> http://www.bizfonts.com/datamatrix/faq.html#Formats
>
> Here are common formats for matrix codes...
> Perhaps the dots do not in them-selves represent a direct
> binary data, but a charter which can represent bits or bytes ..

One thing I noticed is that within each dot code block (see blue area in
picture below) the data, when read from top to bottom, left to right, has no
more than 2 consecutive black dots. Maybe that is worth investigating.

http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/dotcode02.png

Green  = marker
Yellow = alignment dots
Red    = "1" + address (14 dots) + error correction? (10 dots) + "0"
Blue   = data

Tim

> Me either... I compared the printout of mine to another dot
> code though, and see it's a little bit smaller... I wonder
> if maybe it's not 360dpi (As I suspect), and maybe some
> obscure resolution?

I had to print it at 344dpi on my HP DeskJet 3650 (brand new) to get the
correct size.

Tim

http://www.bizfonts.com/datamatrix/faq.html#Formats

Here are common formats for matrix codes...
Perhaps the dots do not in them-selves represent a direct binary data, but a
charter which can represent bits or bytes ..

Me either... I compared the printout of mine to another dot code though, and
see it's a little bit smaller... I wonder if maybe it's not 360dpi (As I
suspect), and maybe soem obscure resolution?
-Stephen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Damien Good" <d_good@...>
To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 3:05 AM
Subject: Re: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection


> Still no luck in getting a successful printout.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stephen Stair" <sgstair@...>
> To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 2:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection
>
>
> > that image is dot-accurate :) you can easily do image processing on it
to
> > attain the correct size.
> > -Stephen
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Damien Good" <d_good@...>
> > To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 12:04 PM
> > Subject: Re: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection
> >
> >
> > > Pretty much.   The dots should have some white space between them.
> Also,
> > > can you provide me that same image, but in 1200 DPI, length = 7.3cm,
> width
> > =
> > > 0.3cm?  My printer is capable of 1200 dpi.  The lengths/widths need to
> be
> > > 7.3/0.3cm, because that is what the real dot code length/widths are.
> The
> > > difference in not detecting, and getting read error resides from that
> fact
> > > alone.
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Tim Schuerewegen" <Tim.Schuerewegen@...>
> > > To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 3:53 PM
> > > Subject: RE: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection
> > >
> > >
> > > > > Maybe you could write something to output a higher quality error
> > > > > free dot code image, that might actually print and work.  Scanning
> > > > > introduces errors that most likely affects the ability to print
> > > > > the dot codes, so that they work.
> > > >
> > > > An error free dot code image? You mean something like
> > > > http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/slp100.bmp :)
> > > >
> > > > Btw, I printed it on a label using my Seiko SLP-100 thermal label
> > printer
> > > > (203 DPI) but, as suspected, the e-Reader did not recognise/see it.
> Will
> > > try
> > > > on my Epson 460 Inkjet printer once I have refilled the ink (messy
job
> > > with
> > > > a needle & stuff). At times like these I wish I had bought the Dymo
> > label
> > > > printer (300 DPI) instead.

On Wednesday 08 October 2003 22:11, Ben wrote:
>   Now, back to the GBA part...  I'm sure many of you know that quite a
>   few Nintendo Gamecube games link up to the GBA and can send programs
>   to it...  I was wondering, how hard would it be to make my own C++
>   code to send to the gamecube through the PSO security hole and make
>   my own code THEN link up to the GBA and send a program to it?  Would
>   it be simple or hard?  I think it might be fun.
>
>   So, here's a recap of what I'm talkin bout...
>
>   *On my computer write a C++ program to send to the Gamecube and then
>   force it to run using the broadband adapter for the Gamecube and the
>   security hole in PSO.
>
>   *Hook up my GBA to the Gamecube using the Gamecube Advance Cable.
>
>   *Initiate my program on the Gamecube which contains instructions to
>   send ANOTHER program to the GBA's volatile memory...
>
>   I would love to see something like this done.  Making my own game and
>   forcing the cube to send it to my GBA.  The sending the code to the
>   cube isn't a program, that this group has down.  The hard part would
>   be WRITING the C++ program which would send the program I want to run
>   on the GBA to the GBA itself...  Anyone think this might be a worthy
>   cause?  Maybe someone could make a tool to turn existing Gameboy
>   Source Code into code to send to the cube so people can play your
>   game who don't own flash memory cards, etc...

