Multimesh V2

[Art]

Multimesh V2

Hi Guys,
Well this one was supposed to be an XMB screensaver controlled by a plugin.
I got it all working, but the problem is the screensaver was always activated
after a certain time, even if the music/video player, USB, or Web browser was working.

I haven't found a way to detect if the XMB is really idle, so I've just released it as an eye candy eboot demo.


Actual app is a lot smoother of course!

This will be the last one unless I can sort out the screensaver plugin side of it.
Cheers, Art.

[Vonsta]

hey that looks sweet..

regarding your "XMB idle" remark.. is it possible to have it hooked to the "KeyLock" function so that its activated/deactivated by the Hold Switch.. i usually activate hold when moving files and listening to music blah blah.. just in case my elbows bump it etc.. just a thought..

i also came across a file called "SaveMe v2.0" by "maxthebest".. the readme states that it used to be called "screensaver" also.. i thought you could have a look to see if theres anything in that which may perhaps help you.. for example these lines are from the files "changelog"

QUOTE:
-If hold is down, the prx won't launch (usefull on USB connexions)
-Nothing is displayed anymore (as the screen is off, it would be useless)
-----

i have the file on my PC if you cant find it.. though im sure its here somewhere..

EDIT: i forgot to mention that the source isnt included with the file, but maybe you can talk maxthebest into sharing it.

[Art]

I'd rather not do a screensaver unless it can work properly
(ie. comes on after a certain amount of time with no keys pressed,
only if the vid/music player, etc, is inactive).

Here's another little proggy along the same lines.
It's called Benham's Top Illusion.

I first saw it on the Curiosity Show as a kid :)
It allows you to see colour on a black & white spinning disc.
It even worked if you watched it on a black & white TV!
Art.

[maxthebest]

uh, forget about my screensaver...
It was just a small stuff I made when I didn't know anything about proraming, and it doesn't know whether you re watching a movie or not.

Nice apps Art by the way!

[Vonsta]

oh ok.. i downloaded it awhile ago and chucked it on my PSP and it ran fine, so it went in my "working homebrew" folder.. i think a screensaver would be good to have, so i thought id suggest it anyway. hope you dont mind. if that was done when you "didnt know anything about programming" then i must know LESS than nothing :)

i might chance it by throwing in another suggestion.. how about the backlight-timer function.. it can be changed in the Power settings in the XMB.. and that function doesnt apply when you are playing a movie etc (the screen stays on) but when leaving the PSP idle/paused etc, the screen "sleeps" after a set time. could that "sleep" function be used to "activate" the screensaver instead of switching off the screen?

and i apologise if im suggesting things that are already considered, or pointless, or obviously silly.. but i dont know any better...

[maxthebest]

hum, the backlight timer function seems interesting...
There probably is something to do with it!

[califrag]

Art, Not sure if you found it yet, but there is all sorts of stuff in psppower.h about power ticks and yadda yadda you probably need to set up a power callback or hook them somehow to determine whether the power ticks are sending an idle status or not.

...
/*indicates the unit is suspending, seems to occur due to inactivity*/
#define PSP_POWER_CB_SUSPENDING		0x00010000
...
/**
 * Power Callback Function Definition
 *
 * @param unknown - unknown function, appears to cycle between 1,2 and 3
 * @param powerInfo - combination of PSP_POWER_CB_ flags
 */
typedef void (*powerCallback_t)(int unknown, int powerInfo);

/**
 * Register Power Callback Function
 *
 * @param slot - slot of the callback in the list
 * @param cbid - callback id from calling sceKernelCreateCallback
 */
int scePowerRegisterCallback(int slot, SceUID cbid);
...
/**
 * Generate a power tick, preventing unit from 
 * powering off and turning off display.
 *
 * @param unknown - pass 0
 */
int scePowerTick(int unknown);
...
/**
 * Get Idle timer
 *
 */
int scePowerGetIdleTimer(void);

/**
 * Enable Idle timer
 *
 * @param unknown - pass 0
 */
int scePowerIdleTimerEnable(int unknown);

/**
 * Disable Idle timer
 *
 * @param unknown - pass 0
 */
int scePowerIdleTimerDisable(int unknown);
...

I'm sure those functions have something to do with it :)

I'm thinking you would register a callback, then if the callback triggers with the POWER_CB_SUSPENDING flag due to inactivity, then you activate the code to run the screensaver.

[Mr305]

Multimesh V2

Hi Guys,
Well this one was supposed to be an XMB screensaver controlled by a plugin.
I got it all working, but the problem is the screensaver was always activated
after a certain time, even if the music/video player, USB, or Web browser was working.

I haven't found a way to detect if the XMB is really idle, so I've just released it as an eye candy eboot demo.


Actual app is a lot smoother of course!

This will be the last one unless I can sort out the screensaver plugin side of it.
Cheers, Art.

In XMB as a user mode plugin?

