Extra features on the MK64 (wishlist)

[Ron_Michallick]

The PIC16F84 is becoming obsolete, so I updated my code to run on the newer PIC16F628. The 628 has twice the RAM, ROM, and EEPROM as the 84 chip.  I patched in support for multiple key map banks. There are two stored (EEPROM) banks (1 and 2) and one temporary (RAM) bank (3). Bank switching is extremely fast using single byte commands.

Since I now have some unused resources available on chip, what other features would you like to see added to the MK64?

I might add a typematic repeat option for programs that only expect one key at a time and depend on typematic for repeated commands. I might also add an option to use part of bank 2 to store the power on shift key assignments. This will allow shift keys to be active on power up without re-programming.

Thanks,
Ron.

[Lilwolf]

I would like to see...

1) programmable from a real keyboard.  I don't know if you have access to the keystrokes coming from a real keyboard... but if you do this would be great!
 
a) if (1) then... The ability to save the current configuration into a key file for later.  So I can configure with the keyboard everything for game X then save it after it's all working... and call it later normally.

2) Multiple keystrokes one... and maybe seperate push and release... What?  I would like to have one keyboard key that will do a few items.   What I really want is to push a full throttle button that will send a F10, F11 and F8 times 2.  This will show FPS, Unthrottle and change the skips in mame to 11.  Then on release, I would want it to send a F10, F11, and f9 x2.  So undo it.    I can modify the code to do the same... maybe I can talk analog mame for an addition .... but if I had the features, I would probably use it often,  

but these wouldn't be ingame so if they where slow it would be fine with me.

3) Repeating keys would be nice... but I probably wouldn't use it... but if I could turn something on for my kids, they might like it....  especially airplane games that my daughter likes.

4) A SHAZAM key!  but I have no idea what that is   ... No, but really the ability to change banks based on a button would be nice.  I could see doing this for kids setup (repeat keys) and my keys... then have a toggle switch on the arcade machines that my kids can flip when they want to play.

All I can think of for now...  

[Ron_Michallick]

1) programmable from a real keyboard.  I don't know if you have access to the keystrokes coming from a real keyboard... but if you do this would be great!

This is possible on current MK64's with the right keymap program (one not written). I'm not that great with computer side programming, but I'll seriously consider that.
 
a) if (1) then... The ability to save the current configuration into a key file for later.  So I can configure with the keyboard everything for game X then save it after it's all working... and call it later normally.

This should be easy to do.

2) Multiple keystrokes one... and maybe seperate push and release... What?  I would like to have one keyboard key that will do a few items.   What I really want is to push a full throttle button that will send a F10, F11 and F8 times 2.  This will show FPS, Unthrottle and change the skips in mame to 11.  Then on release, I would want it to send a F10, F11, and f9 x2.  So undo it.    I can modify the code to do the same... maybe I can talk analog mame for an addition .... but if I had the features, I would probably use it often,  
but these wouldn't be ingame so if they where slow it would be fine with me.

I am considering macro capability that, in my mind, can send the press and release codes you requested on button press, but just release codes on button release.  Would it be acceptable two use two MK inputs, one to the normally open (NO) contact and the other to the normally closed (NC) contact and setup two macros?  

If I get more votes for separate release macros, I can alter my mindset. Keep in mind there will be just two blocks of 72 bytes available for macros (64 EEPROM, 80 RAM)

3) Repeating keys would be nice... but I probably wouldn't use it... but if I could turn something on for my kids, they might like it....  especially airplane games that my daughter likes.

It's already written.

4) A SHAZAM key!  but I have no idea what that is   ... No, but really the ability to change banks based on a button would be nice.  I could see doing this for kids setup (repeat keys) and my keys... then have a toggle switch on the arcade machines that my kids can flip when they want to play.

Perhaps...

All I can think of for now...  

Thanks for the ideas,
Ron.

[Brax]

What's a MK64?

[Birdtales]

What's a MK64?

http://www.arcade66.homestead.com/files/

[Brax]

Wow, using the stealth marketing approach?  

I hadn't even heard of it!

[eightbit]

Wow, using the stealth marketing approach?  

I hadn't even heard of it!

Have you read the faq? They're listed under keyboard encoders.

[CitznFish]

Wow, using the stealth marketing approach?  

