Force feedback flightstick control

[quixote]

Ok, this is a crazy idea, but I have gutted an old microsoft force-feedback flight stick and plan to rig up a device to change the direction of my TIRA-2 so that I can control multiple items around my living room with one remote. I have managed to create force feedback effects with an editor called immersion studio and was wondering if there is any way of using girder to play back the files created by immersion studio using the serial plug-in, or maybe lua script. I have heard of people using python to play these files, but I am not a programmer. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated in this matter.
I'm sure there are simpler solutions to this problem, but wouldn't it be neat to have a robot to control your IR remote? If someone wants one of these files (I can't remember exactly, but I think they may be .IFC files), let me know and I will find a way to get it to you to dissect. they can be used with any force feedback controller. This may be an interesting way to experiment with robotics.

Thanks guys.

[quixote]

Update (if anyone cares or is interested) :roll:
I found this at http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Mai...users/1705824:

Rough code sample adapted from NCDemo, this won't work as is:

from wxPython.wx import *
from pyIFC import *
import win32api
class Frame(wxFrame):
    def __init__(self):
       hinst = win32api.GetModuleHandle(None)
       hwnd = self.GetHandle() # wxFrame window handle
       self.dev = CImmDevice_CreateDevice(hinst, hwnd)
       if self.dev != None:
          self.tact = pyImmProject()
          #This is an example of loading effects from an .ifr file
          #created with IStudio, but you can create effects directly too.
          if self.dev.GetDeviceType() == IMM_DEVICETYPE_DIRECTINPUT:
             self.tact.OpenFile("NCTextureJoy.ifr", self.dev)
    def playeffect(self)
       #play an effect from the .ifr file:
       self.tact.Stop()
       effect = ? # some effect in the .ifr file
       self.tact.Start(effect,IMM_EFFECT_DONT_CHANGE)

Does anyone here know python well? The file NCTextureJoy.ifr is the file that is created by Immersion Studio.

[miked]

Unfortunately, I can't provide that much assistance. However, I am wondering if an easier way to go is to plug in a mini-stereo cable into the back of the Tira-2, and then plug the other end into a Xantech (www.xantech.com) connecting block. You can then plug emitters into the connecting block, and stick them on the various devices you want to control . . . .

[quixote]

Thank you for your suggestion Miked. I may need to go that way, but I really wish to avoid that method. The reason is that I plan to have quite a few devices and I do not wish to create a spiderweb of wires in my livingroom (it's gloomy enough ). I have a fan on one side of the room that is operated by remote, then on the other side is my TV, DVD, and computer, then at the other end of the room will be vertical blinds that are IR controlled. I also want a remote controlled air conditioner. So as you can see, It would be very difficult and not to mention costly to use emitters. I think that if I am persistent enough I can create this thing, but not without help. Guess I'll just keep looking. Thanks anyway.

[danward79]

Hi

I would have to agree with miked, I firmly beleive in KIS, ("Keep It Simple")

Dan

[miked]

One more thought . . . I think if you look around, you'll find "blasters" as well as "emitters." So you may be able to do my suggestion, but connect in a bunch of blasters, and orient them in an array such that they send out IR over the entire room from a central location . . . .

[quixote]

Ok, Thanks again. I'll look into that as well.

[Grin Reaper]

Ok, Thanks again. I'll look into that as well.

are there any RF transmitters that can be used with Girder? i have two x-10 type remotes... one is an ATI remote wonder, and the other is the "true" x10 IR/RF learning remote (sold by that dude at hometheatertek or whatever the site is).

the ati receiver shows up (using the firecracker x10 drivers) as:

X10 USB Firecracker Interface V2.36

while the x10 branded remote receiver shows up as:

X10 USB Wireless Transceiver V2.36


being a "Transceiver" i would think it might would also transmit the x10 commands (as oppposed to the remote doing the x10 itself) but i could be wrong.

aside from this, are there any other x10/RF transmitters for the PC? sounds like you would rather use RF if possible (it's awesome crap), but i know most things have built in IR, or the fact that i've really only seen people talking about IR transmitters and not any RF transmitters for use with their PCs and girder.

[quixote]

All of the devices that I mentioned above use IR. I don't know much about RF transmitters, except for the X10 devices that I use, and my ATI remote wonder. The problem for me is not receiving the commands, as I will eventually get to setting up the remote wonder with my system, as well as a bluetooth mic for voice commands with dragon. The problem is sending the commands through IR in the right direction. I may use an array of blasters, as Miked suggested, but I have not given up on my "robotic tripod" project. yet. :cry: