Light gun output to MATLAB

I was wondering whether anyone had used a computer/video games light gun as an input to MATLAB? Perhaps during a Psychtoolbox-made experiment (though not necessarily)? All I want to do is have MATLAB continually check the gun (would this be the same as checking the mouse? KbCheck?) and then record the precise computer clock's time that the trigger was pulled.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Suggestions for guns that work for this? Code? Alternatives?

Thanks!

Answer 1

[Omega]

Hi Robin,

I understand that you would like to know if exists a way to use a light gun as an input to MATLAB.

Using a light gun as an input to MATLAB would depend on whether the light gun can be recognized as a standard input device by your operating system (like a mouse or a joystick). If it can, then you should be able to use it with MATLAB.

As for “Psychtoolbox”, it has functions to get input from a mouse and a joystick. If your light gun can emulate a mouse, you can use the “GetMouse” function or else if your light gun can emulate a joystick, you can use the “Gamepad” function in “Psychtoolbox” to get the position and button state of the light gun.

To learn more, you can refer to the following documentation links:

• GetMouse: http://psychtoolbox.org/docs/GetMouse
• Gamepad: http://psychtoolbox.org/docs/Gamepad