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Remote control of computer under DOS - DOSGir  

  Purpose of this paper is to give familiarisation to people about smart device of type "great idea" (tested by satisfied users). Device and program are for remote controll of DOS programs by common infrared remote contol. It is useful for building simple MP3 devices/players.

Introduction:

Program "DOSGir" for computer infrared remote control (DOS version)
last version: DOSGir version 0.13
Copyright: Ing. Igor Cesko (c) 2001-2002
for updates see: http://www.cesko.host.sk - section Hardware
for service e-mail: cesko@internet.sk
Updates:
v0.01 - base version - shareware (cca summer 2001)
v0.02 - added silent receiving option (no beep)
v0.03 - freeware!!! (but if you want help me in future development ... ;-) )
v0.04 - on processors above Pentium timing independent from system timer (486 and less processors uses system timer timing) - good solution for application which reprogramming system timer (MP3 players, games)
v0.05 - improvements for using with programs with small stack (now DOSGir has its own stack)
v0.06 - added support for 286 processors
v0.07 - option for uninstalling resident from memory, checking of multiple resident install, recovery of text mode after program finish
v0.08 - fixed bug for COMIRQ>7, support for timing independent from system timer in 486 and less processors (RTC timing), timing source option in INI file
v0.09 - possibility of easier editing of *.cmd and *.lst files : is not necessary to use tabulator - you may use spaces
v0.10,v0.11 - development versions
v0.12 - possibility to locate command files in separated subdirectory, added support to execute action with constant delay between key pressing, removed bug during uninstalling program from memory, less memory usage during resident operation, added short description of action into list file "DOSGir.lst" (easiest identification of given command file)
v0.13 - possibility of using COM port from another program (for programmers)

 


WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?

  Program is intended for use for controlling your DOS program by infrared remote control . Remote control used for controlling may be any infrared remote control for consumer electronics devices (e.g. TV, VCR, CD-players, Sound systems ...).
  Main application of this program is for embedded devices based on MP3 players . For example embedded computer with CD drive and flash disk with MSDOS operating system and DOS software-MP3 player. After boot from flash disk (or diskette) is running MP3 player (in autoexec.bat) which play MP3 files on CD on sound card.
  Main disadvantage of this equipment is request of keyboard for controling MP3 software (volume, next song, pause, ...). Therefore you can use "DOSGir" for simulation of keyboard pressing by normal infrared remote control. This solution removes keyboard (and any buttons) from MP3 equipment and will be more comfortable.
  Next good application is industrial computers based on DOS software . For example industrial computers need to be remotely controlled (dangerous enviroment) or good covered (waterproof keyboard).
  Program "DOSGir" may be used for any other DOS programs too.

 


HOW IT WORKS?

  Program "DOSGir" receives signals from remote control by device connected to the serial port, decodes received code and simulate keyboard pressing according to learned action.
Receiver is very small: 

 
  Device for receiving signal is very simple and its construction is written on www.cesko.host.sk/girderplugin.htm .
  Program "DOSGir" is based on Windows plugin "IgorPlug.dll". It has same decoding core as its Windows brother. Decoded code is therefore the same from both of this programs ("IgorPlug.dll" for Windows and "DOSGir" for DOS).

 


REQUIREMENTS

  Operating system: Tested with MSDOS 6.22 (and MSDOS 7.0/8.0 - Windows95/98) and FreeDOS (http://freedos.org). Designed for operation with MSDOS 4.0 and higher. Program also works under MS Windows95/98 in DOS box (DOS window must be run on foreground for good performance).
  Processor: PC-AT and higher (tested from 80286 to PentiumIII 800MHz).
  Disk space: 50kB + action files space (cca 100 Bytes for one action file).
  Memory: cca 64kB memory space for TSR operation.

 


INSTALATION

  Downloaded packed file "DOSGir.zip" unpack to your disk (anywhere you want). There will be created directory "DOSGir" with files "DOSGir.exe" (program) "DOSGir.key" (scancode file), "DOSGIR.ini" (configuration file), "DOSGir.lst" (list file) and "Readme.txt" (this file).

 


HOW TO USE PROGRAM?

