Lego MindStorm An Introduction to Blocks

Blocks Blocks are used to give instructions to your robot. There are many types of blocks You can use the blocks that come with the NXT software. You can create your own blocks.

Common Blocks The common blocks:

Common Blocks Move – Tells your robot to move. Record Play – The record play block allows your robot to record itself (movements and sound) and replay its actions later in the program.

Common Blocks cont. Sound – Allows your robot to play a sound file. Display – Displays an image on the NXT brick screen.

Flow Blocks The Flow Blocks

Flow Blocks The Loop Block – Use the loop block if you want your robot to continue doing the same things again and again, such as moving forward and backward until a touch sensor is pressed.

Flow Blocks The Switch Block – The switch block enables the robot to make its own decisions, such as going left when it hears a loud sound and turning right when it hears a soft sound.

Flow Blocks The Wait Blocks – The wait block makes your robot wait for sensor input, such as a sound or a time interval. DistanceLight Sound Time Touch

Action Blocks The Action Blocks

Action Blocks Display – The display block enables you to control the display on the NXT brick. You can type, show icons or even draw through your program!

Action Blocks Lamp – The lamp block tells your robot when to turn the lamp on/off. You can program your robot to turn on its lights when the touch sensor is triggered, or when it becomes dark.

Action Blocks Message Send – The message send block tells your robot to send information to another robot or to your computer.

Action Blocks Motor – The motor block tells your robot to turn on a motor. – This is different from the move block. – Your robot may have multiple motors attached.

Other Blocks There are other blocks that do more specific actions, such as: – Sensor Blocks Used for controlling sensors (Ex: distance sensor, sound sensor) – Data Blocks Logic – Advanced Blocks