Teach Yourself VISUALLY Microsoft Word 2003 or Robotics Demystified

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Microsoft Word 2003

Author: Elaine Marmel

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer instructions that show you how to do something — and skip the long-winded explanations? If so, then this book is for you. Open it up and you'll find clear, step-by-step screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 125 Word 2003 tasks. Each task-based spread includes these great features to get you up and running on Word 2003 in no time:

• Helpful sidebars that offer practical tips and tricks

• Succinct explanations that walk you through step by step

• Full-color screen shots that demonstrate each task

• Two-page lessons that break big topics into bite-sized modules

Learn How To:

• Use menus, toolbars, and task panes

• Work with protected documents

• Track document changes

• Format paragraphs and pages

• Print documents, envelopes, and labels

• Add graphics and text boxes to documents

Book review: Americas Favorite Fish Recipes or Complete Book of Indian Cooking

Robotics Demystified

Author: Edwin Wis

There's no easier, faster, or more practical way to learn the really tough subjects

McGraw-Hill's Demystified titles are the most efficient, interestingly written, brush-ups you can find. Organized as self-teaching guides, they come complete with key points, background information, questions at the end of each chapter, and even final exams. You'll be able to learn more in less time, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and reinforce your knowledge and confidence.

This complete self-teaching guide takes an introductory approach to robotics, guiding readers through the essential electronics, mechanics, and programming skills necessary to build their own robot.

Edwin Wise is a software engineer with twenty-five years of experience. His expertise and interests range from electronics and microcontrollers to software development, AI, and robotics. He is the author of McGraw-Hill's Hands-On AI with Java as well as Applied Robotics II and Animatronics: A Guide to Animated Holiday Displays, published by Delmar Learning. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Table of Contents:

