Ruby - Color Bricklet

This is the description of the Ruby API bindings for the Color Bricklet. General information and technical specifications for the Color Bricklet are summarized in its hardware description.

An installation guide for the Ruby API bindings is part of their general description.

Examples

The example code below is Public Domain (CC0 1.0).

Simple

Download (example_simple.rb)

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#!/usr/bin/env ruby
# -*- ruby encoding: utf-8 -*-

require 'tinkerforge/ip_connection'
require 'tinkerforge/bricklet_color'

include Tinkerforge

HOST = 'localhost'
PORT = 4223
UID = 'XYZ' # Change XYZ to the UID of your Color Bricklet

ipcon = IPConnection.new # Create IP connection
c = BrickletColor.new UID, ipcon # Create device object

ipcon.connect HOST, PORT # Connect to brickd
# Don't use device before ipcon is connected

# Get current color as [r, g, b, c]
color = c.get_color

puts "Color [R]: #{color[0]}"
puts "Color [G]: #{color[1]}"
puts "Color [B]: #{color[2]}"
puts "Color [C]: #{color[3]}"

puts 'Press key to exit'
$stdin.gets
ipcon.disconnect

Callback

Download (example_callback.rb)

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#!/usr/bin/env ruby
# -*- ruby encoding: utf-8 -*-

require 'tinkerforge/ip_connection'
require 'tinkerforge/bricklet_color'

include Tinkerforge

HOST = 'localhost'
PORT = 4223
UID = 'XYZ' # Change XYZ to the UID of your Color Bricklet

ipcon = IPConnection.new # Create IP connection
c = BrickletColor.new UID, ipcon # Create device object

ipcon.connect HOST, PORT # Connect to brickd
# Don't use device before ipcon is connected

# Register color callback
c.register_callback(BrickletColor::CALLBACK_COLOR) do |r, g, b, c_|
  puts "Color [R]: #{r}"
  puts "Color [G]: #{g}"
  puts "Color [B]: #{b}"
  puts "Color [C]: #{c_}"
  puts ''
end

# Set period for color callback to 1s (1000ms)
# Note: The color callback is only called every second
#       if the color has changed since the last call!
c.set_color_callback_period 1000

puts 'Press key to exit'
$stdin.gets
ipcon.disconnect

Threshold

Download (example_threshold.rb)

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#!/usr/bin/env ruby
# -*- ruby encoding: utf-8 -*-

require 'tinkerforge/ip_connection'
require 'tinkerforge/bricklet_color'

include Tinkerforge

HOST = 'localhost'
PORT = 4223
UID = 'XYZ' # Change XYZ to the UID of your Color Bricklet

ipcon = IPConnection.new # Create IP connection
c = BrickletColor.new UID, ipcon # Create device object

ipcon.connect HOST, PORT # Connect to brickd
# Don't use device before ipcon is connected

# Get threshold callbacks with a debounce time of 10 seconds (10000ms)
c.set_debounce_period 10000

# Register color reached callback
c.register_callback(BrickletColor::CALLBACK_COLOR_REACHED) do |r, g, b, c_|
  puts "Color [R]: #{r}"
  puts "Color [G]: #{g}"
  puts "Color [B]: #{b}"
  puts "Color [C]: #{c_}"
  puts ''
end

# Configure threshold for color "greater than 100, 200, 300, 400"
c.set_color_callback_threshold '>', 100, 0, 200, 0, 300, 0, 400, 0

puts 'Press key to exit'
$stdin.gets
ipcon.disconnect

API

All functions listed below are thread-safe.

Basic Functions

BrickletColor::new(uid, ipcon) → color
Parameters:
  • uid – Type: str
  • ipcon – Type: IPConnection
Returns:
  • color – Type: BrickletColor

Creates an object with the unique device ID uid:

color = BrickletColor.new 'YOUR_DEVICE_UID', ipcon

This object can then be used after the IP Connection is connected.

BrickletColor#get_color → [int, int, int, int]
Return Array:
  • 0: r – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • 1: g – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • 2: b – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • 3: c – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the measured color of the sensor.

