RoboticApp - Apps for your Robots
RoboControl

RoboControl 3.0 User's Guide

Content

  1. Introduction
  2. Robot Setup
  3. Accounts Setup
  4. Server Setup
  5. Client Setup
  6. Getting Started
  7. Controls and Sensors
  8. References
  9. Trademarks

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Introduction

RoboControl is a remote control for your robot. It sends commands to your robot and reads sensor data from your robot. It provides remote monitoring using your robot, an iPod touch and RoboWebCam which makes it perfect for monitoring your home while you're away. It also provides telepresence using your robot, an iPod touch and Skype which makes it perfect for interacting with loved ones when you wish you were there. It is a Web application that can be used from any computer or device with any browser on any platform. It is optimized for the iPhone and iPod touch. No homemade electronics or programming is required. Basic computer skills are required.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide users with a step-by-step guide on how to setup and use RoboControl.

Scope

The scope of this document is limited to providing guidance on RoboControl. For assistance on the hardware required by RoboControl, contact the manufacturers of this hardware.

Architecture

RoboControl can be used in one of three different configurations:

  • Basic configuration: Remote control of your robot with RoboControl.
  • Remote monitoring configuration (optional): Remote control of your robot with RoboControl, and remote monitoring with an iPod touch and RoboWebCam.
  • Telepresence configuration (optional): Remote control of your robot with RoboControl, and telepresence with an iPod touch and Skype.

Basic Configuration

Basic Configuration

Remote Monitoring Configuration

Remote Monitoring Configuration

Telepresence Configuration

Telepresence Configuration

All components required for the three configurations are installed together on the same server computer. Everything described in this guide is required for the three configurations except when stated otherwise:

  • BA: required for basic configuration only.
  • RM: required for remote monitoring configuration only.
  • TP: required for telepresence configuration only.

Features

RoboControl provides the following features:

  • Web remote control graphical user interface.
  • Send commands to your robot.
  • Receive sensor data from your robot.
  • Monitor your home remotely using the camera of an iPod touch mounted on your robot and RoboWebCam.
  • Interact with people remotely using the camera of an iPod touch mounted on your robot and Skype.
  • Email and SMS alerts with Gmail.
  • Sensors tracking dashboards with ThingSpeak.
  • Social networking with Facebook.
  • Web server and browser included with the application.
  • Client running on any browser, any device and any platform (limited to a PC or a Mac when using telepresense).
  • Server running on Windows.
  • Web application.

Requirements

RoboControl requires the following components:

  • Client computer or device with a Web browser and Internet connectivity (BA and RM).
  • Client PC or Mac with a Web browser, Internet connectivity and Skype (TP).
  • Server computer running Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8 with Bluetooth wireless and Internet connectivity.
  • Roomba (any model manufactured after October 2005), Create or Mindstorms NXT.
  • RooTooth Bluetooth device (required only for Roomba and Create).
  • iPod touch 4th generation with mounting device (RM and TP), RoboWebCam (RM) and Skype (TP).
  • Solar charger with adhesive Velcro (RM and TP for Roomba and Create only).

To view the robot components.

The Rootooth is a class 1 Bluetooth device which provides a range of 100 meters (330 feets). The Mindstorms NXT is equipped with a class 2 Bluetooth device which provides a range of 10 meters (33 feets). To get the best range and performance, you should have a Bluetooth class 1 radio on your server computer.

Robot Components

The robot components required by RoboControl can be ordered from the following links:

Limitations

RoboControl has limitations relative to response time and battery autonomy of the iPod touch:

  • Response time: There can be a perceivable delay between sending a command and the execution of that command by your robot when commands are sent through the Internet.
  • iPod touch battery autonomy: The iPod touch and solar charger fully charged can provide autonomy of your mounted iPod touch for up to 10 hours with the remote monitoring configuration (RM) and up to one week with the telepresence configuration (TP).

Assistance

If you need assistance in setting up or using RoboControl, visit www.roboticapp.com/support.html or send us an email at info@roboticapp.com.

