Help designing a solution for this problem!

Hi folks!

I am wanting to develop a chip which will do the following:

Take Keyboard input via USB, record something about the input - and then pass the input onto the computer. I want the recording of 'something' saved on an sdcard or some form of memory so it is persistent across runs.

So - i started with one of these: http://uk.farnell.com/ftdi/v2dip2-32/module-dev-32-pin-2x-usb-vnc2/dp/1825832 However I have found the chip difficult to code - being entirly c based - and do not like the platform in general, has so many bugs and no community around to support it.

The chip was suitable because it had 2 USB ports, meaning I could plug the keyboard into one of them, then a male to male cable in the other to connect it back to the computer. I then bought an sd card reader chip for saving state and a FT232 UART to help me debug. Problem was VOS which is the OS layer the VNC2 runs was just massively flawed and caused so many problems debugging etc

I am a massive Java fan - and was wondering perhaps if there is a chip out there which supports Java? Would the above be possible via a chip which runs Java? I am looking for any suggestions!

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0 Former Member over 13 years ago

Hi Latch, No this is not what I want! I want a hardware device which would play as part of a game...basically it will record mouse distance moved etc - not detect specific keys but record key press rate etc...thats what I want to do - and thats why I came here for some advice in picking the right chip etc - would somebody please just offer some relevant help.
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0 Former Member over 13 years ago

Hi Latch, No this is not what I want! I want a hardware device which would play as part of a game...basically it will record mouse distance moved etc - not detect specific keys but record key press rate etc...thats what I want to do - and thats why I came here for some advice in picking the right chip etc - would somebody please just offer some relevant help.
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0 Catwell over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

What you need to collect is the USB data from the mouse.
I am assuming you are using an optical mouse. If this mouse is connected to a PC it is easier. Start by looking at this code.

If you have the mouse connected to some other type of system, then you need to collect the data as it is sent from the mouse. Most mice will store displacement (and input) values in a register in its onboard IC, where it is then read by the main system (in most cases a PC). You have to read that data from that IC. It is an image processor chip, (in some cases an ADNS2610ADNS2610). The chip takes pictures of the surface tracking the reflected dot "X" number of times per second. The displacement between frames is stored in registers on the ADNS2610ADNS2610, in this example. The uC board sends a request to the mouse and reads the registers.

Go to this project to see how the process is done.

I also found an old project for getting the data out of an optical mouse.

Go to Microchip's USB framework page on how to handle USB data with their uCs.

And if you want to go to the next level, make an 3D mouse tracker.

This need has been conquered many times, so do not worry about "if it can be done." Use their work as a basis, and focus on your game.

Cabe
http://twitter.com/Cabe_e14
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0 Former Member over 13 years ago in reply to Catwell

Thanks for your input Cable: I drew a picture of what I want / need. If you or anyone else can expand on it with more specifics that would be ACE!
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0 Catwell over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

Andy,

Based on your design requirements your best bet would be to use an all-in-one dev kit.
I would recommend using a board with lots of source and support: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR - MCIMX23LCDFREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR - MCIMX23LCD

This dev kit has an onboard SD card port, USB host, and ARM926EJ-S core.
Since it is an excessive processor for the task, I picked a dev kit that was a little more overboard with an onboard screen. Perhaps you can use the screen to display captured data, for development.

After you are done with development, you can port the software over to a smaller footprint board. (Or build your own board as you see fit.)

For the dev phase, fighting with wiring the base circuit is not advisable, since you will already have your hands full with software.
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On a related note, about ARM dev. Take the XIM3 Xbox adapter; it has a ARM Cortex M3 that tracks mouse/keyboard/joystick inputs, changes the signal to deal with the Xbox's auto aim feature (for 1 to 1 movement), and has a menu system. Again, software is the real design here.

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Cabe
http://twitter.com/Cabe_e14
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0 Former Member over 13 years ago in reply to Catwell

Thanks for this Cabe, The concern I have with this board - is how much would my final design require to be put together.

I need production costs for my final board to be < £10 and preferrably < £5 and I have no idea how likely that is based upon the components on the mcimx32lcd... additionally what language is compatible with this device?
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0 Catwell over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

That happens after you design the software is:
- Get a base ARM uC.
- The essential support peripherals you need. In this case a USB host chip and socket.
- Layout the chips with all the necessary component in a PCB capture program like EagleCAD, OrCAD, or Allegro.

Then you will have the system you need.

Cost of the parts is unavoidable. You should see if those along outstrip your budget.

Cabe
http://twitter.com/Cabe_e14
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