Current Designs Response System Tips & Tricks

Purpose

This page serves as the central repository for instructional resources for the Current Designs Response System.

Configuration Display

Each time you need to use the button box response devices, you need to configure the response controller.  This is the silver box that interfaces with the response-recording (usually) laptop computer via a USB cable.

The display on that controller reports the current configuration.

Computer Interface Type: This is USB for all of the IRC’s applications.

Button Box Type: This is the type of button box for which the controller is currently configured.
                                      “Legacy handheld” = 4 button boxes, “Legacy joystick” = joystick, “HHSC 2x2”
                                      = 2 button boxes.

Mode Code: This is a code for the exact configuration.  You can ignore it.

Trigger Type: This describes how a scanner trigger is recorded.  If no trigger is recoded, either “NO 5”
                             or “NO T” is displayed.  If nothing is displayed, then a trigger will be recoded as a 5 or T,
                             depending on the Text Type selected.

Text Type: This describes what characters are sent to the computer when a button is pushed. 
                       1-9 = numerical representations, BYRGT = alphabetical representations.

General Use Instructions

1. Plug in desired button box/joystick (it is CRUCIAL that this step is done FIRST).

2. Depress the knob on the face of the controller.  It will ask if you want to change modes.  Turn the knob clockwise to underline “YES,” and depress the knob again.
   
   
   

3. The controller will then ask how you want to configure.  Use the knob to scroll the bullet point next to “AUTOCONFIG”.  Then, depress the knob. 
   
   
    

4. Next, you will be asked what type of interface you are using.  Scroll to “USB,” and depress the knob.
   
   
    

5. You will then be asked what Text Type you want for the output.  There are several possibilities, explained in the following table.  Select the option you want.
   
   
    

6. That’s all.  You should be ready to go.

Common Errors

If the button boxes are not working for any reason, start by looking at the LCD screen on the controller.

If "USB" is flashing, this indicates that the usb cable from the button boxes is not plugged in, or it is not being read by your device. Start by unplugging the USB cable from your laptop or device and plug it in again. If USB is still flashing on the LCD screen, unplug the cable from your laptop and plug it into a different USB port. If USB is still flashing on the LCD screen, unplug the USB cable, reboot your laptop or device, and plug it back in. If USB is still flashing on the LCD screen after all this, contact support.

If USB is not flashing, but you are pressing buttons on the button boxes and your laptop or device does not register them, first confirm that the button box is plugged in to the fiber optic line in the magnet room. Once you have confirmed that, have your partner press buttons on the box while you look at the LCD screen on the controller. Directly to the left of the LCD screen is a 5x2 array of green LED lights. These lights should flash each time your partner presses a button on the box. If no lights are flashing, unplug the button box from the fiber optic line in the magnet room, and plug it back in. If the LED lights still do not light up, contact support. If the LED lights are lighting up, then the button box is misconfigured. Follow the instructions in the "General Use instructions" above to reconfigure the button box. This should correct the problem. If issues persist, contact support.