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#1 0611.20 23:30:59
- jonk
- Forum Newbie
- Registered: 0611.20
- Posts: 2
display timer, auto turn off: is this possible?
I am a network admin. My client wants to put two 360 consoles with LCDs in his office. He wants to issue cards that would allow people to pay to play for a set period of time. Any ideas how to automatically pause a game in progress from a central (networked) location. Also is it possible to somewhow permanently display a countdown timer on the screen that could be reset centrally?
In other words, does the 360 platform have some kind of management port that allows you to control this kind of stuff.
Thanks is advance for any ideas.
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#2 0611.20 23:37:17
- LeifErikson
- Outlaws of The Modern Age
- From: Los Angeles, CA
- Registered: 0601.30
- Posts: 81
- Website
Re: display timer, auto turn off: is this possible?
I don't think its possible
Possibly by coding some kind of custom firmware and somehow installing it...
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#3 0611.21 00:46:36
- Powerslave
- Guest
Re: display timer, auto turn off: is this possible?
You would have to use a network plug-in to limit the time they are logged in. Or, If you are using a router, you can statically assign each Xbox and IP, then put IP filters on them for certain times. It will cut off their NETWORK, but not the actual play time. That would have to be something else, and is not possible with the Xbox360 as far as custom firmware.
The easiest way, but still hard, is going to be to customize a WIRELESS CONTROLLER, and have a timer built on/in the controller so that; after a certin amount of time, it will trigger and press the XBOX BUTTON to bring up the menu, or shut-down menu, depending on how long the alarm trigger holds that button high. . . Other than that, there is no way. I am, sure you can find diagrams for timer circuits with alarm triggers. You should be able to use certain capacitors to change the length the "alarm" sounds, enough to bring up the menu. Like, rather than sound an AUDIBLE alarm, you would hook those wires (voltage sensitive) to the button solder points, one TAP is enough to bring up the menu. That would be your master controller. There are ways, you need to be as creative as I, to get it done.
#4 0611.21 19:50:45
- jonk
- Forum Newbie
- Registered: 0611.20
- Posts: 2
Re: display timer, auto turn off: is this possible?
Thanks for both responses. I really like the idea of customizing the controller but it seems like a ton of effort. More than my client will pay 
Maybe I need somekind of x10 like device that can simple display a timer countdown on the screen then cut power to the LCD at the appropriate time. If anyone knows a good way of doing this, please share.
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#5 0611.21 21:21:32
- Powerslave
- Guest
Re: display timer, auto turn off: is this possible?
The X-10 devices will just react, not display. You can use the CM-117A serial device with home-brew timer software, I have it somewhere. It is like FUSE, but free. I used to use this with a el-cheapo lap-top to conrol lights and cameras in the house. I began getting too much failures, so I packed everyting up and boxed it. I have about 1000.00 worth of X-10 hardare, including eight color cams, few VCR commanders, and so on. Just never had the time to get it on Ebay.
X10 has a SPEAKER BOX, that can be programed with 99 verbal responeses to X10 commands. YOu can record the "Verbal" response to certain X10 on/off controls..
There is a device you can put in-line with the VIDEO signal, that is a timer. It is for KIDS, and works off tokens. They put tokens in, one for each 15 minutes of play. A warning comes up on the screen when their time is about out, for whicj you STOP or put another token in. The tokens remain in a lock-box for the parent to remove and redistribute. THAT will work for you, but is not REAL cheap either.