the Connect interface icon to establish connection to the K’NEX Interface. When a connection is established the icon alters to show Disconnect, which is used to break off connection with the interface. Step 6 There are limits to some features that can be downloaded and run from the K’NEX Interface while it is disconnected from the computer e.g. -
Page 11: Power Supply
Power supply The power supply packaged with the K’NEX Interface is rated with an output of 2 A, 6 V A/C with a positive center and a negative outer pin. The K’NEX Interface has thermal over current protection and will not be damaged by a short circuit if powered using the power supply provided with the Interface. - Page 12 Motors Motors – connect the red plug from the motor into the red socket and the black plug into the black socket on the K’NEX Interface. The two Motor Outputs give movement in either direction and/or at varying speeds. Plug the motor into one of the pairs of motor output sockets i.e. into A1 and A2 or B1 and B2. Indicator light To test motors, click in the boxes alongside the appropriate letter in the I/O panel –...
- Page 13 Digital Inputs Buzzers connect the red plug from the buzzer to the red socket and the black lead to the black socket on the K’NEX Interface. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) Red and Green - Connect one blue plug into the red socket and the second plug into the black socket for one color e.g.
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Page 14: Using The K'nex Interface Away From The Computer
Using the K’NEX Interface away from the computer There are two distinct modes of operating the K’NEX Interface 1. It can be used connected to the computer and operated as an ordinary real-time control interface with the K’NEX Computer Control software performing the processing of a program. 2. -
Page 15: Downloading A Program To The K'nex Interface
Downloading a program to the K’NEX Interface Use the K’NEX Computer Control Software to write your control program in the usual manner - for more details see the software portion of this user guide. Once the control program has been written, it can be downloaded into the K’NEX Interface as follows: ... -
Page 16: Technical Specifications
Technical specifications • U SB V1.1 & V2.0 full speed compatible. • P ower supply: Output of 6V (2 A max), regulated or switched dc with a positive centre and a negative outer pin. • 2 x analogue inputs & 4 x digital inputs. • 6 x digital outputs & 2 x motor drive outputs. • 2 56 byte programmable memory for standalone operation. • S uitable for use in a 0 – 40ºC operating range and 0 - 95% RH (non-condensing). • D imensions: H: 5.9”, W: 8.7”, D: 1.4”. • W eight: 12.3oz (350g). Please note: • The K’NEX Interface contains no user serviceable parts. •... -
Page 17: Warranty
Question: How do I check that the USB Drivers have installed correctly? • M ake sure the Interface is both connected and powered. • G o to Device Manager (XP: Start Control Panel (classic view) System Hardware tab Device Manager) (Vista: Start Control Panel (classic view) Device Manager) • L ook for the K’NEX entry under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. If there are no question marks then the drivers have installed correctly. If there is an exclamation mark, question mark, an Unknown entry in the main list or Other devices then the drivers haven’t installed correctly. - Page 18 The K’NEX Computer Control Software User Guide www.knexeducation.com back to Table of Contents...
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Page 19: Overview
Overview The K’NEX Computer Control Software is a fully featured Control program. Designed for students 8 to 18+, it offers a simple yet powerful programming language that allows students to program and control both sophisticated on-screen Simulated Control Environments (SCEs) and K’NEX models and devices using the K’NEX interface. -
Page 20: Operating Modes
Operating modes • Simulation – K’NEX Computer Control Software can run a student’s program without sending the commands to the interface. • Real-time – The Computer Control Software can control the K’NEX interface. Click on the ‘Connect’ icon for communication to be established. • Remote –... -
Page 21: Connecting The K'nex Interface
Connecting the K’NEX Interface • U SB connection The first time the K’NEX Interface is connected to a USB port on the computer, the USB drivers will need to be installed. 1. Connect the K’NEX Interface to a USB port on the computer. 2. -
Page 22: Connecting To An Sce
Connecting to an SCE Click on the Connect SCE icon on the control toolbar. A file dialogue box will appear allowing you to choose which SCE to open. The SCE window An SCE can be moved and re-sized like a standard window. Maximize (completely fill the screen) or when maximized... -
Page 23: The Screen Layout
Switching Output and Inputs on the SCE: Move the mouse cursor pointer to the area of the Output/Input, when it’s over the hot spot it will change to the hand symbol. Click with the mouse to activate the Output/Input. The reaction of an Output or Input on an SCE will vary but in general: • A n Output can be switched on or off by clicking on the hot spot on the SCE. -
