Author Topic: BoxSoft Mouse Interface (Read 73062 times)

gflorez · « **Reply #150 on:** 2014.December.11. 00:23:12 »

Now I have the Arduino nano. At the end it is a Chinese clone... although the picture of the advert was of an original... but it has some quality. It comes with an USB lead to program it with a computer(Win,MAC or Linux, in my case with Win7)

The only difference appears to be the USB drivers. It doesn't work with the official ones given by the Arduino page, but I found the proper drivers(CH341SER.ZIP).

I installed the Arduino environment(Arduino IDE at the official page) on a directory named only Arduino, no mater the place. This is important so the libraries can be found.

Then extracted as instructed the PS2.zip library file inside arduino/libraries. I opened the file arduino/libraries/ps2/ps2.h and replaced "WProgram.h" with "Arduino.h"

I placed the Ino file provided by Nyyrikki on the MSX.org page on a place near the arduino directory. I modified that file only to show the Boxsoft enterprise pins on its DB9F connector.

I've finally been able to end the preparations, and clicked on Arduino.exe.

First of all I had to select on Tools menu the type of arduino board. I pick "Arduino Nano w/ATmega328".

On Serial port the app selected automatically com9:, the one the drivers choose.

On Programmer the app selected automatically "AVRISP mkII".

Then I opened the Sketch (Ino file) and then the app asked to open a folder and move the file. I agreed.

I selected the Archive/Load menu (or clicked the "white right arrow inside a blue circle" icon), some led blinking and all was done.

Ok not all done, now I have to carefully weld the Arduino pins to the PS/2 and DB9F connectors....

Very important if somebody follows this explanation: Never, never, never use the MSX pinout on a Boxsoft connector. They use different pins and you may potentially fire "some" your loved Enterprise.

BruceTanner · « **Reply #151 on:** 2014.December.11. 00:35:29 »

Quote from: gflorez on 2014.December.11. 00:23:12

Now I have the Arduino nano. At the end it is a Chinese clone...

Just in case you are not aware: there is an FTDI chip on board that does the ATMega serial to USB conversion, and FTDI have recently updated their driver software so that it does not work with clones, and furthermore this new driver is part of Windows update!

gflorez · « **Reply #152 on:** 2014.December.11. 08:02:03 »

Thanks. Is for that I put the Chinese drivers....

gflorez · « **Reply #153 on:** 2014.December.14. 23:50:57 »

This Arduino adapter worked on the Boxsoft interface at the first time!!

I welded the Arduino pins to the Boxsoft d-sub9 as this:

d2-----pin1---up
d3-----pin2---down
d4-----pin3---left
d5-----pin4---right
d6-----pin5---l-sw
d7-----pin9---r-sw
d8-----pin6---strobe
+5v---pin7---+5v
gnd---pin8---ground

And this for the PS/2

d10---pin1---data
d11---pin5---clock
+5v---pin4---+5v
gnd---pin3---ground

This is the same information contained in the MSXmouse.ino.
Again: don't mistake the Bosxoft pins with the MSX connector ones...

With this adapter the movement still is "square" and jumpy as it gives higher resolution, but at least I don't lose the pointer when I move fast the mouse.

As the script has some selection of the resolution(the wheel movement is used to do it) I think it can be easy to change a parameter or two to fit it to the Enterprise. The Neos Mouse moves very smooth so mi first goal will be to achieve the same.

Zozosoft · « **Reply #154 on:** 2014.December.15. 00:01:15 »

I think finally possible create a direct connection to the Enterprise, just need more software modifications.

gflorez · « **Reply #155 on:** 2014.December.15. 00:43:01 »

Yes, but no great modifications and only in the Arduino script. For us is more compatible to let the Boxsoft driver intact. Prodatron can read directly the mouse port the same he does on MSX computers with the same Arduino adapters. I think the resolution can be scalated easily by SymbOS if necessary.

