This awesome tail is controlled by a wii remote and nunchuk, as well as a built in RFID reader for programmed gestures of “Angry,” “Happy,” and “Sad.” Check it out, but do yourself a favor though and don’t read the comments. Nothing but drama there.

Furries: is there nothing they cannot do? Well okay, “shower” remains an elusive concept, but wearable technology seems to be in, as evidenced by this robotic mood tail. [Wei-Chieh Tseng]’s adorable Arduino-driven fashion accessory operates either via Wii Nunchuk or a set of RFID cards tagged with specific emotions to depict.

Details are scant. It appears to have been a project for a physical computing or design class. One thing’s for certain: Halloween is going to be awesome.

[via Engadget]

Today was the first day I did the Personal Trainer work out with the whole family at home. It turned into a bit of a team event, with dad and baby watching, dad holding baby so baby didn’t cry so much, and the other 2 children joining in, which you can imagine was hardly stressful at all! DS2 twanged the rubber band thing whilst I was doing bicep curls. I got a bit tangled in the nunchuk cable, but today did not include the inline skating, which is tough, so on the whole, day 2 of the programme not so bad. I did ache a bit yesterday tho.

What I’m listening to right now: baby crying thru the strains of Love and Peace or else – U2

Krauser, Manuela e uma nova tela do game. Clique e amplie!

Essa é mais uma da Capcom, a empresa liberou para a TGS 2009 um último trailer do game Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles, continuação do game de tiro para o Nintendo Wii. Em Darkside Chronicles é a vez de velhos conhecidos dos fãs da série Leon Kennedy e Claire Redfield retornarem a franquia. Mais uma vez os personagens irão confrontar seus demônios internos em uma nova e mais assustadora história que terá uma sequência de novos personagens. Alguns deles já foram liberados como Krauser, Manuela e o misterioso Javier.

O jogo é de tiro usando o controle Nunchuk do Wii com a opção de não dividir a tela quando se joga em dupla. Isso pra mim é um avanço, eu achava um saco jogar em dupla e dividir a tela. Ah, mas a 5 anos atrás a minha tv tinha só 16 polegadas!

Além disso, Claire e Leon vão revisitar diversos cenários de seus games anteriores usando a nova jogabilidade! Acho que essa é a parte saudosa pros fãs da saga cheia de zumbis.

Abaixo você confere o trailer do jogo.

Speaking at the Gamestop Manager’s Conference today, Nintendo of America President & COO, Reggie Fils-Aime announced details regarding Wii Fit Plus’s release date and pricing as well as confirming new colors of both the DSi and the Wii Remote. Details of that announcement are

Wii Fit Plus: This enhanced version of the top-selling game offers a range of new features, along with new exercises, yoga activities and balance games designed to keep workouts fun. For the first time, users can customize their workouts to target specific areas of their bodies or to fill specific intervals of time. Wii Fit Plus will replace the current Wii Fit™ configuration at retail, and will be bundled with the Wii Balance Board™ accessory at a suggested retail price of $99.99. For people who currently own Wii Fit and want to add the expanded options to their fitness regimen, the Wii Fit Plus disc will be available on its own at a suggested retail price of $19.99.

White and Pink Nintendo DSi colors: The two new colors give consumers even more options to personalize their experiences. All models of the Nintendo DSi hardware come with two cameras and interactive options to let users create and manipulate pictures or sound in fun and creative ways. All versions of Nintendo DSi are available at a suggested retail price of $169.99.

Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus Black bundle: The Black bundle is the first new color for the Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus.

Black Nunchuk: The Black Nunchuk will be available as a standalone purchase.

Along with those details he also announced that Wii Fit Plus will be available on October 4th of this year. The new DSi colors will be available for purchase on September 13th. There was no announcement on when the new Wii Remote and Nunchuk would be available other than this holiday season.

Source: Nintendo PR Email

James Francis Cameron é um cineasta canadense naturalizado estadunidense.Entre seus trabalhos temos  o antiquado “Titanic“ (1997) , mas nem tudo é trevas o cara também é a mente responsável por “O Exterminador do Futuro 2: O Jugamente Final”. O seu mais recente trabalho é o esperado Avatar, o filme que irá revolucionar o conceito de 3d. Agora quanto ao jogo Cameron particulamente parece está  muito feliz com o resultado e anda dizendo que a Ubisoft foi a empresa certa para trabalhar no game baseado em seu filme.

