FAQ: Can I use any button box / response device with my Host PC?

[Sam]

The typical method for response collection would be to collect responses via the stimulus presentation software on the Display PC.  The devices used for this implementation would be defined by the Display Software you're using.  However, the EyeLink Host PCs also supports a range of different button boxes  / response devices that can be directly connected to the EyeLink Host PC to generate BUTTON events in the data. These devices typically plug into a USB port on the Host PC but can also be configured via Parallel Port.  Which devices are supported on the EyeLink Host PC will be dependent on the model of Host PC and the version of the host software you're running on it. The table below summarizes the devices supported by the different system models.

Image	Make/Model	EyeLink II	EyeLink 1000	EyeLink 1000 Plus	EyeLink Portable Duo	Notes
	Microsoft Sidewinder (pictured version Only)	X	X*			Plugged into motherboard USB ports only *Only works with specific Host Models
	Microsoft Xbox360 (wired)			X
	Logitech F310			X	X
	LabHackers Millikey			X (v5.50 and above)	X (v6.50 and above)	This button box is typically used via the Display PC as a standard keyboard device with all EyeLink systems
	Parallel-Port Based Button Box	X	X	X	X	Must be configured as discussed below

To configure the parallel port on the EyeLink Host PC so that it can accept input from a parallel port based response device. The parallel port input can be configured to identify up to 8 buttons using the create_button parameter based on the TTL values sent by the device:

Code:

## create_button <number> <port> <bitmask> <invert?>
            ;; Defines a button to a bit in a hardware port.
            ;;          <button>: button number, 1 to 8
            ;;          <ioport>: address of hardware port
            ;;          <bitmask>: 8-bit mask ANDed with port to test button line
            ;;          <inverted>: 1 if active-low, 0 if active-high
create_button 1 0x379 0x20 1

The Vpixx button box and SR Research Gamepad both attach to the parallel port of the Host PC.

You can of course also use Display side response devices / button boxes that provide millisecond accurate response timing, and which will communicate directly with the stimulus presentation software running on your Display PC.