Overview

This document is organized into the following sections:

  • Introduction: Introduction to this document.
  • Robot setup: Steps to setup hardware on your robot.
  • Accounts setup: Steps to setup accounts for alerts, dashboards and social network.
  • Server setup: Steps to setup software on your server computer.
  • Client setup: Steps to setup software on your client computer (TP).
  • Getting started: Steps to start RoboControl.
  • Controls and sensors: Instructions on how to control your robot and read its sensors using RoboControl.
  • References: Useful references.
  • Trademarks: Trademarks used thoughout this document.

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Robot Setup

To setup your robot:

  1. Setup Robot Hardware.
  2. Install RoboWebCam on iPod touch (RM).
  3. Configure RoboWebCam (RM).
  4. Configure Auto-Lock (RM).
  5. Install Skype on iPod touch (TP).
  6. Create Skype Account for iPod touch (TP).
  7. Configure Skype on iPod touch (TP).

1. Setup Robot Hardware

RoboControl uses the RooTooth Bluetooth device to communicate with your robot wirelessly. It uses an iPod touch mounted on your robot as a wireless camera to provide remote monitoring and telepresence (RM and TP). The iPod touch is mounted on your robot using a standard car windshield mount (RM and TP). The iPod touch is connected to a solar charger to increase the autonomy of its battery using a standard iPod touch USB cable (RM and TP). The solar charger is mounted on your robot using adhesive Velcro (RM and TP).

To setup your robot hardware for Roomba and Create:

  1. Remove your robot from its docking station.
  2. Turn off your robot by pressing and holding the "CLEAN/POWER" button until it powers down.
  3. Remove the faceplate or serial port protector from your Roomba, or the serial port protector from your Create.
  4. Connect the RooTooth to your Roomba or Create 7 pin mini din serial port.
  5. Turn on your robot by pressing the "CLEAN/POWER" button.
  6. Attach the iPod touch windshield mount to your Roomba or Create using the suction cup (use an adhesive base if necessary) (RM and TP).
  7. Attach the iPod touch to the windshield mount (RM and TP).
  8. Put one Velcro adhesive strip on your robot (RM and TP).
  9. Put another Velcro adhesive strip on the back of the solar charger (RM and TP).
  10. Attach the solar charger to your robot (RM and TP).
  11. Connect the solar charger to iPod touch (RM and TP).

To view the procedure with screenshots.

To setup your robot hardware for Mindstorm NXT:

  1. Build the robot from the "Lego Mindstorms User Guide" (pages 5 to 15) provided with your kit.
  2. Connect the sensors according to the standard port settings as described in the "Lego Mindstorms User Guide" (pages 16 to 17) provided with your kit.
  3. Build an iPod touch mount at the front of your robot using Lego bricks (RM and TP).
  4. Attach the iPod touch to your robot (RM and TP).

To view the procedure with screenshots.

2. Install RoboWebCam on iPod touch (RM)

RoboWebCam provides mobile remote monitoring with your robot and an iPod touch.

To install RoboWebCam on your iPod touch:

  1. Start the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  2. Press the "App Store" app.
  3. Press "Search".
  4. In the search field, enter "RoboWebCam" and press "Search".
  5. Press the "RoboWebCam" app.
  6. Press "$9.99".
  7. Press "Buy Now".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

3. Configure RoboWebCam (RM)

RoboWebCam needs to have its port and password set before being used. The default port is "12346" and the default password is "password". The modified port and password will persist even after shutting down RoboWebCam or turning off your iPod touch.

To configure RoboWebCam:

  1. Start the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  2. Press the "RoboWebCam" app.
  3. Press the "Settings" button to navigate to the "Settings" panel.
  4. Press the "WebCam" button.
  5. Set the port number to be used to connect to RoboWebCam and press "Continue".
  6. Press the "Padlock" button.
  7. Set the password to be used to connect to RoboWebCam and press "Continue".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

4. Configure Auto-Lock on iPod touch (RM)

Auto-Lock must be set to "Never" on the iPod touch when using RoboWebCam.

To configure auto-lock on your iPod touch:

  1. Start the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  2. Press the "Settings" app.
  3. Press "General".
  4. Press "Auto-Lock".
  5. Press "Never".
  6. Press "General".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

5. Install Skype on iPod touch (TP)

Skype provides telepresence capabilities with bi-directional voice and video between your robot and the client computer.

