MSAgent

This is something that may never see the light but anyway I like to fantsize about the idea but with your help it might happen.

Quote:

Mounted Gamepad addin for Dell Axim x50 series. Making the ultimate handheld gaming device. - Plugs into a Compact Flash slot of a Dell Axim x50 series PDA - There are no batteries required since the gamepad is powered through the CF slot - Since the CF slot will be occupied a SD or MMC card is recommended for storage. - 6 Programmable buttons for use in games and emulators. 3.5 mm Headphone jack with volume control.

OK now I have simple conceptual to show you what I want.

This is what I've found so far.
CF card with COM Port
http://www.quatech.com/catalog/rs422_cf.php it would at least allow it to use SNES or PlayStation circuit boards to work if the right driver was made. Now I know that would be extremely bulky but all I need right now is a proof of concept.

How to make SNES/PlayStation controllers work with COM ports.
http://pupp.edgeemu.com/psx_control.htm http://pupp.edgeemu.com/snes_control.htm

My biggest problem would be writing the driver, that's where I need the input from anyone who has any experience in that field. I know it's unlikely but whatever
And if you'd know any way to more direct approuch than to have a CF parallel card please let me know.

patrickem

Ok I will say it, if not very possible, it does look cool.

nogardsram

I agree. It does look pretty cool. Sorry I have no experience writing drivers, but you should keep us updated.

I'd be interested...

bigbop

WHy do you need a second earphone/headphone jack?
As for the gamecontrol inputs, on the PC, they are simply monostable timers (actually 555 timer chips) with the on time controlled by a potentiometer (part of the joystick).
If you go to the Sandisk website, they have whitepapers on interfacing to CF cards and such. There is also a CF working group. A little Googling should find them.
There have been many articles written about interfacing CF - again, Google is your friend.
By the way, I'm a firm believer in KISS.
Why don't you use an interface on the Axim that is already available and has a bandwidth that you will never kill with a gamecontroller - IrDA!
That means your game controller can be standalone and you can use it with PDAs that don't have a CF slot - most PDAs have IrDA interfaces.

Free advice from someone who's been designing & building gadgets for 45 years!

MSAgent

Thanks for your input...

You are right the second earphone is not needed -it would just be easy to implement and since the x50 has way to loud headphone jack (at least on my device)for most earbuds even at lowest level. Anyway it would never be included in the first test design, it was just easy to add graphically...

IrDA uses a little bit more batteries does it not and it is not allowed on planes.

Plus it's supposed to be mounted, there are enough detached gamepads out there already, they are pain to use and not very portable because of that.

v3rt1g0

IrDA not allowed on planes? Why in the world not?

Anyway, your design is fantastic. After playing SNES/NES emus for several hours I thought about almost the exact design you've come up with. The x50 series is really lacking more buttons.

However, I took the easy way out by modding the bluetooth controller:
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=96294

Your gadget would definitely be preferable though.
Much more compact.

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Newton 130 > Palm III > Palm V > Visor Dlx > Visor Prism > Tungsten|C > Axim x50v

darus67

The form factor of your controller is neat. It makes me think of the Tapwave Zodiac (RIP)

Are there any existing game controller pads that use IrDA? You could hack one up as a proof of concept development platform. It would save you having to invent new drivers.

You could still use the CF slot for the mechanical connection to the Axim and even get power from it. Just put the IrDA xcvr lined up with the Axim's. Since you'd be operating at zero range, you could cut down the transmit power significantly, thereby reducing the battery drain.

bigbop

Why use the CF slot at all?

Like I said earlier, KISS! (keep it simple, s.....)

Look at re-use - like get a cheap IR keyboard and use the switches for the gamepad switches. Then, just write an interface driver. Simple. You can't get a cheaper development platfirm than that.

v3rt1g0

Originally Posted by bigbop

Why use the CF slot at all? Like I said earlier, KISS! (keep it simple, s.....) Look at re-use - like get a cheap IR keyboard and use the switches for the gamepad switches. Then, just write an interface driver. Simple. You can't get a cheaper development platfirm than that.

I believe he already answered that.

"Plus it's supposed to be mounted, there are enough detached gamepads out there already, they are pain to use and not very portable because of that."

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Newton 130 > Palm III > Palm V > Visor Dlx > Visor Prism > Tungsten|C > Axim x50v

Grentz

Originally Posted by MSAgent

IrDA uses a little bit more batteries does it not and it is not allowed on planes.

it is allowed on planes, heck, i even use bluetooth on planes

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biohzrd

How about including a analog joystick VERY similar to the one offered on the PSP? It would be on the wrong side, but most buttons are programmable anyways, and you could get used to buttons on the right and left, with the analog joystick on the right.

On the bottom is the analog joystick (it works very well, and even for longer periods of time without fatiguing your fingers):




Very good idea overall! I love the idea of attaching to the top and leaving it there. have you thought about possible CF/SD passthrough slots? Or I guess you could just plug those in first and then the gamepad. Just remember to make it in the $30 price range, and not the ridiculous $100 like that bluetooth gamepad.

dr g

Sweet, I was totally thinking this exact thing, honest! ... of course no one will believe that, but anyway, if this ever sees the light of day, I'll be the first in line.

Rishad

thats a really cool design.. it would be portable.. better than using any IR device. snap-on keyboards (not as good) might be another solution.

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awdark

For $$$ sake, wouldnt it be cheaper to interface the X50's serial directly instead of connnecting to the CF to convert to serial? We loose the mounting but that can easily be remedied with a sheet of plastic that fits between the CF and SD when the slots are occupied... (you know that dust gap for type 1 and 2 cfs)

The whole concept design is nice though... seems complete with the headphone pass through and all.