USB > PS/2
\My contribution to this project
Edit: Oh, and can we have the option for more than 104 key keyboards, please? Specifically, the terminal emulators which send unique codes. It would be nice if we didn't lose that ability. The USB HID spec has codes for those extra keys, after all, so why not just include them as a pass through type deal.
Sooo...you're proposing a stand-alone "non-keyboard specific mobile adapter" that is basically the "programmable keyboard PCB without the keyboard" Am I right?
-programmable
-re-mapping
-macros
-audible feedback
-embedded layers
-alternate layouts
Um, you realize you just described the Kinesis Advantage keyboard controller, right? Maybe they will sell the controller separately if you ask!I would assume that a Teensy is both cheaper and easier to program than the Kinesis Advantage keyboard controller. I doubt Kinesis will supply the firmware source code along with the controller. Though, I also doubt they will supply the controller.
Otherwise, just yank the controller out of that contoured keyboard you're selling.
It has pretty much already been done here with the Teensy PS/2 to USB converter: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14618 It's just a matter of hacking the firmware to make it do Colemak conversion as well.
Adding a little speaker shouldn't be tough. Adding USB support would be difficult, and might not be possible with Teensy - I'm not 100% sure of that platform's limitations. Though, I suppose that an off the shelf USB to PS/2 adapter could be used before the PS/2 to USB conversion for most keyboards.
The hard part is the software. Making a piece of software that can generate firmware with the desired behavior (Colemak, Dvorak conversion, custom layouts, layers, etc.) is where 99% of the work is required. If the software isn't created then the majority of potential users will be reliant on the unpaid work of open source programmers, and sifting through an endless variety of firmwares of varying quality and compatibility.
Nirvana at last - at least for some - the Commodore 64 is reborn as an Atom-powered NetTop! With a Cherry keyboard, no less.
Announcement (http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx)Show Image(http://www.commodoreusa.net/j/C64KeysSmallBorder2b.png)
Better shot of the keyboard:Show Image(http://images.techtree.com/ttimages/story/113883_22commodore600b.jpg)
From the main page: "The new Commodore 64 features genuine Cherry brand key switches, which provide a feel much better than the original, with a lovely IBM classic mechanism and click sound. The keys are the exact same shape as the original and are color matched. No expense has been spared. This is the ultimate hackers keyboard on which to wield your key-fu."
More (http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Commodore_64_Reborn_as_Atom_Equipped_Nettop/551-113883-585.html) on the Commodore 64
Nirvana at last - at least for some - the Commodore 64 is reborn as an Atom-powered NetTop! With a Cherry keyboard, no less.
Announcement (http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx)
Better shot of the keyboard:Show Image(http://images.techtree.com/ttimages/story/113883_22commodore600b.jpg)
From the main page: "The new Commodore 64 features genuine Cherry brand key switches, which provide a feel much better than the original, with a lovely IBM classic mechanism and click sound. The keys are the exact same shape as the original and are color matched. No expense has been spared. This is the ultimate hackers keyboard on which to wield your key-fu."
More (http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Commodore_64_Reborn_as_Atom_Equipped_Nettop/551-113883-585.html) on the Commodore 64
thats not it - that looks professional - this was something that looked like it was made in the garage. I remember the cherry switches looking like they were being held down by some sort of clay like substance.
If we were sitting next to each other I would be the sandwich/coffee *****!
I just tested my KBC Poker with a USB to PS/2 passive adapter, and it works perfectly. So, Hasu's PS/2 to USB converter/remapper/programmer should work well with a Poker, provided an adapter is used.
Hasu, it's great to hear that you're interested and checking this thread. As more people get involved we'll be able to figure out better ways to collaborate.
I think that this project could be very successful. It is something that is of great use to people that write code for a living, so it should attract some really solid contributors if we can get the ball rolling and spread the word a little more.
So what is the shopping list so far?From Hasu's plans, the only things needed are a Teensy (or Teensy++), a female PS/2 port with a lead (that can be had from any cheap PS/2 to USB converter), and a USB cable. That's all.
Teensy++ 2.0, $24, http://www.pjrc.com/
What other things needed? You mentioned Arduino but there are a lot of variations on this. Which one is needed? If you give me a part number I will volunteer to shop around for the best price.
That's very interesting; I'd like to have the arrows on ESDF rather than WASD. Do you have any thoughts on how this can be accomplished with Hasu's PS/2 to USB with regard to the Fn keys? I suppose they don't have scan codes.I would swap the Alt and left Win keys with the DIP switches. Then, I would use the left Win key to access a separate layer with Hasu's PS/2 to USB instead of the Poker's Fn key. I could design a whole layer that way (I might assign layer modifier key (left Win Key) + Caps Lock as left Win key, so I don't lose that key, it is useful sometimes). The right Fn key might not be so useful if it doesn't have a scan code, and I don't think that it does.
I went and got me a new Teensy to do PS/2 to USB :) Now just find a smart way to mount it in an enclosure. I'm a bit reluctant to modify the Poker before I've even received it.See if you can think of something that hasn't been done and posted in this thread: http://psx-scene.com/forums/f178/post-your-dev-board-housing-case-pics-pimp-your-case-65633/
I used legos to mount mine.
See if you can think of something that hasn't been done and posted in this thread: http://psx-scene.com/forums/f178/post-your-dev-board-housing-case-pics-pimp-your-case-65633/
PJRC (http://www.pjrc.com/store/sd_adaptor.html) the teensy guys have it on a piggyback board... In their projects section there is at least 1 item doing fat R/W to the card.Yeah, I've thought about this before. Should it be part of the standard package for this project? It does open a lot of doors.
Yeah, I've thought about this before. Should it be part of the standard package for this project? It does open a lot of doors.
Lightweight USB Framework for AVRs. The library is currently in a stable release, suitable for download and incorporation into user projects for both host and device modes.
Soarer, you don't think storing the remaps as a text file would work? As soon as I get the SD reader from PJRC, I was planning on working on that exact thing.
What's needed for USB -> USB?
Right, LUFA requires a HOST capable AVR to be a USB host for your keyboard, and then you can use V-USB to be the device. Or you can use 2 AVRs, 1 as host and use SPI to communicate to the 2nd that operates as the device.
The problem here comes from not being able to use something off the shelf like a teensy.
I love the other thread. I should, it sounds just like this one :)
My suggestion is to move those posts over here, and I already spoke to iMav about converting this thread into a wiki. I just want to be sure we have a very good, descriptive name. Keep in mind, this thread/wiki will be around and active for a long time and we want it to be easily found by people on the web.
So what do you say? 1)Combine the threads, 2)come up with a great title, and 3)have iMav earn his keep by moving the combined thread into a wiki page?
And Solutor, it looks like threads cannot be renamed after all
2)come up with a great title
BTW back to topic.
What about
Project idea: the universal, programmable, keyboard controller/layout converter
Has anybody considered using one of the Vinculum II based devices?
Didn't know about them!
They look ideal, and the price is far more reasonable than I was expecting for something with those features.