The red (r), green (g), blue (b) and clear (c) colors are measured with four different photodiodes that are responsive at different wavelengths:

Chart Responsivity / Wavelength

If you want to get the color periodically, it is recommended to use the ::CALLBACK_COLOR callback and set the period with #set_color_callback_period.

BrickletColor#light_on → nil

Turns the LED on.

BrickletColor#light_off → nil

Turns the LED off.

BrickletColor#is_light_on → int
Returns:
  • light – Type: int, Range: See constants, Default: 1

Returns the state of the LED. Possible values are:

  • 0: On
  • 1: Off

The following constants are available for this function:

For light:

  • BrickletColor::LIGHT_ON = 0
  • BrickletColor::LIGHT_OFF = 1
BrickletColor#set_config(gain, integration_time) → nil
Parameters:
  • gain – Type: int, Range: See constants, Default: 3
  • integration_time – Type: int, Range: See constants, Default: 3

Sets the configuration of the sensor. Gain and integration time can be configured in this way.

For configuring the gain:

  • 0: 1x Gain
  • 1: 4x Gain
  • 2: 16x Gain
  • 3: 60x Gain

For configuring the integration time:

  • 0: 2.4ms
  • 1: 24ms
  • 2: 101ms
  • 3: 154ms
  • 4: 700ms

Increasing the gain enables the sensor to detect a color from a higher distance.

The integration time provides a trade-off between conversion time and accuracy. With a longer integration time the values read will be more accurate but it will take longer time to get the conversion results.

The following constants are available for this function:

For gain:

  • BrickletColor::GAIN_1X = 0
  • BrickletColor::GAIN_4X = 1
  • BrickletColor::GAIN_16X = 2
  • BrickletColor::GAIN_60X = 3

For integration_time:

  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_2MS = 0
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_24MS = 1
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_101MS = 2
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_154MS = 3
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_700MS = 4
BrickletColor#get_config → [int, int]
Return Array:
  • 0: gain – Type: int, Range: See constants, Default: 3
  • 1: integration_time – Type: int, Range: See constants, Default: 3

Returns the configuration as set by #set_config.

The following constants are available for this function:

For gain:

  • BrickletColor::GAIN_1X = 0
  • BrickletColor::GAIN_4X = 1
  • BrickletColor::GAIN_16X = 2
  • BrickletColor::GAIN_60X = 3

For integration_time:

  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_2MS = 0
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_24MS = 1
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_101MS = 2
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_154MS = 3
  • BrickletColor::INTEGRATION_TIME_700MS = 4
BrickletColor#get_illuminance → int
Returns:
  • illuminance – Type: int, Unit: ? lx, Range: [0 to 103438]

Returns the illuminance affected by the gain and integration time as set by #set_config. To get the illuminance in Lux apply this formula:

lux = illuminance * 700 / gain / integration_time

To get a correct illuminance measurement make sure that the color values themselves are not saturated. The color value (R, G or B) is saturated if it is equal to the maximum value of 65535. In that case you have to reduce the gain, see #set_config.

BrickletColor#get_color_temperature → int
Returns:
  • color_temperature – Type: int, Unit: 1 K, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the color temperature.

To get a correct color temperature measurement make sure that the color values themselves are not saturated. The color value (R, G or B) is saturated if it is equal to the maximum value of 65535. In that case you have to reduce the gain, see #set_config.

Advanced Functions

BrickletColor#get_identity → [str, str, chr, [int, ...], [int, ...], int]
Return Array:
  • 0: uid – Type: str, Length: up to 8
  • 1: connected_uid – Type: str, Length: up to 8
  • 2: position – Type: chr, Range: ['a' to 'h', 'z']
  • 3: hardware_version – Type: [int, ...], Length: 3
    • 0: major – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
  • 4: firmware_version – Type: [int, ...], Length: 3
    • 0: major – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
  • 5: device_identifier – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the UID, the UID where the Bricklet is connected to, the position, the hardware and firmware version as well as the device identifier.

The position can be 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f', 'g' or 'h' (Bricklet Port). A Bricklet connected to an Isolator Bricklet is always at position 'z'.

The device identifier numbers can be found here. There is also a constant for the device identifier of this Bricklet.

Callback Configuration Functions

BrickletColor#register_callback(callback_id) { |param [, ...]| block } → nil
Parameters:
  • callback_id – Type: int

Registers the given block with the given callback_id.