looking at how the entire scene is working on getting rid of PSO in the first
place (because its a tiresome process to use it for programming) that all
doesnt sound too exiting :=P i'd suggest waiting until someone comes up
with a method to run code on the gc without all the PSO crap, and then think
about linking up a GBA :)

gpz

Still no luck in getting a successful printout.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Stair" <sgstair@...>
To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 2:30 PM
Subject: Re: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection


> that image is dot-accurate :) you can easily do image processing on it to
> attain the correct size.
> -Stephen
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Damien Good" <d_good@...>
> To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 12:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection
>
>
> > Pretty much.   The dots should have some white space between them.
Also,
> > can you provide me that same image, but in 1200 DPI, length = 7.3cm,
width
> =
> > 0.3cm?  My printer is capable of 1200 dpi.  The lengths/widths need to
be
> > 7.3/0.3cm, because that is what the real dot code length/widths are.
The
> > difference in not detecting, and getting read error resides from that
fact
> > alone.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Tim Schuerewegen" <Tim.Schuerewegen@...>
> > To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 3:53 PM
> > Subject: RE: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection
> >
> >
> > > > Maybe you could write something to output a higher quality error
> > > > free dot code image, that might actually print and work.  Scanning
> > > > introduces errors that most likely affects the ability to print
> > > > the dot codes, so that they work.
> > >
> > > An error free dot code image? You mean something like
> > > http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/slp100.bmp :)
> > >
> > > Btw, I printed it on a label using my Seiko SLP-100 thermal label
> printer
> > > (203 DPI) but, as suspected, the e-Reader did not recognise/see it.
Will
> > try
> > > on my Epson 460 Inkjet printer once I have refilled the ink (messy job
> > with
> > > a needle & stuff). At times like these I wish I had bought the Dymo
> label
> > > printer (300 DPI) instead.
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

that image is dot-accurate :) you can easily do image processing on it to
attain the correct size.
-Stephen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Damien Good" <d_good@...>
To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection


> Pretty much.   The dots should have some white space between them.  Also,
> can you provide me that same image, but in 1200 DPI, length = 7.3cm, width
=
> 0.3cm?  My printer is capable of 1200 dpi.  The lengths/widths need to be
> 7.3/0.3cm, because that is what the real dot code length/widths are.  The
> difference in not detecting, and getting read error resides from that fact
> alone.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tim Schuerewegen" <Tim.Schuerewegen@...>
> To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 3:53 PM
> Subject: RE: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection
>
>
> > > Maybe you could write something to output a higher quality error
> > > free dot code image, that might actually print and work.  Scanning
> > > introduces errors that most likely affects the ability to print
> > > the dot codes, so that they work.
> >
> > An error free dot code image? You mean something like
> > http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/slp100.bmp :)
> >
> > Btw, I printed it on a label using my Seiko SLP-100 thermal label
printer
> > (203 DPI) but, as suspected, the e-Reader did not recognise/see it. Will
> try
> > on my Epson 460 Inkjet printer once I have refilled the ink (messy job
> with
> > a needle & stuff). At times like these I wish I had bought the Dymo
label
> > printer (300 DPI) instead.

The way the gamecube booting is done is to trick the cube into thinking that it
is connecting to the saga mainframe to upload pso data. It is actually linking
to your own home pc and uploading cube rom from there.

MBV2 cable works by acting as a gba multibooting a code to another gba. Similar
idea.

The way the cube multiboots to the gba is similar. But youd have to work out the
address locations, then workout interrupts etc. Then just multiboot it.
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: pkmndata
   To: gbadev@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 5:41 PM
   Subject: [gbadev] Re: MMC interface (+ GC to GBA link)


   Dude, if you can write such a thing you'd be famous man...  I think
   I've discovered a trend, ALL of us programmers lead busy lives.  Me,
   I have the skillz, but I'm tied up with college and work and need of
   sleep as said above...

   Anyway, let me share some other stuff that I've wanted to bring to
   the table...

   There's a group of people who have found a way to run their own code
   on the Nintendo Gamecube...  (this is still GBA related, I'm goin
   somewhere with this...)

   What they do is they make use of a security hole in Phantasy Star
   Online Episodes I and II and use the Broadband Adapter for the
   Gamecube to communicate with their computer, then can then send their
   own C++ code to the Gamecube and make it run...  However, as of now
   it's VERY basic code, they don't have any wonderful 3D games or
   anything up and running yet...

   Now, back to the GBA part...  I'm sure many of you know that quite a
   few Nintendo Gamecube games link up to the GBA and can send programs
   to it...  I was wondering, how hard would it be to make my own C++
   code to send to the gamecube through the PSO security hole and make
   my own code THEN link up to the GBA and send a program to it?  Would
   it be simple or hard?  I think it might be fun.

   So, here's a recap of what I'm talkin bout...

   *On my computer write a C++ program to send to the Gamecube and then
   force it to run using the broadband adapter for the Gamecube and the
   security hole in PSO.

   *Hook up my GBA to the Gamecube using the Gamecube Advance Cable.

   *Initiate my program on the Gamecube which contains instructions to
   send ANOTHER program to the GBA's volatile memory...

   I would love to see something like this done.  Making my own game and
   forcing the cube to send it to my GBA.  The sending the code to the
   cube isn't a program, that this group has down.  The hard part would
   be WRITING the C++ program which would send the program I want to run
   on the GBA to the GBA itself...  Anyone think this might be a worthy
   cause?  Maybe someone could make a tool to turn existing Gameboy
   Source Code into code to send to the cube so people can play your
   game who don't own flash memory cards, etc...

   Any thoughts?
   -pkmndata


   ====================
   Hello gbadev,

   Some time ago there was post about almost complete MMC interface for
   GBA.

   Are there any results?

   I looked in MMC datasheet, looked in GBA's port specs.
   Searched web. Laughed: MMC connects DIRECTLY to ext.port just with
   wires.
   Found source (DOS based) for programming MMC card with simple
   programmer : LPT-voltage shifting-MMC.

   BTW, guess, where I found it.
   It was project with goal to make USB enabled MMC reader/writer with
   MP3 playback that connects to.... RIGHT! to GBA.
   Awesome!
   (direct link: http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~shalan/mmc_usb_web.htm)

   So, why there is no GBA based software for interfacing with GBA?

   Of course I will right it, but not soon (damn work and need for
   sleep).

   WHY?????
   Why nobody wrote it before?

Pretty much.   The dots should have some white space between them.  Also,
can you provide me that same image, but in 1200 DPI, length = 7.3cm, width =
0.3cm?  My printer is capable of 1200 dpi.  The lengths/widths need to be
7.3/0.3cm, because that is what the real dot code length/widths are.  The
difference in not detecting, and getting read error resides from that fact
alone.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Schuerewegen" <Tim.Schuerewegen@...>
To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 3:53 PM
Subject: RE: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection


> > Maybe you could write something to output a higher quality error
> > free dot code image, that might actually print and work.  Scanning
> > introduces errors that most likely affects the ability to print
> > the dot codes, so that they work.
>
> An error free dot code image? You mean something like
> http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/slp100.bmp :)
>
> Btw, I printed it on a label using my Seiko SLP-100 thermal label printer
> (203 DPI) but, as suspected, the e-Reader did not recognise/see it. Will
try
> on my Epson 460 Inkjet printer once I have refilled the ink (messy job
with
> a needle & stuff). At times like these I wish I had bought the Dymo label
> printer (300 DPI) instead.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Dude, if you can write such a thing you'd be famous man...  I think
I've discovered a trend, ALL of us programmers lead busy lives.  Me,
I have the skillz, but I'm tied up with college and work and need of
sleep as said above...

Anyway, let me share some other stuff that I've wanted to bring to
the table...

There's a group of people who have found a way to run their own code
on the Nintendo Gamecube...  (this is still GBA related, I'm goin
somewhere with this...)

What they do is they make use of a security hole in Phantasy Star
Online Episodes I and II and use the Broadband Adapter for the
Gamecube to communicate with their computer, then can then send their
own C++ code to the Gamecube and make it run...  However, as of now
it's VERY basic code, they don't have any wonderful 3D games or
anything up and running yet...