	Preface	xv
	Acknowledgments	xvi
Chapter 1	Introduction	1
	A Brief Tour of Robotics	2
	Automata and Animatronics	2
	Factory Machines	4
	Fictional Robots	7
	Future Dreams	8
	Inside Robots	9
	Tools and Supplies	10
	Parting Words of Wisdom	11
Chapter 2	Mechanical Forces	13
	Introduction	13
	Energy	15
	Units of Measurement	16
	Position	16
	Time: t	17
	Length: l	17
	Mass: m	18
	Velocity: v	19
	Acceleration: a	23
	Force: F	24
	Momentum: p	26
	Energy: E	26
	Storing Energy	27
	Losing Energy	29
	Summary	30
	Quiz	30
Chapter 3	Simple Machines	32
	Introduction	32
	Structural Strength	33
	Triangles and Squares	33
	Hidden Triangles	35
	Inclined Plane	36
	Wedge	40
	Screw	41
	Levers	42
	Lever Machine	42
	Pulleys	44
	Pulley Machine	45
	Wheels and Torque	49
	Gears and Sprockets	51
	Summary	53
	Quiz	53
Chapter 4	Electricity	54
	Introduction	54
	Pieces of Matter	55
	Electrons in Metal	56
	Electromagnetic Field	57
	Units	59
	Unit Prefixes	59
	Electrical Charge	60
	Current: I	61
	Charge Difference	62
	Electrical Energy	63
	Power: P	63
	Batteries and Generators	63
	Speed of Electricity	64
	Summary	65
	Quiz	65
Chapter 5	Starting with Electronics	66
	Introduction	66
	Electronic Circuits	67
	Schematic	67
	Printed Circuit Board	68
	Circuit Assembly	70
	Prototyping Boards	70
	Dead Bug and Wire Wrapping	71
	Soldering	72
	Suppliers	79
	Resistors	80
	Resistor	80
	Ohm's Law	81
	Resistor Networks	83
	Resistive Sensor	87
	Light Bulb	94
	Summary	94
	Quiz	95
Chapter 6	Control	96
	Introduction	96
	Passive Control	97
	Balancing Machine	98
	Open-Loop Control	98
	Feedback Control	99
	Centrifugal Feedback	100
	Hysteresis	102
	Mechanical Switch	104
	Summary	105
	Quiz	106
Chapter 7	Sequencing and Programs	107
	Introduction	107
	Switches and Cycles	108
	Cam Control	111
	Cardboard Cam	113
	Card Control	113
	Mechanical Card Reader	115
	Programming Concepts	115
	Computer Numbers	117
	Computer Instructions	121
	Summary	122
	Quiz	123
Chapter 8	Joints	124
	Introduction	124
	Rotation and Bending	125
	Rotation	125
	Bearings and Bushings	126
	Bending	127
	Sliding	128
	Complex Motion	128
	Ball and Socket	128
	Universal Joint	130
	Robot Wrist	131
	Others	134
	Summary	134
	Quiz	135
Chapter 9	Power Transmission	136
	Introduction	136
	Chains, Belts, and Cables	137
	Gears	141
	Gear Trains	142
	More Gears	145
	Couplers	149
	Directional Transmission	150
	Differential Transmission	150
	Summary	154
	Quiz	155
Chapter 10	Beyond Resistance: Capacitance	156
	Introduction	156
	AC/DC	157
	Oscilloscope	160
	Diodes	161
	Signal Diode	161
	Rectifier	162
	Light-Emitting Diode	163
	Zener Diode	163
	Capacitors	165
	Capacitor	165
	Capacitors and Audio	168
	Capacitor Networks	170
	RC Circuits	171
	RC Filters	172
	Diode-Capacitor Circuits	176
	Summary	178
	Quiz	178
Chapter 11	Inductance and Magnetism	179
	Introduction	179
	Electromagnets	180
	Nail Electromagnet	181
	Relay	182
	Motors	182
	Generators	184
	Servos and Steppers	184
	Inductors	185
	Behavior	186
	Component	186
	Filters	187
	Phase	187
	Transformer	188
	Summary	189
	Quiz	189
Chapter 12	Semiconductors	190
	Introduction	190
	Conductor Physics	191
	Semiconductor Physics	192
	Doped Silicon	193
	Diode Physics	195
	Forward Bias	197
	Reverse Bias	198
	Electronic Switches	198
	Analog Versus Digital	198
	Transistor	200
	FET	202
	Integrated Circuits	204
	Summary	205
	Quiz	205
Chapter 13	Programming	207
	Introduction	207
	Programming Basics	208
	Flowcharts	208
	RCX Programming	211
	Programs	213
	Simple Timed Sequence	213
	Obstacle Avoidance	213
	Line Following	218
	Self-Calibration	221
	Summary	221
	Quiz	223
Chapter 14	Shaping Motion	224
	Introduction	224
	Looking Back	225
	Single-Link Mechanisms	225
	Two Links	228
	More Links	229
	Parallel Motion	229
	Four-Bar Linkage	232
	Complex Motions	234
	Other Mechanisms	236
	Cardan Gear	236
	Quick-Return	237
	Geneva Stop	237
	Ratchet	237
	Summary	238
	Quiz	240
Chapter 15	Communication	241
	Introduction	241
	Telerobotics	241
	Tethered Robots	242
	Remote Control	243
	Semi-Autonomous	243
	Communication Technologies	245
	Parallel	245
	Serial	246
	Wireless	249
	Other Interfaces	250
	Summary	251
	Quiz	251
Chapter 16	Languages	252
	Introduction	252
	Programming Concepts	253
	Turing Machine	255
	Choosing a Language	258
	Manufacturing Languages	260
	Custom Languages	260
	Human Language	261
	Human Intelligence	261
	Summary	262
	Quiz	262
Chapter 17	Intelligent Behavior	263
	Introduction	263
	Reflexive Control	264
	Thermostat	265
	PID Motor Control	266
	Serial Behaviors	269
	Layered Behaviors	270
	Logical Behavior	272
	Scripting	272
	Formal Logic	272
	Natural Computation	273
	Pattern Recognition	275
	Statistics	275
	Fuzzy Logic	276
	Neural Networks	278
	Summary	280
	Quiz	281
Chapter 18	Advanced Control	282
	Introduction	282
	Decisions	283
	Mapping	285
	Odometry	287
	Odometry Errors	289
	Supervised Learning	289
	Supervised Robotic Learning	292
	Unsupervised Learning	293
	Swarm Robots	294
	Agents	294
	Summary	295
	Quiz	295
	Answers	296
	Index	309