FAQ / Summary of best bets for Input (In this Thread)

[Cordell]

don't these things work like when you move your finger across the red thing it moves the mouse in that direction? That could be handy... wonder if it could be put into a shifter... hmmmm http://www.meci.com/default.asp?part...n=&mode=Search

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[Laptopras]

I don't know if anyone will even get this far in reading but I have a little info on the state of Voice Control. I was using it to control my own program (Flash 5 interface with Microsoft Voice SDK 4.0 (and briefly 5.0)). My experience was that with the old 4.0 SDK, the recognition was fairly good with only a few failed recognitions and a few false ones. This was pretty consistant even with the A/C on and the windows open at low speeds (up to 45 mph ish). Though I had to speak loudly to be recognized over the other noise (not quite yelling, but loud speaking like an actor would in a theatre) .However this luck with voice control only lasted so long and for seemingly no reason (though i'm sure there was one somewhere ;-)) it stoped working that well. I have yet to be able to fix the problem and am currently rewriteing my interface to work with a On1 Remote (do a search they are cool!). As a last bit of info, I tried Microsoft Voice SDK 5.0 briefly. It was had to get started with and thats why I quit, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY more powerful and has better recognition as well as being more suited to control application with lone statements ("Computer, Turn on, Mp3 Player, Play Track, By, Nelly"). If you have the time and are working on your own program I do recommend you go to Microsoft's webpage and download the SDK to atleast check it out. (included is a help file that will explain EVERY detail as well as pretty much teaching you how to program).

Hope this info helps someone :-)

Rick...

[gork]

Integrating a pointing stick or trackball into the shift knob would be a good idea. The pointing stick would probably be best/easiest. The OEM pointing stick linked to in a post above could probably be modified for this purpose.

The best approach, IMO is to put an RF keyboard that has an integrated pointing stick under your seat and also have a touchscreen. Then, if you want, integrate some custom dash buttons with one of the various interfaces there are. Here, I have seen links to various schematics for serial or parallel interfaces, but the method I think would be best is to get a controller made for arcade-pc's.. They hook to any kind of control you want and then emulate keyboard/mouse/joystick via USB or other appropriate ports. They are a little bit more expensive, but they will make integrating random buttons and other controls easier.

[gork]

BTW Re: the i-drive controller.. It is kind of like a jog dial that you can press down. It's a piece of !$)!@*# to use and it really sucks. IMO if you want that kind of controller in your car go for the griffin powermate. It's cooler and smoother. It doesnt have jogging though so it probably would rotate while you drive around.. They ought to make one with jog.

Anyway, the i-drive.. If you get ahold of one, you can integrate it pretty easily. It breaks out into basically 3 buttons exatly like a mouse wheel - jogged left, jogged right, pushed. Any of the button interfaces should work with it. It also has a connection for an internal light.

[DodgeCummins]

I have tried using my Laptop touchpad in the vehicle...too sensitive...while driving that is...

I like big buttons...like what the auto makers are now including with their onboard navigation systems.

(I also like big butts...but that is a different story)

[smobot]

Here's a tutorial on building a rotary encoder interface. You can get encoders with detents fairly cheaply at newark. Using a PIC, you could easily make a serial interface for this thing & write a quick and dirty keyboard input simulator to drive UI.

[lawrence]

The 2nd coolest way to control a carputer seems to me to be a Phillips pronto and an ir remote. Pronto has an easy programmable interface / display. Ability to program 256 macros. All cool and looks good too!
Touch is the way to go


this link will take you to the new pronto's but you can check for older and cheeper ones on ebay
http://www.consumer.philips.com/glob...TE_CONTROLS_SU

[adamis]

I've used the X10 mouse remote in combination with girder and love it. I like the remote because I can control stuff without having to look at the screen, I can keep my eye's on the road. I also like the remote because the buttons are big soft and don't feel cheasy.

One complaint I have about the remote is it is a tad big for my liking.

If you can figure out how to use Girder with this thing (which takes a little bit of reading) then this can be a very powerful combination.

[ciagon]

Dont forget about the happy hacker. It is a small usb keyboard with a built in hub. It is a bit pricy ($60), but it feels solid, and works well. My old roommate has one in his car. He actually attached it above his glove box.

http://thomashargrove.com/car/images/overview-large.jpg

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/pfuca-store/

[Seraph]

You guys are missing a couple of stuff.

Check out microcenter(www.microcenter.com) for small keyboard and such. I also use keyspan Digital Media Remote as well as USBIR I got on ebay for 9 bucks. They are both amazing

As for voice software, use voiceflux(www.voiceflux.net)

[rjbouw]

Has someone seen these allready??


http://keyboardspecials.com/oem.htm

[XpAlEnDoCioUs]

What about a rotary encoder for volume and another tuning/scaning?

[AVGeek]

Logitech also has the new Bluetooth diNovo keyboard system. The keyboard and numpad are spearate, and the numpad has an LCD, along with extra controls designed to operate media software. The whole setup is pricy, but I may take a look at it. It seems like it might work well in myssytem, since I am already using a keypad. Making it wireless and having the LCD (if it works with Winamp) would certainly be a big bonus.

[Mastiff]

I use a PPC (currently an Ipaq 5450) connected to my carputer with WLAN (PCI card in the carputer, built in to the Ipaq) and NetRemote. With Media Center 9 (from J.River - I wouldn't touch Micro$oft's Meda Center PCs with a ten foot joystick!) I have full control over all aspects, from equlizer and volume to the full media library. I can find any song in about 15 seconds...in a close to 40 000 tracks MP3 library.

[Ormo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mastiff

I use a PPC (currently an Ipaq 5450) connected to my carputer with WLAN (PCI card in the carputer, built in to the Ipaq) and NetRemote. With Media Center 9 (from J.River - I wouldn't touch Micro$oft's Meda Center PCs with a ten foot joystick!) I have full control over all aspects, from equlizer and volume to the full media library. I can find any song in about 15 seconds...in a close to 40 000 tracks MP3 library.

Now that sounds cool!