Now, back to the GBA part...  I'm sure many of you know that quite a
few Nintendo Gamecube games link up to the GBA and can send programs
to it...  I was wondering, how hard would it be to make my own C++
code to send to the gamecube through the PSO security hole and make
my own code THEN link up to the GBA and send a program to it?  Would
it be simple or hard?  I think it might be fun.

So, here's a recap of what I'm talkin bout...

*On my computer write a C++ program to send to the Gamecube and then
force it to run using the broadband adapter for the Gamecube and the
security hole in PSO.

*Hook up my GBA to the Gamecube using the Gamecube Advance Cable.

*Initiate my program on the Gamecube which contains instructions to
send ANOTHER program to the GBA's volatile memory...

I would love to see something like this done.  Making my own game and
forcing the cube to send it to my GBA.  The sending the code to the
cube isn't a program, that this group has down.  The hard part would
be WRITING the C++ program which would send the program I want to run
on the GBA to the GBA itself...  Anyone think this might be a worthy
cause?  Maybe someone could make a tool to turn existing Gameboy
Source Code into code to send to the cube so people can play your
game who don't own flash memory cards, etc...

Any thoughts?
-pkmndata


====================
Hello gbadev,

Some time ago there was post about almost complete MMC interface for
GBA.

Are there any results?

I looked in MMC datasheet, looked in GBA's port specs.
Searched web. Laughed: MMC connects DIRECTLY to ext.port just with
wires.
Found source (DOS based) for programming MMC card with simple
programmer : LPT-voltage shifting-MMC.

BTW, guess, where I found it.
It was project with goal to make USB enabled MMC reader/writer with
MP3 playback that connects to.... RIGHT! to GBA.
Awesome!
(direct link: http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~shalan/mmc_usb_web.htm)

So, why there is no GBA based software for interfacing with GBA?

Of course I will right it, but not soon (damn work and need for
sleep).

WHY?????
Why nobody wrote it before?

That might have something to do with the fact that the dot code is 360 dpi
:)

-Stephen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Schuerewegen" <Tim.Schuerewegen@...>
To: <gbadev@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 5:53 PM
Subject: RE: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection


> > Maybe you could write something to output a higher quality error
> > free dot code image, that might actually print and work.  Scanning
> > introduces errors that most likely affects the ability to print
> > the dot codes, so that they work.
>
> An error free dot code image? You mean something like
> http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/slp100.bmp :)
>
> Btw, I printed it on a label using my Seiko SLP-100 thermal label printer
> (203 DPI) but, as suspected, the e-Reader did not recognise/see it. Will
try
> on my Epson 460 Inkjet printer once I have refilled the ink (messy job
with
> a needle & stuff). At times like these I wish I had bought the Dymo label
> printer (300 DPI) instead.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Hello ,

1° Sorry my English , I'm Brazilian : ) !!!!

I'd like to know what the people here thinks about software engineering method
that is the best for GBA or any other game development

Is better to use Robert Pressman software engineering, or extreeming programming
or another methodology ?

We can use CMM in the process for GBA development and this help or not ??

What's the development phases we need to pass to make a good game for GBA ??

Anyone here knows about were I can get some documents related to software
engineering in games ????

Thanks

William

> Maybe you could write something to output a higher quality error
> free dot code image, that might actually print and work.  Scanning
> introduces errors that most likely affects the ability to print
> the dot codes, so that they work.

An error free dot code image? You mean something like
http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/slp100.bmp :)

Btw, I printed it on a label using my Seiko SLP-100 thermal label printer
(203 DPI) but, as suspected, the e-Reader did not recognise/see it. Will try
on my Epson 460 Inkjet printer once I have refilled the ink (messy job with
a needle & stuff). At times like these I wish I had bought the Dymo label
printer (300 DPI) instead.

Sunday, September 28, 2003, 9:44:04 AM, you wrote:

DA> I posted some time ago regarding need for an e-Reader dissection. All
DA> the leads that turned up as a result of my post went nowhere,
DA> unfortunately.

