For now I'm going to use the following layout for design patterns with the MS robotics environment. Now don't get to excited. I haven't worked out really any details, this is just a start...
| Title: |
Component/Part/Object |
| Problem Space: |
BaseLine |
| Abstract: |
All Windows/Legos Based robotic systems are derived from this pattern. Given the current state of the world you can't get around it. |
| Context: |
Microsoft Windows.NET, Microsoft Robotics API's, Lego NXT, Bluetooth |
| Known Uses: |
all |
| Related Patterns: |
all |
| Title: |
The Navigable System |
| Problem Space: |
Navigation |
| Abstract: |
Derived from Component/Part/Object this patterns address the abiltiy for a robot to move around in 2 or 3d space. |
| Context: |
Microsoft Windows.NET, Microsoft Robotics API's, Lego NXT, Bluetooth |
| Known Uses: |
Manuvering in a given area some kind of robot |
| Related Patterns: |
Component/Part/Object |
| Title: |
The Stationary Device |
| Abstract: |
Derived from Component/Part/Object this patterns address the abiltiy for a robot preform a given action. |
| Problem Space: |
The Machine |
| Context: |
Microsoft Windows.NET, Microsoft Robotics API's, Lego NXT, Bluetooth |
| Known Uses: |
Preforming actions, such as building or a repetitive action. |
| Related Patterns: |
Component/Part/Object |
So regarding problem spaces I feel that there are others but for now I'll deal with these. So I have built robots as seen in earlier entries for the first 2 patterns and now I am focusing on the last one. The robot I built was a automated gun emplacement. In the processing of building this one I also learned more about the lego IDE including how to keep the robot from timing out and how to use variables and other complex 'lego' programming components. For the most part you can do anything you want but things to keep in mind are how variables are used and how they have to be wired up separately and you need different blocks for read, write and comparison operations. And all variables are global and have defined globally and with a 'brick'.
Back to my automated machine. So the idea is that the gun will rotate over a set of degrees and when it detects anything in its way it will fire as many rounds as it can it 1 or 2 second bursts. The processing of building this I also got the hang of gearing operations with the NXT servos which I'm sure will help with building other robots. I will include a picture of this with this entry. You'll note that in this we end of with gearing on 3 planes and we can achieve step down or up solutions with this design.