Ak chcete po slovensky kliknite sem
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.
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)
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.
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).
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.
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).
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).
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
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.
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