Author Topic: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Batch 3)  (Read 68130 times)

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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #50 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 00:59:28 »
And three assembled and tested Model F + 3178 adaptor combos (there is one more, but quantalume wants to assemble his own in some kind of crazy board sandwich).

Yes they will really mount upside down like that. The extra cable is for grounding, as these will not mount to any existing bracketry inside the case, unfortunately.
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #51 on: Sun, 29 June 2014, 03:04:48 »
Completed the last controllers today (apart from 2 for a latecomer—I have the PCBs, but not some of the components). Looks like a 4 week leadtime before shipping isn't out of the question; this round closed on June the 1st.

So here are 4 Displaywriter controllers and 5 standard Beamspring controllers. Quantalume's controller is the one missing the connector (he has kindly offered to solder his own connector on, as he has way too many—or perhaps he has seen photos of my soldering?).

All of them are posting over USB fine, but need proper testing of the capsense circuitry and then maybe a wash. Will hopefully be able to do that tomorrow.
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #52 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 00:48:17 »
On the solenoid drivers, I left an (unused) pin missing for the 6-pin connector, and filled the spot with a blanking plug. This was on Dorkvader's suggestion, to avoid plugging it in backwards—anyone heard from him lately? He sent me a PM with some queries about his Displaywriter controller (not scanning so good) and I haven't heard back after I replied with some more questions. Maybe he's still moving house.
Just to follow up on this, I simply missed his PM response to my inquiry. The good news is that I can confirm the Displaywriter board to be working 100%

Also, the solenoid driver will work on the displaywriter's speaker, should you want to try it (but it doesn't sound as good, maybe I should put a spare solenoid from a different keyboard in its place.)


To anyone on the fence about these, they are great, well made, and the fact that they arrive *tested* is huge. Huge! Xwhatsit is a great guy and a valuable member of the communities.

I love how Geekhack is becoming more about the "hack" for a lot of people. It's great to see all the projects come to life.

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #53 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 01:44:54 »
@dorkvader—cheers dude, sorry to send you PMs and hound you on this thread, was just worried you were sitting there with a dud controller going WTF, thinking I hadn't replied. Cheers for the nice words. I too am glad Geekhack is more than just keycaps these days :D


Finished and tested the Displaywriters and (standard) Beamsprings; all tested OK with a bit of rework (upside-down DAC on one, ouch!).

Unfortunately I'm going to delay shipping these until I get delivery of some flux cleaner—the huckory old solder I `borrowed' to solder the connectors has some horrible flux on it that won't clean off with my standard methods, and I doubt it's `No-Clean' like the normal stuff I use. D'oh. Flux cleaner should be here tomorrow or on Wednesday; unfortunately I have to travel on Thursday so it may be as late as Friday before these are shipped. I apologise; I just don't want boards to start failing in 6 months or so because of super-aggressive flux that wasn't cleaned off. Plus they've got to look tumeke.
69435-0

On a more positive note, software v0.7.0 is coming along nicely; the Caps/Num/Shift/FnX lock switch using an external input (i.e. the blue switch on the 3178s) works very nicely, and the new function-key behaviour seems to be pretty useful (at the expense of a few more precious bytes of RAM—it's getting pretty tight on the Model Fs with their 128-node matrix—might have to do some refactoring!).

See below for the world's most badass Caps Lock switch (words can't describe how satisfying this is):
69437-1
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #54 on: Wed, 02 July 2014, 04:00:50 »
Didn't manage to clean these up until tonight, but have done so and put all of the controllers through my test battery one last time. These have also been updated to (unreleased) v0.7.0, so will have the new-style layer functionality and support for an external switch, as described above. After these are all shipped and I have a moment to breathe I'll release v0.7.0, together with installation/usage documentation and then people with existing controllers (or the Model F controllers I shipped last week) can update.

Here they are, the last of them, ready to be packed:
69669-0

I'll send out messages tonight for the final people have haven't paid yet. I won't be around during the day tomorrow but will be able to post these on Friday as planned earlier.
Beam spring IBM 5251 (7361073/7362149) & IBM 3727 (5641316) | Model F IBM 122-key terminal & IBM PC-AT 84-key | Model M Unicomp 122-key terminal | Cherry MX Blue Leopold Tenkeyless

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #55 on: Fri, 04 July 2014, 00:12:32 »
Hooray, everything in the post!

