Is it ever going to be published? i'm very excited to see it :D

It may not be for your age ;)

How do you mean? I think some things shouldn't be age restricted but maturity restricted. Then again, how do you 'measure' maturity?

I mean, i already read dutch and english literary thrillers that are advised for 18+

I am responding to a request from DJ. I'm just not sure if I want it published publicly or not. However; thank you for expressing your interest Niek.

I know what you mean Lloyd. I have emailed some stories about my past to an old girlfriend and her daughter. They both have said I should put all that in a book. Not the reason I do it though . LOL. Best of health to you ! J.W. :)

can someone explain me abput this????'????? about ths stories?? Thanks!

@J.W. : Thank youfor the best wishes. I have a long road ahead in my recovery. This being my second stroke at 64 y.o. , the doctors have told me complete recovery may not be possible. My mindset is that not recovering isnot an option. One of the main reasons I became intered in robots was to build bots that can assist me and possibly other people with disabilities. For me one of the most difficult things to bear is not being able to recall things and not being able to think clearly at times. I am , however a very determmined individual. All my best to you. Lloyd

HI Lloyd, You have the right attitude. I to have had 3 strokes over the last 4 years. I lost the use of my left arm and my left leg. With lots of therapy and Determination I can now use my left arm and leg. Sometimes I fall down, but I get back up. My brain sometimes just forgets how to do think. But it does not last too long. MY goal is to build a service robot. To help people like you and me.

I wish you the best of luck, You can do it!

BC

@BC that's some inspiring stuff right there!

If you need any help building your robot, you know how to find me!

@ BC : It would sem you and I are, brothers in arms, so to speak. Encouraging to know that multiply strokes can be overcome. I agree with you..........................the mind lapses are the hardest thing for me to deal with. I recovered from the first one; which was a mild one. Still took time and deter mination to come back. I was going to try working on a robot arm for my left hand; but............Budget won't allow right now. So, I'll fall back on mechanical devices for now.I'm going to focus on Gizmo as an assistence bot. I'm going to document the build in the "projects" section. I'd relly like your input. Maybe working together we can design a really useful design.

@ Niek : You seem to be a very intelligent young man. I hope your invitation to BC is the same for me. BTW, how old are you, if you don't mind my asking? Are you good with wiring LED's? Would you mind verification of the following? Gizmo's head will be removable so I want to run his "eyes" from a battery pack in his head. It will also save from using I/O ports on the EZ-B. I want to use one 10 mm blue LED in the center of the eye mounted in an aluminum tube. Then I will use 12 , 5mm ,blues around the center "eye". I want to power the upper six on one circuit so I can turn them on and off. I'm trying to achieve a "blink" effect. I can wire the bottom 6 leds from a switch connected to a battery pack. (Three AA batts. 4.5 volts). Should I put a 15 ohm resistor in front of the LED's just to be on the safe side?????? Any ideas on a circuit to make the upper LED's turn on; then back on, say every 3 or 4 seconds? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Lloyd

@Lloyd

Thanks! I've started electronics bu witing leds and buzzers to my door as an alarm when i was about 7, i'm 13 now.

As for yout question, could you tell me the exact LED specs(most importantly the current) and describe how you are thinking of wiring it up (maybe a drawing)

Remeber, ohm's law is your friend!

Niek, I'm sorry. I should have given you all the info. I attached 3 pics of the basic set up of Gizmo's head. A project box from Radio Shack; and two flashlights from Harbor Freight. You can see the reflector from one of the flashlights with the alum. tube, which will house the 10 mm blue LED. The 12; 3 mm LEDs will be placed in a circle around the tube; placed in holes drilled in the reflector. The 10 mm LED has a forward voltage of 3.2 to 3.6 volts. The 5mm LED's have a forward voltage of 3.2 to 3.4 volts. All of them are typical 2mA current draw. Using our friend, Ohm's law, is how I determined a resistor value of 15 ohm. The six upper LED's will be on the "on-off " circuit and the lower six on a separate circuit. Does that sound right to you? What I need help with is the make-up of the circuit that will turn the six upper LED's off and on, ( ie...the blink!) I think it would look more human like if the "blinks" happened somewhat ramdomly, say based on every 3 to 10 seconds. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks Niek, I will take you up on that offer at some point. Right now I am looking into AI for my robot. I have a picture of it in my mind and I need to get it on to paper before I forget it. For you age you are very intelligent And I look forward to you help.

