GUN4IR - The Ultimate 4 Points Lightgun System

[JayBee]

I can't believe I didn't stumble upon this before this week. This is awesome!

JayBee bravo! Super idée, bien ficelée!


Anyway, I realised I had pretty much all I needed to make one, except the camera... so I ordered one from dfrobot yesterday, took DHL shipping.

Today I had to pay brokerage and customs charges - 22$!
So, yeah. Bummer.

Besides that, I'm thrilled!

Merci 
Yeah those cam modules aren't cheap sadly, I hope I can do something about it in the future.

[Marsupial]

Merci 
Yeah those cam modules aren't cheap sadly, I hope I can do something about it in the future.

The circuit is rather simple. It's the main component that is hard to get by. I'm surprised there aren't more suppliers of similar module; so many potential uses!

[JayBee]

I agree with that. Sadly the tech is heavily patented by one company only, and that company is super protective of their tech, which I can understand.

Merci 
Yeah those cam modules aren't cheap sadly, I hope I can do something about it in the future.

The circuit is rather simple. It's the main component that is hard to get by. I'm surprised there aren't more suppliers of similar module; so many potential uses!

[tlanks]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/E58qh9aJtbbjNsTP9

[zeeker]

There are others IR Cameras alternatives, different from DfRobot Cam or a Wiimote Cam. Maybe could be some came from an old or damaged, toy, smart phone, tablet, or Laptop? 

[JayBee]

There are others IR Cameras alternatives, different from DfRobot Cam or a Wiimote Cam. Maybe could be some came from an old or damaged, toy, smart phone, tablet, or Laptop? 

Sadly it won't work, the cam sensor we use isn't really a camera per se, it's a tracking sensor.
A real camera just won't work as a replacement, and would most likely do a terrible job at tracking the IR points anyway.

[2knuckels]

Hi,

I have build 2 guns and they work in the gui perfect, but when using dolphin the line of sight is not correct.
Does anybody have a working setup 16:9 monitor with the 4:3 aspect ratio of the games.

AND

has anybody figured out how to use gamepad mode with dolphin (I have built the bluetooth setup and its quite cool)



If anybody is interested I used the recoil lasertag guns as base, cause they have already all inside
- Battery with 6V
- Trigger Microswitch
- The lasertag module has the same breakthrough as the IR camera
- 2 extra Buttons already availible
- a recoil system with a motor and gear (does not overheat, but is still snappy, as the release blowback is done by a spring)
- and with the micro and the HC05 you can go completely wireless
- the headphone connection can be used as chargeing port

Hope someone can help me to use it outside of the gui app.

thanks

[Marsupial]

@JayBee do you know if we need the whole front surface of the dfrobot camera?
Is the camera actually centered inside there?

What if the edge is covered?

Thanks!

[JayBee]

Hi,

I have build 2 guns and they work in the gui perfect, but when using dolphin the line of sight is not correct.
Does anybody have a working setup 16:9 monitor with the 4:3 aspect ratio of the games.

AND

has anybody figured out how to use gamepad mode with dolphin (I have built the bluetooth setup and its quite cool)



If anybody is interested I used the recoil lasertag guns as base, cause they have already all inside
- Battery with 6V
- Trigger Microswitch
- The lasertag module has the same breakthrough as the IR camera
- 2 extra Buttons already availible
- a recoil system with a motor and gear (does not overheat, but is still snappy, as the release blowback is done by a spring)
- and with the micro and the HC05 you can go completely wireless
- the headphone connection can be used as chargeing port

Hope someone can help me to use it outside of the gui app.

thanks

For 4:3 aspect ratio games in 16:9 screen, you need to switch the content mode in the GUI or with the mode button if you added it 
For dolphin in I'm not so sure, the wiimote not being an absolute coordinate device it might not work at all... I will check it and tell you how it works for me.
Your gun setup sounds really cool!
Feel free to share pics of it with us 

@JayBee do you know if we need the whole front surface of the dfrobot camera?
Is the camera actually centered inside there?

