The Aussie Pinball Arcade

Aussie Pinball Forums => Custom Games => Pinball Mods => NPC - Coconut Island => Topic started by: PinWiz on September 26, 2008, 10:26:24 AM

Title: PC System
Post by: PinWiz on September 26, 2008, 10:26:24 AM
So, what controllers did you use to output to the coils, lights, etc. from your computer? I mean did you use a microcontroller or another type of device.
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: Nug on September 26, 2008, 11:13:27 AM
it is a dumb output board...pc does all the work with special lpt protocol
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: PinWiz on September 26, 2008, 11:15:49 AM
Hmm... That is a good way to do it. I should look into something similar. I have always wanted to do something like what you are doing. Great job.
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: Nug on September 26, 2008, 11:55:54 AM
sent you a PM    <.>
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: pinnies4me on September 27, 2008, 02:43:44 PM
While on the topic of PC, and with the Island a little quiet, waiting for the insert template to be completed (being done outside by a pro) and the artwork is slowly taking shape, thought it might be worth starting to show some of the technical information as drawings are done. So here's a start with a system overview block diagram.

Feel free to post any questions or comments.
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: PinWiz on September 28, 2008, 01:20:20 AM
Hmm, that is all the hardware to it? It looks to be a simplistic and good setup.
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: Nug on September 28, 2008, 08:54:05 AM
yes, i beleive its the most capable and simple also very cheap solution that is infinitly adjustable/ upgradeable hardware platform available for this specific application.

now who wants a npc !

 <.>
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: PinWiz on September 29, 2008, 01:32:47 AM
 #*# #*# #*# Me!!! lol. About how long did it take you to develop this?
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: Nug on September 29, 2008, 06:34:04 PM
for actual code and board running reliably, about 2 months, then the rest of it had to be developed !!! this is pretty much inline with video releases. playfield has taken a long time and also the OS for all the little bits that count (half features flasher control(!), fully featured lamp flash rate(and also the little extraball lamp sequences and attract mode sequences - these are all programmable), TOY interface,fully featured switch matrix(can detect all manner of transition and selective debounce/faulty etc),still heaps of to do's like multiplayer and other system functions like diagnostics etc. i still dont have an acceptable backbuffer solution for dmd yet, lots of these just need fixing though, most of the big stuff is their.

working on getting presentable at this stage and will upgrade as mule  ^^^
Title: Re: PC System
Post by: PinWiz on September 30, 2008, 11:13:05 AM
Well, I am looking forward to this, but I want to know if you guys have tested it on linux running Wine. I am anti-windows for what I can be but this maybe one of those few reasons to fire up the old pc and let my mac sit for a tad while I look at this. Either way, great job.