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Q*Bert Knocker writeup, correct me on parts

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Thenasty:
I like the sound of all of this thread. Hope to see it implemented and somehow we get it going. I mlsef have never seen the knocker on Q-bert. Anyone here have a pic of the origianl knocker ? or is it only a solenoid that knocks the piece of wood inside the cabinet....
According to the site fromt he first post, llooks like we can have 8 gadgets hook up to LPT port. And each can invidually triggered...1 for Q-bert = D0 ,  1 for T2 = D1, 1 for RevX = D2 etc...

1UP:
OK, we're only focusing on qbert right now, but this is something that should be expanded.  For starters, I can think of at least one game that uses all three LEDs at once--Terminator 2.  Right now, it's possible to get one of the guns running by using just the three LEDs (one for target lock, one for enemy lock warning, one for the recoil.)  But I would like to have both guns fully functioning, and that takes more inputs.  The best way would seem to involve the parallel port.

Qbert should be easy to do with the LED hack.  You basically need just one input to fire the coil.  Link it to the scroll lock light, and it'll almost never fire during some other game.  To be sure, just put a toggle or push-on push-off switch inside the coin door.  Done.

I'd like to see feedback added to more games, and for that, we need a good interface.  I'm almost done with mine!

SirPoonga:
Ok, if you want something more "universal" it should be more like this:

A USB device would be the ultimate.  If not a lpt device or serial device hooked up to a microcontroller that controls a bunch of relays(all taking power off the computer).

Either way you'd have to program a microcontroller.  

Why would this be better universally?'
well, you can then just send a certain signal to that device (talking as if it were USB) and it would, based off that signal, set of a certain amount of relays.  Theoretically then I think you could make a device to have maybe upto 255 relays????

So for just qbert you hook that up to a relay, then int he mame source output the right signal to the usb device to dset it off.

I think we as a team could do it.  We electronics people here (not me!!) and programmers (2.5 years experience in the real world, did some low level stuff while at IBM:)

If someone could find a way to program a USB microcontroller I think I understand it (I can read assembly, barely).  Together I think we could come up with something.  Could make a deal with some one like Kelsey to sell it too.  Instuctions to mod mame will be easy, just apply a diff file for what features you want and compile:)

Being a "universal" arcade hardware component you can then hookup lights, solenoids, timers, what have you and just send the right signal to the device to trip the appropiate relays.

I'd suggest USB because it is a standard and well documented.  And cabinets are turning to using USB as alot of things (trackballs, spinners, light guns) are USB.


hehe, if I can make some type of money off it I'd gladly help, unemployment sucks!!!  

ErikRuud:
!up,

I already mentioned this link in another thread, but Weeder Technologies already has a line of I/O boards that could be used for these types of applications.

I know there are othe companies that make simular devices, but when I was researching this a year or two ago, Weeder had the best bang for the buck.  Most other companies were much more expensive.

SirPoonga:
Hehe, that's what I need:)  Too bad it's $70, to unemployed that very expensive;)

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