Page 24: Toolbars
Toolbars The toolbars can be positioned at the top, bottom or left of the window. To move, position the mouse pointer over the dotted line on the left of the toolbar, when it becomes a symbol, click hold down and drag to its new position. The Standard and Control toolbar The flowchart or procedure selector toolbar Select from the drop-down menu which Start: (flowchart) or Procedure: should be displayed in the edit... -
Page 25: The Symbol Toolbar
The Symbol toolbar To create programs you need to place appropriate symbols onto the edit area, enter the correct control commands into the symbols and then finally connect the symbols together to specify the flow of the program. Selection – this icon must before active before any selection can take place. It is normally active unless Flow Line is selected. -
Page 26: I/O And Variable Panels
I/O and Variable panels Note: If a symbol is currently selected then this area is replaced by the selection panel. The I/O tab: Displays the current state of the inputs, outputs, motors and sensors. To switch an Output on click in the box alongside the output number, the box will color up. Click back in the box to switch off. -
Page 27: Program Terminology
Program terminology A computer controlled system needs a sequence of commands, this is called a program. The program should give commands in the correct order to tell the computer exactly what to do and when to do it. • T he Control program is the entire set of commands. There is only one control program. It can be made up of one or more flowcharts. -
Page 28: Connecting The Symbols
Click on the On or Off (2) buttons for the outputs as appropriate. When you have made your selection click on OK (3) and the commands will appear in the symbol in the edit area. Although the selection panel alters according to which symbol and level is selected, it always follows a similar format: The command is built up by clicking on buttons. -
Page 29: Deleting Flow Lines
Deleting flow lines If you make a mistake and wish to join a line up with a different symbol either • U se the Flow Line tool as if there wasn’t already a line there i.e. by placing a new line from one symbol to another to automatically replace the old connection. -
Page 30: The Symbols
The Symbols Selection This tool allows you to select an existing symbol in the edit area. Once selected it can be moved, edited, deleted, etc. Note: This tool will automatically deselect when Flow Line is selected. • T o select a symbol – if the Selection tool isn’t already active, click to select. Click on the symbol (it will highlight to show it is selected). - Page 31 Start (Flowchart) Selecting a Start symbol will create a new flowchart. Whenever a control program is ‘run’ this start will be processed and will run alongside any other ‘starts’ that have been created. Multiple starts are a very simple yet powerful way to offer multi-tasking (or multi-threading) features to the students.
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Page 32: Switch Motor
Switch Motor Motors can be switched Forward (Fwd), Reverse (Rev) or Off. The speed of a motor can be specified between 10% and 100% (in steps of 10%). • C lick on the Rev, Off or Fwd button in the row of the relevant motor. • T he speed of the motor will automatically default to 100%. -
Page 33: Binary Output
More than one sound file can be played at the same time. If the flowchart is looped, the sound file will restart each time it reaches the sound command. When a file is saved the location of the .wav file used in the program is saved but not the sound itself. If the location of the sound file is altered the program will not be able to find the file. -
Page 34: The Process Symbol
Calculating the Decimal equivalent If an output is to be switched On the bit for the output is set to 1, if it’s to be left Off it is set to 0. The decimal is created from the byte created by setting the bits for turning the outputs on. The table below indicates the bit pattern and decimal values for the byte when one output is to be turned on at a time. -
Page 35: Wait
Wait This makes the flowchart (current flowchart only) delay doing anything for the allotted amount of time e.g. to keep an Output switched On for 2 seconds. • S elect the time (in seconds) from the keypad or type in the value. The smallest wait allowed is 0.1 seconds. -
Page 36: Make
Make Note: This option is only available when the software is set to Level 2. This function allows variables to be defined and altered. • S elect the letters, mathematical symbols and numbers from the keypad or type them in. To edit: Use the ‘C’... - Page 37 E.g. Random(3) Random(3)+1 Random(3)+4 Random(3) will randomly generate numbers between 0, 1 and 2. Random(3)+1 will randomly generate numbers between 1, 2 and 3. Random(3)+5 will randomly generate numbers between 5, 6 and 7. A decision symbol can be used to check for a random number. • S econds Seconds is a free running timer that starts from zero to give the elapsed time (in seconds) since a program was started.