Concept Art! Baby...

A história de Avatar gira em torno de algo como a luta pela sobrevivência (Darwinistas vão adorar isso).Toda luta acontece em Pandora, habitata por seres chamados Navi (por favor, não confuda com a fada que acompanha Link em suas jornadas), e não vá pensando que é uma raça estúpida  que mal consegue se reproduzir, eles são seres humanóides e possuem um cultura prória(Hãããã não diga, sério mesmo?).E seguindo a enredo revelado até agora do filme, entra um tal de Jak, soldado paraplégico que ajudará os Navi em sua batalha pela sobrevivência. Lógico que todo esse lenga, lenga vamos ter aquele ideal romântico, então prepare-se a relação de algum humana com uma habitante de Pandora(como sempre os seres humanos estragam a vida de seres extraterrestres). E como todo game baseado em filme, espera-se que Avatar The Game siga essa mesma proposta, já que dificilmente alguma produtora terá o trabalho de adpatar a trama.Mas isso é o de menos, se  as impressões do filme até agora foram positivas, enquanto ao jogo só temos alguns trailers que e sreenshots que não dá para tirar grandes conclusões. Bom eu pelo menos não tive a oportunidade de jogar alguma versão beta.

Cenas de destruição e seres bizarros são sempre bonitos em alta definição

Quanto a ambientação, cenários e outros delatahes parece muito bonito e harmonioso , cenas de florestas  desde do primeiro Donkey Kong sempre me deixou impressionado. E quanto a jogabilidade tudo demosntra focar o campo de batalha, ou seja, James Cameron’s Avatar the Game não parece muito ser aquele tipo de jogo cheio de dungeons e puzzles para resolver. É possível perceber que o jogo parece focar  um tipo de guerra, seres bizzaros de pele azulada contra humanos, pelo visto poderá contralar veículos como rôbos, e montros gigantes tudo em lugar recheado de árvores, rios, cachoeiras e a maior biodiversidade possível no melhor estilo Far Cry-Animal Crossing e Cia. (Ok, foi a piada não teve graça)

No Wii também está tudo muito bonito...

O jogo que será muitaplataforma é de se esperar o básico de cada uma. No Wii como de praxe se ultilizará a combinção Wiimote + Nunchuk, no pc o bom e velho teclado e mouse, seria legal se na versão de Ps3 a desenvolvedora tivesse algo em mente para fazer uso do Sixaxis, e o mesmo serve para o console da Nintendo, já que há tempos não se vê um jogo que faz uso inteligente do controle da empresa de Mario. Bom enquanto o filme está previsto para 18 de dezembro 2009, o jogo provavelmente saia um pouco antes. Agora dizem que Avatar irá revolucionar o conceito de 3d no cinema, mas será que podemos esperar o mesmo do jogo? Bom, fica a dúvida.

Brent George é um dos responsáveis por Avatar the Game!

Ubisoft conta comBrent George, seu cargo atual na empresa é de diretor de arte, mas o cara já trabalhou também como designer de personagens, diretor de animação entre outras funções que preenche seu cúrriculo. E George não está só nessa. Patrick Naud, Game Desing, tem como cargo atual na empresa de Rayman de produtor executivo , e é essa a sua função em Avatar The Game. Tanto Patrick (ia contar a piadinha com o personagem do desenho BoB Sponja, mas sei que ninguém vai rir¬¬), como George tem a função de tornar o atual projeto da Ubi, o novo queridinho dos jogadores, afinal a responsábilidade é grande. E caso você ainda não tem uma TV com suporte a HDMI pode começar a desenbolçar grana para isso, pois o jogo exigirá o melhor da alta definição para apreciar tudo que o 3d pode oferecer. Mas os donos de Wii terá que se contentar em usar algo como aqueles óculos 3d, já que o console possui certas limitações técnicas.

Será que Patrick fará seu nome na indústria com Avatar The Game!?

