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CRipComm is a wrapper class for communication with the LEGO RCX. For the details of RCX Communications see the AISolutions article and the CRipComm implementation.

• RipComm header and implementation files (3Kb)
• IRMindstorms - A neat little example application. (29Kb)

Public Interfaces

    CRipComm();
    ~CRipComm();

    bool    CheckTower();
    bool    Close();
    bool    Initialize(int);
    bool    SendOpcodes(const char *, int, bool bFormat = true);
    int     RetrieveReply(char *, int, bool bStrip = true);
		
    uint    GetWaitTime();
    void    SetWaitTime(uint wt);

    operator HANDLE() const;

CRipComm(), ~CRipComm() Constructors and destructors. The destructor will close the port if you have not done so.

bool CheckTower() Checks whether the tower is connected to the computer by checking the RTS and CTS signals. Note, if you have a fast computer, calling CheckTower repeatedly will cause it to fail (return false). Return Value True if tower is connected, otherwise false.

bool Initialize(int iPort) Initializes the class and the serial port. It initializes the serial port to 2400 baud, Odd Parity, 8 databits, 1 stop bit and no flow control. Return Value True if serial port initializes, otherwise false. Parameters iPort The port number (1-255).

bool SendOpcodes(const char *pszOpcodes, int iSize, bool bFormat = true) Send specified number opcodes to the RCX, and will format them correctly if necessary. The function will attempt to send the data MAX_RCX_TRANS times. Note that this function also retrieves the reply 'silently'. Returns Value True if transmitted with a reply received, otherwise false. Parameters: pszOpcodes The opcodes to be sent. iSize The number of bytes to send. bFormat Format the opcodes (add message header, complements and checksum). For example, these two calls will send the same data to the RCX: m_cRCX.SendOpcodes("\x30", 1); m_cRCX.SendOpcodes("\x55\xff\x00\x30\xcf\x30\xcf", 7, false);

int RetrieveReply(char *pszReply, int iSize, bool bStrip = true) Retrieves the reply the RCX gave by copying iSize bytes into pszReply. If bStrip is true, the the message header, complements and checksums are removed. Return Value Number of bytes copied. Parameters pszReply A pointer to a string to store the reply. iSize The number of bytes to copy into pszReply. bStrip Strip the header, complements and checksum from reply.

int GetWaitTime(), void SetWaitTime(uint) Sets the wait time used in the class. Computers are reaching speeds that serial ports cannot easily cope with, therefore the class has a WaitTime implemented. For the test computer (PIII-933), a value of 25 millisecond was required to allow the code to execute properly. Faster computers might require a longer time, and slower computers may not require a wait time.

operator HANDLE() const Returns a handle to the com port. Return Value A HANDLE to the com port in use by the class.