Remote Control Using PC
In order to get your programs on to your NXT and bring it to life you need
to use the communication window to establish a connection between your
computer and the NXT.
You can access your connections in the Communications window in three ways:
by clicking on the tab in the NXT window that is launched from the upper
left button of the Controller, by clicking on the Connections button at the
bottom of the Remote Control and by using the shortcut CTRL+I on your
keyboard.
1.
Press this button to search for available NXT devices in the area and to
refresh the list of NXTs already recognized by your computer.
2.
A list of NXT devices already known by your computer. The list shows whether
the connection is USB or
Bluetooth-based, which NXT is available to be connected, and indicates
which, if any, NXT is currently connected to your computer.
3.
Select a NXT from the list and click on Connect. See
Establishing a Bluetooth connection
below for more information about connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled device.
4.
Remove a NXT device from the list. Removing a Bluetooth device will also
delete the connection. If you want to add the same Bluetooth device at a
later time, you will need to reestablish the connection.
5.
For more information about the Memory tab, see
Managing Files and Memory on the NXT.
Establishing a Bluetooth
connection
Before you try to set up a wireless Bluetooth connection, make sure that
your computer has Bluetooth capability. Make sure that your NXT is turned
on. Also make sure that you have Bluetooth set to On and that your NXT is
set to be Visible. See the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® User
Guide that came with your NXT toolkit for more information.
Establishing a Bluetooth connection has 4 steps:
1.
Click Scan. Your computer will automatically search for Bluetooth devices. A
list of available NXTs will appear on the list when the scan is complete.
2.
Select a device and click on Connect. When you connect to a device for the
first time, the Enter Passkey window will pop up. Enter the passkey to use
with this device (the default passkey is 1234) and click OK.
3.
Enter the passkey on your NXT and confirm the connection by pushing the
orange (Enter) button. If you have chosen the default passkey (1234), just
click the orange (Enter) button.
4.
In the NXT window, the status of your NXT has now changed from Available to
Connected. Your NXT and computer are now connected and can communicate.
The Remote Control allows you to steer your NXT, control its speed and have
it perform one action directly from your computer without creating a program
in the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT Software. Directly
connect your computer to a NXT with a USB cable or wirelessly using a
Bluetooth connection.
The Remote Control is
ideal for controlling the NXT vehicle or other models that use two motors
for transport and one motor for action. The following help information
focuses on how the Remote Control can be used with the NXT vehicle.
See
Managing Connections
for more information about how to establish a Bluetooth connection.
1. Steer your NXT by using the arrow keys on your keyboard or by using your mouse to click on the steering buttons on the screen.
Steering with your keyboard allows you to press two steering buttons simultaneously, which makes your NXT turn gradually and take rounded turns.
For example, pressing the forward and right arrows simultaneously will make the NXT bank gradually to the right. Steering the NXT using the mouse
results
in sharp, 90 degree turns.
2. Control the action motor by using the space key on your keyboard or by using your mouse to click on the Action button. The Action button controls
the third motor that is not responsible for moving the NXT.
3. Set the speed of your NXT by pressing the plus and minus keys on your keyboard.
You can also click on the increase and decrease speed buttons on the Remote Control window or just click directly on any one of the eight speed
indicators.
You can change the speed while driving your NXT using the keyboard.
4.
Choose the NXT you would like to control by clicking on Connections (see
Managing Connections for more information).
5.
Configure the motors (see below).
1. Select the pair of motors you would like to move the NXT.
The motors will be synchronized, going forward or backwards at exactly the
same power. By default, motors B and C are selected.
2.
Choose the direction of the motors.
3.
This slider will let you set the power level [0-100%] of the action motor.
4.
Choose the direction of the action motor.
5. Click on Accept Changes if you want to use the changes you have just made, or click on Cancel Changes to keep the properties you were already
using.
You can use the following keyboard shortcuts with the NXT Remote Control:
|
Keyboard Keys |
Action |
|
+ |
Increase speed |
|
- |
Decrease speed |
|
A |
Increase speed |
|
Z |
Decrease speed |
|
1 |
Set speed to level 1 |
|
2 |
Set speed to level 2 |
|
3 |
Set speed to level 3 |
|
4 |
Set speed to level 4 |
|
5 |
Set speed to level 5 |
|
6 |
Set speed to level 6 |
|
7 |
Set speed to level 7 |
|
8 |
Set speed to level 8 |
|
Space bar |
Runs the "Action" motor |