Gaming Controller Redesign

Update –5/1/08
Team: E-days is finished, the Nintendo DS and Game Cube Designs are both finished. The DS design has had it's buttons weakened to make them much easier to push.

Update –4/12/08
Team: Nintendo DS redesign is functional. It has been tested, and all functions have been maintained in the redesign.

Update –3/12/08
Team: Low profile design is complete, still a little high for some people. Second idea, that of wiring the paper-thin board from on controller to Nintendo DS is being tested. The wiring works - it pushes the buttons. The initial DS redesign is successful.

Update – 2/27/08
Team: Second prototype completed – this one is lower profile with replaceable grip.

Update – 2/9/08
Team: First prototype completed – can now control a Game Cube successfully.

Update – 1/30/08
Team: Completed our first prototype controller and LED test board.

Update – Christmas Break
Luke: Created functional prototype of our redesigned controller.
Joe: Researched and planned out a program to be implemented into a microcontroller to test our prototype controllers.
Jay: Created PC boards with LED arrays to test the prototype controllers.

Update 12/6/07
Luke: Wrote current designs portion of our written report. Helped finalize the report and the oral presentation.
Joe: Worked on writing the reasons for our project portion of the written report. Helped finalize the report and the oral presentation.
Jay: Wrote the current technologies portion of the written report. Helped finalize the report and the oral presentation.

Update 11/28/07
Luke: Worked on building a demo for the oral presentation, and writing the future plans portion of the written report.
Joe: Worked on writing the reasons for our project portion of the written report.
Jay: Researched current technologies and began writing about them for our written report.

Update 11/7/07

Luke: Built an initial testing board for testing switches and button assistance technology. Talked to Assistive Technology department at CSU.

Jay: Researched Gamecube schematics. Talked to Assistive Technology department at CSU.

Joe: Talked to Foothills Gateway and Respite Care facilities.

Updated 10/20/07

We have decided to redesign a Game cube controller, and test the idea of three designs: a high end design (expensive, such as a mind driven device), a mid range design (using touch screens), and a low end design (using simple switches). We are creating rough designs, obtaining materials to work with, and researching how the controllers work now. We are also contacting local facilities that work with the handicapped to set up testing opportunities for ideas and prototypes.