The available callback IDs with corresponding function signatures are listed below.

BrickletColor#set_color_callback_period(period) → nil
Parameters:
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the period with which the ::CALLBACK_COLOR callback is triggered periodically. A value of 0 turns the callback off.

The ::CALLBACK_COLOR callback is only triggered if the color has changed since the last triggering.

BrickletColor#get_color_callback_period → int
Returns:
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the period as set by #set_color_callback_period.

BrickletColor#set_color_callback_threshold(option, min_r, max_r, min_g, max_g, min_b, max_b, min_c, max_c) → nil
Parameters:
  • option – Type: chr, Range: See constants, Default: 'x'
  • min_r – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • max_r – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • min_g – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • max_g – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • min_b – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • max_b – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • min_c – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • max_c – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the thresholds for the ::CALLBACK_COLOR_REACHED callback.

The following options are possible:

Option Description
'x' Callback is turned off
'o' Callback is triggered when the temperature is outside the min and max values
'i' Callback is triggered when the temperature is inside the min and max values
'<' Callback is triggered when the temperature is smaller than the min value (max is ignored)
'>' Callback is triggered when the temperature is greater than the min value (max is ignored)

The following constants are available for this function:

For option:

  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_OFF = 'x'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_OUTSIDE = 'o'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_INSIDE = 'i'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_SMALLER = '<'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_GREATER = '>'
BrickletColor#get_color_callback_threshold → [chr, int, int, int, int, int, int, int, int]
Return Array:
  • 0: option – Type: chr, Range: See constants, Default: 'x'
  • 1: min_r – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • 2: max_r – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • 3: min_g – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • 4: max_g – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • 5: min_b – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • 6: max_b – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • 7: min_c – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • 8: max_c – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the threshold as set by #set_color_callback_threshold.

The following constants are available for this function:

For option:

  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_OFF = 'x'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_OUTSIDE = 'o'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_INSIDE = 'i'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_SMALLER = '<'
  • BrickletColor::THRESHOLD_OPTION_GREATER = '>'
BrickletColor#set_debounce_period(debounce) → nil
Parameters:
  • debounce – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 100

Sets the period with which the threshold callback

is triggered, if the threshold

keeps being reached.

BrickletColor#get_debounce_period → int
Returns:
  • debounce – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 100

Returns the debounce period as set by #set_debounce_period.

BrickletColor#set_illuminance_callback_period(period) → nil
Parameters:
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the period with which the ::CALLBACK_ILLUMINANCE callback is triggered periodically. A value of 0 turns the callback off.

The ::CALLBACK_ILLUMINANCE callback is only triggered if the illuminance has changed since the last triggering.

BrickletColor#get_illuminance_callback_period → int
Returns:
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the period as set by #set_illuminance_callback_period.

BrickletColor#set_color_temperature_callback_period(period) → nil
Parameters:
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the period with which the ::CALLBACK_COLOR_TEMPERATURE callback is triggered periodically. A value of 0 turns the callback off.

The ::CALLBACK_COLOR_TEMPERATURE callback is only triggered if the color temperature has changed since the last triggering.

BrickletColor#get_color_temperature_callback_period → int
Returns:
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the period as set by #set_color_temperature_callback_period.

Callbacks

Callbacks can be registered to receive time critical or recurring data from the device. The registration is done with the #register_callback function of the device object. The first parameter is the callback ID and the second parameter is a block:

color.register_callback BrickletColor::CALLBACK_EXAMPLE, do |param|
  puts "#{param}"
end

The available constants with inherent number and type of parameters are described below.

Note

Using callbacks for recurring events is always preferred compared to using getters. It will use less USB bandwidth and the latency will be a lot better, since there is no round trip time.

BrickletColor::CALLBACK_COLOR
Callback Parameters:
  • r – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • g – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • b – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • c – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

This callback is triggered periodically with the period that is set by #set_color_callback_period. The parameter is the color of the sensor as RGBC.

The ::CALLBACK_COLOR callback is only triggered if the color has changed since the last triggering.