If I am not mistaken (please correct me, if you will find any
mistakes), there are e-cards with classic nes games.
E-reader scans them, saves data in internal flash memory (2MB,
right?), and allows to run them from now and until deletion from flash
memory.

This info was taken somewhere from Nintendo's official site. Hope I
remembered everything right.

So, how can e-reader run stored games (I mean games retrieved from
e-cards)?
I see two ways: first is running directly from flash memory (in case
it is connected as in flash cartridges and available at 0x08000000+x and
further), as "normal" flash cartridges allow multiple games running on
them; and second is copying game data to EXRAM (sized 256 kb) and
running game from it using standard technique.

Another "fact" is that in both cases game data should contain correct
header (with Nintendo logo, etc). (Is it right? Or am I mistaken?)

And here we also have two ways: header contains in data encrypted on
e-card, and header is added automatically by e-reader software.

Finally: if flash memory is accessible at 0x08000000+x then it can be
downloaded with any flash cart reader/programmer (i.e. GB tranferer 2
from EMS). If game is first transferred to EXRAM, and then executed,
then we can (I a not sure, that this will work, but the idea should be
clear to understand) add battery supply for EXRAM chip, so that the
data won't be deleted after switching GBA off. After that you insert
cartridge with small program that lets you transfer data from EXRAM to
computer (i.e. via link cable, or just transferring data (piece of
data) to SRAM, that can be read with software included with this
cartridge).

OK, hope we got data.
Next, if header is encrypted on e-card, then it seems that all e-cards
with games should have similar areas (this is Nintendo logo, etc).
If they don't, then header is added by e-reader software.

In any way, we can (in case I did not make many mistakes. Ha! ) say
that on this particular card(s) encrypted this particular data.

If I understand what I say (D-oh!) then task becomes muuuch easier, as
you know, what you should get after decrypting.


PS. If header is on e-card, then we do not need the whole game, as we
know what the header is.

PPS. If this dotcode is "heavily" encrypted (i.e. with key, that is on
the card, or something else similar), then we are stuck. Gosh!

PPPS. It is necessary to find out how bytes are read: from left to
right and up to down, or from up to down and left to right, or from
center to corners, or...


Hope this will help somebody.
And thanks for reading so far! ;)

--
Best regards,
  Leonid                            mailto:leprud@...

Hello gbadev,

   On GameBoy Color was IR receiver/transceiver, however it did not
   support any of IrDA standards at hardware. And I have not seen such
   implementation.

   We can add IR receiver/transceiver to GBA's ext.port and controlling
   it in SIO General-Purpose Mode with RCNT (134h) (4-bit parallel
   mode) . Functonality will be the same as it was on GBC.

   I hope I am not the first who figured it out ( Ha! Naive =) ).

   However I can not find any applications that will use it.
   Actually I was searching for any IrDA and remote control apps.

   I can find calc, dictionary, music player, hardware linkers,.....,
   but I can not find anything about IR for GBA.

   Was my search bad, or this is OK?

   THANKS for you replies.

--
Best regards,
  Leonid                          mailto:leprud@...

Hello gbadev,

   Some time ago there was post about almost complete MMC interface for
   GBA.

   Are there any results?

   I looked in MMC datasheet, looked in GBA's port specs.
   Searched web. Laughed: MMC connects DIRECTLY to ext.port just with
   wires.
   Found source (DOS based) for programming MMC card with simple
   programmer : LPT-voltage shifting-MMC.

   BTW, guess, where I found it.
   It was project with goal to make USB enabled MMC reader/writer with
   MP3 playback that connects to.... RIGHT! to GBA.
   Awesome!
   (direct link: http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~shalan/mmc_usb_web.htm)

   So, why there is no GBA based software for interfacing with GBA?

   Of course I will right it, but not soon (damn work and need for
   sleep).

   WHY?????
   Why nobody wrote it before?

--
Best regards,
  Leonid                          mailto:leprud@...

On Monday 06 October 2003 00:46, Tim Schuerewegen wrote:
> > whatever you do, i'd start with looking at US patents
>
> From all the dot code related patents I have looked at so far (~30), the
> most interesting one is US patent 6116507. Search on
> http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/srchnum.htm for "6116507".

mmmh there was also a simelar site for european and japan patents... (google
should find it for you :=P). didnt have much luck there previously either,
but maybe someone finds something there :)

gpz

> whatever you do, i'd start with looking at US patents
From all the dot code related patents I have looked at so far (~30), the
most interesting one is US patent 6116507. Search on
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/srchnum.htm for "6116507".

