mBlock: Coding, Robotics, and AI

mBlock Overview

• mBlock is a coding platform designed for programming robots and working with Arduino projects
• It is built on Scratch, facilitating both block-based and Python programming
• Commonly used in STEM education, robotics, and AI projects

mBlock Difficulty Levels

• Easy level focuses on coding and robotics
• Block-based coding is supported, similar to Scratch
• mBlock is compatible with robots like mBot and Arduino
• Makeblock is the developer of mBlock

mBlock Intermediate Concepts

• The Broadcast block feature sends messages between scripts
• Python Mode supports text-based programming
• mBot can connect via USB and Bluetooth
• "Forever" block creates continuously repeating scripts
• Ultrasonic sensors are used to detect objects

mBlock Advanced Concepts

• Variables are used for storing changing values
• Operators perform calculations and comparisons
• AI Features include Speech, Image, and Language Recognition
• IoT (Internet of Things) is supported
• Serial Communication (UART) is used to upload code to Arduino

Key mBlock Concepts Summarized

• Coding Modes: Block-based and Python
• Supported Devices: mBot, Arduino
• Loops & Conditions: "Forever", "Repeat Until", "If-Else" -AI Features: Image, Speech, Language Recognition
• Communication Methods: USB, Bluetooth, IoT

Quiz Bee Review Tips for mBlock

• Understand basic blocks such as motion, events, control, and operators
• Understand how loops, conditions, and variables function
• Study the connection between mBlock, mBot, and Arduino
• Explore AI and IoT applications within mBlock
• Understand sensors and their functions

MIT App Inventor Overview

• MIT App Inventor is a block-based programming tool that develops mobile applications, particularly for Android devices
• Initially developed by Google
• It now uses a drag-and-drop interface for easy app creation

Basic Components & UI Elements in MIT App Inventor

• Designer View is used to design the app's user interface (UI)
• Blocks Editor is used to create the app's logic and behavior
• Emulator simulates an Android device to test apps
• A Button is a clickable component that triggers actions
• Label displays text on the screen
• TextBox allows users to input text
• Image displays pictures in an app
• Canvas is used for drawing and detecting touch gestures
• HorizontalArrangement arranges elements horizontally
• VerticalArrangement arranges elements vertically

Advanced UI Components in MIT App Inventor

• WebViewer is used to display web pages inside an app
• Slider allows users to select a value by sliding a bar
• Notifier displays pop-up messages and alerts
• TinyDB stores data permanently on the device
• FirebaseDB stores data online in real-time

Functionality Components in MIT App Inventor

• Clock is used for timers and scheduling events
• Player plays audio files
• Sound Recorder records sound using the device's microphone

Event Handling & Logic in MIT App Inventor

• Button.Click is triggered when a button is clicked
• Canvas.Touch detects when the user touches the screen
• Clock.Timer repeats actions after a set time interval
• For Each loops through items in a list
• If-Then Block checks a condition and executes actions accordingly

Sensors & Connectivity in MIT App Inventor

• AccelerometerSensor detects device movement and shaking
• OrientationSensor detects the device's tilt and rotation
• LocationSensor gets the device's GPS location
• BluetoothClient allows communication with Bluetooth-enabled devices
• Web Component sends and receives data from the internet or APIs
• ActivityStarter opens other apps from within the app

Data Handling & Storage in MIT App Inventor

• Lists are used to store multiple values in a single variable
• TinyDB stores data locally on the device
• FirebaseDB stores data online for real-time synchronization

Additional Facts about MIT App Inventor

• It uses block-based coding instead of text-based coding
• Lists start at index 1 (not 0)
• Apps must be exported as APK files to be installed on Android devices
• Bluetooth communication is supported using BluetoothClient and BluetoothServer components
• Apps cannot be directly published to the Google Play Store; the APK file must be downloaded and signed first

Arduino Review

• Arduino is a microcontroller board used for building electronic projects and allows users to control components like LEDs, motors, and sensors
• The Arduino Uno is the most common board, operating at 5V and using an ATmega328P microcontroller.
• Digital Pins (0-13) are used for input/output (HIGH or LOW signals)
• Analog Pins (A0-A5) are used for reading variable voltages (0-1023 values from analogRead())
• PWM Pins (~3, ~5, ~6, ~9, ~10, ~11) simulate analog output using analogWrite()

Arduino Power

• 5V & 3.3V power pins provide power to external components
• GND (Ground) power pins complete electrical circuits

Arduino Programs (Sketches)

• Arduino programs (sketches) have two main functions
• void setup () {} runs once at startup
• void loop () {} repeats continuously after setup

Arduino Common Functions

• pinMode(pin, INPUT/OUTPUT) sets a pin as input or output
• digitalWrite(pin, HIGH/LOW) controls digital pins
• digitalRead(pin) reads digital input (1 or 0)
• analogRead(pin) reads analog input (0-1023)
• analogWrite(pin, value) outputs a PWM signal (0-255)
• delay(ms) pauses the program in milliseconds
• Serial.begin(9600) starts serial communication
• Serial.print("Hello") sends data to the Serial Monitor
• Flash Memory stores the program (non-volatile)

Arduino Memory and Interfaces

• RAM (SRAM) stores variables (volatile)
• EEPROM stores small amounts of data permanently
• UART (Serial) uses Serial.begin(), Serial.read(), Serial.write()
• I2C uses two pins SDA (A4) & SCL (A5) for communication, commonly used for OLED displays and sensors
• SPI uses multiple pins (MISO, MOSI, SCK, SS) for high-speed communication with modules like SD cards

Arduino Timing and Power Constraints

• delay(ms) pauses execution for milliseconds
• millis() returns time in milliseconds since Arduino started
• delayMicroseconds(us) pauses execution for microseconds
• Maximum current draw per digital pin is ~20mA
• Total recommended current from the 5V pin is 500mA for external modules

Arduino Power

• Arduino can be powered by USB (5V) or DC Barrel Jack (7-12V recommended)
• H-Bridge (e.g., L298N) allows motor control in both directions
• PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is used for speed control
• Servo Motors use Servo.h library for precise angular movement
• Stepper Motors need stepper driver modules for accurate motion

Arduino Interrupts and Modes

• Interrupts pause the main program to execute a function when an event occurs
• attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(pin), function, mode) is used for attaching interrupts
• Modes include: RISING, FALLING, CHANGE, LOW
• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) uses LiquidCrystal.h
• OLED Displays use Adafruit_GFX.h and Wire.h
• Map (value, fromLow, fromHigh, toLow, toHigh) converts a range of values to another range

Arduino Functions

-sizeof(array) returns the total number of bytes in an array

• Wire.h is used for I2C communication
• Servo.h controls servo motors
• EEPROM.h stores small data that remains after power off

Quick Tips for the Arduino Quiz

• The default baud rate for serial communication is 9600
• PWM signals can dim LEDs and control motor speeds
• SPI supports full-duplex communication, while I2C is slower but requires fewer wires
• Millis() is used instead of delay () when you need to keep track of time without stopping the program
• The H-Bridge allows motors to spin in both directions by reversing voltage polarity
• EEPROM does NOT erase after uploading a new sketch
• Sizeof () does NOT return the number of elements in an array, but the memory size in bytes
• Stepper motors offer more precise control than DC motors