diff -r 646ee4dc3a6b -r 4af697fa5ea9 slotUI/freeslot.py
--- a/slotUI/freeslot.py	Fri Dec 02 23:08:34 2011 +0100
+++ b/slotUI/freeslot.py	Sat Dec 03 09:16:39 2011 +0100
@@ -3,25 +3,35 @@
 Blackbox communication library
 """
 
+from serial import Serial
+
 class SerialCommunicator():
     def __init__(self, device, speed):
         self.device = device
         self.speed = speed
-        self.port = None
+        self.com = None
         self.connected = False
 
     def connect(self):
         if self.connected:
             return True
+        self.com = Serial(self.device, baudrate=self.speed, xonxoff=0, timeout=1)
+        self.connected = True
+        return True
 
     def disconnect(self):
+        self.com = None
         return True
 
-    def write(self):
-        return True
+    def write(self, msg, getanswer=False):
+        self.com.write(msg + "\n")
+        if getanswer:
+            return self.readline()
+        return None
 
-    def read(self):
-        return True
+    def readline(self):
+        answer = self.com.readline()
+        return string.strip(answer, "\n")
 
 class Blackbox():
     def __init__(self):
@@ -31,6 +41,8 @@
     def connect(self, device="/dev/ttyUSB0", speed=115200):
         if self.com == None:
             self.com = SerialCommunicator(device, speed)
+        if self.com.connected:
+            self.com.disconnect()
         self.com.connect()
         self.info = self.readinfo()
 
@@ -40,5 +52,27 @@
     def readinfo():
         """
         Read complete Information from connected box
+        This does not include race+car status!
         """
-        return None
\ No newline at end of file
+        return None
+
+    def progcar(self, carid, command, value):
+        """
+        Send program packets to specified car id
+        valid command: speed, brake
+        valid value: 4 bit integer (0..15)
+        """
+        return True
+
+    def setmode(self, mode):
+        """
+        Switch the Blackbox mode
+        Valid modes are: idle, prepare, race
+        note: box will permanently send status info in race mode, so no
+              polling is required
+        """
+        return True
+
+    def getmode(self):
+        self.readinfo()
+        return self.info["mode"]
\ No newline at end of file