Tim

On Sunday 05 October 2003 22:36, caitsith6502 wrote:

> > By the way, the creation of any program that encodes or decodes
> > the barcodes will probably need to be done outside the US, due
> > to the DMCA.  The makers of that Cuecat barcode scanner claimed
> > that their nearly standard barcode encoding was an effective
> > access control mechanism, so Nintendo certainly could do so,
> > especially if the resulting data stream has encryption that
> > needs breaking.

DMCA ?! *evil laughter*

> Very much true. Also, not only would the encryption breaking have to
> be done outside the US, the information would also have to be hosted
> on a server outside the US as well.

whatever you do, i'd start with looking at US patents - the barcode N uses for
gamecube disc authentification is patented and described in all detail there
atleast. (and its also a slightly modified version of a years old industry
standard)

gpz

--- In gbadev@yahoogroups.com, "Tim Schuerewegen"
<Tim.Schuerewegen@s...> wrote:
> I tried to decipher the e-Reader dotcodes last year by staring at
the dots
> but had to give up, all those dots were starting to give me a
headache :/
>
> Here is a screenshot of the (unreleased) tool I wrote to extract
the dotcode
> pattern from a scanned dotcode strip.
> http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/nerdct01.png
>
> Tim

Maybe you could write something to output a higher quality error free
dot code image, that might actually print and work.  Scanning
introduces errors that most likely affects the ability to print the
dot codes, so that they work. The closest I have come was a read
error.  Low quality scanning + printing produces completely
undetectable codes, that is they don't get detected and therefore you
don't even get a read error, but eventually, a time delay error. I
managed to print a few detectable codes, but not enough to be able to
use the printed strip.

--- In gbadev@yahoogroups.com, Rob Kudla <yahoo-raindog469@k...>
wrote:
> On Thursday 02 October 2003 12:09, Ped wrote:
> >  The e-reader itself can't have too much DPI IMHO, it has to
> > be cheap? Or not?
>
> I was thinking more along the lines of cheap inkjets not
> producing enough contrast at the edge of the dots.

The best I have had with trying to print, was a read error, meaning
some of the codes were scannable in the e-reader, and some of them
were not.  If only we could eliminate the errors scanning produces
and that stuff, and have consistent contrast throughout the scan.

> I actually
> have no idea how 2-dimensional barcode scanners work (apart from
> the kind that acquires the whole image at once and analyses it
> in software, like that 2D-barcode-based "color fax" software
> someone was selling about 6 or 7 years ago.)

The e-reader is most definitely scan all at once type.  The area
between the 4 big black dots are scanned in and decoded,  then as you
move along, it scans the next area and decodes it.  The reason for
the read error if you scan too fast, is that the optical scanner
flashes the light on and off, and if an area passes by the scanner
while the light is off, it will not be picked up.

> It also struck me that perhaps no one was able to get the cards
> to swipe because (a) the barcode is actually done in MICR
> (magnetic ink like the numbers at the bottom of checks) or (b)
> there's an embedded magstrip or RFID tag or something in the
> card.  Of course, either of those situations would be pretty
> easy to discover if someone actually sacrificed an e-reader and
> dissected it, but I haven't seen anything like that on the web
> to date.

Nope, it is just a pure optical code.  no magnetic ink or anything
like that.

> By the way, the creation of any program that encodes or decodes
> the barcodes will probably need to be done outside the US, due
> to the DMCA.  The makers of that Cuecat barcode scanner claimed
> that their nearly standard barcode encoding was an effective
> access control mechanism, so Nintendo certainly could do so,
> especially if the resulting data stream has encryption that
> needs breaking.

Very much true. Also, not only would the encryption breaking have to
be done outside the US, the information would also have to be hosted
on a server outside the US as well.

