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controller for quadriplegic
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Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on January 26, 2005, 11:02:43 am ---Another item I wanted to reintroduce to the discussion is the remapping of controls.  I have sent a note to a local electrical engineer for input on this issue and am adding the text of that request below.

--- End quote ---
I could have told you as much as he said.

Here are your programmable arcade interface issues -

First, the available interfaces are hacked PS2 pad, X-arcade encoder, I-PAC, Keywiz, or some combination (parallel wiring to a hacked PS2 pad and an I-PAC, possibly with a select switch, for example).  Of these I think the hacked pad is probably the best bet, but more details below: 

Playstation2 -  Some games let you re-map controls.  What would be nice is an interface that allows you to remap the controller - i.e. Button 1 is Square, or Button 1 is X, or Button 1 is Circle, etc.  I don't think anyone makes one.  The KeyWiz wouldn't work, the I-PAC has a USB option and the PS2 has a USB port, but I think the I-PAC would be identified as a keyboard and not useable by the PS2, the X-Arcade encoder could work and is programmable, but I think the programmability is only for the keyboard mode for PC gaming.  The desired level of programmability would require probably a custom encoder chip, new software, and a designer intimately familiar with PS2 signal paths and formats.  Even then, you might end up with a programmable PS2 controller that couldn't be used for PC games - - -

MAME - As mentioned, MAME is easily reprogrammed to any keyboard or joystick button, so just about any interface will work.  In the case of the hacked PS, you would be connecting through a USB adapter.

PC Games - While many PC games allow assignable inputs, most are looking at keyboard and not joystick/gamepad interfaces, so the PS2/hack to USB adapter probably won't work.  The only thing that could work for both PC games and PS2 (other than parallel interfaces) would be the X-Arcade, but it has limited PC programability, I don't think it has PS2 programabilty, and I'm less than impressed with it overall.
RetroJames:
You misunderstood to a degree - the note i posted was what I sent to him, he has not replied.  I was posing the question to him because of his experience in creating the Tokn16 ps/2 keyboard encoder -

"The desired level of programmability would require probably a custom encoder chip, new software, and a designer intimately familiar with PS2 signal paths and formats."
rerstad:
As to the Prodigy/T-Stik, I have both on my cocktail and the T-Stik is a bit difficult to switch, plus you can't tell which mode it's in without lifting and turning to see if you meet resistance.  The mounting plate on the prodigy may be a bit big, but I mounted mine on a metal cp without the plate by drilling the right size hole for the stick and cutting a groove for the switch--cut down on the required space quite a bit.  You could also turn the Prodigy 90 degrees one way or another so the switch is more out of the way of Sean's hands and/or the switch is more accessible.
skallagrigg:
Remapping problems:

Playstation remapping: Would be great to find a cure for this. The ideal one would be if all games had the facility to remap controls. Sadly game designers don't realise how useful this is to many disabled gamers. It's also very useful to be able to assign multiple functions to individual buttons. I know of a number of disabled gamers who can only play video pinball games by assigning both flippers to a single switch.

I can only suggest a simple solution, that is far from ideal. You could build a patch bay on the back of the controller. From this a helper could re-wire the controller by using patch leads to suit Sean. Of course - not ideal as Sean can't do this independently.

PC remapping: JoyToKey is a great free utility that allows you to assign key presses to joystick functions. It won't work with every game, but it's a good fix for many: http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA016823/joytokey/english.html

Good luck!

Barrie
www.OneSwitch.org.uk
Hiub1:
I believe that any remapping problems faced with the PC can be fixed with software. The PSX or PS2 will be the problem here. Are there any fully programable pads out there for the ps2? This could be what we need, but I am not sure if there are any in existence. This way we would already have any hardware/software needed to do the button remapping. Then again, that would probably be a complicated pad and not sure if it would be very easy to hack.
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