What if the edge is covered?

Thanks!

The cam is indeed centered and doesn't use the whole surface, only a very small zone in the center. The way you put it should work fine 

[Marsupial]

That's great news!

This is a shell I got (damage and all) in a swap meet a while back.
It isn't big but will be fun regardless. The camera fits perfectly without much alterations to the shell, like one was designed for the other

I can't fit much in there... I have a rumble motor that won't fit. And a small solenoid that's too big.
But... I have a tiny solenoid that does

Recoil won't be big with that

[JayBee]

That's great news!

This is a shell I got (damage and all) in a swap meet a while back.
It isn't big but will be fun regardless. The camera fits perfectly without much alterations to the shell, like one was designed for the other

I can't fit much in there... I have a rumble motor that won't fit. And a small solenoid that's too big.
But... I have a tiny solenoid that does

Recoil won't be big with that

Haha it looks good! 
For rumble motors, I had some luck with aftermarket xbox 360 rumble motors. They aren't too big and they work nicely.

[2huwman]

I've got a spare DFRobot SEN0158 camera if anyone needs one. £25 + UK postage. Just message if you'd like it.

[clhug]

Just curious with all the Aim-Trak users out there ....  Has anyone used their Aim-Trak gun shells to upgrade to Gun4IR? Apologize if this has been discussed before

I do not recomend you to do that. An Aimtrak cost quite a lot of money, it is easy to be sold on the second hand market and the camera is not compatible with the Gun4IR project. It is better to use an original (and cheap) Gcon45 for PS1 and sell your Aimtrak to someone who would like to use it.

Thank you for that explanation.  I've been wondering the same thing about my AimTraks, particularly whether any of the internal parts (camera mainly) could be reused for this.  So good to know.

[Howard_Casto]

I noticed your youtube presence has exploded lately.   Everyone seems to agree that your system is better than the sinden.   Sweet vindication. 

Anyway I look forward to building one in the future.

[clhug]

I noticed your youtube presence has exploded lately.   Everyone seems to agree that your system is better than the sinden.   Sweet vindication. 

Anyway I look forward to building one in the future.

The only reason I'm looking at the Gun4IR over the Sinden is so I don't need the white border.  And maybe the better option for recoil.  But I'm also very interested in Sinden as an off-the-shelf solution.  Actually, I wish these two would have found each other and worked together.  I would very much pay for a pre-built, ready-to-purchase lightgun using this technology vs. building it myself.  I'm perfectly capable of building it myself, but that will take time I don't really have.

I was all set to order a pair of Sindens, but then I stumbled across the Gun4IR at the last minute.

[JayBee]

I noticed your youtube presence has exploded lately.   Everyone seems to agree that your system is better than the sinden.   Sweet vindication. 

Anyway I look forward to building one in the future.

Thanks!
I look forward to hear what you think about it after testing it

I noticed your youtube presence has exploded lately.   Everyone seems to agree that your system is better than the sinden.   Sweet vindication. 

Anyway I look forward to building one in the future.

The only reason I'm looking at the Gun4IR over the Sinden is so I don't need the white border.  And maybe the better option for recoil.  But I'm also very interested in Sinden as an off-the-shelf solution.  Actually, I wish these two would have found each other and worked together.  I would very much pay for a pre-built, ready-to-purchase lightgun using this technology vs. building it myself.  I'm perfectly capable of building it myself, but that will take time I don't really have.

I was all set to order a pair of Sindens, but then I stumbled across the Gun4IR at the last minute.

I agree, our 2 systems are kind of complementary and it would have been nice to have a solution that take the best of both worlds.
Maybe for a future product? Who knows.
I will release god quality pre built and also drop in kits soon for my system 

[2knuckels]

Hi

Thank you for the quick reply

@Screen not 90 degree vertical.
The screen of my cab is 15 degree out of the vertical. Do you have to consider it when entering the screen aspect ratio, or not?