Job this weekend: writing installation and setup instructions so that people know what to do with the things when they get them :)
Beam spring IBM 5251 (7361073/7362149) & IBM 3727 (5641316) | Model F IBM 122-key terminal & IBM PC-AT 84-key | Model M Unicomp 122-key terminal | Cherry MX Blue Leopold Tenkeyless

Offline HoffmanMyster

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #56 on: Mon, 07 July 2014, 00:52:59 »
So exciting to see something like this make it to the point where it's tested and sent out!  Now I'm just waiting for a second round since I missed the first!  xD

Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #57 on: Mon, 07 July 2014, 00:55:06 »
I just wanted to pop in and say I got my three controllers, thanks! No rush on the instructions, since it'll be a few weeks until I have time for the soldering.

Offline sleepy916

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #58 on: Mon, 07 July 2014, 01:12:09 »
I'm waiting on the second batch. :(

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #59 on: Tue, 08 July 2014, 00:28:16 »
Feeling a bit guilty because controllers have started arriving and I haven't finished the manuals yet!

I've done the Beamspring and Beamspring-Displaywriter installation manuals; download them at the usual place: http://downloads.cornall.co/ibm-capsense-usb

I'm cracking on with the Model-F manuals; a bit hampered because of a lack of photographs, but trawling bitsavers for old Model F service manuals.

Version 0.7.0 of the software/firmware is also up on the website. I haven't done a Mac OS X binary for this yet—hopefully will do tomorrow when I can borrow a Mac laptop. Bear in mind 0.7.0 has reasonably major changes to the way Fn keys and layers work; the gist of it is that Fn keys are now evaluated on subsequent layers, and there's now Select keys. You can see details if you download one of the installation manuals.
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #60 on: Tue, 08 July 2014, 05:07:53 »
OK the a preliminary Model F installation manual is up here, but it doesn't cover the 3178 and the adaptor just yet. Will do this tomorrow.

Also to come is a manual for the solenoid driver.
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Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #61 on: Tue, 08 July 2014, 11:05:00 »
Mine arrived last week, thanks.  Looks incredible and I am excited to take it for a ride.  Can't wait for the instruction manual.

Your work on this has been greatly appreciated, especially by us less computer savvy people.
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #62 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 04:05:52 »
Just updated the Model F USB one with an appendix showing installation in a 3178. It's a bit sparse right now because it hasn't been done yet so I have no photos :) Let me know if it is too vague prdlm2009—maybe I can do some kind of child-like drawing with a ballpoint showing it a bit clearer.

Also uploaded is a Mac OS X binary for the 0.7.0 version of the util.

http://downloads.cornall.co/ibm-capsense-usb/
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #63 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 05:34:00 »
OK and have added an installation manual for the solenoid driver. Same location on the website.
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Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #64 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 14:15:11 »
Just updated the Model F USB one with an appendix showing installation in a 3178. It's a bit sparse right now because it hasn't been done yet so I have no photos :) Let me know if it is too vague prdlm2009—maybe I can do some kind of child-like drawing with a ballpoint showing it a bit clearer.

Also uploaded is a Mac OS X binary for the 0.7.0 version of the util.

http://downloads.cornall.co/ibm-capsense-usb/

 I will not have to do an installation on a 3178 controller.  Just the Kishsaver, which is for the 4704 system, if I am not mistaken.  But I will let you know if things are not clear.  So far, those guides are some of the best things that I have seen floating around for installing keyboard controllers.
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #65 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 16:55:24 »
Sorry dude! It was poxeclipse with the 3178. Whoops! Looking at my spreadsheet I did send you the right things apparently, which is a relief  :D
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Offline riotonthebay

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #66 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 18:35:05 »
My F controller arrived today :D. Going to try installing into my Kishsaver this weekend.

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #67 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 18:38:47 »
Hm...I wonder if mine will arrive before Keycon. Imagine I bring my 6019284 and got it working there o.O

Offline HoffmanMyster

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #68 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 18:39:43 »
Hm...I wonder if mine will arrive before Keycon. Imagine I bring my 6019284 and got it working there o.O

Imagine I take it home with me...  O.o

Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #69 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 22:42:48 »
Hm...I wonder if mine will arrive before Keycon. Imagine I bring my 6019284 and got it working there o.O

Imagine I take it home with me...  O.o

Yoink!!

Offline riotonthebay

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #70 on: Sat, 12 July 2014, 10:24:02 »
I'll have everyone know that I'm currently typing this on a Kishsaver. So good. So clicky.

