Rotate Images, Logic Builder, Counters

**keyvan** · 01-07-2009, 03:13 AM

Hey Nick, I just got the Fusion Brain a few days ago. This thing kicks ***, great job, it's smaller than I imagined and is just really well designed. The software must have taken a really long time to develop because it's VERY thorough and VERY well thought out (The board too! Awesome work Tim). Bravo to you both. My dad is a Ph.D. in electrical engineering with over 120 patents and even he is drooling over the fusion brain. I showed him the graph (Voltage/Time) and the multi-image and he was wondering if it's possible to have a graph that is Voltage/Voltage for 2 separate inputs (potentiometers)... kinda like an etch-a-sketch. He says if I can figure that out he has a lot of applications for it or something. Anyway

Right now I'm playing with multi-images and just all the different ways to display my data, however I cannot get rotate images to work. I drew an arrow in photoshop that I intended to rotate, per your post at this thread: *NEW* USB Input/Output Board -- Fusion Brain

But I don't know where to add the code (where is this "Skin file" ?) Even still, I think the configurator should be able to let me add in the rotate image through the software. Is it broken right now or something? When will it work again because I'm going to be using this for some gauges.

Thanks!

Also, there are 13 analogue inputs on my fusion brain, how come in the software I can only choose from ports 0-9? What about the other 3 ports available?

**2k1Toaster** · 01-08-2009, 01:44 AM

Thanks for the praise!

Voltage/Voltage graphs are definately possible and the etch-a-sketch idea is a really cool aplication! Currently the x-axis is time-only but I could make it adjustable when I get back. I might just have to make me an etchasketch!

The rotate images work in MDX but cannot be configured in the Configurator yet. I cant access any of my skin files on my phone but go here: http://www.fusioncontrolcentre.com/MDX/Source/

In one of the earlier versions there is a gtr inspired skin that is ina folder in the MDX source directory or maybe the bin/debug area with the name of gtr or str or something like that. If you cant find it I will see if Tim has a copy he can post up.

As for the ports, I am still upgrading the Configuratorto access the new features of Version 4. You can do it manually in the Configuration file or use the ninja kitty wizard.

I am currently on vacation and laptop-less and I cant do everything on my phone.

I will be back next week to answer more questions.

**keyvan** · 01-09-2009, 04:50 AM

Nick thanks for your quick reply. I wish I had you on speed-dial but I bet that could get annoying fast :]

I'm looking into your suggestion.

I have another issue:
I'm trying to build a counter in MDX and I'm having trouble. I took apart an old ball mouse and I'm using the photo-interrupter inside that measures the distance traveled by the mouse. I plan to stick an interrupter wheel onto the end of my mechanical speedometer cable (a pin that rotates as the wheel turns). The photointerrupter is connector to the FB and works, but I need to count how many times a change occurs (0-5v) on the input. I hardly understand the timers and how they work nor how to build a counter with the logic builder. I've tried it and the logic builder ****es me off for 2 reasons (Don't read thes:
1. I have to click a million times in a million different ways in order to "connect" two nodes
2. I keep getting an error that I can't "start a link from an input" and to "start link from output instead". I'll keep trying and then suddenly it will connect the nodes. It's also very unclear if I'm finished.

Your program rocks but the logic builder part, frankly, sucks right now just because of these problems. We need some clearer documentation, I'm sure we'll be able to consolidate all these posts and responses into a nice help file to fill up that nonfunctional question mark button, I'd even volunteer to help with that.

EDIT: Also "You cannot link the output of a module to it's own input" WTF?! I'm not trying to do that! Very frustrating

EDIT: Got the logic builder to connect the nodes. Looks like you need to left click on the first node and the right click on the next (or vice versa). I've attached my logic function, it doesn't count the interruptions

**keyvan** · 01-09-2009, 06:48 AM

Okay yeah I figured out how to connect the nodes correctly. From right to left (output towards input) you first left click on the node to the right, then right click on the node to the left, then left click again on the node to the right and they magically connect. Seems to work every time for me.

Nick, do I need a frequency to voltage converter for this? I'll need it for the tach probably, per this thread: Sensor Inputs (non-ecu)

Any suggestions you can make would be helpful, though I know you're a busy guy and plus you're on vacation. Let me know your thoughts once you've got the time.

Anyone interested can track my progress at this thread, I'm installing all this on a motorcycle

http://www.ocmoto.com/index.php?topi...1907#msg181907

Next on my list is a tilt sensor so I can measure how much I lean into curves

As for my counter for the speedo/photointerrupter, I got the thing to count--ONCE. I guess the logic formula isn't on a permanent loop or something. Here's my updated logic formula, attached:

**Dan2008** · 01-09-2009, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by keyvan

...I plan to stick an interrupter wheel onto the end of my mechanical speedometer cable (a pin that rotates as the wheel turns)...

Why not just replace the mechanical speedometer with a pulse generator on the transmission? You can get them pretty cheap from aftermarket gauge manufacturers.

**RonS** · 01-09-2009, 08:28 AM

I have just ordered some boards for freq to voltage. Only problem is they have not been tested and they won't be here for about 2 weeks. But anyway there are a lot of places you can find out how to build one. Google is your friend.

But if you can wait and these boards work. I can build you one cheap.

**keyvan** · 01-09-2009, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Dan2008

Why not just replace the mechanical speedometer with a pulse generator on the transmission? You can get them pretty cheap from aftermarket gauge manufacturers.

Hey Dan thanks for your reply, could you please elaborate, perhaps provide a link? I'd love to be exposed to all the options so as to pick the best one. In return I will keep you all posted and post pics and tutorials and whatnot.

**keyvan** · 01-09-2009, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by RonS

I have just ordered some boards for freq to voltage. Only problem is they have not been tested and they won't be here for about 2 weeks. But anyway there are a lot of places you can find out how to build one. Google is your friend.

But if you can wait and these boards work. I can build you one cheap.

Okay so you mean that f2v board will take in the pulses frmo the interrupter and give me a voltage based on the frequency of the pulses?

Please elaborate and provide a link if possible. I Would assemble i tmyself. Thanks for your reply and thoughts

**FredWorrell** · 01-09-2009, 05:48 PM

Great post. I am saving it in my "how to" folder. Please continue to post these!! I have tried to do what you have succeeded in and failed.

As for the tilt sensor, it may not be of any use in a turn. Pilots are concerned about this also, and we use the terms slip and skid. In a proper turn (in an airplane) the centrifugal force cancels out the effect of the bank angle. In a proper turn, a tilt indicator will show no tilt. In fact, we use a skip/skid indiicator that is a small metal ball in a curved tube. If you take this on the workbench the ball is always down, in a proper turn (called corrdinated turn) the plane can be tilted over at 45 degrees and the ball is centered showing no tilt at all. That is why we have to use gyroscopes and not tilt meters. I suspect that you are not too far off ithis principle in a motorcycle. The cycle is tilted over, but does not fall due to centrifugal force. The forces cancel.

**2k1Toaster** · 01-09-2009, 06:29 PM

your first left click is useless. Left click on a node to finish a connection and right click to begin a connection always. So right clk on an output node of a module, then left click an input node of a different module.

If you are randomly left/right clicking then you may be trying to loop a function and hence the other error. It wont give you the looping error unless the endpoint is a higher point in the heirarchy than the beginning which means you made a loop.

Also you are making your vote +1 whixh is not x=x+(+1) it is x=(+1). if it was -1, then it is x=x+(-1) not x--.

Increment you need to delta add. d+1 means x=x+(+1) and d-1 means x=x+(-1)