O Jogo foi anunciado pela Ubisoft em 24 de julho de 2007, e está em desenvolvimente desde então pela Ubisoft Montreal, é um jogo de aventura com conceitos embasados na alta definição, terá seu lançamento para Playstation 3, Pc, Xbox 360 e Nintendo Wii e provalvelmente outras versões para PsP e Nintendo DS. O jogo ainda deve contar com alguns atores do filme, para fazer a dublagem de certos personagens e no elencon está personalidades como Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez (Trudy Chacon), entre outros. Avatar the Game, tem potencial para ser um bom jogo, mas sempre fica aquela dúvida de jogos baseados em filme, contudo o desenvolvimento do jogo é de longo prazo e todos nós queremos acreditar que o diretor de Titanic, não deixará qua algo ruim saia baseado em sua obra, pois de pesadelos já basta o filme estrelado pelo  casal vinte do cinema, Kate Winslet e Leonardo Di Caprio, e não me venha com aquele papo de não sei quantos oscars.

Confira algumas imagens do jogo:

Vem cá bixinho que tanto amo (L)

Senta a Pua!

Vamos deixar de imagens estáticas, confira agora o vídeo do jogo…ah sim em alta definição!

Caso você tenha ficado curioso, confira também o último vídeo do filme de James Cameron

NCS Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Back in high school, there was a girl in Spanish class named Cassandra who the other kids looked upon as a little strange. She wore black clothes, black leggings, and black lipstick. As if to accentuate her favorite color, she also applied generous portions of eye shadow which made her appear as if possessed by the spirit of the Great Raccoon. Contact with Cass was lost after high school but we’d like to think she’s visiting these pages and eyeing the new black Wii console and black accessories with desire in her heart. Repeat: Desire in her heart.

Nintendo’s new Nunchuk in black is the same internally as the original Nunchuk but it’s blessed with a shiny black shell. NCS recommends pairing a black Nunchuk with a black Remote for sweet color matching but if you want to be wild, connect the black ‘chuk to a white Remote to bewilder your little sister and confuse the local yokels.

©NCSX» Reservations are welcome for glossy black Wii controllers which are shipping on August 1, 2009 in Japan. They’ll probably also be released for the USA market sometime later this year but why wait when the Japanese versions are shipping in a scant 2 months? The Classic Controller Pro will also be sold by its lonesome and not part of the M.Hunter 3-tri bundle.

» Black Wii Remote (US$43.90 / JPY3,619 / Jan Code: 4902370517842)
» Black Nunchuk (US$25.90 / JPY1,715 / Jan Code: 4902370517859)
» Black Classic Pro (US$26.90 / JPY1,905 / Jan Code: 4902370517835)
» White Classic Pro (US$26.90 / JPY1,905 / Jan Code: 4902370517828)

Konsol game Nintendo Wii

Nintendo Wii dengan 2 set WiiMote dan Nunchuk

Kami menyediakan konsol game Nintendo Wii untuk disewa, lengkap dengan 2 pasang WiiMote dan Nunchuk, dapat dimainkan untuk 2 orang.

Disertakan 15 Game menarik yang akan membuat anak-anak aktif dan berfikir kreatif, diantaranya :

1. Wii Music (anak-anak belajar bermain musik dengan menirukan gerakan, mengikuti ketukan musik dll)
2. Wii Sport (bermain tenis, bowling, golf dll)
3. Cooking Mama (belajar membuat burger, kue dll, sangat kreatif!)
4. Guitar Hero I & II
5. Super Mario Galaxy
6. Mario Kart (game balap mobil yang sangat lucu)
7. Kungfu Panda (game action petualangan)
8. Imagine Party Babys
9. Spiderman – Web of Shadows
10. Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
11. Rapala Fishing Frenzy
12. Sonic and The Secret Rings
13. Mario Party 8
14. Need for Speed Undercover
15. The Legend of Zelda (Twilight Princess)

Rekomendasi Umur : 2,5 tahun keatas
Biaya Sewa :
Rp 200.000 / 2 minggu
Rp 350.000,- / 1 bulan

Family time with Nintendo Wii

I had some extra fund laying around so I decided to buy myself a new toy for my birthday.  Check out the photos below to see what it is

I know you’re jealous, but you don’t have to be, just ask and maybe I’ll let you come over and play it.  Also, if you have a Wii email me your Wii Number and I’ll and you and send you mine. and Wii On!!

