Buddabing's LED controller

[Lilwolf]

I think less then 99 for a 40 with wiring is VERY worth it.

But it won't fit my current home machine  (I would have to remove two control panels to get enought inputs in my hotswap setup). 

So don't put me down for one.  But it DOESN'T mean I don't want one... or thing its not worth the money... I just can't figure out how to use it...

I do have a friend at work who is building one (but not for MONTHS).  But he doesn't have a big budget... but if he saw it...

[RandyT]

My understanding of the way these bi-colored LEDs work is you get one color by applying + to one of the leads, and then you get the other color by reversing the polarity (so the + is going to the other lead)... Sound risky.

That type may exist, I haven't come across them personally.  Most are just multiple LEDs in a single package, as was mentioned.

Take a look at the standard Radio Shack Bi-Colored LEDs.  Last I knew, polarity reversal is how they work. 

If you think about a 2-color, it makes sense electronically to do it this way.  If you hook up an LED backwards, it doesn't work, but also doesn't hurt it. So, if you hook up two different colored leds with their respective Anodes and Cathodes opposite each other, you give them power polarized in one direction and one lights but not the other.  And vice-versa.  That;s what happens in these and allows the case to use only 2 leads to get the job done.

But, they are a pain to implement, as they require more circuitry and logic to support them.  They also don't allow you to "mix" colors like the multiple discreet ones can.

RandyT

[Chris]

Most bi and tri color LEDS that I have used are just like quarterback said.

[KevSteele]

Oooh, ever since LAME Arcade disappeared I've hoped for something like this.

[gl.tter]

Take a look at the standard Radio Shack Bi-Colored LEDs.

[Gamecab]

Ok, I've got to chime in now

I'm about 80% done with the CAD's for this board.  I may need a few days to improve the PCB's design.  The next step for me is that I am going to make a prototype board from my CAD design and test it.  Once the testing is done I'll take the next step and have these produced.  Buddabling and I are working out most of the details, at this point but I am pretty sure this board is something that can be on the market before the end of May.

Charlie

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I'd be in for the 40 LED version. If this project starts to go the way of the Dodo bird though (as so many LED driver proj's have)...I'll start looking into the ArcaLux!   

One question though: Will there be a way to drive the lights via .txt file or something for "GAME-AWARE INDICATOR ILLUMINATION"? (ie: knowing which buttons work in which game)

mrC

[Buddabing]

I'd be in for the 40 LED version. If this project starts to go the way of the Dodo bird though (as so many LED driver proj's have)...I'll start looking into the ArcaLux!   

One question though: Will there be a way to drive the lights via .txt file or something for "GAME-AWARE INDICATOR ILLUMINATION"? (ie: knowing which buttons work in which game)

mrC

BuddaMAME will have that built in, and I plan to put that functionality into an external application for those who use Advance or other variants.

[2600]

You all are working so fast on this that it looks like I may not of asked quick enough.  Anways,  Is it possible if you are not using all the output pins from the Parallel Port to route the extra output pins (and a GND pin) so people who purchase the board can use them?

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I'd be in for the 40 LED version. If this project starts to go the way of the Dodo bird though (as so many LED driver proj's have)...I'll start looking into the ArcaLux!   

One question though: Will there be a way to drive the lights via .txt file or something for "GAME-AWARE INDICATOR ILLUMINATION"? (ie: knowing which buttons work in which game)

mrC

BuddaMAME will have that built in, and I plan to put that functionality into an external application for those who use Advance or other variants.

mrC

[woodywood]

Put me down for 1 possibly 2 (my neighbor wants me to hep him build a machine after I finish mine) but definitely 1 no matter what. This is crazy sick and I agree with you Budda when you say that I am definitely someone who does not want to solder anything let alone 80 wires for 40 LEDS.

[KevSteele]

Before the end of May?

[MrSaLTy]

Hey Budda.... Its awsome that you will be able to provide the software build into mame but.... Is there a way that you will be able to provide the source for this that people can add to their mame source and compile on their own?

[Witchboard]

Hey Budda.... Its awsome that you will be able to provide the software build into mame but.... Is there a way that you will be able to provide the source for this that people can add to their mame source and compile on their own?