Thanks xwhatsit for making this possible. The controller was very easy to install and program, and everything Just Worked the first time.

Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #71 on: Sat, 12 July 2014, 10:34:06 »
I'll have everyone know that I'm currently typing this on a Kishsaver. So good. So clicky.

Thanks xwhatsit for making this possible. The controller was very easy to install and program, and everything Just Worked the first time.

needs more video of the typing in action! ;)

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #72 on: Sat, 12 July 2014, 18:16:43 »
Yay! Well done riotonthebay :D

Did you have the chance to take any photos of the controller being installed? Not dramas if you didn't, I'm sure somebody will have a pic of one in a Kishsaver at some point, but I have a dearth of Model-F-USB photos (particularly of Rev2—Murium's installation of the prototype was necessarily unusual).

If you have a nice layout, you might like to export it and attach it somewhere, as it would give a good starting point for others with Kishsavers.
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Offline riotonthebay

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #73 on: Sat, 12 July 2014, 20:03:25 »

Yay! Well done riotonthebay :D

Did you have the chance to take any photos of the controller being installed? Not dramas if you didn't, I'm sure somebody will have a pic of one in a Kishsaver at some point, but I have a dearth of Model-F-USB photos (particularly of Rev2—Murium's installation of the prototype was necessarily unusual).

If you have a nice layout, you might like to export it and attach it somewhere, as it would give a good starting point for others with Kishsavers.

No pictures at the moment, but I need to replace a couple flippers -- I'll take a few pictures when I crack it open to do that. I'll share the layout as well.

Thanks again!

Offline Daspartic

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #74 on: Wed, 16 July 2014, 01:45:57 »
I'm so sad I missed the first round of this.  :(
Hope to see a round 2!
IBM Displaywriter (82 key) | IBM Model F 4704 (107 key) |  IBM Model F AT x3 | IBM Model F XT | IBM Model F 3104 x2 | IBM 6112884 (Green Tee mount Alps) | Realforce 87u (55g) | IBM Model M 1390131 x2 | IBM Model M (1391401 '88) | Leopold FC500R (MX Browns) | Wang (725-5971) (Salmon Alps) | Acer 6011 (SKCM Blue Alps) | White Fox (65 g Zealios) | XMIT keyboard (Hall Effect)

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #75 on: Wed, 16 July 2014, 06:45:53 »
I received my controller two days ago. I'd post pictures but I don't have any right now. Just wanted to let you know and thank you :D.

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #76 on: Wed, 16 July 2014, 16:39:18 »
Terrific! Good luck with the install :)
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Offline Daspartic

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #77 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 16:18:35 »
I would like to order an assembled controller for the IBM Displaywriter Keyboard. Please get back to me with further details. Thanks! Luke

Unfortunately I closed the order on June 1st, so I have already ordered the parts. However, I think you might be in luck with the Beamspring Displaywriter controller, I do have a couple of spares of those (maybe!). I'll double check to make sure I have ordered enough parts, and let you know.

Would you happen to have another one of those controllers for the beamspring displaywriter lying around?  Please say yes.  :D
IBM Displaywriter (82 key) | IBM Model F 4704 (107 key) |  IBM Model F AT x3 | IBM Model F XT | IBM Model F 3104 x2 | IBM 6112884 (Green Tee mount Alps) | Realforce 87u (55g) | IBM Model M 1390131 x2 | IBM Model M (1391401 '88) | Leopold FC500R (MX Browns) | Wang (725-5971) (Salmon Alps) | Acer 6011 (SKCM Blue Alps) | White Fox (65 g Zealios) | XMIT keyboard (Hall Effect)

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #78 on: Tue, 22 July 2014, 04:49:24 »
See PM!

For everybody else, that will be the last leftover from Round 1... I had exactly one spare PCB, and it was a Displaywriter.

Round 2 will hopefully open soon. I need to square some things away in `real life' so I can commit to certain deadlines with this, but will most likely post something up this week.
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Offline HoffmanMyster

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #79 on: Tue, 22 July 2014, 13:38:52 »
See PM!

For everybody else, that will be the last leftover from Round 1... I had exactly one spare PCB, and it was a Displaywriter.

Round 2 will hopefully open soon. I need to square some things away in `real life' so I can commit to certain deadlines with this, but will most likely post something up this week.