To install Skype on your iPod touch:

  1. Start the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  2. Press the "App Store" app.
  3. Press "Search".
  4. In the search field, enter "Skype" and press "Search".
  5. Press the "Skype" app.
  6. Press "FREE".
  7. Press "INSTALL APP".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

6. Create Skype Account for iPod touch (TP)

Two Skype accounts are required by RoboControl. One account is used on the iPod touch mounted on your robot. The other account is used on the client computer.

To create a Skype account for your iPod touch:

  1. Open your Web browser and go to address www.skype.com.
  2. Click on "Sign In".
  3. Click on the "Create an account" tab.
  4. Fill the following fields: First name, Last name, Your email address and Repeat email.
  5. Fill the following fields: Birth date, Gender, Country/region, City, Language and Mobile phone number.
  6. Fill the following fields: How do you intend to use Skype?, Skype name, Password, Repeat password and Type the text above here.
  7. Click "I agree - Continue".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

7. Configure Skype on iPod touch (TP)

Skype must be configured on the iPod touch mounted on your robot to never go offline so that a connection to the robot can be establish at any time.

To configure Skype on your iPod touch:

  1. Start the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  2. Press the "Settings" app.
  3. Scroll down.
  4. Press "Skype".
  5. Set "Sign In Automatically" to "ON" and "Go Offline" to "Never ".
  6. Press the "Home" button at the bottom of the iPod touch.
  7. Scroll to the "Skype" app.
  8. Press the "Skype" app.
  9. Press the "Increase Volume" button on the left of the iPod touch to increase volume to its maximum setting.

To view the procedure with screenshots.

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Accounts Setup

RoboControl provides optional capabilities for Email and SMS alerts with Gmail, sensor dashboard displays with ThingSpeak, and robot social networking with Facebook.

To create accounts for alerts, dashboards and social network:

  1. Create Gmail Account (optional).
  2. Create ThingSpeak Account (optional).
  3. Create Facebook Account (optional).

1. Create Gmail Account

RoboControl requires a Gmail account to send Email and SMS alerts. This account can be your own or you can create one for your robot.

To view the list of alerts.

To create a Gmail account:

  1. Visit mail.google.com.
  2. Click "CREATE AN ACCOUNT".
  3. Fill the following mandatory fields: Name, Choose your username, Choose your password, Confirm your password, Birthday, Gender, Prove you're not a robot and Location.
  4. Click "Next Step".
  5. Click "Continue to Gmail".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

2. Create ThingSpeak Account

RoboControl provides capabilities to transfer your robot sensor data to an account on the ThingSpeak portal. This allows you to see the evolution of your robot sensors over time. When your robot is active, sensor data is transfered once every minute. When it is not active, sensor data is transfered once every hour.

To create a ThingSpeak account:

  1. Visit www.thingspeak.com.
  2. Click "Sign Up".
  3. Fill the following mandatory fields: User ID, E-mail, Time Zone, Password and Password Confirmation.
  4. Click "Create Account".
  5. Click "Create New Channel".
  6. Click the "Channel Settings" tab.
  7. Fill Fields 1 to 6 with the following values: Left Wheel, Right Wheel, Vacuum, Bumper, Cliff and Battery.
  8. Click "Update Channel".
  9. Click the "API Key" tab to get the API key required by the installer.

To view the procedure with screenshots.

3. Create Facebook Account

RoboControl provides capabilities to automatically create posts on the Facebook account of your robot.

Limitation: The access token generated by Facebook and used by RoboControl has a lifespan of only a few hours. You will need to generate a new one and update your RoboControl settings once it has expired if you want your robot to keep on posting to its wall.

To view the list of posts (same as alerts).

To create a Facebook account:

  1. Visit www.facebook.com.
  2. Fill the following mandatory fields: First Name, Last Name, Your Email, Re-enter Email, New Password, Birthday, and Male or Female.
  3. Click "Sign Up".
  4. Visit developers.facebook.com/tools/explorer.
  5. Click on the "Get Access Token" button.
  6. On the "Select Permissions" window, click "Clear".
  7. On the "Select Permissions" window, click "Extended Permissions".
  8. Under the "Extended Permissions" tab, select the following options: offline_access, publish_stream and read_stream.
  9. Click the "Get Access token" button.
  10. On the "Graph API Explorer" window, click "Log In with Facebook".
  11. On the "Request for Permissions" screen, click "Allow".
  12. Get the access token required by the installer from the "Access Token" field.

