Welcome to BRICKS.
This tutorial covers the third step of external data communication: data transformation and processing. By completing this chapter, you will easily master the fundamental use of external data integration in the BRICKS Cloud Intelligent Display.
🕐 Estimated time to complete this tutorial: 5–8 minutes
Step 1: Create a Property Calculation Map
BRICKS provides powerful external data integration capabilities, and naturally it also requires strong data transformation tools. The Property Calculation feature allows you to easily design data transformation flows using a graphical, node-based interface.
From the left panel, under Property Bank, find Property Calculation and click [ ＋ ] to create a new property calculation map.
Step 2: Place Variables onto the Map
In the previous section, we used the HTTP Generator to store JSON-formatted time data in a variable called Response of HTTP. Now we need to filter and transform the relevant data into another variable for easier display on screen.
Drag a variable onto the map, and it will become a block. Each variable block has two endpoints: the left side receives data, and the right side outputs data. Drag from one block’s output to another block’s input to establish a connection.
Step 3: Create a Command Block to Extract Data
Property Calculation provides a variety of commands for data processing. Here, we will demonstrate how to extract the required information from JSON data.
From the right panel, under Operations, create a new command and set its type to Object. Choose Get to retrieve specific content from the JSON variable.
After clicking [ New ], the command will appear as a block. Connect the JSON variable’s output (right side) to the command block’s input (left side, Object format).
o determine which field to extract, open the WorldClockAPI URL used earlier and locate the field name for time: currentDateTime. Enter this into the command block’s Path field so it can retrieve the time data.
Step 4: Store the Extracted Data into Another Variable
Create a new string-type variable in the Property Bank to hold the extracted time data.
Drag the new variable onto the Property Calculation map
And connect the output of the command block to this variable.
Step 5: Create a Text Brick to Display the Time Variable
As with previous examples (countdown and MQTT data), create a new Text Brick to display the time variable.
In the Brick’s properties, set the Text field to link to the new time variable, and configure a text color that contrasts with the background.
Step 6: Add an Event to Trigger the HTTP Generator
Since HTTP does not push data automatically, we need to trigger requests at intervals. Recall that the countdown Generator has events triggered at each tick (Ticking or Completed). We can use these events to trigger HTTP requests.
In the event settings, choose Generator: HTTP_Time → HTTP RUN REQUEST to request data from the HTTP Generator.
Save your configuration and preview it on a device. Check whether the time is displayed correctly on screen and whether it updates as the countdown progresses.
Congratulations! You have now learned the basic concept of external data integration. You’ve mastered the complete basic workflow—if you’d like to dive deeper into details of each module, please refer to the other tutorials.
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