Lloyd yes we are bothers in arms so to speak. I am new to robotics. I have been this for about 6 months now. I would love to give you input as I come across things. I do agree working together we can design a really useful design for a service/companion Robot. I don't know how far you are into this? I am making a list of what the Robot should be able to do. I will pass it to you when I have completed it and you can add or delete things from it.

Thanks BC

Lloyd,

Looks fair enough, how can your blue leds only consume 2ma? Mine consume at least 20.

I'll draw you a schematic when i get back from school.

@ Niek: I guess I just didn't get the 0 added onto my 2! I meant 20.

Okay. I've designed the schematic.

For the 10MM LED eyes, i'd go with this:

If i understand correctly, the lower eyelids don't need to blink so you could just connect them like this:

And for the Upper eyelids like this

Now, i would use a MOSFET to control the eyelids. You could just hook up the eyelids directly to an output but i think they'd draw too much current, most IO pins can only provide max. 40mA. As for the blinking, i could provide you with a schematic on how to let them blink at an even rate but randomly would be much harder. For the random blinking i'd go with a microcontroller. If you have an atmega168/328 and arduino to use as ISP i could write the code and help you program it.

Niek.

@ niek : OK.I follow what you are doing. I thank you so very much for your help!!!!! As for your sugestion of using a micro controller. I do have an Arduino Uno in my parts drawer.Unfortunately I haven't been able to learn the programming yet!!! I keep reading how everyone seems to say how easy it is to learn.................................... I guess this old mind of mine just doesn't learn easily anymore! I think I saw in one of your eariler posts that you use an Arduino. Is this correct? I don't want to impose on your good will but........................ How difficult would it be for you to write a sketch for the upper LED's to blink ramdomly? I'd completely understand if you don't have time to do it! I kind of hate to use a whole controller just to acomplish the blink! I guess it would be easier to just add the LED's to the EZ-B!!!! Do you have any suggestions on resources that might enable me to more easily learn Arduino programming?????? I've gone to the Arduino home page, as well as a website: Adafruit Ind, that offers tutorials. I have to consider that at my age I may not be able to learn. Thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it.

I hate the word 'age', anybody can learn arduino. I learned by adapting and combining existing sketches. If you'd like to start learning it, i could link you some great tutorials (i think adafruit is great but i found even better)

I program a lot for my Arduino. I could write the code for you, shouldn't be that hard. Did you know that when you programmed the arduino you could take out the IC to have it work as standalone? The IC's are only about 4 bucks in stead of 30 for a whole arduino. You could get the IC's power from the ez-b since it takes 5v.

If you're in, let me know.

I absolutely am in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd really like to learn so I can have more technogoly available to me. I've always been keen on learning. I don't think a person should EVER stop trying to learn!! Even though I have obstacles to overcome I hope I never get to a point that I can't learn!!!!!!!!!! I did not realize that the IC could be removed and used stand alone!!!!!!! An investment of $4 sounds very inticing!!!!!! I have a number of projects I'd like to do, and not having to buy a micro controller for each one sounds great!!!!!!!!! I also bought a micro meastro from Pololu, but havn't been able to learn how to program it either. Have you ever tried using one? You don't know how much I appreciate all of your help. You are a very, very nice young man! Your parents are no doubt very proud of you! I look forward to this new endeavor! I hope you will be patient with me as I'm just starting my recovery,and I have difficult periods. I am looking forward to this new endeavor.