I hadn't even heard of it!

Have you read the faq? They're listed under keyboard encoders.

No offense, but the website doesn't even say what it is, only what it does. as a n00b i too was confused.  Still am, kinda. Is this like an I-PAC?

[eightbit]

No offense, but the website doesn't even say what it is, only what it does. as a n00b i too was confused.  Still am, kinda. Is this like an I-PAC?

Hmmm, are you looking at the right site? It says all over that its a keyboard encoder.

So yes its similar to the ipac or keywiz or Hagstrom keyboard encoders.

[Brax]

Wow, using the stealth marketing approach?  

I hadn't even heard of it!

Have you read the faq? They're listed under keyboard encoders.

The FAQ is a marketing strategy?

[eightbit]

Wow, using the stealth marketing approach?  

I hadn't even heard of it!

Have you read the faq? They're listed under keyboard encoders.

The FAQ is a marketing strategy?

I was responding to the person who said he never heard of this particular encoder before and was pointing out that it was listed in the faq. I did not make the stealth marketing comment.

How do you market products for this hobby other than through message boards like this one? I don't see very much advertising on emulater news sites except for the big boys like x-arcade and slickstick.

[Ron_Michallick]

Marketing, you definitely found my weak point. Like the web site says, the MK sales are just a hobby and I’m not really even sure how to promote it. I know the web site needs some work, but playing with html is not my idea of fun. I’ll get to it eventually. The best parts are the contacts I’ve made and the “this board works great” comments from customers.

Back to the new features. I have the macros feature written on three pages of flowcharts (about 3 hour’s code to write and 6 hours or more debugging).  You can have up to 16 macros defined at a time, macros can be up to 63 keystrokes, and you can define the press key macro independently from the release key macro. There will even be a SHAZAM key (macros can have a command to switch banks).

[Tiger-Heli]

Screw Terminals?  

[Lilwolf]

Screw terminals would be nice...  

BTW, I bought mine because you had a special of giving 5 bucks back to BYOAC at the time.  I thought it was a great promotion.  So if your looking for good marketing... that one worked for me : )

[Random24]

I use an MK64 and love it!  The only feature I would want, and I doubt it would be possible, would be some kind of plug-and-play ability.  What I mean is it already has the ID bit and that is great for swapping panels with a reboot but I would love it if I could hot-swap panels and have something automatically determine which panel is plugged in.

[Lilwolf]

Thats easy to add... if you run a program.

have 4 buttons that are different on each control panel.  then have a program that will start a different CP based on that.

currently it could do 2 with switching between banks.  But it would be great if there was a sync program that you could run quickly before each mame call.  That would check to see what was last loaded and what leads are currently being pressed... Then load it only if its changed.  

btw, I added support to this in my frontend... but I wasn't able to run the keymap from inside java in win98... I should try again now that I'm running XP.  

I have another request.  Could we have the application keymap changed to a win32 application?  I believe this was why I couldn't call it from java.

Also, whats the chance of having the API to change/add/read the application opensourced?  I would write a little nice java application that would make configuring it.  Open API would be GREAT!

[Ron_Michallick]

>I have another request.  Could we have the application keymap changed
> to a win32 application?  I believe this was why I couldn't call it from java.
>Also, whats the chance of having the API to change/add/read the application
>opensourced?  I would write a little nice java application that would make
>configuring it.  Open API would be GREAT!

After I finish the firmware changes, I'll revamp the computer side software which has been and will be open source. I wish I knew what  open API was. It would also be nice if I could program the board through the window keyboard driver instead of bypassing it.

The Macro function is implemented. Support for dual 12 position rotary switches is half complete. I think thats the last task on my list.

Only 300 Rom words left,
Ron.

[Lilwolf]

WHAT??? 12 rotateries???

I LOVE YOU!!!  (I have 2 and haven't had the cash for the druin's boards yet!  I kept thinking I might find another solution!!!)

SWEET!!

API is a application programming interface.  So it would be that your write a dll with function calls that look like this.

setKeys(byte location, char[] keys)
char[] getKeys(byte location)
setBank(boolen bank)

ect.  But then you package them without an application.  So I can write a program, load the dll, and call setKeys, getKeys ect.  without having to figure out the timing and quarks.