---> I would post pics of my guns (both BT and wired), but I can not upload any attachments (security checks fail)

[JayBee]

Hi

Thank you for the quick reply

@Screen not 90 degree vertical.
The screen of my cab is 15 degree out of the vertical. Do you have to consider it when entering the screen aspect ratio, or not?

---> I would post pics of my guns (both BT and wired), but I can not upload any attachments (security checks fail)

If the LEDs are pretty close from each screen edges aspect ratio should be your true screen aspect ratio, the gun firmware will handle that 

[2knuckels]

the pics

@screen inclination
The IRS are about 4% away from screen (Screen case border). Thank you

[2knuckels]

@Bluetooth HC05/RN
is there any chance that you can enable Mouse+Keyboard Mode in your FW for Bluetooth.
The HC05 can be set in both modes, and many LGshooter are far more easy to setup in Mouse+KB Mode.
As you use the serial interface it should not matter what your FW sents to the Modul. And latency is no really gamebreaker, as CRT LG have a really high latency, due to the white screen they need for positioning.

[JayBee]

@Bluetooth HC05/RN
is there any chance that you can enable Mouse+Keyboard Mode in your FW for Bluetooth.
The HC05 can be set in both modes, and many LGshooter are far more easy to setup in Mouse+KB Mode.
As you use the serial interface it should not matter what your FW sents to the Modul. And latency is no really gamebreaker, as CRT LG have a really high latency, due to the white screen they need for positioning.

That's not possible as this Bluetooth module hardware doesn't support absolute positioning mouse (relative positioning mice aka normal mice don't work for lightguns).

[2knuckels]

OK, but thank you for your explanation

[2knuckels]

@Gun Aspect Ratio Mode
Is there a chance to light a led to signal in which mode you are (fullscreen or content asperct ratio)
Would be helpful when not using serial commands


The steam version of thotd ok plays really cool now. Beaware they made an artificial recoil  for the guns, but when a gun is maxed out aiming is perfect.

[graeflicher]

@2knuckels

How did you connect the recoil to the controller? Is the selenoid triggered through the Arduino?

[2knuckels]

There are 2 options

My Bluetooth guns have a 7,4V LiBattery. The recoil is connected directly to the Battery and driven by a mosfet which is connected to the micro. (like in the schematics example

With the USB guns I use the 5V from the USB directly (one pad of the Jumper 1 is direct 5V from the USB line -> DO NOT use RAW or 5V from arduino does not work good). You also need the Mosfet

Dwell Time is minimum 28ms , I go with 30ms. And I use the soli pin not the rumble pin

[Marsupial]

I thought the 'raw' pin was directly connected to the USB 5V..?

[2knuckels]

I thought the 'raw' pin was directly connected to the USB 5V..?

Just test it with a volt meter, on my micro boards they are not

You can connect up to 12V to RAW, BUT the USB port is not directly connected to RAW pin, when you messure you get a voltage drop

[Marsupial]

I had thought raw was "the unmodified USB VCC"
But it's more of a power input.

So many different boards, so many different hardware configuration!

[PL1]

I thought the 'raw' pin was directly connected to the USB 5V..?

Just test it with a volt meter, on my micro boards they are not

You can connect up to 12V to RAW, BUT the USB port is not directly connected to RAW pin, when you messure you get a voltage drop

On a Pro Micro, there are a fuse (F1) and a diode (D2) between the USB 5v input and the RAW pin -- upper left on this schematic.
http://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/Arduino/Boards/Pro_Micro_v13b.pdf

D2 causes that voltage drop.


Scott

[JayBee]

@Gun Aspect Ratio Mode
Is there a chance to light a led to signal in which mode you are (fullscreen or content asperct ratio)
Would be helpful when not using serial commands


The steam version of thotd ok plays really cool now. Beaware they made an artificial recoil  for the guns, but when a gun is maxed out aiming is perfect.

