MAY LEGO ENVISON SYSTEM Team members: Brennan Beavers (CprE) Justin Goers (CprE) Erin Isvik (CprE) Roger Rathje (CprE) Client: Toying with Technology Faculty Advisors: Dr. Larry Genalo Prof. Ralph Patterson, III Dr. J.W. Lamont The Toying with Technology program educates students of all ages about computing concepts and problem solving through hands-on programming of LEGO robots. The LEGO Integrated Development Environment is rather complicated for inexperienced computer users. It is also text based, requiring users to be able to read English, and users must also use a PC keyboard. An icon-based graphical user interface has been developed by the Toying with Technology staff to solve some of the afore mentioned issues. Development of version 2.0 of the LEGO Envision System will include added functionality for the robots, including sensors and use of the USB port. General Problem Create a GUI that allows students to program the LEGO RCX brick (Fig A) without being able to read English Use the infrared port that is connected through USB Technical Problem Previous version of system could connect through serial based infrared port and could be viewed in several languages New version will include USB capabilities and improvements to user interface Operating Environment PC with Windows 95 ® or greater operating system, 266 Mhz processor, 32 MB RAM, and 236 video support LEGO RCX brick and infrared tower, either USB or serial Intended User[s] and Uses[s] Children with the mental capacity of a 4 to 7 year old Intended to help learn basic programming and problem solving skills Assumptions User has the motor skills to use a mouse and can interact with a computer using sight User can understand the pictorial representations Teacher understands programming logic and Not Quite C syntax Limitations Amount of memory on RCX brick, 6K of memory for user programs. Current system only runs of Windows® 2000, and XP Has only use serial port capabilities Design Constraints Since previous code has been written in C++, all new code will be written in C++ to ensure compatibility Utilizing the database structure already in place Awareness of users possible disabilities or handicaps USB support is only available on certain operating systems Measureable Milestones Increased testing of Version 1.0 – 15% Add USB infrared tower support – 25% Testing of new features, such as added programmable functions – 20% Integration of new operating systems – 5% Testing interface with intended users – 25% Project Completion – 10% Fig A – LEGO RCX Brick Design Requirements Introduction Abstract End Product Description This product is an improved version of a program that works over the Not Quite C compiler. It also provides an interface that is graphical based, can be understood by people with limited or no English skills, and does not require use of the keyboard to operate. Improvements to this program will include USB capabilities, an improved graphic interface, and compatibility with most Microsoft operating systems. The program was also tested on the intended users of this product (teachers and children) to evaluate the interface and design. Design Objectives Integrate USB Infrared Tower support into Version 2.0 of software Add more programmable robot actions, and increased sensor and motor functionality Integrate support for other Windows® Operating systems such as Windows® 95, 98, ME, and NT. Functional Requirements Add such capabilities as sign language, more programmable robotic actions, additional sensor and motor functionality Implement the use of the USB port instead of the serial port in communicating with the RCX Programmable brick Allow teachers to create their own preset functions Technical Approach Addition of USB support is a goal of this project since many new computers no longer come equipped with serial ports, to do this a compiler call will need to be made. Another approach being pursued is developing sign language tool tips to aide those students that cannot hear. Use of C++ so pictures and sound can be integrated easily is being investigated. Testing Approach Phase I - Connect the Lego brick to the computer, make sure all program functions work (including user programmable ones), add USB functionality, and make the program compatible with the appropriate operating systems. Phase II - Send the program to college students (such as the Cpr E 370 class) for break- down testing to mainly test for bugs and actual code problems, not user interface difficulties. Phase III - Test the program on the end user ages to test for user interface compatibility. Financial and Personnel Effort Budgets