Shoutbox

Very nice description / solution!

And one biiig opportunity: no software changes, because you can use the actual used ones (Pin 3 & 4).


USB: thanks for reasearch... I've found some info too.
The idea of USB is easy installation and hot-plug of devices. Therefore there are no ports but the devices have an ID. So the driver does all the redirectment (using COM or LTP you had to define the port number).

BUT the USB Lamp has no ID.
So I must have functions to control the USB Hub and Sub-Hubs to find out where the lamp is plugged.
And that is nearly impossible for me.

Conclusion:
There are 2 easy ways to make an USB LED flashing:
[list=1]
[*] way Do that relais thingy. It's easy to make and you do not have to change wires at the USB LED.
[*] way Use an USB2COM Adapter. But that's a little bit expensive for sch an project... ~20€
[/list]

And the winner is......... RELAIS

Just a few additions... You do not need a fully configurated RS232 Cable...
If you have on unused - good, use this. But don't buy one if you don't have one.
Just connect pin 3 & 4 from the serial port with the Relais input (Relais should have power range from 1 to approx 15V, because the power raises if alot Amperes used...read so, don't know if it's true for all of you, because the power and available Amps are depending on the mainboard you have).
Everything should work just fine then. (Relais has to be fast enough of course).

Very nice idea huuf. I had the same but tried to make it by software... But that's rather impossible.

I did electronics, and I know what to look for, i'm think i'm getting all components on monday (or maybe tomorrow) and i'll see what I can do, i'll make photo's and i'll work it out and post my outcome here.

I didn't exspect that someone would take this idea and actually make it. Very nice!!! Can't await the sum of all this!


New function added:

If someone messages you, the name of that person is spoken. (Text To Speech SAPI 5.1)

Well, thank you for discussing my idea. So are there no ideas other than using that COM port idea along side USB?

What about if I mod my USB lamp so positive or negative is on one of the Data lines?

I don't know how to control the hub and sub-hubs to identify the USB-Port where the lamp is plugged in.
I've searched about 3 hours to find a solution but didn't find any.
If anyone has an explanation or even source code to make USB support please message me...

It should work -with a few additions- with you relais. If you can control 8 lines you even could make a 'walking light'... like knight rider or something...

ain't it possible to actually show the name of the one that contacts you?? or would that make it to complicated?

If someone xould give me the link or source how to implement an overlay function like the one that is used in fraps for example - it would be possible...

BTW, i am trying this right now, but with source code it would be alot easier for sure.

I found some source and starting to implement this right now... Hope it works... =)


EDIT:

I feel very sorry...but I have to say that I don't have a solution to the DirectX Overlay thingy... so no name can be displayed.
If anyone knows a solution please leave a message!

Excelent idea and work!

But, in my "gaming" partition, I don't have Messenger Plus! installed. Anyway, congratulations.

Greetings,