From/De:  Nintendo of America

Punch-Out!!™

KEY INFORMATION
One of the biggest names in boxing returns after a 15-year hiatus. Grab a Wii Remote™ controller in one hand and a Nunchuk™ controller in the other and step back into the ring with a modern update of the classic Punch-Out!!

• Little Mac is back! Everyone’s favorite underdog from the 1980s joins the best of the original Punch-Out!! cast in a modern re-imagination of the series. Players will find familiar names like Glass Joe, King Hippo and trainer Doc Louis. These boxers come to life again in cel-shaded 3-D, complete with hilarious fighting animations and back stories that capture all the fun and flair of the original Punch-Out!! games.
• The motion-sensitive controls of the Wii console mean that when players throw punches, Little Mac throws punches as well. Additionally, you can control hooks and jabs by combining motion control with control-stick movement. The motion-sensing Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers turn real-life swings into on-screen punches, so anyone can play. The game can also be played with classic NES-style controls by turning the Wii Remote sideways.

Characters: Little Mac, Glass Joe, King Hippo, Doc Louis, Von Kaiser and other unannounced favorites.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Players can obtain special “Star Punches,” which allow Little Mac to take more Health from his rival in a single punch.

Control options:

• Motion Control (Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers)
  Punch-Out!! uses the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers to simulate throwing punches. Use the Nunchuk to throw a left punch and the Wii Remote to throw a right punch.
• Classic Control (Wii Remote NES™ style)
  Fans of the NES version and core gamers will be excited to see Nintendo has also included the option to play Punch-Out!! using the classic layout from the original NES controller. Use the 1 and 2 buttons along with the cross pad to throw hooks and jabs or to dodge.

so funny

I saw the little PC board that someone is selling on the Web, but I wanted to brushup on PC layout techniques and low-volume PC board manufacturing (aka diy PC boards).  I measured the size of the connector on NunChuk and used the pin-out information I found and designed my own board.  It is a two-sided board without plated-through holes (which causes yet other problems).  Since the individual boards are so small, I decided to do a strip containing 4 at a time and then cut them out for use later.

These work great.  Here are some pictures.  I beg your forgiveness on the sloppyness of the soldering as I had hole drilling problems and non plated holes.

I printed the image using a laser printer on photo-paper, a hot iron to transfer the image to the board, water to remove the paper, and etched using a 2-to-1 mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and Muriatic Acid.  The etching itself only took about 2-3 minutes – very fast.  I didn’t have the correct drill bits (this time around), so I kindof burned the holes with a wire (not the recommended way to do this).  Since I made these I have invested in the appropriate drill hardware.

for now..

There are several articles on the web about how to use a NunChuk with an Arduino.  There are also articles about how to get NunChuk data via communication to the WiiRemote.  But what I haven’t found is a sampling of the actual interchange between the NunChuk and WiiRemote during their initialization and use.  I developed this program to help me understand that communication traffic.

The communication between the NunChuk and Remote utilizes i2C at 400KHz.  I studied the atmega128 product specification and couldn’t determine how to use Arduino’s i2C hardware for sniffing and not as a master or slave device.  I decided to write my own i2C protocol parsing algorithm. 

i2C is a simple communication protocol.  There are only three wire connections needed: SCL, SDA and ground reference.  SDA is primarily data, but is used for signifying start and end of message.  SCL is the data clock.   The state relationship is shown in the following diagram.

There are six fundamental operations: 1) Idle, 2) Start condition, 3) Sample SDA, 4) Process Sampled SDA Bit, 5) Stop condition, and 6) Repeated Start condition.  Startup condition is in the idle state.  A byte of data occurs by accumulating the first 8 bits (from MSB 1st bit to LSB) of the sampled SDA.   A ninth bit is then processed as the byte acknowledge with a “0″ meaning acknowledged and “1″ a not acknowledge.  The next byte + ack is then processed unless there is either a “stop condition” or a “repeated start” condition.  A message is a collection of bytes that start with a “start condition” or “repeated start” and ending with a “stop condition” or “repeated start”.   The first byte of a message is the message address and message read/write information.