To view the procedure with screenshots.

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Server Setup

To setup RoboControl on your server computer:

  1. Setup Bluetooth Serial Connection.
  2. Install RoboControl.
  3. Setup Router (required only if RoboControl is to be used over the Internet).

1. Setup Bluetooth Serial Connection

This procedure will setup the connection between your computer and your robot. Once the connection is established, you should be able to remove the Bluetooth device from your robot and put it back in without having to re-execute this procedure.

To setup the Bluetooth serial connection to your robot:

  1. Plug-in a Bluetooth class 1 USB radio to your computer (not required if Bluetooth class 1 radio is already embedded in your computer).
  2. Click "Start > Control Panel".
  3. In the "Control Panel" window, click "Hardware and Sound".
  4. In the "Hardware and Sound" window, click "Devices and Printers".
  5. In the "Devices and Printers" window, click "Add a Device".
  6. In the "Add a Device" window, double-click "FireFly-XXXX" for RooTooth or "NXT" for Mindstorms NXT.
  7. Click "Enter the device's pairing code".
  8. Enter "1234" for the pairing code of RooTooth or Mindstorms NXT and click "Next" (you need to accept pairing on the Mindstorms NXT screen).
  9. Click "Close".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

2. Install RoboControl

The RoboControl installer will install RoboControl on your computer under the default home directory "C:\Program Files\RoboControl" or any other folder. It will also create the shortcut "RoboControl" on your computer desktop and the following shortcuts under "Start > All Programs > RoboControl":

  • Start RoboControl
  • Start RoboServer Console
  • Start RoboServer
  • Start Web Server
  • Stop RoboServer
  • Stop Web Server
  • Update RoboControl
  • Uninstall RoboControl
  • View RoboControl User's Guide

To install RoboControl on your server computer:

  1. Download "robocontrol.exe" from www.roboticapp.com to a temporary folder.
  2. Double-click the "robocontrol.exe" self-extracting executable.
  3. Follow the instructions.

3. Setup Router

This procedure will setup your router and firewall for RoboControl. RoboControl and RoboServer Console use the HTTP protocol for communication between the Web browser on your client computer or device and your server computer. RoboServer also uses the TCP protocol for communication with RoboControl. RoboControl and RoboServer require your router to have the HTTP protocol port of your choice (80 by default) mapped to your server computer private IP address. RoboControl and RoboServer also require your server computer to have the port of your choice (80 by default) opened on your Windows and anti-virus firewalls. The steps that follow are based on a Cisco Linksys router. Depending on the make and model of your router, these steps may vary.

This procedure is required only if RoboControl is to be used over the Internet.

To setup the router:

  1. Open a Web browser and enter the address of your router (for example 192.168.1.1).
  2. Enter your "User name" and "Password" if your router requires authentication, and click "OK".
  3. Select the "Applications & Gaming" tab.
  4. Select the "Single Port Forwarding" tab.
  5. Enter application "RoboControl" with the following parameters:
    • External port: Port you selected for RoboControl during installation (default 80).
    • Internal port: Port you selected for RoboControl during installation (default 80).
    • Protocol: TCP.
    • To IP Address: IP address of your server computer.
    • Enabled: Checked.
  6. Enter application "RoboServer" with the following parameters (required only if using iRoboControl):
    • External port: Port you selected for RoboServer during installation (default 12345).
    • Internal port: Port you selected for RoboServer during installation (default 12345).
    • Protocol: TCP.
    • To IP Address: IP address of your server computer.
    • Enabled: Checked.
  7. Enter application "RoboWebCam" with the following parameters (required only if using RoboWebCam):
    • External port: Port you selected for RoboWebCam during installation (default 12346).
    • Internal port: Port you selected for RoboWebCam during installation (default 12346).
    • Protocol: TCP.
    • To IP Address: IP address of your iOS device running RoboWebCam.
    • Enabled: Checked.
  8. Click "Save Settings".
  9. Close the Web browser.

