Mini Keyboard with Trackpoint

[lowpoly]

I finally finished my mini keyboard after I don't know how many weeks. For those of you who didn't see the 'teaser' pics i posted in the pics thread: I wanted a keyboard where I never had to leave the home row. I started with a clicky Cherry G80-3000LSCEU/2 and removed the alpha part with a Dremel. Then I added a Trackpoint from an old IBM keyboard. And a new USB hub. Basically.

I think I did almost everything twice because it wouldn't work on first try or I wasn't happy. For ex. I had to paint the case twice. First it fell down from 3 ft high after finishing 6 layers of paint. Which I could repair. Then I glued the rubber pads to the bottom exactly like the guy in the rubber store told me. Unfortunately the glue dissolved the paint at the edges. So I had to sand it all down and start over. I almost trashed the project that evening.

Enough whining, on with the pics. The surface I took the pics on is a light gray so color is a bit off:



The space bar level bracket/wire usually is at the front. I had to relocate it to the rear for the case to fit:



Inner case with isolation layer and hub:



Second time I used clear double-sided adhesive tape to glue the feet. I went for large area feet because I want to use this on my laptop and small feet always interfere with the laptop keys. Also, it looks cool. Should have taken black screws but you can't have everything:



Cardboard templates so the case could be as small as possible (done twice, of course):



Mouse buttons will work when the space bar is pressed:



Function keys for second key layer are left and right of the space bar. I sanded the Windows logo away and added my own logo which is supposed to be the letter 'G' making a whirl. It's better on the case bottom. When the function key is pressed only the assigned function keys will work, not the normal keys. Fn + space does backspace:



The keyboard should look as if it was floating:



Case was done from a sheet of Aluminum:



The Trackpoint uses ps/2 so I had to add a ps/2 to usb converter to feed the Trackpoint into the USB hub:



Two USB connectors and mini USB connection to the computer. Optional power supply for the additional USB connectors. The hub came with it and I decided to keep it:



It fits into the hole that is left in the G80 donor.



Also, it works. And it fits into the front pouch of the HHKB case.

Edit: pics with the keyboard on a Thinkpad on page 8.

Edit: 3d mock-ups on page 10. Example:



Edit: Final 2nd layer on page 11.

Edit: White keycaps on page 12. Example:



Edit: mass production has been canceled but there should be a limited production run or a kit. Starts on page 21.

Edit: Blank keycaps pic on page 24:



Edit 2014/03/18: Several pics and links repaired.

Edit: new pointing stick stuff on page 30.

[bhtooefr]

Wow.

I like.

DIY HHKB+TrackPoint. Clever.

[xsphat]

That is the coolest mod I have ever seen, holy crap!

If you start making them, I want one first..

[xsphat]

What do you call it?

[bigpook]

Nice, job well done : )

[Chloe]

Wow, really impressive work!

[lowpoly]

Thanks for the comments.

What do you call it?

I had a name for a long time. But when I did a last minute google before I printed the bottom label I found that a very similar name was used by a computer manufacturer already. I probably could still use it in Germany but didn't want to register the domains without being sure. So the name is postponed, only by a few days hopefully. For now it's just 'mini' which was the working title. I also registered type-in-style.com which was supposed to be the slogan.

[zwmalone]

That is the most awesome thing I have ever seen.  I want one.  The form factor and trackpoint are perfect.  Excellent finish, very polished.  Nicely done.

[Chloe]

How do the switches sound in comparison to being in a plastic case? There's something about the way it looks, I really want to try typing on it.

[D-EJ915]

and that would be like $1000 if it were sold on the market.  VERY Nice work, excellent job.

[lowpoly]

How do the switches sound in comparison to being in a plastic case?

Much quieter, the plastic case has a lot more resonance during the click and especially when bottoming out.

[bhtooefr]

It's a shame the donor TrackPoint wasn't a three-button.

(Although, you could wire a third button that activates both left and right at the same time, although it might not fit...)

[lowpoly]

I'm not going to saw another hole into the case. I know I'd ruin the paint.

I still have one control key too many as caps lock is control too. I can use Autohotkey to remap one of them to the middle mouse button.

Not sure if I split the control keys that way already. But re-programming the layout is a matter of minutes.

[lam47]

very nice handy work!!
Its very clean and has taken some serious though to get just right.
You did well not to burn and drown it when it fell on the floor.
Amazing stuff.

Oh and can I say the aluminium work is superb. I'm crap with metals

I have been working on some designs for an exotic wood keyboard.
I make joysticks from the stuff why not keyboards.

[secularzarathustra]

wow, what an amazing job...when do you go into production?

[bigpook]

wow, what an amazing job...when do you go into production?

You do plan on mass producing these, right? : )

[bhtooefr]

New suggestion for caps lock... can you make it a num lock? (Actually, I'm thinking something like a multi-layered numlock. Have it simulate a numpad's editing block with it on, maybe, and the Fn (or swirly-G) key to get an actual numpad with it on or off?)

And, I think I know what the Menu button can be used for... middle mouse.

(I haven't tried blue Cherries, but if I like them, I... want one of these. Never thought I'd be saying that about a spacesaver.)

[lowpoly]

Thanks.

wow, what an amazing job...when do you go into production?