BrickletColor::CALLBACK_COLOR_REACHED
Callback Parameters:
  • r – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • g – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • b – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]
  • c – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

This callback is triggered when the threshold as set by #set_color_callback_threshold is reached. The parameter is the color of the sensor as RGBC.

If the threshold keeps being reached, the callback is triggered periodically with the period as set by #set_debounce_period.

BrickletColor::CALLBACK_ILLUMINANCE
Callback Parameters:
  • illuminance – Type: int, Unit: ? lx, Range: [0 to 103438]

This callback is triggered periodically with the period that is set by #set_illuminance_callback_period. The parameter is the illuminance. See #get_illuminance for how to interpret this value.

The ::CALLBACK_ILLUMINANCE callback is only triggered if the illuminance has changed since the last triggering.

BrickletColor::CALLBACK_COLOR_TEMPERATURE
Callback Parameters:
  • color_temperature – Type: int, Unit: 1 K, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

This callback is triggered periodically with the period that is set by #set_color_temperature_callback_period. The parameter is the color temperature.

The ::CALLBACK_COLOR_TEMPERATURE callback is only triggered if the color temperature has changed since the last triggering.

Virtual Functions

Virtual functions don't communicate with the device itself, but operate only on the API bindings device object. They can be called without the corresponding IP Connection object being connected.

BrickletColor#get_api_version → [int, ...]
Return Array:
  • 0: api_version – Type: [int, ...], Length: 3
    • 0: major – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: int, Range: [0 to 255]

Returns the version of the API definition implemented by this API bindings. This is neither the release version of this API bindings nor does it tell you anything about the represented Brick or Bricklet.

BrickletColor#get_response_expected(function_id) → bool
Parameters:
  • function_id – Type: int, Range: See constants
Returns:
  • response_expected – Type: bool

Returns the response expected flag for the function specified by the function ID parameter. It is true if the function is expected to send a response, false otherwise.

For getter functions this is enabled by default and cannot be disabled, because those functions will always send a response. For callback configuration functions it is enabled by default too, but can be disabled by #set_response_expected. For setter functions it is disabled by default and can be enabled.

Enabling the response expected flag for a setter function allows to detect timeouts and other error conditions calls of this setter as well. The device will then send a response for this purpose. If this flag is disabled for a setter function then no response is sent and errors are silently ignored, because they cannot be detected.

The following constants are available for this function:

For function_id:

  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_COLOR_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 2
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_COLOR_CALLBACK_THRESHOLD = 4
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_DEBOUNCE_PERIOD = 6
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_LIGHT_ON = 10
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_LIGHT_OFF = 11
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_CONFIG = 13
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_ILLUMINANCE_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 17
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_COLOR_TEMPERATURE_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 19
BrickletColor#set_response_expected(function_id, response_expected) → nil
Parameters:
  • function_id – Type: int, Range: See constants
  • response_expected – Type: bool

Changes the response expected flag of the function specified by the function ID parameter. This flag can only be changed for setter (default value: false) and callback configuration functions (default value: true). For getter functions it is always enabled.

Enabling the response expected flag for a setter function allows to detect timeouts and other error conditions calls of this setter as well. The device will then send a response for this purpose. If this flag is disabled for a setter function then no response is sent and errors are silently ignored, because they cannot be detected.

The following constants are available for this function:

For function_id:

  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_COLOR_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 2
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_COLOR_CALLBACK_THRESHOLD = 4
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_DEBOUNCE_PERIOD = 6
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_LIGHT_ON = 10
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_LIGHT_OFF = 11
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_CONFIG = 13
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_ILLUMINANCE_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 17
  • BrickletColor::FUNCTION_SET_COLOR_TEMPERATURE_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 19
BrickletColor#set_response_expected_all(response_expected) → nil
Parameters:
  • response_expected – Type: bool

Changes the response expected flag for all setter and callback configuration functions of this device at once.

Constants

BrickletColor::DEVICE_IDENTIFIER

This constant is used to identify a Color Bricklet.

The #get_identity() function and the IPConnection::CALLBACK_ENUMERATE callback of the IP Connection have a device_identifier parameter to specify the Brick's or Bricklet's type.

BrickletColor::DEVICE_DISPLAY_NAME

This constant represents the human readable name of a Color Bricklet.