Great to hear!!   :thumb:

Offline Wildcard

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #80 on: Tue, 22 July 2014, 14:11:18 »

Yay! Well done riotonthebay :D

Did you have the chance to take any photos of the controller being installed? Not dramas if you didn't, I'm sure somebody will have a pic of one in a Kishsaver at some point, but I have a dearth of Model-F-USB photos (particularly of Rev2—Murium's installation of the prototype was necessarily unusual).

If you have a nice layout, you might like to export it and attach it somewhere, as it would give a good starting point for others with Kishsavers.

No pictures at the moment, but I need to replace a couple flippers -- I'll take a few pictures when I crack it open to do that. I'll share the layout as well.

Thanks again!

Just caught up on this. Awesome news. So now I guess I should order a few and finally get my Kishsaver built proper.


Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #81 on: Mon, 28 July 2014, 05:41:45 »
OK, have now started gathering orders for Round 2; check the first post for details :)

Is anybody still waiting to receive their controller(s) from Round 1? You GH guys are awfully quiet (at least when you're not vomiting unicorn rainbows and RGB LEDs all over your Cherry MX keycaps ;D).
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Offline poxeclipse

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #82 on: Mon, 28 July 2014, 05:57:27 »
I've got them. Thank you.


Offline The_Beast

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #83 on: Mon, 28 July 2014, 08:05:55 »
Will these also work with the unsaver?
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #84 on: Mon, 28 July 2014, 17:35:35 »
poxeclipse: wonderful! Let me know if you need any help with the installation.

The_Beast: Which one is the unsaver? If it's the 104-key terminal (like a 122-key without a numpad) then yes; if you're talking about the `Bigfoot' – http://webwit.nl/input/ibm_misc/bigfoot/1.jpg – I'm not so sure, I think these have a built-in controller that can't be removed except by cutting and hacking.
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Offline HoffmanMyster

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #85 on: Mon, 28 July 2014, 17:36:59 »
I just want to confirm that you got my PM asking for a Model F controller.   :thumb:

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #86 on: Mon, 28 July 2014, 18:01:14 »
Yep! Sorry haven't replied yet—slowly working my way through the PMs :)
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #87 on: Tue, 05 August 2014, 00:04:57 »
Woohoo! My new eBay find arrived (a 3278 data entry keyboard). The auction promised it was a bit beaten up, but it's cleaned up OK. The paint on the case isn't that great though. I cleaned all the keycaps and they have all come up reasonably well, a few marks here and there.

Excuse potato photo, I haven't got the hang of not blowing the highlights through the roof when I use these newfangled digital cameras yet:
73389-0

White + black + blue tripleshots!!!
73391-1

The weird thing on this keyboard is the key indentation; normally beamsprings have extra-deep dishing on the F and J keys as normal. This one has extra-deep dishing on J, K and L, presumably to help you centre on the numpad. Feels very strange, especially not having anything for F. I'm getting used to it though.

Another strange thing is the left and right shifts, which are significantly recessed. And yes, the Right Shift (or whatever key it's supposed to be) really does go that way up.

The little trapdoor thing on the bottom where the manual folds out is a bit of a let-down; it's the only bit of plastic (other than the keycaps) on the keyboard, and is a bit rattly. mr_a500 isn't missing anything by not having one on his 3278. Other than that it's very solid—more solid than the old 3727 even. Must be because it's Canadian-made.

Unfortunately I had no Rev4 controllers left—I all of them but one, and then swapped the one I was actually using myself with the cool Dutch chap who built a 3278 converter for his PCB (he had a 3278 with a dud controller). I am left with two Rev1 controllers (my prototypes). To my great suprise—after all of that hooha earlier in the development of the controllers—the Rev1 controller fits perfectly into the case of a 3278, despite being upright. Granted, there's not a lot of room to spare, and there may be tolerances between different keyboards, but I had to laugh...

Up and running now, put the 3727 back on the shelf for now. I'm still trying to figure out the final details of how to map the embedded numpad. My right thumb does actually hit the spacebar itself comfortably; nonetheless on the base layer I have the big numpad 0 as a spacebar too. I then to a hop-skip Fn1->Fn2 jump to numpad layer. My only issue is where to place the numpad +/-/÷/* keys, as a numpad without those is pretty useless. Will have to have a play.

