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JPemulator - An accessible Playstation®2 game interface for motor impairments |
Summary In this page a new device is presented allowing people with upper limb impairments to play with the Sony® Playstation®2 game console by means of user-specific switch sensors and according to user's potential. Up to 4 single switch sensor with 3.5 mm jack connector and a 5-switch multiple sensor provided with DB9 connector may be used to replace up to 9 switch functions/controls of the original Sony® Playstation®2 joypad. The presented device must simply be connected to the console and to the original joypad, and requires no external supply. Through a very friendly procedure, it is possibile to override factory default associations (anyway mostly satisfactory) between switch sensors and joypad functions; it is possibile to choose how many and which functions of the original joypad are controlled by means of specific switch sensors. No technical skill is allowed to use the device. The original joypad may be used by another player. Depending on user's capabilities, autonomous game, collaborative game (with a mate) and game against another player (with or without a mate) turns out to be possible. |
Copyright and Trademark noticePlaystation is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. SONY is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Corporation. All rights reserved. |
OverviewJPemulator is a controller (joypad) emulator for the very popular Sony® Playstation®2 videogame console. JPemulator is intended for people for whom it is difficult to use the traditional Playstation®2 controllers, allowing users access to one of the widest sets of high quality videogames. JPemulator has been intended to allow the user to play according to his/her abilities. By means of up to nine user-specific single and multiple switch sensors, the user may control up to nine of the original joypad functions. The number of functions of the original joypad and which ones should be controlled by means of switch sensors may be decided on the basis of the game and of user's potential. Through a very friendly procedure, it is possibile to map up to nine functions of the original joypad to the switch sensors, no matter which socket they are connected to. Factory default settings anyway already map the most common joypad functions to switch sensors, therefore the device may be generally used immediately. Depending on the game and on user's abilities, it is also possible to play in autonomy. The original joypad may be used along with JPemulator, allowing playing in collaboration with another player. Of course, it is possible for a user and possibly with his/her mate to play against another player. Due to this possibilities, two or more players may play in sinergy against the computer or another player. The possibilities provided by the device turn out to be a mean to maintain and promote social relations. Up to 4 single switch sensor with 3.5 mm jack connector and a 5-switch multiple sensor with DB9 connector may be used to replace up to 9 functions/controls of the original joypad. |
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How to connect and use JPemulatorJPemulator is provided with two standard Playstation® connectors, and must be connected on one side to the Playstation® console and on the other to the traditional Playstation®2 controller (joypad). Single and multiple switch sensors, in a custom number and configuration, must be simply connected to the device (through 3.5 mm jack and/or DB9 connectors). At that point, the console may be switched on, and since then some of the original joypad functions may be controlled also by switch sensors, according to factory default settings (e.g., single switch n.1 operating as the SQUARE joypad button) or to the last user-settings (e.g. the same switch operating as DOWN arrow). No connection to an external power supply is needed. |
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Game configurationsJPemulator allows playing according to the following different scenarios. Autonomous playing According to user's abilities, autonomous game may be possible. An example is shown in Figure 4, illustrating the situation of the user being able to activate by means of 4 switch sensors the same joypad functions of TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, CROSS and SQUARE pushbuttons. Playing in collaboration with a mate The user may control some of joypad functions by means of switch sensors; other functions may be controlled by a mate using the original joypad. If needed, as an example to avoid the game end in case of a user temporary problem, the mate may also help the user with controls devoted to him/her, as all joypad controls remain active. In the example shown in Figure 5, the user controls just one game function with the SQUARE button (as an example the kick function in a popular soccer game), while the mate controls other game functions and helps the user with the kick function in case he/she is temporary not able to activate his/her switch sensor. |
Figure 4 - Autonomous game; in the example, by means of 4 switch sensors belonging to a multiple switch it is possible to operate as pressing TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, CROSS AND SQUARE pushbuttons on the original joypad. | Figure 5 - Playing with a mate; in the example shown, the user controls just one switch sensor associated to the SQUARE pushbutton, while the mate controls other joypad functions and may help the user with the SQUARE pushbutton if needed. |
Playing in autonomy or with a mate against another player The user and a possible mate may play against another player, using the other Playstation®2 joypad. |
Figure 6 - Playing in autonomy or with a mate against another player. | |
Mapping joypad functions to switch sensorsThe procedure of mapping joypad functions to switch sensors is really friendly. Due to the many existing games and the many relevant controlling functions, it may be required to change the factory default mapping between joypad controls and switch sensors. When the user wants to override default or previously made associations, the needed steps are very simple; an example is shown in Figure 7. i) Press the “Program” button (PRG) on the device; the LED n. 1 begins blinking signalling the beginning of the programming procedure; ii) press the joypad pushbutton that should be associated to the desired switch sensor. After a valid press, the LED n.2 starts blinking; iii) press/activate the switch sensor. A brief blinking of all signalling LEDs flags the procedure completion. The above procedure may be carried out in just a few seconds for each external sensor. Factory default mapping may be restored at any time through a prolonged press of the “Factory default” button on the device. As an example, if in a soccer game the user wants to control the kick functions (SQUARE button), steps to be taken are simply i) connect a single sensor (no matter to which of the four sockets) or multiple sensor to the JPemulator, ii) press the PRG button on the device (the LED n. 1 starts blinking), iii) press the SQUARE button on the joypad (the LED n.1 stops blinking and the LED n.2 starts blinking); iv) activate the switch sensor (all LEDs blink for a while). That's all! Settings for a switch sensor connected to each particular socket are mantained until overridden by a new mapping procedure for that socket. The mapping procedure for a given switch sensor socket does not affect other sockets/sensors. Current settings are maintained when the system is switched off. |
Mapping procedure |
ContactsThe device is
CE certified and is available (not directly on this site, but through a
registered company). Mail: more information on JPemulator Thank you! |
Last rev. 130609 |