[Flamingwolf]

Maybe hooking all keypresses and having a timer count up constantly, once it passes X time it turns it on, whilst still counting up. Whenever you press a key, it resets to 0. Would that work?

[Vonsta]

hahaa califrag.. mate im... bleurghh... you lost me at "yadda yadda"... but i hope that means that a true screensaver is theoretically possible..

wow i dont belong here but i understand what Flamingwolf is talking about.. in theory that is

[Art]

Maybe hooking all keypresses and having a timer count up constantly, once it passes X time it turns it on, whilst still counting up. Whenever you press a key, it resets to 0. Would that work?

I've already done that, and it works, but when you're watching a movie or listening to music,
you're not pressing keys

@alifrag, I'll have a play and see what I can come up with.

[soopergooman]

in Multimesh do you think you could have a moving gear that stumbles around the inside? with AI and everything? It looks great btw.

[Art]

Not sure what you mean, but I'm guessing not.

@ califrag again... I don't see why the PSP wouldn't just go ahead and suspend...
I mean once a suspend is actioned, I don't think launching an eboot would stop it.

[califrag]

launching an eboot wouldn't stop it, but you should be able to cancel the suspend action and prevent it from suspending by using a power callback.

let me see what I can dig up...

edit:

ok so your power callback codes should look something like this:

// Exit callback
int exit_callback(int arg1, int arg2, void *common) {
    sceKernelExitGame();
    return 0;
}
 
// Power callback
int power_callback(int unknown, int pwrflags) {
    int cbid;
    if (pwrflags & POWER_CB_POWER || pwrflags & POWER_CB_SUSPEND || pwrflags & POWER_CB_EXT) {
        // PSP is entering into power cycle - user power off or idle suspend.
        // Do Stuff! Send Power Tick or something
        scePowerTick(0);
    }
    // Re-register power callback so it executes again the next time a power event occurs.
    cbid = sceKernelCreateCallback("Power Callback", (void *) power_callback, NULL); 
    scePowerRegisterCallback(0, cbid);
    return 0;
}
 
// Callback thread
int CallbackThread(SceSize args, void *argp) {
    int cbid;
    cbid = sceKernelCreateCallback("Exit Callback", (void *) exit_callback, NULL);
    sceKernelRegisterExitCallback(cbid);
    cbid = sceKernelCreateCallback("Power Callback", (void *) power_callback, NULL); 
    scePowerRegisterCallback(0, cbid); 
    sceKernelSleepThreadCB();
    return 0;
}
 
// Sets up the callback thread and returns its thread id
int SetupCallbacks(void) {
    int cb_thid = 0;
    cb_thid = sceKernelCreateThread("update_thread", CallbackThread, 0x11, 0xFA0, 0, 0);
    if(cb_thid >= 0) sceKernelStartThread(cb_thid, 0, 0);
    return cb_thid;
}

tbh i'm not sure exactly how it all works or anything, but it looks like it might put you on the right track to get where you need. This came out of Super Pong by 'LBG Productions' and then adapted for my laser pong game, then further modified for above power tick request or whatever.

[spike021]

Well, couldn't you just easily detect button presses? And if nothing is detected within a set time, i.e. 10 minutes, it would turn on?

I haven't looked through the SDK in awhile, so I can't remember any particular functions for you to check.

[Art]

Yes I have already included that code, and tried to launch the eboot here

if (pwrflags & POWER_CB_SUSPEND) {
..... Launch eboot
}

Code all compiles, MS lED flashed like it might be loading the eboot, but the suspend still happens like I thought.
There is a function to cancel suspend, but only if it is initiated by the power switch
which doesn't help if we want to cancel the software initiated suspend.

Well, couldn't you just easily detect button presses?

err...Read the rest of the thread?

[califrag]

Yes I have already included that code, and tried to launch the eboot here


Code all compiles, MS lED flashed like it might be loading the eboot, but the suspend still happens like I thought.
There is a function to cancel suspend, but only if it is initiated by the power switch
which doesn't help if we want to cancel the software initiated suspend.

Well there has to be a way otherwise the PSP wouldn't have the ability to turn off the auto-suspend feature. It's just a matter of figuring it out. What happens if the power callback returns 1 instead of 0?

Or can you 'set' the PSP power flags and trick it into thinking it doesn't want to suspend?

IE if (pwrflags & POWER_CB_SUSPEND) pwrflags -= POWER_CB_SUSPEND;

[Art]

IE if (pwrflags & POWER_CB_SUSPEND) pwrflags -= POWER_CB_SUSPEND;

Trying that one now.. gotta wait 5 mins for suspend everytme I try something initiated like that.

I also thought I was smart trying scekernelfindmodulebyname for video_main, etc,
but it seems to return true all the time.

EDIT... hmm same. I think it is already suspending as that flag is set."PSP_POWER_CB_SUSPEND ING"

Do you know a way to find the number of active threads?

[califrag]

Hey yea i will need to dig it up...