Because of the i2C data rate, the Arduino USB serial interface is not fast enough and has too much overhead to simultaneously transmit the data received.  Because of this, we have to store the bytes in Arduino memory, which isn’t very much (<<1024 bytes).  This also means that this memory will fill rather quickly.  This full condition is checked every time a new data byte has been accumulated.  When “full” is detected, the process shown above is aborted and the program outputs all of the accumulated messages that were received.

Now for some of the messages.   The following stream of messages occurs immediated upon powerup of both the NunChuk + Remote (with comments).  The syntax of each line is the message byte count (e.g “(2):” for two bytes) and each of the message bytes (in hex).   After each byte is either a “+” or “-” signifying acknowledge/not-acknowledge respectively.  The first byte of a message always contains the address of the device (bits 7:1) and bit 0 is either read (=1) or write (=0).  Bytes with 0xa4 or 0xa5 have been previously identified as NunChuk messages by others in their web sites.  I don’t know what is being addressed by all of the other addresses.  Keep in mind that several of the values in these messages are particular to my NunChuk and other NunChuks will likely have different values.  I’m assuming at this point that the sequence of messages won’t change with the values however.  It would be nice to get any confirmation to that assumption.

 .. looks like a non-NunChuk addressed device
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 02+
(8):A1+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+ 00+
(2):A0+ 00+
(8):A1+ 1E- F5+ 5A+ 46+ 09+ CE+ 80-
(8):A1+ 2C+ E5+ E2+ F5- A8- D2- 30+
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ 2E+ CC+ 1A+ 63- 29- 0F- A0+
(8):A1+ FE+ 15+ C2+ B4- 01+ 88+ 3D-
(2):A0+ 00-
(8):A1+ FE- 04- F8+ 54- 09- D3+ 04-
(2):A1+ 80-

.. something happening with NunChuk addresses
(3):A4+ F0+ 55+
(3):A4+ FB+ 00+
(2):A4+ FA+
(7):A5+ 00+ 00+ A4+ 20+ 00+ 00-
(3):A4+ F0+ AA+
(8):A4+ 40+ AC+ B9+ 8B+ 35+ 1F+ C8+
(8):A4+ 46+ 28+ BE+ B2+ 89+ 07+ 18+
(6):A4+ 4C+ 19+ FF+ 01+ C6+

… the following looks like the calibration data being read
… this is the parameters for my NunChuk
(2):A4+ 20+
(9):A5+ 3F+ 6B+ 0C+ 67+ BD+ D2+ 5F+ 72-
(9):A5+ 3F+ 6B+ 0C+ 67+ BD+ D2+ 5F+ 72-
(2):A4+ 30+
(9):A5+ 3F+ 6B+ 0C+ 67+ BD+ D2+ 5F+ 72-
(9):A5+ 3F+ 6B+ 0C+ 67+ BD+ D2+ 5F+ 72-

.. some more non-NunChuk data
(2):B0+ 60+
(8):B0+ 00+ 08+ 00+ 03- 20+ 40+ 2A-
(3):B0+ 0E+ 00-
(3):B0+ 34+ 8C+
(2):B0+ 66+
(2):B0+ 60+
(2):B0+ 60+
(8):B0+ 00+ 08+ 00+ 03- 20+ 40+ 2A-
(3):B0+ 0E+ 00- (3):B0+ 34+ 8C+
(2):B0+ 66+
(2):B0+ 60+
(1):B0+
(8):B1+ FE- FD- FB- F7- EF- DF- BF-
(2):B1+ FE-

… the following 5 messages are then repeated, which is the polling of the accelerations and buttons
… of course the NunChuk data varies with changes of position of the NunChuk device
    (2):A4+ 00+
    (7):A5+ B0+ EB+ B3+ 1F+ 00+ B7-

… non-NunChuk messages (part of the 5 repeating messages)
    (1):B0+
    (8):B1+ FE- FD- FB- F7- EF- DF- BF-
    (2):B1+ FE-