[jdjuggler]

Just another oddball thought...
Image your attract mode doing its thing and someone steps up to the machine to choose a game.  Shouldn't the attract mode subside at that point?  Shouldn't it act like a screen saver (sort of). 
After no activity the attract mode goes on... Then when a key is pressed, it goes off (or some other mode).  I just think it would be incredibly annoying choosing a game with your entire CP flashing like crazy.
Just wondering if this will be part of the attract app/build?

JD

[BobBorakovitz]

It looks sooooo cool!   

2, 1a, 2a     

-BobBorakovitz

[Zero_Hour]

2, 1b, 2a

Very nice.

[millercentral]

2, 1a, 2a

[Buddabing]

I looked into the other kind of tricolor LEDs, the one with four leads. This kind of LED should work with the controller. However, software to control these is a secondary priority for me at this time.

The kind of bicolor or tricolor LED that depends on polarity of voltage will not work.

There have been more than thirty people interested in getting the controller. Thank you all for your support.

If you are reading this thread and you are interested in getting one of these controllers, you need to respond to this thread. I normally avoid bumping threads, but I'm going to pimpmarket this controller to you guys until I have an accurate estimate as to how many people will buy it.

And thanks to Kevin for the exposure on Retroblast.

Regards,
Buddabing

[KevSteele]

And thanks to Kevin for the exposure on Retroblast.

Hey, I'm just doing it to help out the volume discount. 

Seriously, I think it's a great project and I want to see it succeed.

BTW, I don't know if this has been asked yet, but will the board support the "keyboard lights" feature of MAME, i.e. the blinking player 1 and 2 lights? Or will we still need to wire those up to an IPAC?

Kevin

[kton25]

2, 1b, 2a

This is amazing!  Thanks for all your great work!

[Buddabing]

BTW, I don't know if this has been asked yet, but will the board support the "keyboard lights" feature of MAME, i.e. the blinking player 1 and 2 lights? Or will we still need to wire those up to an IPAC?

Kevin

BuddaMAME will support this.

[SoundDoc]

Love the project! I was looking to do somehting along the lines of this on my cab, but went with a different approch, didn't need all the flashy bits. (rethinking that now though...)

One "Bling" thing I was looking for and never found, so I build using discrete components, and after looking at your system might be fairly easy to impliment was a trackball fading circuit.

I haven't gotten the avi's hosted yet, but basically, when the trackball is idle, a couple of superbright leds under the trackball fade on and off about once every 4 seconds, then depending on the frequency of the pulses from the Y axis encoder, it ramps up to a max of about 10 "fades" a second.

I've had a lot of remarks on my other cab lighting, but the biggest response I've had is during a game of golf when you whack the trackball, it's flash rate varies in proportion to how hard you spin it.

Just an idea, that might add some additional "bling" to a great design!

SD

[MrTroy]

Thank goodness. Now my lazy butt won't have to figure out how to do it on my own. Count me in.

[millercentral]

Buddabing, can you share the software API design for the board that you are planning?

[Buddabing]

Buddabing, can you share the software API design for the board that you are planning?

EDIT:

I removed everything that was here since it has been completely overhauled since this post.

[Pilot143]

1, 1b, 2a

great project...

[Fusion Disaster]

Wow this puppy sounds pretty sweet. My interest level is 2/1b/2b

Good Luck!

[JONTHEBOMB]

I'm interested in this project and will watch it.  I like the little I have read so far.

[JODY]

BTW, I don't know if this has been asked yet, but will the board support the "keyboard lights" feature of MAME, i.e. the blinking player 1 and 2 lights? Or will we still need to wire those up to an IPAC?

Kevin

BuddaMAME will support this.

That raises my interest.  I'm finishing up a cab now and was planning to buy an Ipac just to control the lights for player 1 and 2.  Nothing more.  Already have other boards doing everything else.  ETA?

[Buddabing]

BTW, I don't know if this has been asked yet, but will the board support the "keyboard lights" feature of MAME, i.e. the blinking player 1 and 2 lights? Or will we still need to wire those up to an IPAC?

Kevin

BuddaMAME will support this.

That raises my interest.  I'm finishing up a cab now and was planning to buy an Ipac just to control the lights for player 1 and 2.  Nothing more.  Already have other boards doing everything else.  ETA?

GameCab says May for the hardware. I say "when it's done" for the software.   

