playstation controller conversion

[jpyro]

If any one knows how to convert a Playstation 2 or Xbox controller to midi? this is not for robots its for my own free time. Or what time i have in the shop doing nothing. HAHA

[patTeam241]

I've never done it, or even played with a playstations output, but I have some idea of where you might start off. I believe that the controllers are both digital so you'd need to build a circuit that would allow you to interpret the signal, and then output that signal to either to a serial port or a usb port. Serial would probably be easier, but it'd still take a lot of work. You may be able to find instructions on converting a playstation controller to a computer gamepad online, which would make this much easier. After that you'll probably need to write a custom program to take the data and then edit it into a midi file. I have played with midi a little and the file format doesn't seem overly complex. If you look online you can find the file setup. I would think that unless there are easy instructions for using the controller w/ a pc, and using an input to come up w/ midi files this will be a lot of work, but it would also be pretty interesting, keep us posted on how it comes out.

[MrBamboo]

this is related but sorry go off topic a little, are we allowed to use xbox/ps2 controllers for first?

[Francis-134]

Originally Posted by MrBamboo

this is related but sorry go off topic a little, are we allowed to use xbox/ps2 controllers for first?

As long as the controller does not have any source of power outside of the OI, then it is legal. If you give a search, you can find a thread about a team that was able to make a DualShock 2 contoler work with the OI.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

This conversion is still not sanctioned as legal for First robots. There is a pending question on the Q&A watch for an answer.

[Not2B]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

This conversion is still not sanctioned as legal for First robots. There is a pending question on the Q&A watch for an answer.

And the answer is..... (let me put the question FIRST so we are all on the same page...)

Rule R78 states: "All equipment connected to the Joystick Ports of the IFI Operator Interface must be powered solely through the power available through the port." and "Portable computing devices may not be connected to Joystick input ports on the Operator Interface."

Regarding the definition of "portable computing device", would a custom circuit that used a microcontroller to convert signals from a newer, digital joystick to the analog format needed by the Operator Interface be considered legal as long as it was powered by the joystick port?

And now the answer is...

Yes, it is legal.

Wheew... we collected alot of cans to have the 6 circuit boards professionally made... and it drive SO much nicer than the old controllers. This comming from a guy who grew up on the old style Atari controllers.

[tyklink]

that would be great if that can be figured out. perhaps one of the new wireless ps3 controllers would be good.