————————————————————————————————-

Here is the program.  The way the “loop” routine was written was to make it possible to process the i2C messages at 400KHz.  It does not follow normal structured programming rules – there are lots of “goto” statements instead of for/while/do structured techniques.   I found that normal structured C code executed too slowly and missed the SDA data.

i2c_sniffer2

I wanted to build an application that could sniff  i2C transactions.  In particular, I was interested in the actual data transactions between the Wii NunChuk and WiiRemote.  This particular data interchange utilizes 400KHz i2C protocol.  So, I thought this was a good opportunity to use arduino interrupts, especially the change on pin interrupts.  What I envisioned is a state-machine that would perform work on transitions of either SCL or SDA – or so I thought.

What I found out was the overhead in the simple version of attaching interrupts was too much to do anything useful at the 400KHz data rate.  I changed to edge-sensitive interrupts without any improvements.  I had to find out what was going on.

I started looking at the actual assembly code generated from the “attachInterrupt” arduino reference library.  Here’s what I found.

Here’s a simple code example:

#define LED_PIN 5  // digital pin #13 (portb)
#define LED_ON() PORTB |= _BV(LED_PIN)
#define LED_OFF() PORTB &= ~_BV(LED_PIN)

void myfunc() {
  LED_OFF();
}
void setup() {
   pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
  attachInterrupt(0, myfunc, RISING);
}

void loop() {
  LED_ON();
  delayMicroseconds(20);
}

I tied the LED output back to Digital pin #2 and this is running on a 16MHz Arduino.  Notice, all this program does is turn an LED on then the interrupt, which responds to the rising of the LED voltage, turns off the LED.  Here is a picture of the LED “on” strobe:

As can be seen, the width of the LED “on” is 3.435usec, which is considerable longer than the 600ns that SCL of the i2C protocol is high!  So, this won’t work to respond to SCL changes.  This is about 55 clock cycles @ 16MHz!  What is going on?  Also, what about the 20usec delay in the loop?

Notice that the total period for the LED is 26.60usec.  That means the off time for the LED is 23.165usec, which is 3.165usec longer than the delay statement request.   Let’s now look at what happens under the hood.  To do that we have to look at the assembled instructions that came from the program’s compile.

The following is what is generated for the interrupt handler for INT0.  Using the atmegas168 datasheet and information about instructions we can count the number of instruction cycles.  There are 45 cycles before there is a call to the “myfunc” and there are 35 cycles after return of “myfunc” and return from the interrupt handler.  There is also 3 cycles in the pin synchronizer and another 3 cycles for a JMP instruction (which is in the interrupt vector table).  So, we have a total of 51 cycles before we start to execute “myfunc”.

Now the “myfunc” has some amount of delay before it sets the LED off.   As can be seen, the overhead for a “cbi” instruction  is about 1 cycle.  We’ve accounted for 52 cycles, there are another in 2 cycles in the ”sbi”  instruction in the “loop” that actually turns the LED on, and also this blocks interrupts until after the instruction completes.  Now we’ve accounted for 54 cycles.  The other cycle is likely due to the fact that we are setting the LED synchronously with the same clock as the interrupt sampling; this will add another cycle for synchronization.  There we are, all 55 cycles accounted for!

So, the simple to use “attachInterrupt” has a too much of a significant overhead for the application that I would like to do.  I’ll have to find another solution. 

I made changes to the program.  I got rid of the generic “attachInterrupt” and manually enabled the interrupt.  I also used the “ISR” construct to declare the interrupt handler.  To compile this I had to unfortunately modify Arduino’s “WInterrupts.c” source (located in the \hardware\cores\arduino folder) – I commented out the SIGNAL operations for INT0_vect as this conflicts with the use of “ISR” statement in my application.