BY the way!~!!!!!

while digging around i found this...

void exit_thread(SceSize args, void *argp) {
	scePowerIdleTimerDisable(0); scePowerLock(0);

	/* Wait until termination flag. */
	while (running) {
		scePowerTick(0);
		if (scePowerIsRequest()) running = 0;
		sceKernelDelayThread(1000);
	}
	scePowerIdleTimerEnable(0); 
	//scePowerCancelRequest(); this will stop the PSP from entering standby/suspend when the power switch is triggered.
	scePowerUnlock(0);
	sceKernelExitDeleteThread(0);
}

maybe give it a shot? i think it disables the idle timer, thus disabling the auto-suspend...


edit:

also here is a code I use to watch the threads in the XMB... This came from my warPSP program the XMB plugin side. It monitors the threads started in the XMB, because if they try to initiate a wifi connection while the xmb plugin is scanning it will crash.

/* Watch the system threads and handle problems. */
void watchThreads() {
	int i, usb = 0, exit = 0, kill_thread = 0, thid_count;
	SceUID thids[50]; SceKernelThreadInfo thinfo;
	sceKernelGetThreadmanIdList(SCE_KERNEL_TMID_Thread, thids, 50, &thid_count);
	for(i = 0; i < thid_count; i++) {
		memset(&thinfo, 0, sizeof(SceKernelThreadInfo));
		thinfo.size = sizeof(SceKernelThreadInfo);
		sceKernelReferThreadStatus(thids[i], &thinfo);
		// "ScePafJob" means something bad is about to happen roffle. ;D
		if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceKernelLoadExec")) { exit = 1; }
		if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceHtmlViewer")) { kill_thread = 1; }
		if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceNetApctl")) { exit = 1; }
		if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceUsbstor")) { usb = 1; }
		if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceUsbstorMsMed")) { usb = 1; }
		if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceUsbstorMsCmd")) { usb = 1; }
		if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceVshSysconfThread")) { usb = 1; }

		if (usb && logging) {
			sceKernelSuspendThread(thids[i]);
			closeLogFile(); resumelog = 1;
			sceKernelDelayThread(100000);
			sceKernelResumeThread(thids[i]);
		/*} else if (browser && loaded) {
			sceKernelSuspendThread(thids[i]);
			rescan = 0; resumescan = 1;
			if (scanning) { while (scanning) { sceKernelDelayThread(1000); } }
			unloadNetworkModules(); sceKernelDelayThread(1000000);
			sceKernelResumeThread(thids[i]);*/
		} else if (kill_thread) {
			sceKernelTerminateDeleteThread(thids[i]);
		} else if (exit) {
			unknownExit();
		}
	}
	if (!usb && !logging && resumelog) { sceKernelDelayThread(100000); openLogFile(); resumelog = 0; }
}

basically it just scans the threads looking for particular names 'scehtmlviewer' 'scenetapctl' etc, then will act appropriately. IE, it will stop logging and scanning before allowing the thread to continue.

[Art]

Looking at the threads is probably a good way to do it.

How did you find out the names of those to begin with?
I would need to know two for audio and video players.

edit... oh you could list them with that function.

[califrag]

yup, i just made the 'thid' list global, then displayed it using printf or whatever... then it was a matter of trial and error, launching it then random things in the xmb, listing the stuff i knew crashed it and figuring out why.

edit:

i just remembered why i have both the scehtmlviewer, scenetapctl, and the sceusb ones.

when launching the internet browser scehtmlviewer and scenetapctl crashed the wifi scan.

when the usb was launched\activated, if the program was still trying to 'write' to the log file, it would corrupt the memory stick.

[Art]

This way definitely works well :)
Just tried with the web browser.

I guess I'll have to incorporate some VSHblit code to print the names to screen
since it really has to be done in the XMB.

if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceKernelLoadExec")) { exit = 1; }
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceHtmlViewer")) { kill_thread = 1; }
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceNetApctl")) { exit = 1; }
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceUsbstor")) { usb = 1; }
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceUsbstorMsMed")) { usb = 1; }
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceUsbstorMsCmd")) { usb = 1; }
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceVshSysconfThread" )) { usb = 1; }

why so many seemingly duplicate things I wonder...

And what were you doing with htese two?
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceKernelLoadExec")) { exit = 1; }
if (!strcmp(&thinfo.name[0], "SceVshSysconfThread" )) { usb = 1; }

[califrag]

yea that's exactly what I used was vshblit

i don't remember exactly what those two were for, but i think the scevshsysconfthread popped up when the usb was activated and the other one may have been when the web browser was opened but not sure.

you can try removing them, then see if they pop up and if they crash your plugin or not.

[Art]

ok, thanx for all the help & suggestions :)
I'll see what I can come up with.

[califrag]

no problem, glad to help cause i've really wanted PSP screensavers since i first had my PSP :)