I think that MAME v0.96 will be out before too long and I plan to put the first LED support into it then. I've coded up the start LED part and I'm currently working on the other features which will be in the first release.

I'll probably retrofit BuddaMAME for purchasers of the GameCab LED controller, for selected key versions. (probably .56, .78, .92, maybe .36 or .37 something)

I've looked into AdvanceMAME and it is a pain to compile. I wish there was some zip files I could just download and it would work. So it is uncertain if there will be AdvanceBuddaMAME at this time.

[MrSaLTy]

Like I was asking before.... Is there a possibility that you will release the source additions that you do for the LED board so others that use variants of mame can combine and compile their own?

[gork]

I am very curious how you guys are designing the circuit. IMO It would be a little shortsighted to persue a parallel port based control design for a production device, especially when building an alternative interface is very easy.

The TLC5920 LED driver From TI has a 16 bit and 8 bit shift register internally so it can drive 128 LED's on its own, which isn't too bad for a $3 part. You could couple one (or more) of these with something like the Atmel AT90S and some simple power circuitry to build a 128-LED driver for an insanely reasonable parts cost. For small applications, power could be taken from the USB also, making using this for something like a 2p control panel even less expensive.

I have been looking at building a large LED matrix controller for a different project recently and this type of design is probably what my approach will be. If you guys are willing to share any details about your design approach, I would be interested.

BTW you could probably mark me down for one anyway, as no matter how you design it, if it works and you take the time to write support for it into MAME, then I'd probably be all about it

[MikeAlex]

I want one!!!!

2,1b, 2b.

[kenc3dan]

I'm in all the way...
$100 bucks or so for a 40 LED system with all the wiring.
Also I'd like the option for a 20 LED system at a lower price.

So...
1
1a+1b
2a

My only concern would be the software - regular updates to BuddhaMAME or better yet an external application would be nice.

OK, maybe I'd want one without the LEDs.  I've got 50 superbright babies now that I'm using to communicate with aliens. 
"Owww!  My retinas!" 

[scooter]

2, 1b, 2b

Couldn't you just make this a standalone program and have the FE call it before launching the game?  I think some of the popular FEs already support this anyway (running a program before launching).

[Buddabing]

I am very curious how you guys are designing the circuit. IMO It would be a little shortsighted to pursue a parallel port based control design for a production device, especially when building an alternative interface is very easy.

The parallel interface consists of a 7405 inverter, a couple of pull-up resistors, and a .1 uf cap. It can't get much easier than that.

What alternative interface are you referring to? USB?

The TLC5920 LED driver From TI has a 16 bit and 8 bit shift register internally so it can drive 128 LED's on its own, which isn't too bad for a $3 part. You could couple one (or more) of these with something like the Atmel AT90S and some simple power circuitry to build a 128-LED driver for an insanely reasonable parts cost. For small applications, power could be taken from the USB also, making using this for something like a 2p control panel even less expensive.

I looked at a few of the TLC59xx data sheets. It's very interesting and you could definitely build a LED controller from them. The only problem is that these chips are all QFP packaging, which I am not equipped to deal with.

I have been looking at building a large LED matrix controller for a different project recently and this type of design is probably what my approach will be. If you guys are willing to share any details about your design approach, I would be interested.

BTW you could probably mark me down for one anyway, as no matter how you design it, if it works and you take the time to write support for it into MAME, then I'd probably be all about it

Having a matrix design allows larger number of LEDs. But, you have to worry about making sure all the LEDs have enough power, and you have to have a PIC in there to drive them. I chose a simpler design, which I believe will ultimately be cheaper, easier to use, more expandable, and more reliable.

In fact, with a bit of hacking, up to eight of these 40-LED boards can be daisy-chained together and all run from the same parallel interface. I don't recommend this,

[Shooter]

Im interested in the following:
1  1a  2b

[nonfatnonfat]

It looks like you've put in a ton of work into this project. Thanks for all the updates.
This is what I'm interested in.

2. I'll buy it if it's not too expensive.
1b. Controller capable of controlling 40 LEDs
2a. Wire harness, LEDs, circuit board

[Lilwolf]

btw, instead of creating a version of mame for each version...

why not just create a middleware piece? 

IE
updateLED mame.exe pacman

This would find the take the second input and setup the leds... Then it would launch the 1st with all parameters?

Or something similar.