I tried to decipher the e-Reader dotcodes last year by staring at the dots
but had to give up, all those dots were starting to give me a headache :/

Here is a screenshot of the (unreleased) tool I wrote to extract the dotcode
pattern from a scanned dotcode strip.
http://users.skynet.be/firefly/gba/e-reader/nerdct01.png

Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: TJ [mailto:comfortably_numb_@...]
Sent: zaterdag 4 oktober 2003 20:57
To: gbadev@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [gbadev] Re: e-Reader dissection

It would probably be much easier to just disassemble the e-reader rom to
find out exactly how it works. I'm assuming this would be much easier than
staring at a barcode. It would then probably be pretty easy to make a
program to convert a scanned barcode to a rom file and vice versa. As long
as you own the e-card you are trying to decipher there is also no harm in
looking for an already dumped file of the e-card online either to make sure
it converts properly.


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It would probably be much easier to just disassemble the e-reader rom to find
out exactly how it works. I'm assuming this would be much easier than staring at
a barcode. It would then probably be pretty easy to make a program to convert a
scanned barcode to a rom file and vice versa. As long as you own the e-card you
are trying to decipher there is also no harm in looking for an already dumped
file of the e-card online either to make sure it converts properly.

I got a package fro ups the other day which has a small label that looks
just like the code on an e-reader card (Not the usual clustered mess of a
label).

Perhaps the big N is not the only company using 'dot' code...

I am going to buy an ereader just to 'hack' on.  I plan to solder a cable
direclty to the memory buss so I can read what is getting stored and also
hook to the output of the optic reader or the decodeing chip connected to
the optic reader. Are there any pic pros here that would be willing to help
build a PC <> e-reader intercafe to send the read data to the PC so we can
begin to compare the code stored in memory with the optical patters.  If you
are willing and ABLE to help please email me directly.

BTW does anyone know how many bytes each card can hold?

Here's how to e-reader works for the most part.

After plugging the E-Reader into the GBA as if it were a cartridge,
turn on your GBA.  Then you'll go into some menus and then
goto "SCAN DOT CODE"

Then, what you'll do is scan the card through the barcode reader
thing and it saves the data stored on the card to the memory of the
e-reader.  The good thing is, this memory is non-volatile.  Now,
most E-Reader programs take up more than just 1 cards worth of data,
emulated NES games normally are 5 cards big.  You'll scan card A,
then it will ask for card B, scan card B, then C, etc...

There is a limit to how much of these "programs" you can keep saved
within your E-Reader at one time, but it's nice to be able to save
em and not have to scan em over and over each time you want to play
the same program again...

So, the dot code has to be quite simple, but cracking the code
itself won't be super easy, since it's not written in anything we
can understand directly...

My guess would be to try to find a way to hook up a GBA with an e-
reader loaded inside of it to a computer and try to interpret the
input/output or somethin like that...

-pkmndata

=====================

(just few personal opinion notes on e-reader, no facts)

> There are scanner/printer combos now that do 4800DPI (or claim
> to), and if you give them expensive enough glossy paper the
> print might be clean enough to scan into the e-reader. My
The e-reader itself can't have too much DPI IMHO, it has to be
cheap? Or
not?

> trial and error and be able to publish stuff that way, I'm not
> sure how much encryption they could really be doing on the fly
> with a 16MHz processor.
Why on the fly? The amount of data on the card is very small (few
kb, I
forgot the numbers, but somebody wrote it here in gbadev), it could
be
easily copied into RAM and than decoded and than used. Or am I
missing
some point about the usage of e-cards? (I'm not sure, how they
works, if
the game needs to react instantly on the card, or has time to
decypher
data)
Anyway, I bet the sw side of thing would be broken quite soon, if
somebody would take the care, thw hw side looks harder at the moment.

On Thursday 02 October 2003 12:09, Ped wrote:
>  The e-reader itself can't have too much DPI IMHO, it has to
> be cheap? Or not?

I was thinking more along the lines of cheap inkjets not
producing enough contrast at the edge of the dots.  I actually
have no idea how 2-dimensional barcode scanners work (apart from
the kind that acquires the whole image at once and analyses it
in software, like that 2D-barcode-based "color fax" software
someone was selling about 6 or 7 years ago.)

