I am trying to write a control program for my Underwater Robot. I
plan to use several USB Joysticks to input direction, speed, and robotic arm
control commands. I was planning on writing the control software running on the
laptop in C, with a simple loop to poll the joysticks, convert the values to
motor commands, then send the commands to the microcontroller on the robot in a
ascii string for the microcontroller to convert the motor commands into PWM
signals and switch controls.
My problem is that I have no idea how to
read the values of the joystick X, Y, and Z and buttons in C code. I have a test
program that graphically shows the joystick position and button states, so I
know it can be done. But without a sample of the interface routine, or
directions on how to use an API that someone else has provided, I am kind of
stuck. I would gladly work either in GCC on my Ubuntu system or M$ Visual Studio
C, anything that will allow me to talk to the USB devices.
Does anyone
have a link to code that I can work from? Or suggestions on where to read
instructions on how to do this?
Mike