Using the Propeller and/or Hydra for Pinball Machine control
jukingeo
Posts: 5
Hello all,
This is a question I posted back when the BS-2 came out and the answer was pretty much a 'no'. But now I am wondering with the faster capability and multi-processor functions of the Propeller chip, could it be used to control a pinball machine?
I am mostly interested in embedded control in regards to Haunted House (and yes, I am from the EFX-Tek forums) and now also creating games with Basic Stamp controllers.
I have been dabbling with the idea of recreating some of the redemption type games that you see in family fun centers (such as Chuck E. Cheese).
I am wondering if working with the Propeller would allow me to step up to the next level. A huge problem I have encountered with the Basic Stamp is that it can't multi-task. I believe Propeller can. Being able to do multiple tasks can take my game creation to the next level.
I have been reading this thread the past couple hours now, I am seriously considering purchasing the Hydra system. Knowing that this could be used to create a control center for a pinball machine WOULD nicely seal the deal.
Thanx,
Geo
This is a question I posted back when the BS-2 came out and the answer was pretty much a 'no'. But now I am wondering with the faster capability and multi-processor functions of the Propeller chip, could it be used to control a pinball machine?
I am mostly interested in embedded control in regards to Haunted House (and yes, I am from the EFX-Tek forums) and now also creating games with Basic Stamp controllers.
I have been dabbling with the idea of recreating some of the redemption type games that you see in family fun centers (such as Chuck E. Cheese).
I am wondering if working with the Propeller would allow me to step up to the next level. A huge problem I have encountered with the Basic Stamp is that it can't multi-task. I believe Propeller can. Being able to do multiple tasks can take my game creation to the next level.
I have been reading this thread the past couple hours now, I am seriously considering purchasing the Hydra system. Knowing that this could be used to create a control center for a pinball machine WOULD nicely seal the deal.
Thanx,
Geo
Comments
The propeller should be able to do it fast enough, although to be honest, it'll be cheaper, and give you more pins if you just buy a proto-board, if you're intention is to use it to control a pinball machine.
unless you want the Hydra for doing stuff with TV and/or VGA and joypads, as you'll only have access to about 8 to 10 pins through the expansion port, as the rest of the IO is taken up with the attached hardware.
Hope this helps,
Baggers.
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http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite
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I really do not have much programming experience outside of the Basic Stamp 1 & 2. I mostly am a product of EFX-TEK and their stellar service-after sale really got me going on learning to program in Basic.
The discussion of creating a Pinball machine based on multiple Basic Stamps has come up. But the main issue is that neither the BS1 nor BS2 is fast enough. The SX, now is, but it is still a single thread program running microcontroller.
The biggest thing with a pinball machine is that you do need to have the multi-tasking capability, and the propeller does offer this. However, I wasn't fully comfortable with switching to a new programming language as of yet. But I recently read an article in Nuts & Volts that PropBasic has been released and it allows you to program the Propeller in basic. Given this new news, now I am looking to investigate the use of the propeller for more advanced I/O options.
For one, many newer pinball machines use Dot Matrix displays for scoring another other animated effects. That would be something I might be interested in. Also for relay/solenoid drivers it is more feasible for me to use existing driver boards and have the Propeller interface with those for the outputs.
But it isn't just for pinball machines that I would be interested in using the Propeller. Other coin-op games come to mind as well, such as advanced redemption game projects and even full fledged video games.
Finally, I do like to put on Haunted House attractions and up to now I been using multiple Prop controllers (BS-2). Thus it has me wondering that with a Propeller IC that many advanced functions and props could be controlled from a single chip.
I have looked at the Propeller prototyping board system and I think that would be good for more permanent projects. But like any project, I like to breadboard it first before going to a hard soldered prototype.
However, I can't put the cart before the horse, and I do need to know more about how the Propeller works and how to program it using the new PropBasic language. So that is where I am right now.
Geo
You could use a proto-board, and solder in the pinhole do-dars, ( can't remember, cos it's been a long day and I'm ready for bed now lol, I'm sure someone will jump in with the correct technical term for them ) and you can then use jump wires to a white board for proto-typing whatever you want to do.
Hope this helps,
Baggers.
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http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite
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- Patrick
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benheck.com/03-16-2010/bill-paxton-pinball