To view the procedure with screenshots.

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Client Setup

To setup RoboControl on your client computer (TP):

  1. Install Skype on Client (TP).
  2. Create Skype Account for Client (TP).

1. Install Skype on Client (TP)

Skype provides telepresence capabilities with bi-directional voice and video between your robot and the client computer.

To install Skype on your client computer:

  1. Open your Web browser and go to address www.skype.com.
  2. Click "Get Skype > Windows".
  3. Click "Download Skype".
  4. Click "Save > Save As".
  5. In the "Save As" window, navigate to a temporary folder and click "Save".
  6. In the temporary folder, double-click on "SkypeSetup.exe".
  7. In the "Skype - Install" window, select "Language" and click "I agree - next".
  8. Click "Next >".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

2. Create Skype Account for Client (TP)

Two Skype accounts are required by RoboControl. One account is used on the iPod touch mounted on your robot. The other account is used on the client computer.

To create a Skype account for your client computer:

  1. Click on "Start > All Programs > Skype > Skype" from the Start menu or double-click on the "Skype" shortcut from the Desktop.
  2. In the "Skype" window, click "Create a new account".
  3. Fill the following fields: First name, Last name, Your email address and Repeat email.
  4. Fill the following fields: Birth date, Gender, Country/region, City, Language and Mobile phone number.
  5. Fill the following fields: How do you intend to use Skype?, Skype name, Password, Repeat password and Type the text above here.
  6. Click "I agree - Continue".

To view the procedure with screenshots.

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Getting Started

To get started:

  1. Start Web Server.
  2. Start RoboServer.
  3. Start RoboControl.
  4. Start RoboControl with RoboWebCam (RM).
  5. Start RoboControl with Skype (TP).
  6. Start RoboServer Console.
  7. Stop RoboServer
  8. Stop Web Server
  9. Update RoboControl.
  10. Uninstall RoboControl.
  11. View RoboControl User's Guide.

1. Start Web Server

The Web server needs to be started prior to using RoboControl. It can only be started and stopped from your server computer. To ensure availability of the Web server at all times, set your server computer to never sleep. To set your server computer to never sleep, click "Start > Control Panel", under the "Control Panel" window, click "System and Security > Power Options > Change when computer sleeps" and set "Put the computer to sleep" to "Never".

To start the Web Server from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Start Web Server".

2. Start RoboServer

RoboServer needs to be started prior to using RoboControl. It can be started from your server computer or from any computer or devide connected to the Internet. To ensure availability of RoboServer at all times, set your server computer to never sleep. To set your server computer to never sleep, click "Start > Control Panel", under the "Control Panel" window, click "System and Security > Power Options > Change when computer sleeps" and set "Put the computer to sleep" to "Never".

To start RoboServer from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Start RoboServer".

To start RoboServer from any computer or device connected to the Internet:

  1. Start a Web browser on any computer or device connected to the Internet.
  2. In the address field of the Web browser, enter: "your http server address/robocontrol/server.html" (for example "https://www.xelaration.net/robocontrol/server.html").
  3. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  4. Press the red power button to start RoboServer (Once started, the power button turns green).

3. Start RoboControl

RoboControl can run directly on your server computer or on any Web client connected to the Internet. On your server computer, it can be started from the Start menu or from the RoboControl shortcut located on your computer desktop. On the Web client, it can be started by entering the RoboControl URL in the address field of any Web browser. To ensure availability of RoboControl at all times, set your server computer to never sleep. To set your server computer to never sleep, click "Start > Control Panel", under the "Control Panel" window, click "System and Security > Power Options > Change when computer sleeps" and set "Put the computer to sleep" to "Never".

To start RoboControl from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Start RoboControl" or double-click the "RoboControl" shortcut located on the desktop.
  2. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  3. Control your robot and get sensor data as described in section Controls and Sensors.

To start RoboControl from any computer or device connected to the Internet:

  1. Start a Web browser on any computer or device connected to the Internet.
  2. In the address field of the Web browser, enter: "your http server address/robocontrol/index.html" (for example "https://www.xelaration.net/robocontrol/index.html").
  3. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  4. Control your robot and get sensor data as described in section Controls and Sensors.

