www.robowars.org

RoboWars Australia Forum Index -> Off-Topic

Keyboard/gaming issue


Post new topic   Reply to topic
  Author    Thread
maddox



Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 786
Location: Belgium


 Reply with quote  
Keyboard/gaming issue

Hi guys.

2 years ago, I ran my right arm into the ground. After succesfull treatment I got warned by the doctors "don't overdo, otherwise you'll lose more function".
I have to avoid repetitive movements.
And that plays havoc with several things. One of those is gaming, after a few minutes intensive gaming, my arm is hurting.
I wasn't a big gamer, due lack of days in a hour (did play Total Annihilation, and would play it back if I get a dependable full version of it. And played low level Unreal Tournament) .
But now, a thing is changed on that part. Babs (my wife) started playing World of Tanks. (I'm guilty, I follow the Mighty Jingles on YouTube, and she likes his style)



So, I'm looking for a kind of cheat/support/prostesis.

The idea, using the lame right arm to command the movement of the tank (keyboard commands) with this joystick idea. And the good left arm with the mouse for view, aim and shoot.

WAY back, you could buy joysticks to add to your keyboard. Just lock the supports over the edge, adjust the levers to hit the right buttons and there you go.

But I tought I could do better. Open the keyboard, put a microswitch parallel over the keys you want to use, and use an old joystick to connect it all.

Problem. I opened a few keyboards, and all use a kind of dual layer rubber mat with a kind of printed circuit board I cannot alter without destroying it.

Does anybody got idea's on this problem?

Post Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:04 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Valen
Experienced Roboteer


Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 4436
Location: Sydney


 Reply with quote  

wrt TA check https://www.gog.com/game/total_anihilation_commander_pack
you missed out, last week it was $2 ;->

For what you are trying to do I think trying to mangle a keyboard is probably not going to give you what you want. There are lots of other input options out there, somewhat off the shelf (gesture scanners, kinect, and others) that you could perhaps use.

If you want something physical take a look at LUFA for AVR it comes with a demo of a joystick that you could pretty quickly mangle into taking whatever input you want and spitting it out into your game.
_________________
Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets

Post Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:11 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger ICQ Number
Spockie-Tech
Site Admin


Joined: 31 May 2004
Posts: 3160
Location: Melbourne, Australia


 Reply with quote  

If you *do want to go the keyboard hacking route. just get a *real keyboard.

The original and the best IBM Model M Mechanical "Clicky" keyboard.
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/

Or any of the later model "gaming" keyboards that use mechanical (Cherry is a popular brand) key switches will have a normal solderable-to circuit board instead of the el-cheapo rubber/plastic mats that junk boards use.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?cPath=113_1276

If you do any serious amount of typing, Your fingers will love you for getting away from the mush feel of a cheap 'board as well Smile

Theres a good reason all the hardcore gamers use mechanical keyboards now too.. you just cant beat the positive action feel for precision speed typing
_________________
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people

Post Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:49 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Cpnwolfe



Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 454
Location: Rockhampton/qld


 Reply with quote  

I agree mechanical all the way! btw Love WOT been playing for years!
_________________
Creative Instigation - Build Something Awesome!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTuWeJ4OrAcsmjKir9L4JNg

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeInstigation/

Post Fri Aug 07, 2015 8:44 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message
maddox



Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 786
Location: Belgium


 Reply with quote  

In short, I'll have to buy a reasonably expensive keyboard and butcher it.

So, before I start buying keyboards in the hope I can solder more wires to the key-switches, can anybody give me the name of a keyboard I can butcher with a reasonable chance of succes?
It would be a waste of money to buy an expensive keyboard, to realise the internals don't allow modifications.

Another thing that occured to me, but that would required a real programmer to cook up an interface that tells the computer: "the input trough the USB port with this device translates as these keystrokes".




I'm currently using a 9 year old Cherry with rubber mat contacts. Smile

Post Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:42 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Knightrous
Site Admin


Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW


 Reply with quote  

Buy a US$20 Teensy 3.1 (https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/teensy31.html) and just wire up buttons and/or pots to it.
You can then use Teensyduino to set it up as a keyboard/joystick controller for Windows/Linux and then do some basic programming to make it do what you want.

I've started fiddling with one to build a variable handbrake input for some of the sim racing games I play where an on/off handbrake button isn't great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lkn5vcboVM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUEAxIsLWoY


Here is some info on making it work as a USB keyboard.
https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/usb_keyboard.html
_________________
https://www.halfdonethings.com/

Post Mon Aug 10, 2015 2:27 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message
maddox



Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 786
Location: Belgium


 Reply with quote  

Woha, Can't I hire you to do the job?

I can spend my time better machining and welding...

I'm weary of learning "electron dompteur".

Post Mon Aug 10, 2015 3:06 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Knightrous
Site Admin


Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW


 Reply with quote  

I'll consider it for $250/hr, otherwise I might as well invest some time into sleeping or finishing one of my million outstanding projects Razz
_________________
https://www.halfdonethings.com/

Post Mon Aug 10, 2015 4:03 pm 
 View user's profile Send private message
  Display posts from previous:      

Forum Jump:
Jump to:  

Post new topic   Reply to topic
Page 1 of 1


Forum Rules:
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

 

Last Thread | Next Thread  >
Powered by phpBB: © 2001 phpBB Group
millenniumFalcon Template By Vereor.