Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest

mediamogul

The system determines an input device based on how that device's firmware identifies itself. Otherwise it tends to be relegated to an event. I believe you can do one of two things here with a udev rule. You can either specify that the IPAC must be identified as an event or specify what js order it be put into. In trying to solve a few of my own problems, I came upon quite a few pages regarding both, so it shouldn't be that hard to find.

Edit: On second thought, if you specify it be seen as an event, I don't think the the whole of RetroPie would properly identify and map it, so you might just want to concern yourself with the js order.

Riverstorm

@mediamogul said in Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest:

I came upon quite a few pages regarding both, so it shouldn't be that hard to find.

You're killing me Media! ;) On one side of the coin I do think there are several folks on this forum that are more than capable in their technical abilities of doing it themselves and maybe have little use of the forums and on the other side you have folks that need a little more help. I was asking for help on understanding the issue first. One step at a time for me and maybe successive questions and answers can build into potential solution. :)

mediamogul

@Riverstorm

Sorry I wasn't able to help. I hope you find what you need to understand the issue.

caver01

Apparently, there is firmware from Andy at Ultimarc that can be used with the newer IPACs that make them self-identify as a keyboard, not a joystick controller. I run an older IPAC4 which has never been a problem (always a keyboard). That might be a way to solve this for you once and for all.

mediamogul

For what it's worth, my IPAC registers itself as a keyboard as well. This new ability to identify as a joystick must have been added to improve compatibility in certain systems. It's unfortunate that it is working against you here.

Riverstorm

@caver01 said in Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest:

Apparently, there is firmware from Andy at Ultimarc that can be used with the newer IPACs that make them self-identify as a keyboard, not a joystick controller. I run an older IPAC4 which has never been a problem (always a keyboard). That might be a way to solve this for you once and for all.

That's wonderful, thanks so much Caver. That would be so much better than unplugging the IPAC each time! :)

@mediamogul

Sorry I wasn't able to help. I hope you find what you need to understand the issue.

Media I don't quite understand you're thought process. It seems like you're dangling this carrot in front of us telling us how knowledgeable you are with all this but you're not providing any useful feedback or exact steps to help. It seems like forums should be about exchanging ideas and information helping others.

mediamogul

@Riverstorm

I agree, it should be about the exchange of ideas. That was all that I ever intended in my previous response to you. However, all exchanges are met in the middle. As an initial exchange, pointing someone in the right direction seems acceptable. If they continue to have problems, then a more detailed response might be warranted. In my experience this approach is best or else people will expect you to do all their homework for them without ever doing the research themselves.

In this case, I feel that I could sense your frustration and that it might be headed in my direction. I honestly wanted nothing more that to give whatever insight I might possess, seeing as how I am actively learning how to solve many of these same problems myself. No carrot was ever intended or implied and once you put some distance behind the aggravation of your situation, I hope that you see that.

Again, I am sorry I was of little help and I truly wish you well.

caver01

@Riverstorm said in Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest:

That's wonderful, thanks so much Caver. That would be so much better than unplugging the IPAC each time! :)

I think it's important to recognize that we are lucky he built alternate firmware. From Andy's perspective, his long history of solving controller needs for people using a keyboard interface eventually met the opposite request--folks interested in using an IPAC as a joystick. It's really just two different use cases, and everyone has a different situation.

mediamogul

It truly is the de facto standard and mine hasn't given me a day of trouble operating as keyboard input. It's great to see that he is considering all use cases when he could continue to sell a truck-ton just resting on his laurels.

Riverstorm

@caver01 said in Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest:

I think it's important to recognize that we are lucky he built alternate firmware. From Andy's perspective, his long history of solving controller needs for people using a keyboard interface eventually met the opposite request--folks interested in using an IPAC as a joystick. It's really just two different use cases, and everyone has a different situation.

I agree. Andy is a great guy. I've exchanged emails with him a few times after ordering products and he personally took the time answer each one to get things up and running. He even created a very useful file with the IPAC dimensions needed to use a 3D printer to create a bracket (I can't think of the file type, like a AutoCAD type file). I agree I do feel blessed that someone like Andy provides the products and services he does for a hobby like this.

@mediamogul
I know this is futile as I should know better. I am not sure how you sensed my frustration in writing knowing nothing about me. I do appreciate the sentiment of the world should work perfectly in a 50-50 scenario meeting in the middle. When you're child has been up all night with RSV and you're completely frazzled but you know you have to be to work in a few hours. Telling the wife I already gave my 50% I'm going to sleep just doesn't work well.

Frustration is having a wife (at times--can't live with; can't live without them ;), mortgage, home maintenance, improvements, kids, careers, health insurance, cancer, college tuition, and the list goes on. My oldest daughter will turn 25 this year. Wow time flies.

It's a good thing the devs don't ask 50% of you. It's all relative. There's always someone higher up the chain. People try to give back in different ways and sometimes they give nothing at all which is fine. I always figured gifts should be given without expectation of something in return. Period. That is the very definition. Money may make the world go around but sometimes kind acts and generosity are at the heart. I know I received great help from Buzz, Fin, Herb, Caver, Dank, Twitch and the list goes on but if they had the mentality of I only share at 50%. Well...well all I can say is I wouldn't have gotten very far with RetroPie.

Sorry but long story short my thought being working with the RetroPie is not frustration. Trying to tweak RetroPie that way I would like it to work is actually something I quite enjoy and really wouldn't be labeled a frustration at all. I do appreciate your feedback and perspective.

I will digress as we have drifted off topic and I wouldn't wish to put more time and energy into something that feels pretty futile and so off topic.

mediamogul

@Riverstorm said in [Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest](/topic/826/ultimarc-ipac-2-detected-as-joystick->

I wouldn't wish to put more time and energy into something that feels pretty futile and so off topic.

I wish the same and bear no ill will toward you. I hope everything works out for you and that we can move forward amicably in the shared space here.

caver01

So, is the final answer here to re-flash the firmware--via WinIPAC utility or some other method, assuming alternate firmware is available from Andy?

This gives me another thought--adding the WinIPAC as an emulated "game". I will open a new topic on this subject.

mediamogul

I too would be interested to hear how you ultimately solve this issue. I plan on building a pub-top machine and would much rather use keyboard input from the newer IPAC rather than joystick.

Riverstorm

@caver01 said in Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest:

So, is the final answer here to re-flash the firmware--via WinIPAC utility or some other method, assuming alternate firmware is available from Andy?

Yeah I am pretty sure I have the stock firmware on the board and I see they have several firmware revisions/updates on the site. I ordered it immediately when it was released because it had that nice feature of just plugging in an Ultimarc spinner out of the box vs. the Pre-2015's.

caver01

@Riverstorm My IPAC 4 is definitely pre-2015. Mine has a PS2 interface and came with a USB adapter cable, so it's fully USB supported, but old-school if needed! No spinner options for me, which isn't a big deal since my spinners have their own shared interface board.

Riverstorm

@caver01 said in Ultimarc IPAC 2 detected as joystick with jstest:

Mine has a PS2 interface and came with a USB adapter cable, so it's fully USB supported, but old-school if needed!

Ok I am using the the newer one with the mini USB interface. I think I would prefer the PS/2 for that old school compatibility.

rbaker

@Riverstorm did you ever manage to get your ipac configured? I see the Ipac not configured message every time a rom starts but it works because I plugged a keyboard in and configured it once before plugging in the ipac.