Have you ever thought about creating your very own input device that fits all your special needs that doesn’t cost a lot of money just because it is for physically challenged people? Have you ever dismissed the idea because you don’t have to resources to make it happen?
Did you ever curse the fact that a mouse wheel is one of those devices you would never be able to use because of your handicap? Have you ever wished for a USB connector for your brain?
I have. Almost daily.
After a while I stumbled across a piece of hardware, a HID controller interface (encoder) that changed everything. The Arcaze-USB.
The u-hid, the I-PAC, and the Mini-PAC-Opti have the same purpose. These are USB driven devices that allow to connect sensors, buttons, switches, potentiometers, incremental position encoders and other fancy stuff like trackballs/spinners and even analog sticks. The devices come with configuration software that offer tons of features like definition of which key is to be pressed by activating a pushbutton. Often it is possible to create macros and to define their execution speed, as well. You can define the input range of potentiometers and what happens at certain positions, and so on. Some even offer the possibility to distinguish between pushing and releasing a button. Need a joystick? Add it. Need an analog one? Add what you need. If you don’t know where to find what you need I suggest a visit at your local store for electronic parts.
There exist a bunch of vendors and different solutions and each offers different features. The more features they combine in one device, the more it costs. I have seen prices between 30 and several hundred dollars but I think for our needs it is not necessary to spend more than 40-80 bucks for the HID-Device. Pushbuttons and other of the aforementioned switches must be purchased separately, for example from a shop that deals with electronic components. It makes sense to compare prices and please remember to make sure that the device you want to buy supports the options you need.
No soldering required
For some parts it is not necessary to solder anything because it is possible to add a harness that utilizes push-on connectors and many vendors, for example companies who sell hardware for arcade machines offer pushbuttons with the same push-on connectors.
For me, Sanwa OBSN buttons proved to be the most suitable. These are very smooth-running, but do not produce a click or a tactile triggering moment, which some users may find annoying. Installation in a box or a homemade perforated board or similar is very easy as this button has an integrated mounting nut.
„With the help of a friend.“
Take control of your computer, the way you need it and don’t let overpriced solutions for the handicapped hinder you from playing games. If you have a good friend or relative who doesn’t have two left hands, you are set. There is no need for fancy design. A shoebox might be enough to stick some pushbuttons into. How about plywood? It can easily be sawed, drilling holes in it is no problem either. Create crazy constructions with a hot glue gun or use boxes of plastic, sheet metal, whatever. You can put the switches anywhere. If all metal parts that stick out of the pushbutton are properly insulated (insulating tape) you could hold the pushbutton directly in your hands. You can put it in front of your nose or elbow, under your toes, left or right of your head (for example by use of a microphone stand). Whatever fits your needs is right.
Be creative and build a science-fiction dream not in the future but now.
Interesting Internet addresses:
- USA:
http://www.ultimarc.com
(pushbuttons, joysticks, trackballs, etc. as well as the I-PAC, Mini-PAC-Opti and other controller interfaces) - Germany (production of the Arcaze has been discontinued):
http://wiki.simple-solutions.de/de/products/Arcaze/Arcaze-USB
(allows about 50 different inputs, this company also sells pushbuttons) - Germany:
http://www.arcadeshop.de
(Pushbuttons, joysticks, trackballs, controller interfaces, etc.) - Netherlands:
https://www.arcadewinkel.nl/de/aktionstaster - Greece (Website is in German language):
https://www.arcadomaniashop.com/ - Spanien (Website is multi-language):
https://www.arcadexpress.com
