DCM API¶

Namespace : AL

#include <alproxies/dcmproxy.h>

Method list¶

As any module, this module inherits methods from ALModule API. It also has the following specific methods:

class DCMProxy¶

DCMProxy::createAlias()
DCMProxy::getPrefix()
DCMProxy::getTime()
DCMProxy::set()
DCMProxy::setAlias()

Methods¶

AL::ALValue DCMProxy::createAlias(const AL::ALValue& alias)¶

Creates an Alias or updates its content.

For further details, see: Alias.

Parameters:

alias –
ALValue as following:

alias[0] Alias name (to create or to update).

alias[1][0] Name of the 1st Actuator.

alias[1][1] Name of the 2nd Actuator

alias[1][2]...

alias[1][x]...

Returns:

a validated copy of the input parameter.

You can use this return to know if one or more Actuator name(s) are wrong.

Validation process: if an Actuator name is not found, its name is replaced by a an empty string “”.

Example 1

Define a new Alias name “ChestLeds” containing 3 Actuators names: red, green and blue LEDs.

Python

# -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
dcm.createAlias([
"ChestLeds",
[
"ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value"
]
])

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
ALValue commands;
commands.arraySetSize(2);
commands[0] = string("ChestLeds");
commands[1].arraySetSize(3);
commands[1][0] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value");
commands[1][1] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value");
commands[1][2] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value");
ALValue result = dcm->createAlias(commands);
cout << result.toString() << endl;
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

Example 2

Same “ChestLeds” Alias defined then used with DCMProxy::set(): all LEDs are smoothly set on and set off, 2 times.

Python

# -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
dcm.createAlias([
"ChestLeds",
[
"ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value"
]
])

dcm.set([
"ChestLeds",
"ClearAll",
[
\[1.0, dcm.getTime(1000)],
\[0.0, dcm.getTime(2000)],
\[1.0, dcm.getTime(3000)],
\[0.0, dcm.getTime(4000)]
]
])

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
ALValue commandsAlias;
ALValue commands;
commandsAlias.arraySetSize(2);
commandsAlias[0] = string("ChestLeds");
commandsAlias[1].arraySetSize(3);
commandsAlias[1][0] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value");
commandsAlias[1][1] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value");
commandsAlias[1][2] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value");
dcm->createAlias(commandsAlias);
commands.arraySetSize(3);
commands[0] = string("ChestLeds");
commands[1] = string("ClearAll");
commands[2].arraySetSize(4);
commands[2][0].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][0][0] = 1.0;
commands[2][0][1] = dcm->getTime(1000);
commands[2][1].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][1][0] = 0.0;
commands[2][1][1] = dcm->getTime(2000);
commands[2][2].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][2][0] = 1.0;
commands[2][2][1] = dcm->getTime(3000);
commands[2][3].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][3][0] = 0.0;
commands[2][3][1] = dcm->getTime(4000);
dcm->set(commands);
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

Note

All examples here use dcm.getTime() to get all times for timed-command request. This is just an example, and there are better ways to use it. For example, you can just do one dcm.getTime() at startup and afterwards increment the integer value for each ms. Or you can use the CPU clock if you have a module running on the robot.

AL::ALValue DCMProxy::getPrefix()¶

Returns the prefix name for all devices and subDevices (Actuators and Sensors).

Returns:	an array with strings: “Device/SubDeviceList/” and “Device/DeviceList/”

Python example

# -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
print dcm.getPrefix(0)

This program returns: [‘Device/SubDeviceList/’, ‘Device/DeviceList/’]

C++ example

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
cout << dcm->getPrefix().toString() << endl;
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

int DCMProxy::getTime(const int& offset)¶

Returns the absolute time used for all timed command in the DCM, with a number of milliseconds (ms) to add or remove to this time.

Parameters:	offset – optional time in ms (signed) to add/remove.
Returns:	An integer (signed), with 1 ms precision. Be careful: it can roll-over.

Note

All examples here use dcm.getTime() to get all time for timed-command request. This is just an example, and there are better ways to use it. For example, you can just do one dcm.getTime() at startup and after increment the integer value for each ms. Or you can use the CPU clock if you have a module running on the robot.

Example 1

Return the absolute time in 10s.

Python

# -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
print dcm.getTime(10000)

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
int time = dcm->getTime(10000);
cout << time << endl;
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

Example 2

Return the current time (more the communication delay).

Python

# -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
print dcm.getTime(0)

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
int time = dcm->getTime(0);
cout << time << endl;
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

void DCMProxy::set(const AL::ALValue& request)¶

Sends to the DCM buffer a simple request containing a list of timed commands to apply to an Actuator or an Alias.

This is the basic command to send one or more order(s) (timed command) to an Actuator. It could also be an Alias name. In this case, each Actuator in the Alias is updated with the same command(s).

Parameters:

request –

AL::ALValue as follows:

request[0]: Actuator name (with or without the base name) or Alias Name.

For further details see: Actuators & Sensor names and Alias.

request[1]: Update type: “Merge”, “ClearAll”, “ClearAfter” or “ClearBefore”.

