10-03-2008, 04:25 AM
If you're not familiar, PI Engineering ("The no slogan company" ; ) has some excellent tools for real world-to-computer triggering that may be of help in your endeavour. In fact, it was through their X-Keys products (I'm using their Joystick, Shuttle and Button Panel controllers in a recording studio/production context, but predominately just as direct interfaces with existing software platforms) that I got into QM in the first place.
Though I'm not using their relays or contact closure stuff, the interfaces seem relatively simple and they have excellent support (like here!). Start here:
http://www.xkeys.com/custom.php
...but also have a look at the main page in case it takes you in a different direction.
Very good (and creativity-inspiring) stuff...
S
[edit] Here's their simple 12-switch to USB interface. Hope this isn't a problem posting this info, but I think it may be of value to many QM programmers who may want to trigger from real world events:
http://www.xkeys.com/xkeys/xkswi.php
Though I'm not using their relays or contact closure stuff, the interfaces seem relatively simple and they have excellent support (like here!). Start here:
http://www.xkeys.com/custom.php
...but also have a look at the main page in case it takes you in a different direction.
Very good (and creativity-inspiring) stuff...
S
[edit] Here's their simple 12-switch to USB interface. Hope this isn't a problem posting this info, but I think it may be of value to many QM programmers who may want to trigger from real world events:
http://www.xkeys.com/xkeys/xkswi.php
Quote:Any switch can trigger an action from your computer. Connect up to 12 switches to the X-keys USB Switch Interface and program each switch with a function. Any keyboard shortcut your software uses can have a designated switch (copy, paste, save, open, close). Switches are easily set up to launch applications, open files, or type short lines of text like names, addresses, and account numbers. Switches are connected via Assistive Technology standard 3mm (1/8”) phone plugs.