It also struck me that perhaps no one was able to get the cards
to swipe because (a) the barcode is actually done in MICR
(magnetic ink like the numbers at the bottom of checks) or (b)
there's an embedded magstrip or RFID tag or something in the
card.  Of course, either of those situations would be pretty
easy to discover if someone actually sacrificed an e-reader and
dissected it, but I haven't seen anything like that on the web
to date.

By the way, the creation of any program that encodes or decodes
the barcodes will probably need to be done outside the US, due
to the DMCA.  The makers of that Cuecat barcode scanner claimed
that their nearly standard barcode encoding was an effective
access control mechanism, so Nintendo certainly could do so,
especially if the resulting data stream has encryption that
needs breaking.

Rob

(just few personal opinion notes on e-reader, no facts)

> There are scanner/printer combos now that do 4800DPI (or claim
> to), and if you give them expensive enough glossy paper the
> print might be clean enough to scan into the e-reader.  My
  The e-reader itself can't have too much DPI IMHO, it has to be cheap? Or
not?

> trial and error and be able to publish stuff that way, I'm not
> sure how much encryption they could really be doing on the fly
> with a 16MHz processor.
  Why on the fly? The amount of data on the card is very small (few kb, I
forgot the numbers, but somebody wrote it here in gbadev), it could be
easily copied into RAM and than decoded and than used. Or am I missing
some point about the usage of e-cards? (I'm not sure, how they works, if
the game needs to react instantly on the card, or has time to decypher
data)
  Anyway, I bet the sw side of thing would be broken quite soon, if
somebody would take the care, thw hw side looks harder at the moment.

                   PED - Peter Helcmanovsky - wishing to have 48h days
              Braniskova 7 Kosice 04001 Slovakia / phone +420 721308701
    (_               -- actually in Brno, so don't look after me --
   "~/\~"      -=- deRATized RAT -=-  Being beyond Yer imagination  -=-
   ,_oo_,      7 GODS demo group WWW pages: http://7gods.sk
     `'

If print quality is a problem then write a program to generate the output to
a tiff file.  The file can then be taken a professional graphic arts shop
and they will load it up an print it the size you want.  Even on plastic..

On Wednesday 01 October 2003 21:08, pkmndata wrote:
> For what it's worth, even if you do manage to come up with the
> barcode source code itself, distrubuting it won't be that
> easy. From my experience, the dot coding will only work if
> made from a VERY POWERFUL printer...

There are scanner/printer combos now that do 4800DPI (or claim
to), and if you give them expensive enough glossy paper the
print might be clean enough to scan into the e-reader.  My
printer only goes up to 600DPI so I'm afraid I won't be testing
it though...  I bet we could decipher the format with a little
trial and error and be able to publish stuff that way, I'm not
sure how much encryption they could really be doing on the fly
with a 16MHz processor.

Rob

I too have been interested in the e-Reader, but alas I have don't
have any information on it.

For what it's worth, even if you do manage to come up with the
barcode source code itself, distrubuting it won't be that easy.
From my experience, the dot coding will only work if made from a
VERY POWERFUL printer...

I once tried just to see if it would work, make a photocopy of an e-
reader card and scan the copy, I didn't have any luck...

But, if anyone here has any info on the e-Reader dot code I'd be
interested in hearing about it too...

========
[original message]



ADVERTISEMENT


Greetings, forum patrons.

I posted some time ago regarding need for an e-Reader dissection.
All
the leads that turned up as a result of my post went nowhere,
unfortunately.

I'm looking to pay someone (or a group of people) for a tad bit of
assistance, as far as programming is concerned: I wish for someone
to
draw up a very small, very simple little demonstration that is
compatible with the e-Reader. Basically the completed code would
need
to be made available to me in a form (barcode) scannable by the e-
Reader itself.

Why do I wish to have this done? So my Super Fighter team can
produce
some e-Cards to give away with some of our future projects. Problem
is, I haven't found anyone yet (or any group of folks) who can make
this dream a possibility. It's a rather simple code job, the hard
part seems to be finding someone that knows the ins and outs of the
e-
Reader itself.

Drop me an e-mail (deathadder@s...) if you think you can
be of any help. We can discuss the project, payment terms, etc. at
your leisure.

That's about it. Thanks. Take care.

- Death Adder
Webmaster, www.superfighter.com
deathadder@s...