All in all a nice little keyboard. It really is pretty compact. Looking forward to getting Round 2 of the controller orders underway, so I can order myself a Rev4 beamspring controller and a solenoid driver. The solenoid on these is nicely rubber mounted in a little cradle, so should sound quite different. I'm sure mr_a500 can chime in here.
Beam spring IBM 5251 (7361073/7362149) & IBM 3727 (5641316) | Model F IBM 122-key terminal & IBM PC-AT 84-key | Model M Unicomp 122-key terminal | Cherry MX Blue Leopold Tenkeyless

Offline The_Beast

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #88 on: Tue, 05 August 2014, 09:49:08 »
poxeclipse: wonderful! Let me know if you need any help with the installation.

The_Beast: Which one is the unsaver? If it's the 104-key terminal (like a 122-key without a numpad) then yes; if you're talking about the `Bigfoot' – http://webwit.nl/input/ibm_misc/bigfoot/1.jpg – I'm not so sure, I think these have a built-in controller that can't be removed except by cutting and hacking.

Yup, the 122 key without the numberpad

Since this will work with both (unsaver and kishsaver), I'll take 3 (just encase I ever need another one).
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #89 on: Tue, 05 August 2014, 09:52:28 »
Nice find xwhatsit. One day I'll be able to post lovely pictures of my beamspring too, but for now, I'll admire yours and the other pictures of beamsprings :D.

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #90 on: Tue, 05 August 2014, 16:50:36 »
The_Beast: Awesome, I'll send you a confirmation PM on the 15th when this batch closes just to make sure I got your order right and you're OK with the total.

CPTBadAss: Don't lose hope, there still seem to be a few hidden away in warehouses and surplus shops judging by the three that appeared on eBay recently within a few days.
Beam spring IBM 5251 (7361073/7362149) & IBM 3727 (5641316) | Model F IBM 122-key terminal & IBM PC-AT 84-key | Model M Unicomp 122-key terminal | Cherry MX Blue Leopold Tenkeyless

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order
« Reply #91 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 09:07:40 »
Terrific! Good luck with the install :)

Here's a question I had about the installation. I had a bear of a time trying to detach the ribbon cable from the old controller. In the process, I pulled some of the wiring out of the ribbon cable insulation. Nothing too bad and I noticed you did the same in your how-to pdf. You used Kapton tape to repair your cable. I don't have that available to me at the moment but I can get the standard electrical tape. Is there a reason you went with Kapton or am I just reading into it too much? I'm probably just going to use the normal electrical tape but I was curious.

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #92 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 15:41:23 »
I used kapton tape because I didn't have any electrical tape on hand for some reason  :))

No problem with using that.
Beam spring IBM 5251 (7361073/7362149) & IBM 3727 (5641316) | Model F IBM 122-key terminal & IBM PC-AT 84-key | Model M Unicomp 122-key terminal | Cherry MX Blue Leopold Tenkeyless

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #93 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 16:03:16 »
LOL Ok. I thought there was a certain reason. Thanks!

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #94 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 18:27:46 »
One more question. I got the keyboard and controller working. I'm typing on my 6019284 right now. The controller swap was very easy to do and your utility was very very easy to use. Great for someone like me who is terrible at coding anything.

Only issue I'm having is that I'm having trouble getting my "1" being picked up. It seems to be picked up by the utility intermittently and I'm not sure how to fix it. Can you direct me to the portion in your manual that has some details about troubleshooting this problem?

I thought I found the section on page 9, under 6.2.2, but it's still not working correctly like the other switches.

Also, thank you for setting this whole project up. I'm beyond happy that this keyboard is working over USB :D.

Offline The_Beast

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #95 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 18:41:10 »
The_Beast: Awesome, I'll send you a confirmation PM on the 15th when this batch closes just to make sure I got your order right and you're OK with the total.

huehuehue, that's my birthday!

Thanks again for all the hard work!
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Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #96 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 18:42:30 »
Nice job!

For your 1 key, if you start changing the voltage threshold manually (ignoring all the other keys), is there any threshold where the key works reliably? Given that it's only one key and not an entire row or column I wonder if there may be some fluff or something on the sense pads underneath it or some other physical issue with that key which is causing it to be flaky.
Beam spring IBM 5251 (7361073/7362149) & IBM 3727 (5641316) | Model F IBM 122-key terminal & IBM PC-AT 84-key | Model M Unicomp 122-key terminal | Cherry MX Blue Leopold Tenkeyless

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #97 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 18:56:25 »
Nice job!

