Whats the usb port for on the roomba scheduler remote?

Marco23 · Post by **Marco23** » April 10th, 2007, 1:52 pm

Question in subject.

vic7767 · Post by **vic7767** » April 10th, 2007, 2:33 pm

There is a special cable that is part of a scheduler upgrade kit that connects from the scheduler remote connector to the non-scheduler Roomba 7pin mini-din connector. This allows Roomba owners to upgrade their Roombas to schedulers.

Marco23 · Post by **Marco23** » April 10th, 2007, 2:42 pm

Hi Vic

So since i own a roomba scheduler and just purchased my scheduler i can upgrade my roomba to a scheduler?

Is this cable sold seperatley im gonna look for it but haven't seen it when i opened the box for the first time.

If this is the case i need another remote or i can use the same remote for both roombas, seeing the remote will not be in the same room as the 2 robots, will the robot still leave at its designated time? (roomba non scheduler that is)

debugger · Post by **debugger** » April 10th, 2007, 3:41 pm

I don't think that you can get the cable separately, I think it comes with the upgrade kit for machines that don't already have the software loaded. If your Roomba is recent then you'll have the software already, if not then you can pick up the remotes (with cable) on ebay quite cheaply or maybe persuade someone to lend you a cable (you only download the code once).

Yes, you can use the same remote and it'll work just fine, if you want the Roobas to run at different times then you need to program the remote, send to one Roomba, re-program the remote and send to the 2nd Roomba - if you want them to go at the same time then just blast both of them without re-programming.

Clams Canino · Post by **Clams Canino** » April 10th, 2007, 3:42 pm

vic7767 wrote:There is a special cable that is part of a scheduler upgrade kit that connects from the scheduler remote connector to the non-scheduler Roomba 7pin mini-din connector. This allows Roomba owners to upgrade their Roombas to schedulers.

Correct me if I'm wrong? But I thought the remote control has two connectors, one for the cable.... and one that sure looks like a USB port - or am I missing something?

-W (never seen one live)

vic7767 · Post by **vic7767** » April 10th, 2007, 4:50 pm

Clams Canino, I'll let you know for sure in a few days...I've got a bid on one ending soon. From what I already know though is everyone thinks that there is a USB port on the scheduler remote because it resembles a PC USB connector. The special cable used to upgrade has a USB looking connector on one end and a 7pin mini din on the other. I don't know why there would be a second connector on the remote but I'll know soon.

Clams Canino · Post by **Clams Canino** » April 10th, 2007, 5:02 pm

OK - thanks. I'm strictly basing my thoughts by this post further down the board. (by MWIS)

"I just discover that on the side of the Scheduler Remote there is a small female connector, which happens to fit with one end of my cable for GPS (garmin), while the other end is an USB male. "

I'm not sure how he meant that.......

-W

debugger · Post by **debugger** » April 10th, 2007, 5:30 pm

Clams Canino wrote:"I just discover that on the side of the Scheduler Remote there is a small female connector, which happens to fit with one end of my cable for GPS (garmin), while the other end is an USB male. "

I'm not sure how he meant that.......

-W

What this means is that if you have a Garmin USB cable then one end of it (the end that fits in the Garmin GPS) also fits perfectly into the socket on the side of the Roomba Scheduler Remote.

It does not mean that you're meant to plug a USB cable into the remote, the cable that you plug into that socket plugs into the Roomba at the other end. It is in effect a Serial cable.

There is only one socket on the Scheduler Remote and it's sole purpose is to add the Scheduling software to a Roomba that does not already have it.

Hope that this helps!

Clams Canino · Post by **Clams Canino** » April 10th, 2007, 6:08 pm

Clears it up perfectly for me!

-W

room-blah! · Post by **room-blah!** » April 10th, 2007, 9:48 pm

I was just thinking....... There are several of us that probably own an older roomba...and a scheduler roomba....

That's exactly the situation I'm in.... I already have a scheduler remote that came with my new roomba....but I also have a red roomba 4100 that was built in late 2004.

If the cable is only sold as a "package upgrade deal" (scheduler and cable), it seems like a waste to have to have 2 remotes.

Since the cable is only needed 1 time to load the software, I was wondering if anyone would be willing to work out a "exchange by mail program"

We could start a list of people who need to "borrow" the cable. It couldn't cost that much to mail it to the first person on the list....than he/she could mail it to the next person on the list, and so on.

Is there any interest in this??? does anyone have the cable that is OK with this??

Shawn

Clams Canino · Post by **Clams Canino** » April 11th, 2007, 1:57 am

Funny you asked that.... I was thinking the same thing today. the remotes are cheap on Ebay - it's the kits that kill.

Perhaps our friendly neighborhood vendor (Chris) could manage the program? If trust was an issue, a refundable Paypal security deposit before you get the cable would be very easy to do - and Paypal automaticly provides a shipping address in the Paypal confirmation email notice. Makes it a snap to manage the program with minimal time invested.

-W

Marco23 · Post by **Marco23** » April 11th, 2007, 2:29 am

debugger wrote:I don't think that you can get the cable separately, I think it comes with the upgrade kit for machines that don't already have the software loaded. If your Roomba is recent then you'll have the software already, if not then you can pick up the remotes (with cable) on ebay quite cheaply or maybe persuade someone to lend you a cable (you only download the code once).

