VEX Optical Sensor Color Set Up & Programming

Introduction to the Optical Sensor

• Demonstration of the new optical sensor capabilities

• Ability to measure both colors and levels of light and darkness

Setting Up the Sensor

• Plugging in the optical sensor

• Connecting to Port 2 and ensuring a proper connection with an audible click

• Accessing the menu and selecting the optical sensor from Port 2

• Viewing RGB values for colors in front of the sensor

• Ability to detect proximity (near/distant) and brightness of light/UV light

Programming the Optical Sensor

• Writing a simple program to utilize the sensor

• Selection of the "on" mode, with options for color mode and gesture mode (gesture mode may not function well)

• Implementation of a control structure with a forever loop

  • Creating an if statement to detect colors

  • Example actions based on color detection:

    • If green is detected:

      • Set motor velocity to 100%

      • Spin motor forward

      • Print "green" on the LED screen with background fill color

    • If yellow is detected:

      • Set motor velocity to 50%

      • Change print color and fill color to yellow

    • If red is detected:

      • Stop the motor

      • Change print color to red and statement to "red"

Testing the Program

• Running the program to detect colors:

  • Starts with no color detection until a color is introduced

  • Results for various colors:

    • Green detected correctly, motor spins at 100%

    • Sensor defaults to yellow due to ambient lighting

    • Red marker detection stops the motor

    • Ability to switch between colors effectively

Using the Device Menu

• Accessing various device features through the menu

• Checking readings from the optical sensor for educational purposes

• Emphasizing the importance of validating color values for programming tasks

Conclusion

• Highlights potential applications for the optical sensor in different projects

• Encourages students to experiment and utilize the sensor in various contexts.

Introduction to the Optical Sensor Demonstration of the new optical sensor capabilities Ability to measure both colors and levels of light and darkness

Setting Up the Sensor

• Plugging in the optical sensor

• Connecting to Port 2 and ensuring a proper connection with an audible click

• Accessing the menu and selecting the optical sensor from Port 2

• Viewing RGB values for colors in front of the sensor

• Ability to detect proximity (near/distant) and brightness of light/UV light

Programming the Optical Sensor

• Writing a simple program to utilize the sensor:

  # Example program to use the optical sensor
  while True:
      color = get_color_from_sensor()
      if color == 'green':
          set_motor_velocity(100)
          spin_motor_forward()
          print('green') # with background fill color
      elif color == 'yellow':
          set_motor_velocity(50)
          change_print_color('yellow')
      elif color == 'red':
          stop_motor()
          change_print_color('red')
          print('red')

• Selection of the "on" mode, with options for color mode and gesture mode (gesture mode may not function well)

• Implementation of a control structure with a forever loop

• Creating an if statement to detect colors

Testing the Program

• Running the program to detect colors:

  • Starts with no color detection until a color is introduced

  • Results for various colors:

    • Green detected correctly, motor spins at 100%

    • Sensor defaults to yellow due to ambient lighting

    • Red marker detection stops the motor

    • Ability to switch between colors effectively

Using the Device Menu

• Accessing various device features through the menu

• Checking readings from the optical sensor for educational purposes

• Emphasizing the importance of validating color values for programming tasks

Conclusion Highlights potential applications for the optical sensor in different projects Encourages students to experiment and utilize the sensor in various contexts.