Hey Lloyd as I have gotten older I have found when I'm learning something new I need to really stick with it for a while and concentrate on just that. After I have learned the basics of it then I can go back to doing other things . One of the IT guys at work said c# is really easy but as of today I don't know because I know "0" about it and have limited functioning braincells left ! So I guess we will learn together and if some of you that do know, could point us to where to get started that would be great. My personal problem is reading. I'm a bit dyslexic and it's like torture to try to read manuals . Sometimes I have to read something 5 times to understand the point that they were trying to get across. oh well ! J.W.

@ J.W. : I find it quite encouraging to discover other guys my age interested in robotics, etc. A good sign that we may be gittin' on in years , but still in there tryin'. Tecnology has grown so fast in our lifetimes and, I personally, am very pleased to be able to understand and use it! I agree with your sentiments....................we can help each other learn all this wonderful stuff. Hang in there my friend. BTW; whats your age and location?

@ BC : Are you following along here? Jump in an hang on! Your age and location?

@ALL - I too would be interested. I'm almost 52 and programming was never a strong suite. I've had no education in any of this, I just sort oftry stuff out and get alot of help from guys like you. I have a couple of Arduino duellinova boards I have never even taken out of the package as I don't even know where to begin. When I found the EZ-B it was so much easier to get things moving right away. But I would like to do some imbedded tasks with the arduinos. Any help would be fantastic! I live in the Norfolk, VA area. Bret

56 in central California

if you need any electronics design,i been designing electronic circuits for near 25 years started at a very young age,right now at work i use all types of sensors for very high precision test in-house test equipment

@ robotmaker : So kind of you to offer your abilities and skills with the group. This is just another example of the great people in this EZ group! If you willgo back in this post I described what I would like to do with Gizmo's eyes. Wiring the center LED, and the bottom six I can do. If you have any ideas or suggestions it would be appreciated. I'm an old school engineer type that believes in "K.I.S.S." (i.e. keep it simple stupid: ). I'm probably making this a whole lot more complicated then need be. I'm just trying to keep as many I/O pins free as possible on the EZ-B. I'd like to be able to remove Gizmo's head, an then life his body off, so I can easily make mods as it develops. I could always use servo exstenions and treat the plugs as quick disconnects if need be. A nice simple battery driven circuit in the head would be great. I'm working on his head this week and will be posting pics soon. Thanks all, Lloyd

from the circuits NEIK did not bad,but on current output I/0 pin is not 40 ma High-Current Sink/source 25 mA/25 mA from data sheet,you will need a mosfet ,very low ohms ,called RDS on you said you are looking to blink them,there are a few idea one is a time circuit few caps and resistors called rc circuit or timing chip like 555 timer ,second is buying a blinking led,3rd is software and depending on what leds you want to blink and other you dont ,will need that info can be done with 1 I/O port,easy way is to buy blinking leds for the ones you want to blink there is a problem using 10 mm leds it does use up current 1 MA LED is a little better 10mm takes up to 20 ma sometimes more off one I/O PIN you can drive many mosfets or a mosfet for each string of leds

@robotmaker Look at my schematic and description beneath it, i already advised him to use a mosfet. As for the blinking, Lloyd said he wanted to do it randomly. I don't think that's possible with a 555.

Good point on the 10 mm LED. Maybe I'll try putting 2x 5mm in the tube. One blue, one red. Hopefully will give me a purpleish effect. I'll fog the lense. I'll observe the discussion on the circuit for now. Thanks all.

HI Guys, Yes I have been following what is going on and I am very happy to see the sharing of information. Llyod did you ask my age? Will I am 59 years young I started working with computers in 1970, MY first job yes in 1971 as a computer operator. Then on to programmer, software developer, writing software for the US, Toronto and the Australia office. I then became the manger of the help desk and IT department. That is when I stop programming and had to worry about a lot of people and had a lot of stress in my life. MY Job like a lot of others went over seas. An the the strokes began. stress ok sorry I gave you more info then you asked about. I have a passion for robots I always have.

Niek- Good work I will use it and if I have any questions I will let you know.