  Before first program use is good to configure program . Run program with "-c" switch and program ask you for some information - COM port properties, (where is connected receiver) and start and stop learning keys (for starting and stopping learning process). There will be created ini file ("DOSGir.ini") with program settings. You can edit it manually too. If you set COMNumber to zero, then program uses value from COMADDR as port address. Otherwise it uses value for port address assigned by BIOS. Be sure that information in this ini file is correct - otherwise program will not be operating or will crash.
  After configuring you can run program (as resident) with "-r" switch. Program is now running and is ready for learning and executing action.
  For correct operation must be firstly required action learned . For learning is necessary use keyboard. Start learning by pressing starting learning key (default Ctrl-Shift-Gray+). From this time program captures your keyboard pressing and delays between this pressing - you are performing requested action in our program ("DOSGir" is running as resident in memory). To stop capture you press stopping learning key (default Ctrl-Shift-Gray-).In the next 5 seconds (sound signal) you press desired button on your remote control (sound signal immediately stop). Learned action will be saved in command file ("*.cmd") and updates list file ("DOSGir.lst"). Action was learned. If you want change delays (or keys), you can edit appropriate command file. You can edit it manually too (if you can). Name of command file is generated randomly as number between 0-65535 with extension "cmd" (e.g. "12856.cmd", "568.cmd"). If you want find some file with some action you must view into list file "DOSGir.lst" - on end of each line (behind semicolon) is short action description (learned actions requires restart).
  Next you can send action . to your program by pussing learned button on your remote control. After pushing you will see that learned action will be executed (keyboard pressing). If you have enabled receiving sound, program generate short beeps (at start of execution, for every simulated key and at end of execution).
  If you want replace action of learned button by another action you can simply learn this button - action will be replaced.
  If you want remove learned action simply remove adequate command file ("*.cmd"). This is necesarry use this file removal in cases of bad learned codes (unused files on disk).
  All command files will be created in "Command directory" (see section about switches below).


Use switches:
      -? ... for help
      -c ... to configure
      -r ... let resident
      -u ... remove resident

If you want to use in actions constant delay for all keys use as second switch: delay=<value>. Where <value> defines delay in 55ms steps.
If you want to load/store command files on separate directory ("Command directory") then you can use it as last parameter - name of this subdirectory in "DOSGir.exe" directory.
Examples:
1)    DOSGir.exe  -r
        - loads DOSGir as rezident
        - delays are defined in "*.cmd" files
        - "*.cmd" files in "<DOSGirPath>\" directory
2)    DOSGir.exe  -c
        - configure DOSGir
3)    DOSGir.exe  -r   delay=1   COMMANDS
        - loads DOSGir as rezident
        - constant delays for all keys with 1 tick (55ms)
        - "*.cmd" files in "<DOSGirPath>\COMMANDS\" directory
4)    DOSGir.exe  -r   delay=10
        - loads DOSGir as rezident
        - constant delays for all keys with 10 ticks (550ms)
        - "*.cmd" files in "<DOSGirPath>\" directory
For last information see: http://www.cesko.host.sk/girderplugin.htm

Usage:

Configure program("-c" switch):
1) COM port number (BIOS assignment)
2) COM port address (lower priority than port number)
3) COM port IRQ
4) COM port input pin
5) Key for strart learning
6) Key for stop learning
7) Timing source
8) Enable receiving sound
9) Service mode (manually)
10)program creates settings file "DOSGir.ini"
Run program ("-r" switch):
1) use "DOSGir.exe -r" to let program as resident
Learning - capturing keys:
1) start learning : push starting key for learning (default Ctrl-Shift-Gray+)
2) now push required keys (action)
3) stop learning : push stopping key for learning (default Ctrl-Shift-Gray-)
4) during sound signal push required button on Remote Control
5) program creates "*.cmd" file with learned keys
6) program updates "DOSGir.lst" file
7) test learned action by pushing button on Remote Control
Executing command:
1) push learned button on your Remote Control
2) program executes keyboard action (exactly as you type, with delays too)
3) if you want modify delays or keys edit appropriate "*.cmd" file
Clearing commands:
1) delete appropriate "*.cmd" files
Remove program from memory ("-u" switch):
1) use "DOSGir.exe -u" to remove resident program from memory
More information about operation:
see Readme.txt file

 



COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL USING OF PROGRAM

  Program "DOSGir" is freeware for home use. It is fully functional, but if you use it for commercial using you must buy it.
For commercial using of "DOSGir" software is price only 5$ on one computer.
Contact vendor if you have interest (or if you want give me this small fee for the next development):

            Ing. Igor Cesko
           cesko@internet.sk
                                    Thanks

 


DOWNLOAD OF PROGRAM DOSGir

  Last version of program is here: DOSGir. Packed by WinZip (cca 25kB). (but I'm making decision for its commercial use). In case of download problems please e-mail to me and I will send this file by e-mail.
  Program is freeware, but if you like this program - you can send to me some small financial payment (if you want... Amount of payment is your choice). use internet payment: to donate and sponsoring next development - use here as recipient my e-mail: cesko@internet.sk . Thanks.

MP3 players for DOS

  Links for downloads DOS MP3 players :
[1] MPXPLAY : http://mpxplay.cjb.net , http://mpxplay.tripod.com , http://www.geocities.com/mpxplay
[2] other :
                Cubic Player - http://www.cubic.org/player/
                DosAMP - http://www.nullsoft.com/amp/
                DMAPlay - http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~ctsay/mp2win32.html
                MPG123 - http://www.sci.fi/~tobo/mpg123/
[3] more information: http://mp3.musichall.cz/cgi-bin/toUTF8/prehravace-text.html#dos


author: Ing. Igor Cesko:
            e-mail: cesko@internet.sk
            homepage: www.cesko.host.sk