anyone know of any good method involving alternative hardware or tweaking to be able to control games like those from pocket snes instead of using the standard buttons on the device?
i have the DELL bluetooth keyboard but it seems to be a bit slow when playing games off it... like the input response time in the game is slow...
anyone know of like, a game controller or a faster alternative?
or like.... a way to tweak this to make it input smoothly?
I have been thinking of a way to use SNES controllers on an Axim using IR with a smiple interface, but I dont know what to do on the software side. I have been looking for a program that will allow me to use IR remotes to control the Axim. A friend suggested ripping apart a wireless keyboard, but honetsly, if i can get the software needed, im sure it would be cheaper to build a simple IR interface for a SNES/NES controler. Even if i have to replace all the hardware in the controller AND add on more, it would be less costly.
Any ideas that could help me with this? If so, PM me.
I need to get my Axim first ;} But i have been putting a LOT of tought into how to make one. Im a hardware guy, I have been into electronics for over 15 years now, so I think i can muster something up. Here is what i was thinking.
To be honest, i think the SNES controller is the best one for a handheld. It uses a simple Parallel to Serial converter chip, the 4021 to be exact. You need to supply a clock signal so it knows how to "encode" the serial data of the buttons being pushed. This is simple to do, just add a square wave signal generator from a 555 timer IC, or use transistors to make an oscilator and a few diodes to square the waves. This seems like a complex task, but its simple.
The next thing needed is a way to turn the serial data into IR data. Again, this is simple... Use an IR LED. If need be, use a transistor to drive it.
Power, Clock, and IR driver will make an IR transmitting SNES/NES controler. Now all we need is some kind of software that can take IR signals and turn them into "key-press" on the PPC. I have no idea what this software is called, or where to find it. This is where my main problem is. Honestly this is the one thing keeping me from getting my Axim right now. Why get a "gaming" handheld if the controlls SUCK.
Hell, i even have standard 3rd party IR SNES controllers that i can easyly reverse-engineer (its a simple circuit) and send the info to anyone that wants it. Again, my problem is the "drivers" needed.
I figured that SOMEONE would have info on software for PPC that lets you control it via IR remotes so you can use it as a simple stereo.
One of my friends suggested ripping apart an IR Wireless keyboard and "tapping into the encoder" or into the actual keys. Thats a crappy soloution, and more expensive that building it from scratch.
Another option for a controller is to figure out how to use the Axim's USB Host controller and get drivers for standard HID Compliant devices. Unless linux comes to the v50/1, I dont see that happening soon. Remember, im a hardware guy, and new to the world of Handhelds and Pocket PCs, I dont knwo too much about the OS, or software yet. Once i get it, ill pick it up quickly.
As for actual construction of the controller... I was thinking about getting an el-cheap-o clear plastic "overshell" for the main body. I was thinking about attaching (with putty epoxy) the controller to the top and bottom of the Axim and play it in widescreen. Think of how the PSP looks... something like that. I have this stuff caled Plasti-Dip. Its to put a rubber coating on tools. The kind I have can be brushed onto stuff. I was going to use some of that instead of paint to rubberize the controller and hide any mistakes.
Like i said, I have put a lot of thought into this, and if I can get the software, I can probabbly build the hardware (as long as the software doesnt care about the IR signals being encoded with a carrier, but i can get arround that in hardware).
Well on the iPaq I had the serial sidewinder gamepad. A driver was written by Larry Bank. I still have the game pad and driver. I was thinking of getting one of those serial CF cards and trying it out on the Axim. There was no lag at all when playing games.
I use my Think Outside keyboard just like I would on my PC for Quake and Doom and Duke Nukem...
that and it serves a dual purpose.
Something those gamepads cannot do.
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In my mind the coolest idea would be to have something that physically fits the unit. The Bluetooth "SNES"-like pad would be cool if it actually fit the Axim. Also if it could connect through serial it wouldn't need batteries and would use less power from the Axim since you wouldn't need a BT radio. But a serial solution would be unique to the Axim and less universal.
I've wondered about just buying an Axim serial connector and just chopping off the end and splicing the cable with something, because I'd imagine it would be easier to write software that way. There would still need to be an input method driver that reads from the serial, if a general one doesn't exist. I'd imagine it wouldn't be much harder than with IR.
The biggest problem with IR is how do you situate the PDA and controller so that you can both use the PDA and controller? Ideally one can hold PDA with controller in hand like a gameboy, and not even require additional batterys. To do that basically limits you to something that clamps on and around the PDA and connects through the serial port on the multi-connector.
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Gillius
Gillius's Programming
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