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Page 38: The Decision Symbol
The Decision symbol • I f Selection isn’t already active, click to select. • C lick on the Decision icon, move the mouse into the edit area and click to fix in place. • I n the selection panel click on either the Is Input, Is Sensor, Is Variable (Level 2 only) or Is Binary Input (Level 2 only) button. -
Page 39: Is Sensor
Is Sensor Used to check the value of an analogue sensor. Analogue sensors are not simply on or off, but provide a reading which changes according to the level of whatever it is sensing. By default a sensor will return a value between 0 and 100%, but sensors can be set to return calibrated values either using Set Interface sensors from the Settings menu (see page 49) or by an SCE. -
Page 40: Is Binary Input
Is Binary Input Note: This option is only available when Go is set to Level 2. Binary Input uses an 8-bit byte to allow the setting of significant bits from one command. These bytes are accessed through their decimal equivalent. The Binary Input command is used to check the state of multiple inputs in one command. -
Page 41: The Stop Symbol
The Stop symbol • I f the Selection tool isn’t already active, click to select. • C lick on the Stop icon, move the mouse into the edit area and click to fix in place. • S top will automatically be selected. If Stop All is required select the Stop All button in the selection panel. -
Page 42: Flow Line
Flow Line The Flow Line tool is used to connect the symbols in the correct sequence and direction of flow. It is important that the symbols are connected in the order in which the commands need to execute. • C lick on the Flow Line icon to select. • C lick in the first symbol (a blue dot will mark the connect point) and then the second symbol –... -
Page 43: Creating Multiple Flowcharts
Creating multiple flowcharts The K’NEX Computer Control software allows you too quickly and simply develop multi-tasking (or multi thread) programs. Traditionally this is a very complex programming task, but the software offers this programming method in a very simple and easy to use style. To create two separate flowcharts that operates simultaneously: Build your first flowchart using symbols as normal. -
Page 44: Creating Procedures
Creating Procedures As a control program become more complex, it is often desirable to break it down into smaller more manageable tasks. This is where procedures are used. For example in the case of the Bascule Bridge it may be beneficial to break the process down as follows: • Detect ship approaching • Open the bridge • Wait for a preset time... -
Page 45: Using Learn
Using Learn The simplest way to create a flowchart or procedure is to make use of the ‘Learn’ feature. With Learn selected each time an output or motor is switched On or Off a command will appear in the edit area with a wait command to record the time between each switch On or Off. -
Page 46: To Check And Debug A Control Program
To check and debug a control program If there is an error in the program, it can be difficult to locate exactly where it occurs because the program is running so quickly. K’NEX Computer Control software includes powerful de-bug features that allow you to restrict which parts of a program runs, and slow down or stops the program at specific points so the problem can be easily located. -
Page 47: Breakpoints
Single Step: xx To single step through only the procedure or flowchart that you are currently working with in the edit area, select Single Step: xx (the current procedure or flowchart’s name) from the Debug menu. Breakpoints Note: This option is only available when the K’NEX Computer Control software is set to Level 2. Breakpoint is an advanced debugging tool which can be used to stop and pause a program when a certain symbol is reached. -
Page 48: Downloading Your Program
Downloading your program Your control program can be downloaded and run by the K’NEX interface. Note: Test compile can be done without an interface connected but the correct interface type must be selected (from Interface in the File menu). Compile and download will remain greyed out unless an interface is connected. -
Page 49: Download Program Limits
Download Program Limits Select Limit to Download from the Settings menu to limit the options available to only those that can download to the selected interface. For example: only the variables x & y can be downloaded and run from K’NEX Interface while it is disconnected from the computer, if Limit to Download is ticked then only the x and y variables will be made available. -
Page 50: Saving And Opening Files
Saving and Opening files Save To save your control program either click on the Save icon or select Save or Save As from the File menu. Save As: A dialogue box will open to allow the file to be saved using a filename and destination of your choice. - Page 51 Print Flowchart Step 1: Select whether to print the graphical representation of: • C urrent Flowchart - the flowchart or procedure currently selected in the edit area • A ll Flowcharts - all the flowcharts or procedure in your control program • S elected Flowcharts - just the flowcharts or procedures selected from the list.
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Page 52: Options
Options: Toolbar display options • S mall Toolbar Icons • D isplay Toolbar Text These options let you choose whether to see small or large icons, and whether the icons show text. Removing the text and using smaller icons can be useful on low resolution displays, as it gives more space back to the main edit area. -
Page 53: Altering The Default Configuration For Sce And Go Files
Altering the default configuration for SCE and Computer Control files The default locations for the local data or SCE directory can be altered by changing the AppConfig.txt file, located at C:\Program Files\K’NEX\Computer Control\Objects. The default locations are: LocalDataDirectory=[MyDocuments]\K’NEX Computer Control Programs LocalAceDirectory=[ProgramFiles]\K’NEX\Computer Control SCE Files Once the AppConfig.txt file has been altered it should be saved. - Page 54 Procedure • P rocedure <Name> Begins a new procedure, which can be called up from the flowchart or another procedure. • P rocedure <Name> repeat {Value/Variable} Used to call a procedure. Optionally with a number of times to repeat the call. Random • R andom(x) Generate a random number between 0 and x.
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Page 55: Licence Conditions, Copyright Information And Disclaimers
License conditions, copyright information and disclaimers Definitions The following expressions have the meanings given here: • ‘ DHG’ means Data Harvest Group Limited, being owner of all intellectual property rights in the Software • ‘ Documentation’ means the printed documentation supplied with the Software or the .pdf supplied on the CD ROM. - Page 56 Limited Warranty and Disclaimer of Liability • D HG warrants the disc(s) upon which the Software is supplied to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase, as evidenced by a copy of your receipt • T he Software is supplied ‘as is’;...
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