Thanks BC

PS this is why I try not to talk on the forum( I can get longe winded) blush

Want to know my story?

My name is Niek, I'm 13 years old, from the Netherlands and i love electronics, computers and all technical things.

Since i was about 7-8 i've been busy with electronics, i used to make alarms on my door with 2 paperclips that touched each other when the door opened and for example made lights and beepers turn on.

After that I have been busy with chemicals but it lost my interest when i got my own soldering iron when i was 8. I directly soldered a little bike out of iron-wire and then mounted a little working light on it. After that I was mainly busy with electronic-kits (electronic dice, light seeking robot, and a small LED-marquee)

When I joined a local hackerspace (where you had to be 12 to join) at the age of 9 I was extremely happy. I have put together many more kits like a wooden drawbridge, working radio and solar battery-charger.

For the parts in my projects i usually took apart things I got like a electronic toothbrush, car radio and all kinds of things (I even drew little schematics for inventions at school!)

About 3 years ago I started NiekProductions.nl. It was some kind of experimentation site because it always changed. After that i bought NiekProductions.com.

Until half a year ago I thought PCB designing was hard and unnecessary but now i'm almost constantly busy doing it. I have designed a lot (from witch half isn't published) and i'm still busy doing it. Now i think it's a lot more synoptic (compare the schematic above and below

Hope i haven't been using up too much space in this thread.

-Niek

I forgot to mention, maybe you already noticed but i tend to document everything i do.

Niek, That was great. It is nice to know some background on people you talk to. The document part is very important. Because you never know when you are going to need it.

Please keep doing what you, you are building a strong foundation for your future. Now I have a problem with my ominbot. I will post it under general because I do not think the is the place for it. Keep up the good work :D

BC

@neik it can be done witha 555 timer ,may need a few,dpends on how random you want them and the time they stay on,he says he wants to use only one I/O PORT or there are digital counter chip with the I/O port as a trigger

looks like a good job on pcb boardi many many many boards (more then 100) and alot hand made ,from yours it looks good i got my first solder gun at age 7 as a gift from my dad,and electronics kit at age 23 i got my engineer degree ,now i desgn very hoh precision in-house test equipment witch meens i made pcb's from scratch,some take 5 boards per tester in house testers is board the check pcb from the pcb bath ,before they go in to a product and final testers before they get ship you and started about the same age in electronics,right going to be gone for a week to china to repair a equipment that broke down

@Niek - I am very impressed with you. You have a tremendous future.

@NIEK you seem like me when i started,may you soon be able photo read schematic what i meen by that is look at a circuit and memorize it a beable to redraw it called electronic photographic memory,bigger the circuit the harddest it is to memorize took me a long time to do it

my favorate part going to all these countries is i get to see alot for free and get paid alot,plus the best news i get to keep very good top of the line equipment to work at home,or at work or one the trips i take alot

WOW!!!!!!! I am so glad I started this thread. I am truly enjoying the lively discussion that has grown from it! Thanks for the info BC; and no, I don't think you ran on to much! You too robotmaker! Its great learning about all the people that are on here. @Niek: Thank you also for adding your story to the mix. You certainly are a intelligent young man. I concur with BC. You are indeed laying a strong foundation for your future. Nice to know we have so many with engineering backrounds. I am a retired architectural engineer. I also have degree in electronics; but very long time ago. I was trained as an Aircrraft Armaments Tech. in helicopters when I was in the army. I did two tours of duty in Vietnam. I also have a degree in Commerical Photography, from the Ohio Institute of Photography. Some of my past jobs have been; Professional Automotive Test Driver.Paramedic and volunteer fireman. Director of Operations for a small electronics firm here in central Florida; and of course an architectural engineer. I started building scale models and miniatures when I was 13 y. o. I went on to build one inch scale miniatures as an adult and I am a past member of the International Guild of Miniature Artisians. Thats the basics.