4. Start RoboControl with RoboWebCam (RM)

RoboControl has two components in the RM configuration:

  1. RoboControl
  2. RoboWebCam

RoboControl can run directly on your server computer or on any Web client connected to the Internet. On your server computer, it can be started from the Start menu or from the RoboControl shortcut located on the desktop. On the Web client, it can be started by entering the RoboControl URL in the address field of any Web browser. RoboWebCam runs on the iPod touch mounted on your robot. To ensure availability of RoboControl at all times, set your server computer to never sleep. To set your server computer to never sleep, click "Start > Control Panel", under the "Control Panel" window, click "System and Security > Power Options > Change when computer sleeps" and set "Put the computer to sleep" to "Never".

To start RoboControl with RoboWebCam from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Start RoboControl" or double-click the "RoboControl" shortcut located on the desktop.
  2. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  3. Start the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  4. Press the "RoboWebCam" app.
  5. Go back to RoboControl.
  6. Press the "WebCam" icon at the top of the "Controls" or "Favorites" panel.
  7. When prompt to authenticate, enter any user id and the RoboWebCam password (default is "password"), and click "Log In".
  8. Control your robot and get sensor data as described in section Controls and Sensors.

To start RoboControl with RoboWebCam from any computer or device on the Internet:

  1. Start the iPod touch mounted on your robot (this step cannot be performed remotely).
  2. Press the "RoboWebCam" app (this step cannot be performed remotely).
  3. Start a Web browser on any computer or device connected to the internet.
  4. In the address field of the Web browser, enter: "your http server address/robocontrol/index.html" (for example "https://www.xelaration.net/robocontrol/index.html").
  5. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  6. Press the "WebCam" icon at the top of the "Controls" or "Favorites" panel.
  7. When prompt to authenticate, enter any user id and the RoboWebCam password (default is "password"), and click "Log In".
  8. Control your robot and get sensor data as described in section Controls and Sensors.

5. Start RoboControl with Skype (TP)

RoboControl has two components in the TP configuration:

  1. RoboControl
  2. Skype

RoboControl can run directly on your server computer or on any client computer with any Web browser and Skype connected to the Internet. On your server computer, it can be started from the Start menu or from the RoboControl shortcut located on the desktop. On the client computer, it can be started by entering the RoboControl URL in the address field of any Web browser. Skype video on the client computer connects to Skype video on the iPod touch mounted on your robot. To ensure availability of RoboControl at all times, set your server computer to never sleep. To set your server computer to never sleep, click "Start > Control Panel", under the "Control Panel" window, click "System and Security > Power Options > Change when computer sleeps" and set "Put the computer to sleep" to "Never".

To start RoboControl with Skype on your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Start RoboControl" or double-click the "RoboControl" shortcut located on the desktop.
  2. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  3. Click "Start > All Programs > Skype > Skype" or double-click on the "Skype" shortcut located on the desktop.
  4. On the "Skype" window, enter "Skype Name" and "Password", and click "Sign me in".
  5. On the "Skype - Welcome screen" window, click on "Or get started now...".
  6. In the "Skype" window, click your robot contact.
  7. Click "Video call".
  8. Someone presses the green camera button on the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  9. Click on the "Pop-out" button.
  10. Control your robot and get sensor data as described in section Controls and Sensors.

To start RoboControl with Skype from any computer or device connected to the Internet:

  1. Start a Web browser on any computer or device connected to the internet.
  2. In the address field of the Web browser enter: "your http server address/robocontrol/index.html" (for example "https://www.xelaration.net/robocontrol/index.html").
  3. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  4. Click "Start > All Programs > Skype > Skype" or double-click on the "Skype" shortcut located on the desktop.
  5. On the "Skype" window, enter "Skype Name" and "Password", and click "Sign me in".
  6. On the "Skype - Welcome screen" window, click on "Or get started now...".
  7. In the "Skype" window, click your robot contact.
  8. Click "Video call".
  9. Someone presses the green camera button on the iPod touch mounted on your robot.
  10. Click on the "Pop-out" button.
  11. Control your robot and get sensor data as described in section Controls and Sensors.

