[Referee-box-developer] forwared mail: RefBox 2005: start-up

[<jur...@ph...>]

This mail contains a private mail to Brett about the Multiple League=20
Refbox 2005.
I post this because the contents is possible interessed for all Refbox=20
developpers.

Jurge wrote on 21 July 2004:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Brett,

[Current difference between MSL and SSL Refbox]
Compared with the SSL 2003 Refbox:
TCP/IP is used in stead of serial. First version of MSL 2004 was using=20
serial, but a lot of discussion started. Several arguments:
serial is old hardware, new laptops don't support it.
splitted serial is not a standard.
Some teams complain about bad network. If they make a refbox-interface=20
program, for broadcasting received commands to the robots i.s.o. sending=20
refbox command straight to the robot, it would prevent lost refbox=20
messages.=20
Colors: SSL is using blue and yellow for team identification. MSL is using =

Magenta and Cyan. Blue and Yellow are used for the goal-sides. During=20
half-time the MSL switches the side.
Only start and stop commands were used. To be precise: halt / start / stop =

/ kick-off magenta / kick-off cyan
Yellow and Red cards are not given via the RefBox: in the MSL cards are=20
for an single player (robot), the SSL gives cards for a team.
In the MSL the referee stops the time, not the refbox: for giving some=20
extra time and not interrupt the game during a scoring opportunity. In=20
Lisbon the time of each half was set to 120 min, so the refbox not stopped =

the game automatically.

[Bug-fixing]
There are some known bugs in the MSL Refbox.=20
1) At half time and end game the MSL Refbox sends automatically a stop=20
signal
2) Re-labeling buttons from blue into cyan, yellow into magenta.
3) MSL Refbox crashes if one of the connections with the teams is lost (by =

killing their client).
4) MSL Refbox only compiles under Linux, there was too less time to get it =

compiled under Windows.

[Functionality]=20
De RefBox 2005 must support the game commands, which are made mandatory by =

the TC's (SSL and MSL). So I will need a decision of the TC which game=20
commands must be provide to the teams by the RefBox.  he decision about=20
the supported commands for 2005 is not required in short time. But when=20
the rules are in the final stage, I would like to have a list of which=20
commands must be supported.=20

[Combine SSL/MSL Refbox]
There are differences in usage of the Refbox. But in my opinion, these are =

small differences. I propose to use a configuration file to configure the=20
RefBox 2005. With the league setting the RefBox will support SSL or MSL=20
(and later another leagues :-) ). Let me know if you like the proposal.

[Improvements]
With the introduction of the TCP/IP a simple test-client was introduced.=20
This helps the teams to test/integrate the Refbox.  I propose the keep a=20
simple example client.
Adding more game statistics like: goals scored, administration of=20
yellow/red cards. Partly already implemented in the SSL2004.
I would like to make the GUI look better. QT is a UI development which is=20
support well by Linux and it also runs under Windows.
By increasing the information in the RefBox, making sub-screens will be=20
necessary. The industry defined a protocol for GUI to control complex=20
machines (SEMI-standard). The basics of this protocol is to split the=20
control into several sub-screens (mode-screen, mode-bar, status-bar). In=20
my team some people are implementing this idea for our user interface.=20
There can be several modes: operation, setup, maintaince,  history,=20
Change communication protocol from single characters to XML. This is more=20
robust for implementing more advance game commands in the future. In the=20
past somebody in the MSL mades a very rich (too rich) XML protocol for the =

Refbox.  The core of this protocol can be implemented to support the=20
current game commands.=20

[Proposed Development schedule]
Discussing about ideas.
Create combined RefBox: league switch by configuration file.
Double communication interface (serial or TCP/IP via config file)
Bug-Fixing on known bugs.
New UI: current interface, no new buttons (if agreed)
Add statistics
Implement new protocol=20

Release schedule:
I hope the get a first version (combined refbox with 2 communication=20
protocol support) ready at the beginning of october.

Please give me your opinion about the refbox development and my proposals.

With best regards,

J=FCrge
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

- + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + -=20
+
  ing. J=FCrge J.F.J. van Eijck -  Assembl=E9on
  Desk Location: HVR 01.B.0.010 - 243
  phone: +31 40 27 22566   Alt phone: +31 40 27 24200
  Cell Phone: (private) 06-20298068
  postal address: HVR, De run 1102, 5503 LA Veldhoven
  P.O. box 80067, 5600 KA Eindhoven, The Netherlands=20
  - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +=20
- +