GBC Ball Counter Module

[LegoGBC]

Hello!

I had this idea of making a ball counter for a long time,however,I don't own an NXT and neither have enough pieces (and the knowledge) to build a mechanical one (like Nico71's)

So after some work I came out with this - I've built an app for my Nexus 4,which uses the phone's built in proximity sensor to detect proximity change. The app then adds one to the ball counter,and waits

700ms before measuring again (because of the lever sometimes jumping a little after it moves)

The first prototype was a rail going in front of the proximity sensor,so every time a ball crosses it will block it. This,however,wasn't reliable at all because of the

sensor's low refresh rate.

So I built what you see in the video - now,a ball goes up in a threads lift,moving a lever which then blocks the proximity sensor. It's 100% accurate.

Here's the video,thanks for watching!

Edited June 22, 2013 by LegoGBC

[legomuppet9]

Nice work I like how you got around the problem of not having NXT by building an app for your phone, very imaginative! May I ask, how did you build it?

[Zerobricks]

Nice work without the NXT.

[LegoGBC]

Nice work I like how you got around the problem of not having NXT by building an app for your phone, very imaginative! May I ask, how did you build it?

Thank you!

The app is programmed in Java for android.

The algorithm itself isn't very complicated,but required some tweaking to make it 100% accurate.

Edited June 22, 2013 by LegoGBC

[Carsten Svendsen]

Phones have a proximity detector? What do you use that for besides this?

[LegoGBC]

Phones have a proximity detector? What do you use that for besides this?

When you put your phone next to your ear,the screen turns off (when making a call) so you won't accidently hang up the call with your ear or something.

[dr_spock]

Nice idea. What happens if you have to take a phone call?

[Boxerlego]

That is a really neat use of a cell phone. They can do so much today, it is just not a phone to some anymore. It is now a Lego brick.

[LegoGBC]

Nice idea. What happens if you have to take a phone call?

I have an old Nokia lying around somewhere

[Kwon]

There is camera in phone? Who made app? Btw, Very nice job!

[LegoGBC]

There is camera in phone? Who made app? Btw, Very nice job!

I made the app, and its not using the camera,its using the proximity sensor.

[kieran]

I love this, such a good solution using what you have and not just going out and getting new stuff, you should make the app available if not already i bet there are loads of people that would like to play with this.

[msx80]

great idea, and the arm blocking the sensor is very nice to see!

[LegoGBC]

I love this, such a good solution using what you have and not just going out and getting new stuff, you should make the app available if not already i bet there are loads of people that would like to play with this.

Thank you. As the video description suggest,the app is available to anybody who wants to use it. Just PM me on youtube and i'll send it

[rocklego]

Excellent!!!

LegoGBC showed us that the capability and diversity of Lego by merging Lego with a smartphone.

[parda]

Really nice! I've loved it!