When you change mode, the rgb led (that you can add) is blinking and rumble motor is vibrating to tell you which mode you are in.

On a Pro Micro, there are a fuse (F1) and a diode (D2) between the USB 5v input and the RAW pin -- upper left on this schematic.
http://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev/Arduino/Boards/Pro_Micro_v13b.pdf

D2 causes that voltage drop.


Scott

Thanks, I was going to say exactly that but you were faster

[2knuckels]

@LED to signal aspect ratio mode
Sorry but is what you wrote in your manual.
I was thinking on something different like a status led which is on when a mode is selected.
Maybe its an option for your next FW
Maybe I am missing something, but a blink feedback when firing in my opinion does not much add to the gameplay feeling, so the optional rerouting of one led as a status led maybe an option.

[JayBee]

@LED to signal aspect ratio mode
Sorry but is what you wrote in your manual.
I was thinking on something different like a status led which is on when a mode is selected.
Maybe its an option for your next FW
Maybe I am missing something, but a blink feedback when firing in my opinion does not much add to the gameplay feeling, so the optional rerouting of one led as a status led maybe an option.

Yes in the manual I am writing about the RGB led, I thought that was obvious.
The Arduino doesn't have enough pins nor enough storage left to add a permanent indicator led.
Led feedback is not an option for everyone, same as any other feedback, it's just a matter of preference 
And there are tons of different mod that you can change in real time for the gun, so the RGB led blinking for each mode is a more universal solution.
But you can already change modes on a game basic with some simple scripts/commands, and I am currently working on an app to change the modes at game startup.

[2knuckels]

Thank you for your quick answer.
The serial port is a good option to set the mode, it was only because your solution needs no software to work which is awesome, so it was just an idea, but I get your point

[Tonystark2021]

hi jaybee, i made the donation i look forward to your reply by mail 

[Geniery]

hi JayBee, the project is beautiful.
For the moment I have assembled the gun with the basic commands: camera and trimmer, but I have a problem.
Every time I quit the MAME, I lose the settings and I have to set the lightgun x and y analog and the trimmer again.
If I open another emulator (MAMEUI, MAMEUI64, ARCADE64, etc.), the list of games automatically begins to scroll up, preventing me from selecting the games at the bottom of the list.
how can i solve

[lllll44]

Does someone sell those premade + recoil? i will buy in a minute.

[JayBee]

hi JayBee, the project is beautiful.
For the moment I have assembled the gun with the basic commands: camera and trimmer, but I have a problem.
Every time I quit the MAME, I lose the settings and I have to set the lightgun x and y analog and the trimmer again.
If I open another emulator (MAMEUI, MAMEUI64, ARCADE64, etc.), the list of games automatically begins to scroll up, preventing me from selecting the games at the bottom of the list.
how can i solve

For the setting not staying, it sounds like a software issue, the mice input enumeration not being stable or something similar.
There are ways to fix that, I'd recommend you to come on the discord server so I can help you better
For the other issue, it can be caused by either the wrong firmware version being flashed, or a but, that I will fix in the upcoming firmware update 

[graeflicher]

It seems i killed the A2 pin on the micro. I now connected the triggerswitch to another pin (pin 16). Is there any way to remap the pins, so that anoter pin (e.g. pin 16) acts as the trigger?

[JayBee]

It seems i killed the A2 pin on the micro. I now connected the triggerswitch to another pin (pin 16). Is there any way to remap the pins, so that anoter pin (e.g. pin 16) acts as the trigger?

It's not possible to remap the pins since they are hardwired for optimisation purpose, and because some have special hardware functions 
You can still use other button pins and remap the button assignment in the GUI, but you won't have the special trigger functions like off screen reload and feedbacks.

[Marsupial]

It seems i killed the A2 pin on the micro. I now connected the triggerswitch to another pin (pin 16). Is there any way to remap the pins, so that anoter pin (e.g. pin 16) acts as the trigger?

Maybe get another unit and use this one for something else?