Zozosoft · « **Reply #156 on:** 2014.December.15. 00:49:34 »

Quote from: gflorez on 2014.December.15. 00:43:01

Yes, but no great modifications and only in the Arduino script. For us is more compatible to let the Boxsoft driver intact.

Yes, it is looks as Boxsoft interface for the sw, but more simple hw.

Currently the direction and button bits are output. These needed to used as input, and the sw do the logical operations instead the 74LS32 ICs and diodes.

gflorez · « **Reply #157 on:** 2014.December.15. 01:08:20 »

Aha! I misundestod you. You say you want to discard the Boxoft fase and do it directly. Good idea... But still you need to output Strobe to trigger the lecture of data. Still another connector to the serial port.

Zozosoft · « **Reply #158 on:** 2014.December.15. 01:11:11 »

Quote from: gflorez on 2014.December.15. 01:08:20

But still you need to output Strobe to trigger the lecture of data. Still another connector to the serial port.

Yes, but lot of other components removed.

gflorez · « **Reply #159 on:** 2014.December.15. 01:17:14 »

And, have you choosed that "attiny" Russian project?

gflorez · « **Reply #160 on:** 2014.December.16. 00:38:02 »

One obvious question: in reality, what the Boxsoft interface does?

I think it only inverts the electrical values of the 0s and 1s on the EP joy1 connector (releases mean 0 and pulsations mean +5v).

On the rest of the computers of its age the voltages are the reverse. This is why on the EP the autofire doesn't work at all, does it?

Zozosoft · « **Reply #161 on:** 2014.December.16. 00:59:01 »

On other computers the 4 directions plus fire are input, which are connected to gnd when active.
On Enterprise these are output, and the common line the input.
The program select on the B5h port which direction needed to read, and the state of selected direction can be read on one bit of the B6h port.

In a simple wired joystick adapter the common line connected to joy GND. It is work for simple mechanical switchs. But when autofire or or other circuits use as power GND then not working.

In Boxsoft interface, the 9 pin joy connector use standard pinout, the GND are GND.
The 74LS32 are OR gates, make OR operation with the EP direction outputs and Joy outputs. For example the EP want to read Left the the Left output are 0. If the Joy Left also 0 then the result are 0. If any of them then the result are 1.
The diodes make a AND operation with the all directions, if any of them are 0 then send 0 to EP common input.

The extra thing on EP: not only one common line, it is have a 3! (Keyboard J,K,L)
Then totaly 5*3=15 directions/buttons can be readed in one Control socket, totaly 30 on the two socket. For example 6 standard (4 dir + fire) can be used...
The Boxsoft interface use the standard 5 bits, and another one for the second button.

gflorez · « **Reply #162 on:** 2014.December.16. 01:13:39 »

It is not a simple task of inverting the voltages then...( 0s by 1s and 1s by 0s in the Arduino script). I was only thinking aloud.....

gflorez · « **Reply #163 on:** 2014.December.20. 11:53:20 »

I`ve received a nice SD adapter and have managed to load from it both EGI and SymbOS. It`s funny to be able to move a mouse pointer over the EP screen now. It brings a sensation of it be complete at last...

I don`t know which of the GUIs I like more...

A darker mouse can match better the Enterprise...

szipucsu · « **Reply #164 on:** 2014.December.20. 12:25:05 »

Quote from: gflorez on 2014.December.20. 11:53:20

It`s funny to be able to move a mouse pointer over the EP screen now.

I also enjoyed this feeling in the Saturday Enterprise party.

Author Topic: BoxSoft Mouse Interface (Read 73062 times)

gflorez

Re: BoxSoft Mouse Interface

BruceTanner

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gflorez

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gflorez

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Zozosoft

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gflorez

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Zozosoft

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gflorez

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Zozosoft

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gflorez

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gflorez

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Zozosoft

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gflorez

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gflorez

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szipucsu

Re: BoxSoft Mouse Interface