I'm hoping DJ droppes by our discussion here. I think he would enjoy it. As for the circuit we all seem to be working on for Gizmo's head. Must admit I got a little lost. Are we there yet???????? Let me restate my basic idea. If possible I want an independent circuit in his head. I'm designing it so that his head will be removeable and the top "dome" will lift off as well. Again I want to thank all of you for your kind assistance. Robot On!!!!!!!!!! Lloyd

@Robotz012248 you in FLA,i got my degree from FIU ,about 20 years ago and now i work at a electronic A/C company love working with mostly all types of sensors including ultrasonic use for depth and bubble detector gas sersors ,ir sensors,special sensors,weight or scale sensors and lot more depending the job got a very big design awards for super high precision AC SOURCE(not a power supply) 100 % pure sinewave at 1ppm,(1 part per million) for calibrating high precision 8 digit meters save the company $10000,got a great bonus,if you have heard of amprobe meters that is one we make ,but many many many more test equpment job i have it great much travel all over the world and best pay $100k plus a year

@niek i see also you work on moms kitchen table (she would get mad at me),i did that too until i bought a very big house with 20 feet by 40 feet lab saw your website look good so far,i also have a robotics website ,havent done too much yet on it lately ,working on robots and travel take my time

@Robotz012248
what do you want your eyes to do,blink in series,blink different ones,or some on and some blink,i guess you are not looking at a mouth type vu meter as the mouth talks the leds move let me know and will design a circuit using only one pin if only random and blinking its fairly easy,times you need a few,so not really power saving,most likely the easy way is to use a digital counter chip only but depends on what you want will need also what type of led and power output for for current needed

@robotmaker : If you will go back to the beginning of this post I described what I wanted to do with the eyes. I wanted something rather simple if possible. I do have one of the "A" boards ( you know, that "A" word we don't use on EZ-B) However, I'm not doing very well learning how to use it. Niek said he was going to send me some links with good tutorials, so, we shall see.

@ Niek : When you get a chance, would you send me those links you were talking about?????? I have one of "those" microcontrollers laying on my workbench waiting for the day I might learn how to use it. I also have another small project I'm working on that it might be useful for. I don't think this forum is the approiate place to discuss the "A" word. If you don't mind contact me at my personal email so we can possibly set up a different contact method. Are you on Facebook? Thanks. Lloyd

@Robotz012248

I don't have facebook but i do have e-mail. What e-mail can i reach you?

@Robotz012248 this is what you said

I'm sorry. I should have given you all the info. I attached 3 pics of the basic set up of Gizmo's head. A project box from Radio Shack; and two flashlights from Harbor Freight. You can see the reflector from one of the flashlights with the alum. tube, which will house the 10 mm blue LED. The 12; 3 mm LEDs will be placed in a circle around the tube; placed in holes drilled in the reflector. The 10 mm LED has a forward voltage of 3.2 to 3.6 volts. The 5mm LED's have a forward voltage of 3.2 to 3.4 volts. All of them are typical 2mA current draw. Using our friend, Ohm's law, is how I determined a resistor value of 15 ohm. The six upper LED's will be on the "on-off " circuit and the lower six on a separate circuit. Does that sound right to you? What I need help with is the make-up of the circuit that will turn the six upper LED's off and on, ( ie...the blink!) I think it would look more human like if the "blinks" happened somewhat ramdomly, say based on every 3 to 10 seconds. Any ideas or suggestions?

you say you want the first 10mm leds to go on -off ,very easy then second circuit you said you need 6 leds blink on-off at 3 to 10 sec very easy all you need is a 555 timer and a mosfet and to strat the time first led come on then off then triggers the 555 timer for 3 -10 seconds orr do you also need the first set of leds to go off-on at a time like 3-10 seconds too still can be done with only one 555 timer now if you need them at different times on-off ,like example one at 3 sec and one at 10 sec vcan use 2 555 times or use one 555 with a timer switch mostly a 555 timer with a extra transistor on the timing circuit and you only need one I/O digital pin

@ Niek : You can contact me at : robotz12248@cox.net Thanks.