For your 1 key, if you start changing the voltage threshold manually (ignoring all the other keys), is there any threshold where the key works reliably? Given that it's only one key and not an entire row or column I wonder if there may be some fluff or something on the sense pads underneath it or some other physical issue with that key which is causing it to be flaky.

Hm, it seems to work ok between 124 and 125. It's not "perfect" like the other switches though. It's not repeating like the other switches. So if I press down, on the 2 next to it, it repeats. With the 1, it doesn't repeat but it works fine if I tap the 1.It feels like it's seated right and I used a Datavac to try and clean it up.

Anywho, if you think it's a physical thing and not a software thing, I can work on it when I take it apart next. Or just live with it. It's not that big a deal to me.

Oh one more thing, I thought I got the layers setup correctly but it seems that the mute/vol up/vol down commands don't work. Perhaps I don't have my function layers setup correctly?



Layer 1 works fine for me but layer 2 I put things like "Media play/pause" and "Volume Down" which don't seem to be working. I have the FN1 and FN2 mapped the same across the layers.

Offline xwhatsit

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #98 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 19:21:41 »
Hmm bugger. There should be way more `sweet spot' than just one or two pulses. The only other thing I can think to check other than cleaning the pad card from any flaky foam etc. is to check you have the Column Skips thing set up right. The Kishsaver has some columns tied to GND and that might mess up sensing unless you have those programmed right. Then again, that should mess up other keys on the same column (I take it the 1 key isn't the only key on that column on the matrix?).

With your volume keys, Windows sometimes isn't that keen on the media keys; I see in Soarer's documentation he mentions a similar issue. I don't know if you need a separate program to map those to actions. On Linux and Mac OS X it seems to work out of the box, but under Windows you may need to use AutoHotkey or something to change the volume when the key is pressed. The keyboard emits the USB scancode for `Volume Up' but it doesn't necessary mean the operating system is listening for it. There are actually two sets of volume stuff; Volume Up/Down/Mute and Media Volume Up/Down/Mute; the first set is purely `keyboard' scancodes, whereas the Media scancodes are for USB `media devices' according to the HID spec (the controller pretends to be multiple USB devices). You can maybe try both sets.

It sounds like you've got the layers sorted; you could always check they're working by mapping some other key you can easily spot (like Z or something) to that key on the layer and see if it works.
Beam spring IBM 5251 (7361073/7362149) & IBM 3727 (5641316) | Model F IBM 122-key terminal & IBM PC-AT 84-key | Model M Unicomp 122-key terminal | Cherry MX Blue Leopold Tenkeyless

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: xwhatsit's Grand Unified IBM Capsense USB controller Order (Round 2)
« Reply #99 on: Tue, 12 August 2014, 19:50:49 »
Hmm bugger. There should be way more `sweet spot' than just one or two pulses. The only other thing I can think to check other than cleaning the pad card from any flaky foam etc. is to check you have the Column Skips thing set up right. The Kishsaver has some columns tied to GND and that might mess up sensing unless you have those programmed right. Then again, that should mess up other keys on the same column (I take it the 1 key isn't the only key on that column on the matrix?).

I set the columns up properly and it still has the same issue. I'll have to open it up sometime and clean it. But yes, there is only a two pulse sweet spot. 123 starts to interfere with the escape key. And 126 doesn't register at all.

And I noticed it's not only repeating but it's a little laggy. When I was typing out 123 and 126, it would register as 213 and 216.

With your volume keys, Windows sometimes isn't that keen on the media keys; I see in Soarer's documentation he mentions a similar issue. I don't know if you need a separate program to map those to actions. On Linux and Mac OS X it seems to work out of the box, but under Windows you may need to use AutoHotkey or something to change the volume when the key is pressed. The keyboard emits the USB scancode for `Volume Up' but it doesn't necessary mean the operating system is listening for it. There are actually two sets of volume stuff; Volume Up/Down/Mute and Media Volume Up/Down/Mute; the first set is purely `keyboard' scancodes, whereas the Media scancodes are for USB `media devices' according to the HID spec (the controller pretends to be multiple USB devices). You can maybe try both sets.

It sounds like you've got the layers sorted; you could always check they're working by mapping some other key you can easily spot (like Z or something) to that key on the layer and see if it works.

I actually have both Volume Up/Down and Media Volume Up/Down programmed in my Layer 2. Neither work. I'll have to try the AHK another night. I'm just going to enjoy this board for now since I consider it 95% working. :D
« Last Edit: Tue, 12 August 2014, 19:52:41 by CPTBadAss »