Is the Q*Bert knocker emulated in any software?

[Droler]

I'm thinking of building a mini Q*Bert since I can't seem to get my hands on a real one. The diagonal joystick and knocker are two unique features that cannot be added to a standard cabinet without some concessions so I'm thinking if I make a custom cabinet I can put in Q*Bert and its clones plus the PC version of Q*Bert and have a special Q*Cab - and I can do all of it except the knocker.

Q*Bert uses a device called a knocker which is basically an induction coil and plunger you can easily obtain from pinball parts suppliers or your common everyday doorbell (not the computer chip ones but the old style xylophone type). When Q*Bert falls off the platform, it bangs the inside of the cabinet for added emphasis and extra oomph in the original arcade game.

Does anyone know if the software trigger for the plunger is emulated in MAME or any other emulator in a fashion that it can be output from a PC (like through a USB or parallel port)?

[Dazz]

I recall seeing a knocker done a long time ago while researching for my own project... I thought they had one working at one time, but I am not sure if anything ever come from it.   Sorry I couldn't be of much help, but just saying that I have seen such of a project around even though it has been long ago.

[Droler]

I found this:

http://mametesters.org/mantis/view.php?id=1960&nbn=5

Looks like there is a code hook here, I have no idea how to implement it yet.

[dna disturber]

He droler,

The mame output system works for a lot of games, qbert I think is one of them.
With mamehooker you could make it work I think.

http://dragonking.arcadecontrols.com/static.php?page=aboutmamehooker

Dna Disturber  

[Droler]

I Finally found this - but it was not as easy as I thought it would be to locate so I'm posting it here for others:

http://www.johnsretroarcade.com/hardware_knocker.asp

Not mine and thanks go to John - hopefully I can get this working.

[Dazz]

I Finally found this - but it was not as easy as I thought it would be to locate so I'm posting it here for others:

http://www.johnsretroarcade.com/hardware_knocker.asp

Not mine and thanks go to John - hopefully I can get this working.

Doh!  How in the world could I have ever forgot where I saw that at!?!?!  John's Pinball Plunder Circuit was an integral part of my cabinet.  He was actually very kind to have built mine for me once I shipped him all of the necessary parts.

[Droler]

How does that plunger work - is it more or less analog in function - like you pull back a certain distance and it responds based on how far back it's pulled?

I use my cab for pinball as well, but use joystick 2 for plunger action.

I do have flipper buttons though...and I have tried running VPINBALL in vertical mode but it just stretches out the picture.

[Dazz]

The optical sensor works like a standard button...  It doesn't change how the applications work and doesn't give you anymore authenticity when playing pinball on a PC than FuturePinball/VPM does.  It is unique and ads just a little extra to make the cabinet stand out a little.  With that said...  I like playing pinball on my cabinet.

[SavannahLion]

His directions don't exactly match the schematic.

He writes:

I modified my existing LED Driver Circuit to incorporate a portion of the knocker circuit. I'm utilizing the unused Scroll Lock input/outputs to drive my external knocker assembly. The remaining of the circuit is on a separate schematic. See schematics below.

but goes on to say

SW1 in the open position allows me to manually turn off the knocker circuit. The switch is necessary to protect the solenoid if the computer's CAPS lock is enabled during normal operation of the PC. If not, the knocker solenoid would seriously overheat and blow the fuse. Simply close SW1 when you want to play Q*bert. Connect the SPST switch between X2-1 (Knocker enable) and X2-2 (shared CAPS input from I-PAC).

The schematic and specifications seem to match what he wrote in the first paragraph, but not in the second. Anyone know if that is a simple typo?

What purpose does the MAXIM DG201ACJ chip serve in this role? Is it meant to selectively amplify the S# voltages between +12V or +5V through the jumper?

[Droler]

The optical sensor works like a standard button...  It doesn't change how the applications work and doesn't give you anymore authenticity when playing pinball on a PC than FuturePinball/VPM does.  It is unique and ads just a little extra to make the cabinet stand out a little.  With that said...  I like playing pinball on my cabinet.

I love playing pinball on my cabinet. I have owned several real pins in the past and had to get rid of them due to space. While I agree somewhat with pin purists who say there is nothing like the real thing (they are right, there isn't) I disagree with those who say they hate it on PC. With a nice cab and nice display it is a very good substitute if you can't have the real thing.

I don't like playing without flipper buttons but that's so easy to add to the CP I am surprised more people don't do it.

[NoOne=NBA=]

There is a version of MAME called QMAME that was designed specifically to include a trigger for a knocker solenoid.

I can't find the proper link at the moment though.