USB Game Pad Buzzer Program

bl3nd3r · 09-25-2006, 01:00 PM

I have volunteered to help make a family feud type game show for my church's youth group in two weeks. Right now I am trying to make a small program that would allow two USB game pads to be plugged in and used as buzzers. Whoever pushing the button first their side of the screen lights up. It has to be able to have only one side light up at a time and would blink for about 10secs.

I have some experience with Visual Basic and would appreciate any help with coding.

Thanks.

scott_fx · 09-25-2006, 01:07 PM

do you need to have it connected to compuer?

bl3nd3r · 09-25-2006, 01:09 PM

I just thought it would be easiest to use a laptop or just have a screen up on the table with the buzzers. I have in the past done this using switches and lightbulbs but thought this would be an easier solution.

lostreception · 09-25-2006, 01:13 PM

well im not 100% sure but can you do something as simple as have more than one mouse and then get the device ids of the mice and when each is pressed trigger the input? like the left click or any click for that matter

bl3nd3r · 09-25-2006, 01:23 PM

That sounds like a good idea but don't really know how to impliment that into code. I am able to get both mice and game pads so really whatever is easier.

Curiosity · 09-25-2006, 04:10 PM

Download the Microsoft DirectX SDK, look in Samples\VB.Net\DirectInput\Feedback

Enforcer · 09-25-2006, 04:39 PM

have a loo at this from CDRSkull, it's for RR but you might be able to use it somehow.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...ght=gamepad+RR

Wiredwrx · 09-25-2006, 04:46 PM

Why not just get a small button, put a lage "PAD" on top for the push button. Then , using relays, either timed relays or with an R/C circuit, when it is pressed, lock out the other one, and ring the light.

Done, cheap, and easy.

I can draw something up for you if you are interested.

Michael

bl3nd3r · 09-27-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

Done, cheap, and easy.

I can draw something up for you if you are interested.

Hey Mike,

Yeah that would be awesome if you could do that for me. In terms of cheap do you think I could do the whole thing for under $20? Let me know what you think.

CdRsKuLL · 09-28-2006, 06:13 AM

Its quite easy to do this.. just poll for a button press on the joypad about 100 times a second and jobs a good'un. You could have a couple of lights that let you know both pads are connected.. then you could have like you say a 1 or a 2 appear so you know whos pressed the button, link it to some sound and your away :-)

CdR

although I do like WiredWRX idea better :-) ,.. also why not make em connect croc clips to there *** and if they arnt the first person to buzz they get a buzz themselves.. lol

Wiredwrx · 09-28-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kmstech

Hey Mike,

Yeah that would be awesome if you could do that for me. In terms of cheap do you think I could do the whole thing for under $20? Let me know what you think.

Quote: Originally Posted by kmstech

Hey Mike,

Yeah that would be awesome if you could do that for me. In terms of cheap do you think I could do the whole thing for under $20? Let me know what you think.

Here you go.

If you have any questions, let me know. The cost will be dependent on what you can get where, and various other factors. Assuming you can get the relays (they are standard automotive relays in my example, but you can use almost any SPDT relay as long as it is capable of handling the power requirements of your light and buzzer (or you can use additional auto relays to avoid that problem) cheap, you should be good to go. I get my stuf cheaply from www.allelectronics.com. Don't bother with Radio Shack, it probably is more expensive.

Let me know if you have questions.

Oh, ya, the Variable resister (that is the squigly line with the arrow thru it) should be between say, 10k and 100K, and the Capacitor (that is the one with the straight line and the curved line next to it) should be say, 100 or 200 uF. Don't go much bigger on the capacitor, since it will increase the time needed to charge, and the contestant will have to hold the button instead of hit it. If you need the light and buzzer and lock out to be longer, increase the size of the resister, decreasing it will of course, reduce the length of the buzzer and light and lock out. I included a variable so you can adjust it on the fly. A 10K resister should give you about 1 or so seconds which might be just enough. (t (in seconds) = r (in ohms) x c (in Farads))

Goodluck,
Michael

bl3nd3r · 09-30-2006, 09:07 AM

Where is the picture you are referring too?

Wiredwrx · 09-30-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kmstech

Where is the picture you are referring too?

I uploaded a PDF to the site, and attached it here. I am not sure what happened. The file is in my office, and remote access isn't working to day due to a firm wide system power down.

I will upload it when I get in on Monday. Sorry.

Michael