#define LED_PIN 5  // digital pin #13 (portb)
#define LED_ON() PORTB |= _BV(LED_PIN)
#define LED_OFF() PORTB &= ~_BV(LED_PIN)

ISR(INT0_vect) {
  LED_OFF();
}
void setup() {
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
  // enable INT0 interrupt on change
  EICRA = 0×03;  // INT0 – rising edge on SCL
  EIMSK = 0×01;  // enable only int0
}

void loop() {
  LED_ON();
  delayMicroseconds(20);
}

The changes to the actual waveform on LED were remarkable:

The overhead of 1.118usec is now only about 18 clock cycles.  Unfortunately, this is still too much for me to use interrupts to process i2C message.  In addition, it may now be obvious that the background interrupts to keep the delay clock alive are also adding cycles everytime that supporting interrupt occurs.  This extra delay occuring at random places in your application could be significant and cause the occasional strange behavior.

This is a good example of using the instruction and cycle counting methodology to better understand how to improve critical timing in an application.

cheers!

Das war mein erster Gedanke, als das so genannte Mini Nunchuk von Logic3 angekündigt wurde:

Das sieht doch wirklich wahnsinnig putzig aus! Die perfekte Übertragung des Kindchenschemas auf ein Stück Plastik.
Heute habe ich zu dem Winzling auch einen ersten Test entdeckt, der gar nicht mal so schlecht ausfällt: Die Tasten sind gut zu drücken und der Controlstick ist auf die doppelte Größe des Originals mutiert, insgesamt ist das Ding aber größer als Nintendos Nunchuk. Hier mal bitte nachlesen, es gibt sogar welche zu gewinnen! Wäre ja wirklich ein Grund, sich bei Nintendo-Online anzumelden. Zumal ich eh schon lange mal ein zweites Nunchuk kaufen wollte. Nur kostet das Mini ähnlich viel, wie das Original, insofern ist der Kauf also zu überdenken… Mit Drittherstellerzubehör ist das so wie so immer so eine Sache.

Übrigens gibt’s das Mini Nunchuk auch in verschiedenen – zugegeben nicht allzu hübschen – Farben:

Das schwarze und das weiße gehen ja noch, aber der Rest sieht ziemlich billig aus.
Wenn die Dinger billiger wären, würde ich mir eins holen…

I bought a Nyko wireless nunchuk a while back. Right about the time they were settling that lawsuit with Nintendo. You know, the lawsuit where Nintendo was complaining because the Nyko wireless controller looked waaaay too much like the original, wired version and forced them to change it to a hideous shadow of its former glory. I got mine on the cheap from Amazon, who presumably was attempting to clear out their remaining stock of the old, now hilariously contraband style of nunchuk.

I enjoyed using the nunchuk for a while, but there were obvious issues. Some games when booted up acted as though I was constantly holding the nunchuk down and to the left. This happened most often in Mario Kart Wii. I would have to unhook the nunchuk and re-establish its link to the Wii remote in order to get it to work again. After several frustrating attempts at this, I just went back to the old wired nunchuk.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, where I suddenly got the inexplicable urge to use this craptacular hunk of plastic again. I threw in some fresh batteries and plugged in the controller for some No More Heroes action. The Nyko nunchuk lit to a solid blue, and refused to connect. It wouldn’t do anything. In fact, I couldn’t even turn the thing off. I had to remove the batteries.

I gave up and sent an email to Nyko customer support explaining my experience. I got a very friendly email back within the day telling me to send the controller to their address and include my own address and they would send a replacement.

Of course, I got the hideous Kama monstrosity in return for all my troubles, but at least it’s a working hideous monstrosity. It was an unexpectedly quick turnaround. I could chalk it up to Nyko likely being very eager to get as many of the old style nunchuk controllers off the streets, but I’ll be the bigger man and thank Nyko for simply providing excellent customer service.

So, kudos to Nyko for being a company that doesn’t suck like all the rest. Thanks for the new functional controller.

And no, before you ask, I’m not interested in the Wand.

Die Wii ist eine hervorragende Konsole. Nicht nur wegen ihrer außergewöhnlichen Steuerung, sondern auch weil für sie so viele herrlich sinnvolle und sinnlose Gadgets erscheinen. Zum Beispiel der Logic3 FunChuk. Ein Nunchuk in etwas anderer Form und in sechs verschiedenen, teilweise frischen Farben. Nämlich: rot, orange, gelb und grün sowie schwarz und weiß. Na ja, die letzte Farbe hätte man sich sparen können. Langweilig.

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