6. Start RoboServer Console

RoboServer Console can run directly on your server computer or any Web client. On your server computer, it can be started from the Start menu. On any Web client, it can be started by entering the RoboServer Console URL in the address field of a Web browser.

To start RoboServer Console from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Start RoboServer Console".
  2. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  3. Press the red power button to start RoboServer (Once started, the power button turns green).
  4. Press the green power button to stop RoboServer (Once stopped, the power button turns red).

To start RoboServer Console from any computer or device connected to the Internet:

  1. Start a Web browser on any computer or device connected to the Internet.
  2. In the address field of the Web browser, enter: "your http server address/robocontrol/server.html" (for example "https://www.xelaration.net/robocontrol/server.html").
  3. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  4. Press the red power button to start RoboServer (Once started, the power button turns green).
  5. Press the green power button to stop RoboServer (Once stopped, the power button turns red).

7. Stop RoboServer

RoboServer can be stopped from your server computer or any Web client. On your server computer, it can be stopped from the Start menu. On any Web client, it can be stopped by entering the RoboServer Console URL in the address field of the Web browser and by pressing the green power button.

To stop RoboServer from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Stop RoboServer".

To stop RoboServer from any computer or device connected to the Internet:

  1. Start a Web browser on any computer or device connected to the Internet.
  2. In the address field of the Web browser, enter: "your http server address/robocontrol/server.html" (for example "https://www.xelaration.net/robocontrol/server.html").
  3. Enter your UserId and Password, and click "Login".
  4. Press the green power button to stop RoboServer (Once stopped, the power button turns red).

8. Stop Web Server

The Web server can only be started and stopped from your server computer.

To stop the Web Server from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Stop Web Server".

9. Update RoboControl

The Update RoboControl utility will update RoboControl on your server computer.

To update RoboControl on your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Update RoboControl".
  2. Follow the instructions

10. Uninstall RoboControl

The Uninstall RoboControl utility will uninstall RoboControl from your server computer. It will remove all RoboControl files, folders and shortcuts from the following locations:

  1. Home directory "C:\Program Files\RoboControl", or any home directory you selected during installation, and all its content.
  2. All shortcuts under the folder "Start > All Programs > RoboControl" and the folder itself.
  3. Shortcut "RoboControl" on your computer desktop.
  4. Folders "cgi-bin\robocontrol" and "htdocs\robocontrol".

To uninstall RoboControl from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > Uninstall RoboControl".
  2. Follow the instructions.

11. View RoboControl User's Guide

The View RoboControl User's Guide shortcut links to this page.

To view the RoboControl User's Guide from your server computer:

  1. Click "Start > All Programs > RoboControl > View RoboControl User's Guide".

To view the RoboControl User's Guide from any computer or device connected to the Internet:

  1. Start a Web browser on any computer or device connected to the Internet.
  2. In the address field of the Web browser, enter www.roboticapp.com/control30.html.

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Controls and Sensors

RoboControl is organized in 6 different panels:

  • Controls: Controls to send commands to your robot.
  • Sensors: State of your robot sensors.
  • Schedule: Management of the cleaning schedule.
  • Piano: Piano keyboard.
  • Favorites: Emoticon, geometric patterns, musical tunes and dance.
  • Settings: Settings and instructions.

To view the list of all valid controls.

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References

  1. iRobot Roomba Open Interface (ROI) Specification (Adobe Reader required).
  2. iRobot Create Open Interface (Adobe Reader required).
  3. iRobot Roomba 500 Open Interface (OI) Specification (Adobe Reader required).
  4. RoboDynamic RooTooth User Guide (Adobe Reader required).
  5. Mindstorms Support.
  6. Skype Video Calling Help.

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Trademarks

  1. RoboControl, RoboServer and RoboWebCam are trademarks of Xelaration Software Corporation.
  2. Xelaration is a registered trademark of Xelaration Holding Corporation.
  3. Roomba and Create are registered trademarks of iRobot Corporation in the United States.
  4. Mindstorms is a trademark of the LEGO Group.
  5. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
  6. iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and iPad mini are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.
  7. Skype is a trade mark of Skype Limited and Xelaration Software Corporation is not affiliated, sponsored, authorized or otherwise associated by/with the Skype group of companies.
  8. Cisco and Linksys are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems Incorporated.

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