Merge	Add a new timed command.
ClearAll	Delete all timed commands before adding this one.
ClearAfter	Delete all commands that are after the time of the 1st one on the list (the soonest).
ClearBefore	Delete all commands that are before the time of the last one on the list (the oldest).

For further details, see: Update type.

request[2][x]: List of x timed commands.

For further details, see: Timed command.

request[2][x][0]: Float command (offset and gain are then used).

request[2][x][1]: the DCM Time for the command to be applied.

request[2][x][2]: Importance level - optional. Not yet implemented.

Example 1

The new value for the red LED in the chest will be 1.0 in 10s. The DCM interpolates with the currently sent value.

Python

 # -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
dcm.set(["ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value", "Merge", [[1.0,dcm.getTime(10000)]] ])

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
ALValue commands;
commands.arraySetSize(3);
commands[0] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value");
commands[1] = string("Merge");
commands[2].arraySetSize(1);
commands[2][0].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][0][0] = 1.0;
commands[2][0][1] = dcm->getTime(10000);
dcm->set(commands);
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

Example 2

This is a list of 4 commands sent to the green chest LED. In 2sec, the LED value will be at 1.0. In 4sec, it will be at 0. In 6sec at 1.0 again, and back to 0 in 8sec. So you will see a soft increase/decrease of LED twice in 8s.

Python

 # -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
dcm.set([
"ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value",
"ClearAll",
[
\[1.0, dcm.getTime(2000) ],
\[0.0, dcm.getTime(4000) ],
\[1.0, dcm.getTime(6000) ],
\[0.0, dcm.getTime(8000) ]
]
])

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
ALValue commands;
commands.arraySetSize(3);
commands[0] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value");
commands[1] = string("ClearAll");
commands[2].arraySetSize(4);
commands[2][0].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][0][0] = 1.0;
commands[2][0][1] = dcm->getTime(2000);
commands[2][1].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][1][0] = 0.0;
commands[2][1][1] = dcm->getTime(4000);
commands[2][2].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][2][0] = 1.0;
commands[2][2][1] = dcm->getTime(6000);
commands[2][3].arraySetSize(2);
commands[2][3][0] = 0.0;
commands[2][3][1] = dcm->getTime(8000);
dcm->set(commands);
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

Note

All examples here use dcm.getTime() to set the time in timed-command request. This is just an example, and there are better ways to use it. For example, you can just do one dcm.getTime() at startup and after increment the integer value for each ms. Or you can use the CPU clock if you have a module running on the robot.

void DCMProxy::setAlias(const AL::ALValue& request)¶

Sends into the DCM buffer a complex request containing several lists of timed commands. Each list is applied to one Actuator, member of an Alias.

Two formats are available:

Time-mixed: you send a specific time to each Actuator timed-command.
Time-separate: you send first the list of all times (for example for times: 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, 40ms) and then all commands for these times (If there is 4 times, always send 4 commands for each Actuator). This format is a bit more efficient.

Parameters:

request –

AL::ALValue as follows:

request[0]: Alias name.

For further details see: Alias.

request[1]: Update type: “Merge”, “ClearAll”, “ClearAfter” or “ClearBefore”.

Merge	Add a new timed command.
ClearAll	Delete all timed commands before adding this one.
ClearAfter	Delete all commands that are after the time of the 1st one on the list (the soonest).
ClearBefore	Delete all commands that are before the time of the last one on the list (the oldest).

For further details, see: Update type.

request[2]: Format of the request: could be “time-mixed” or “time-separate”.

If the format is “time-mixed”:

request[3][x]:	List of x Actuators. Each x is an Actuator member of the Alias.
request[3][x][y]:	List of y timed-command for this Actuator.
request[3][x][y][0]:	Float command (offset and gain are then used).
request[3][x][y][1]:	DCM Time for the command to be applied.
request[3][x][y][2]:	Importance level - optional. Not yet implemented.

If the format is “time-separate”:

request[3]:	Importance level. Not yet implemented. Must be set to 0.
request[4]:	List of T time.
request[4][0]:	the 1st time.
request[4][1]:	the 2nd time.
request[4][2]:	...
request[4][T]	T time.
request[5][x]:	List of x command list. Each x is an Actuator member of the Alias.
request[5][x][0]:	1st command for this Actuator, and at the 1st time.
request[5][x][1]:	2nd command for this Actuator, and at the 2nd time.
request[5][x][2]:	...
request[5][x][T]:	T command.

Example 1 - With time-mixed

Sends 2 commands for the red LED (value 1.0 in 4s, and value 0.0 in 6s) and 1 command for the 2 others (value 0.25 in 3s for the green, and value 0.125 in 2s for the blue).

