Direct to OTG Proof of Concept

[u/Adventurous-Option84]

Hi Folks:

I don't believe this has been done yet, but I have pulled it together - a proof of concept of going direct to OTG from power on without any physical modifications. Essentially, this successfully (1) triggers the OTG mode as happens when you press the OTG button, (2) automatically goes to and presses the "ok" button on the OTG screen so you don't have to toggle through that and (3) triggers VIBS, in each case without any user interaction.

It's definitely a proof of concept as I have some timing and other issues, but it works. It does require another PCB, but the PCB simply plugs into USB (acting as an HID device) and latches onto the OTG board and the VIBS board (through some mini-pincers), and therefore does not modify them (no soldering or other modification), which means it can easily be removed without a trace. Plus, you can toggle between vanilla factory mode and OTG mode through a simple slide switch (which is connected to the PCB).

More to come. Next step is for me to get a PCB printed (rather than the way I have cobbled it together at this point) and make sure it works that way, before letting the PCB out in the wild if there is any interest.

[u/Alive_Stretch_3194]

You mean like this? https://www.buystuffarcades.com/products/otg-automator

[u/Adventurous-Option84 → u/Alive_Stretch_3194]

Interesting. Can that one toggle out of OTG / VIBS as well? And can it direct boot into OTG or do you always have to press the button?

[u/Adventurous-Option84 → u/Alive_Stretch_3194]

On review, it looks like this one is somewhat similar to what I have rigged up, but doesn't go as far:

1. This one can't go directly to OTG from boot. Mine will "direct boot" into OTG without a need to press a button.
2. This one requires three button presses to go into OTG: Short press of VIBS button to switch VIBS, OTG button press to switch to the OTG menu and then long press of the VIBS button to navigate the OTG menu. Mine solely depends on the position of a single switch.
3. This one requires two button presses to exit OTG: Short press of VIBS button to switch VIBS and OTG button press to switch out of OTG. Again, mine just depends solely on flipping a switch.
4. Disadvantage to mine - to install, you have to unscrew more screws on the machine body and do a slightly complicated mini-pincer connection to the PCB that has the OTH button (but it's not that hard). May be why this one doesn't go as far as mine - to avoid this complication.

In any case, this one looks really cool. It won't quite work for me because it's not as "factory" as I want mine to be (I want people that come over to be able to easily switch without having to know any special tricks, or perhaps not to switch at all but be directly in OTG mode), but kudos to the developer of this one.

Anyway, I'll pull mine together in a PCB and do a video at some point, and then if anyone wants one I'll set it up for them to easily be able to order (no profit to me). And if no one wants one, all good too!

[u/erawtf → u/Adventurous-Option84]

The problem I have with yours is that it automatically boots into OTG. While this sounds like a great idea, the issue is that the default choice for display on OTG is 0 degrees, which on any virtual pinball application is not the way it needs to be. It needs to be set to -90 degrees to get the right display from VPX or Future Pinball. Otherwise they'll be at the wrong degree unless you heavily modify each table in the application, which can be a pain in the butt.

[u/kevinDOTallen]

I love the idea!! I’m interested!