LEGO Mindstorms : Robotics Invention System

RCX brick

The first generation of LEGO Mindstorms was built around a brick known as the RCX. It contains a Renesas H8/300 microcontroller as its internal CPU. The brick is programmed by downloading a program (written in one of several available programming languages) from a PC or Mac to the brick's RAM via a special infrared (IR) interface. After the user starts a program, an RCX-enabled Mindstorms creation may function totally on its own, acting on internal and external stimuli according to the programmed instructions. Also, two or more RCX bricks can communicate with each other through the IR interface, enabling inter-brick cooperation or competition. In addition to the IR port, there are three sensor input ports and three motor output ports (also usable for lamps, etc). There is also an LCD that can display the battery level, the status of the input/output ports, which program is selected or running, and other information.

Version 1.0 RCX bricks feature a power adapter jack to allow continuous operation instead of the limited operation time when using batteries. In version 2.0, the power adapter jack was removed. Power adapter-equipped RCX bricks are popular for stationary robotics projects (such as robot arms) or for controlling Lego model trains. In the latter context, the RCX needs to be programmed with Digital Command Control (DCC) software required for automated model train operation.

Each RCX, including 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0, have a unique number printed on them. Little is known about the reasoning behind this number, except for the use of technical support.

Programming Languages

Lego-supplied Languages:

- RCX Code (included in the Mindstorms consumer version sold at toystores)
- ROBOLAB (based on LabVIEW and developed at Tufts University)

Popular Third-party Languages:

- C and C++ under BrickOS (formerly LegOS)
- Java under leJOS or TinyVM
- NQC ("Not Quite C")
- pbFORTH (extensions to the Forth programming language)
- pbLua (An NXT API for the Lua programming language)
- Visual Basic (Through the COM+ interface supplied on the CD)
- RobotC (New Language and NXT Compatible)

LEGO Camera

The LEGO Camera on its own is technically not a robotic toy; rather, it is a normal webcam (a Logitech Quickcam Web) packaged into a LEGO shell. Being a normal webcam, the LEGO Camera is, unlike most Mindstorms products, not programmable and is only usable connected to a PC or some other device that supports USB webcams.
The LEGO Camera is meant to be used with the included Vision Command software which can also interface with an RCX and thus enables creating robots with "vision". The software is capable of detecting different lightings, motion, and colors. It can also be used with any other software that uses a webcam. The webcam is capable of recording up to 30 frames per second. It also contains a microphone to record sound for videos.