Python

# -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
dcm.createAlias([
"ChestLeds",
[
"ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value"
]
])
dcm.setAlias([
"ChestLeds",
"ClearAll",
"time-mixed",
[
[
\[1.0, dcm.getTime(4000)],
\[0.0, dcm.getTime(6000)]
],
[
\[0.25, dcm.getTime(3000)]
],
[
\[0.125,dcm.getTime(2000)]
]
]
])

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
ALValue commandsAlias;
ALValue commands;
commandsAlias.arraySetSize(2);
commandsAlias[0] = string("ChestLeds");
commandsAlias[1].arraySetSize(3);
commandsAlias[1][0] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value");
commandsAlias[1][1] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value");
commandsAlias[1][2] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value");
dcm->createAlias(commandsAlias);
commands.arraySetSize(4);
commands[0] = string("ChestLeds");
commands[1] = string("ClearAll");
commands[2] = string("time-mixed");
commands[3].arraySetSize(3);
//ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value
commands[3][0].arraySetSize(2);
commands[3][0][0].arraySetSize(2);
commands[3][0][0][0] = 1.0;
commands[3][0][0][1] = dcm->getTime(4000);
commands[3][0][1].arraySetSize(2);
commands[3][0][1][0] = 0.0;
commands[3][0][1][1] = dcm->getTime(6000);
//ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value
commands[3][1].arraySetSize(1);
commands[3][1][0].arraySetSize(2);
commands[3][1][0][0] = 0.25;
commands[3][1][0][1] = dcm->getTime(3000);
//ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value
commands[3][2].arraySetSize(1);
commands[3][2][0].arraySetSize(2);
commands[3][2][0][0] = 0.125;
commands[3][2][0][1] = dcm->getTime(2000);
dcm->setAlias(commands);
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

Example 2 - With time-separate

Sends 6 commands to every LEDs, in 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. For the red one, they are 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0. For the green one, they are 1, 0.5, 1.0, 0.25, 0.125, 0. For the blue one, they are 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0.

Python

# -*- encoding: UTF-8 -*-

import naoqi
from naoqi import ALProxy

dcm = ALProxy("DCM","127.0.0.1",9559)
dcm.createAlias([
"ChestLeds",
[
"ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value",
"ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value"
]
])
t = dcm.getTime(0)
dcm.setAlias([
"ChestLeds",
"ClearAll",
"time-separate",
0,
\[t,t+2000, t+3000, t+4000, t+5000,t+6000],
[
\[1.0,0.0,1.0,0.0,1.0,0.0],
\[1.0,0.5,1.0,0.25,0.125,0.0],
\[0.0625,0.125,0.25,0.50,0.75,1.0]
]
])

C++

// Program running in a module. Do not forget the #include "dcmproxy.h"
try
{
DCMProxy* dcm = new DCMProxy(pBroker);
ALValue commandsAlias;
ALValue commands;
commandsAlias.arraySetSize(2);
commandsAlias[0] = string("ChestLeds");
commandsAlias[1].arraySetSize(3);
commandsAlias[1][0] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value");
commandsAlias[1][1] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value");
commandsAlias[1][2] = string("ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value");
dcm->createAlias(commandsAlias);
commands.arraySetSize(6);
commands[0] = string("ChestLeds");
commands[1] = string("ClearAll");
commands[2] = string("time-separate");
commands[3] = 0;
commands[4].arraySetSize(6);
commands[4][0] = dcm->getTime(10000);
commands[4][1] = dcm->getTime(20000);
commands[4][2] = dcm->getTime(30000);
commands[4][3] = dcm->getTime(40000);
commands[4][4] = dcm->getTime(50000);
commands[4][5] = dcm->getTime(60000);
commands[5].arraySetSize(3);
// ChestBoard/Led/Red/Actuator/Value
commands[5][0].arraySetSize(6);
commands[5][0][0] = 1.0;
commands[5][0][1] = 0.0;
commands[5][0][2] = 1.0;
commands[5][0][3] = 0.0;
commands[5][0][4] = 1.0;
commands[5][0][5] = 0.0;
// ChestBoard/Led/Green/Actuator/Value
commands[5][1].arraySetSize(6);
commands[5][1][0] = 1.0;
commands[5][1][1] = 0.5;
commands[5][1][2] = 1.0;
commands[5][1][3] = 0.25;
commands[5][1][4] = 0.125;
commands[5][1][5] = 0.0;
// ChestBoard/Led/Blue/Actuator/Value
commands[5][2].arraySetSize(6);
commands[5][2][0] = 0.0625;
commands[5][2][1] = 0.125;
commands[5][2][2] = 0.25;
commands[5][2][3] = 0.50;
commands[5][2][4] = 0.75;
commands[5][2][5] = 1.0;
dcm->setAlias(commands);
}
AL_CATCH_ERR(return false;);

Note

All examples here use dcm.getTime() to get all time for timed-command request. This is just an example, and there are better ways to use it. For example you can just do one dcm.getTime() at startup and after increment the integer value for each ms. Or you can use the CPU clock if you have a module running on the robot

Note

It’s possible to send a “NAN” float number (“Not A Number”) to actuator values using C++ (only from the same process). NAN are not taking into account. It may be useful to send a NAN command to an Alias of many joints for just some joints, so that they do not move.

Note

For speed improvement in C++, it is better not to create the ALValue at each request, but to keep it and just change values inside if you send to the same alias. Creating and resizing ALValue are heavy operation, while change an already allocated value is a small one.

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