Yes, you can use the same remote and it'll work just fine, if you want the Roobas to run at different times then you need to program the remote, send to one Roomba, re-program the remote and send to the 2nd Roomba - if you want them to go at the same time then just blast both of them without re-programming.

How recent, my roomba was dated late 2006 i hope this is considered "alraeady loaded" does this mean the remote should work with a non scheduler roomba?

debugger · Post by **debugger** » April 11th, 2007, 4:41 am

RECON_SUPPLY_STORE wrote:The scheduler can be used with any current discovery model with a FIRMWARE flash date or BUILD date of 10/05 to present. If it is PRE 10/05 than the unit will need an OSMO grade first.

Found this on another post.

I believe that the above statement about dates is true, but I don't think the reference to OSMO is correct - I think it just needs the code from the Scheduler Remote (Chris, correct me if I'm wrong).

I bought a "new" Roomba on ebay, turned out to be a 2004 model, but never used - after downloading the code from the Remote it now runs perfectly to a schedule.

ProTech Robotics · Post by **ProTech Robotics** » April 11th, 2007, 8:27 am

debugger wrote:I believe that the above statement about dates is true, but I don't think the reference to OSMO is correct - I think it just needs the code from the Scheduler Remote (Chris, correct me if I'm wrong).

You are correct, in part. The firmware update for the ability to scheduling is in the scheduler remote for pre 10/05 models but if a cable is not available than the roomba needs the OSMO to be able to accept a schedule.

I think room-blah! has a great idea and coupled with the security deposit like Clams Canino mentioned plus shipping I think something could be arranged to benefit the collective whole. I will look into it further today.

room-blah! · Post by **room-blah!** » April 11th, 2007, 12:26 pm

I have a hobby of restoring vintage Honda motorcycles (V45 and V65 Sabre's and Magna's to be exact) I belong to a forum dedicated to this vintage of Honda.

That's where I got the idea from...some guys from that forum have sent specialty tools to other members and they just keep them in circulation. I haven't personally used the "tool system" so I don't know how they manage the shipping/ deposit situation. All I know is that the members have been very respectful and honest. (everyone knows from the thread in the forum who has the tool at any given time....and nobody wants there name dishonored)

I really like Clams Canino's paypal idea. It makes alot of sense. I think if someone started a thread...and on a first post, first serve basis, the names were posted. We could just work our way down the list and edit it as needed.

Chris, let me know what you come up with...... I am watching a couple scheduler/cable upgrade setups on ebay right now. I don't really need another scheduler remote, but I am willing to "take one for the team" if the pricing is within reason just to get my hands on a cable.

Shawn

ProTech Robotics · Post by **ProTech Robotics** » April 11th, 2007, 12:58 pm

I think the best way to go about this is to;

have an ongoing list of who needs the cable. (I do not think it will be a whole lot of people - if it turns out that there are than I can revisit it)

- I would ask for a $5.00 deposit through paypal and ship the cable out with a return label inside a resealable package.
- Once it is received it will be shipped back in a few days after the cable is used to upload the software.
- upon return the paypal deposit will be refunded less $2.00 to cover the postage each way of $0.66 and $18 in fees and $.50 for packaging.

So, if done this way the costs to upgrade would be $2.00 to each individual, providing of course that they returned it when they were done.

Does this sound like anything that would be a benefit to the group? To do it as donated cable to the group and "pass it on to the next guy" theme I think it will quickly disappear. Any suggestions?

debugger · Post by **debugger** » April 11th, 2007, 1:13 pm

I don't mind doing the same kind of service for the UK if anyone's interested.

I already have the cable, so that's a bonus!

ProTech Robotics · Post by **ProTech Robotics** » April 11th, 2007, 1:25 pm

debugger wrote:I don't mind doing the same kind of service for the UK if anyone's interested.

I already have the cable, so that's a bonus!

Debugger, That is a great plan. I think it could work for everyones benefit.

Any suggestions for either of us from the group will be appreciated.

room-blah! · Post by **room-blah!** » April 17th, 2007, 3:20 pm

room-blah! wrote:I was just thinking....... There are several of us that probably own an older roomba...and a scheduler roomba....

That's exactly the situation I'm in.... I already have a scheduler remote that came with my new roomba....but I also have a red roomba 4100 that was built in late 2004.

If the cable is only sold as a "package upgrade deal" (scheduler and cable), it seems like a waste to have to have 2 remotes.

Since the cable is only needed 1 time to load the software, I was wondering if anyone would be willing to work out a "exchange by mail program"

We could start a list of people who need to "borrow" the cable. It couldn't cost that much to mail it to the first person on the list....than he/she could mail it to the next person on the list, and so on.

Is there any interest in this??? does anyone have the cable that is OK with this??

Shawn

How many people are actually in need of a "loaner cable"? I have plans in the works....but it would be helpful to have an idea of the actual demand for this.

So far, I believe if I read the posts right.........

room-blah!
marco 23
clams canino

Any others??

vic7767 · Post by **vic7767** » April 17th, 2007, 3:32 pm

For you folks out there that OSMO'ed you Roombas to get the SCI feature and fix the circle dance problem, for your $30.00 bucks you also got the scheduler feature included.