[PD] controlling robots/printers w/ PD

[Robert Garvin]

Ok.. here's the deal. The printer is usb, and I've used the HID object, and
it didn't recognize it (it may have, but it was on a usb hub.) also, the
robot would be connected via usb. I thought about the wireless idea, and
thought about the wireless mouse, but I wasn't sure if the part that plugs
into the port had both a send and receive function to transmit info. An IR
port would be neat, except it would force the robot to stay within
line-o-sight (or reflections) of the port (this wouldn't be a problem if the
robot was a stationary arm, which is what I think I should start with.

-Robert

-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Smith-Heisters [mailto:heisters at 0x09.com] 
Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2005 3:58 PM
To: Robert Garvin
Cc: pd-list at iem.at
Subject: Re: [PD] controlling robots/printers w/ PD

I'm not too sure about the printer... it depends if it's USB or 
parallel. I'm sure either one is doable, and probably without writing in 
C(++). *maybe* Hans-Christoph Steiner's HID object if it's USB. I 
haven't used it yet, but I hear good stuff.

But for the robot, I use a serial port to communicate to a Microchip PIC 
which can trigger all sorts of motors, lights, sensors, etc. Again, it 
depends on the interface. I have no idea what sort of communication 
pre-built robots use. Maybe the IR port on most laptops? But if you want 
to use a serial port, there's a [comport] external. I mean, you could 
build a robot with a wireless ethernet connection, which you could pilot 
over the web using a joystick. (hmm... that sounds like a fun project)

If you're more specfic about the printer/robot/gizmo I'm sure I (and 
others around these parts) could be of more help.

-Ian

Robert Garvin wrote:
> I was wondering if there was already an external to control a printer or 
> a robot with PD.  If not, does anyone know how I would go about writing 
> one? I understand that if you were to write a binary, you'd probably 
> have to understand C (or C+ or C++. whatever it's called). Obviously, I 
> don't understand any of it. If anyone can help me, let me know.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Robert
> 
>  
> 
> P.s. (if there is an external for the robot stuff, is there a specific 
> kit that would be best for PD?)
>