Currently, it's more about 'if' than 'when'. This is not production ready yet.

very nice handy work!!
Its very clean and has taken some serious though to get just right.
You did well not to burn and drown it when it fell on the floor.
Amazing stuff.

Oh and can I say the aluminium work is superb. I'm crap with metals

I have been working on some designs for an exotic wood keyboard.
I make joysticks from the stuff why not keyboards.

Did you post these?

[lowpoly]

You do plan on mass producing these, right? : )

I'd like to. It's a big step though.

New suggestion for caps lock... can you make it a num lock? (Actually, I'm thinking something like a multi-layered numlock. Have it simulate a numpad's editing block with it on, maybe, and the Fn (or swirly-G) key to get an actual numpad with it on or off?)

I can put Num Lock on it but there are no numpad keys on the board right now. The controller doesn't support this I think. You have to program internal key codes not characters. I could put a numpad on layer 2 in the zxc/asd/qwe area. But you'd have to press Fn all the time. Or use one of those double action switches for caps lock. To switch Fn on an off. I can put more than one keycode on a key though. Like writing words with a single key.

And, I think I know what the Menu button can be used for... middle mouse.

Currently I use it as windows key because I use win+E quite often. The controller can't simulate mouse clicks. With Autohotkey no problem.

(I haven't tried blue Cherries, but if I like them, I... want one of these. Never thought I'd be saying that about a spacesaver.)

[bhtooefr]

True, I Win-D a lot.

I'm thinking my optimal layout for that four-key group on the right would be something like...

[Scroll] [Right Fn] [Windows] [Right Alt]

(I do need the right Alt key for stuff, so...)

I really should draw my optimal layouts... how many Fn-style modifiers does that controller support?

[iMav]

Blue cherries, trackpoint, and a small form factor.  That.  is.  AWESOME!

I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to the logistics regarding what it would take to produce production keyboards...but for what it's worth, you have the full support of geekhack.  If we can be of assistance, just let me know.  (we need a go to keyboard here)  

[bhtooefr]

Of course, it looks like it's another 10 years before the patents on the TrackPoint IV run out, so we won't be able to get third-party TrackPoint boards without some cloning going on.

But, Alps does make their own design... it's not as good as a genuine TrackPoint IV, but it's better than the Unicomp design...

(I'm thinking of this from a production standpoint. Buying TrackPoint IV keyboards to rip them apart to integrate the pointing stick = wasteful.)

[wellington1869]

I'd like to. It's a big step though.

all I can say is if the guy who launched metadot could do it on a whim with no previous manufacturing experience, then I think any of us can. Just a matter of getting the funders together with the lawyers

[bhtooefr]

Of course, if we're designing our own low volume custom keyboard design, there'll be room for whatever keyswitches we want, except for possibly buckling spring, but possibly including Topre capacitive, in the design.

Time for a poll.

[wellington1869]

Of course, if we're designing our own low volume custom keyboard design, there'll be room for whatever keyswitches we want,

exactly! And then *all* of our dreams will come true

the board here is a great candidate as a universal switch receptacle. Its got everything everyone here asks for: spacesaver, trackpoint integrated, trim and even looks great.  (I could even live without the trackpoint if patents will be an issue. The rest of it is still brilliant). Each of us orders it with our favorite switch. Aaaah, nirvana.

I say again, if the code monkey who launched metadot can do it, any of us code monkeys can do it.

I dont even care who profits; i just want it to be available! And available state-side for a change.

[wellington1869]

There's only 2 things I'd request changing on the design above --
1) that the capslock key be a normal flat-top key and not the 2-step or '2-level' style
2) that we throw in the normal 12 function keys along the top.

[wellington1869]

Of course, if we're designing our own low volume custom keyboard design, there'll be room for whatever keyswitches we want, except for possibly buckling spring, but possibly including Topre capacitive, in the design.

Time for a poll.

I could live without BS on this particular board (at least not at first, we can look into adding it later if its complicated), but I'd definitely ask for alps to be avail at launch

[bhtooefr]

Well, I'm not sure about individual switch selection, although keeping it within a model line probably wouldn't be hard (think variations between Cherry MX models, but not switching to Alps, or vice versa.)

Also, I'd prefer a 2-step caps lock, and the 12 function keys can be handled with Fn.

[wellington1869]

Well, I'm not sure about individual switch selection, although keeping it within a model line probably wouldn't be hard (think variations between Cherry MX models, but not switching to Alps, or vice versa.)

thats ok then it means we produce 2 lines

Also, I'd prefer a 2-step caps lock, .

thats solved by shipping it with both types Taking a page from the Topre handbook we should also ship it with the optional red escape key. *Drooool*

The entire board of course should be offered with 4 types of keycaps (for every switch version): white, black, white-blank, black-blank.

[bhtooefr]

So, really, what we need to do is optimize the layout. Of course, the Caps key will be used for different things by different people. I'm thinking of mine as a navigation lock (implemented as a shift - I know there's versions of the Cherry MX that support physically locked keys,) now, with the editing block on the home row and the row immediately above it, with the arrow keys on WASD.

I'd use Fn for accessing function keys...

Of course, that begs the question... do I really even need two separate Fn shifts? The only inaccessible keys with that layout would be the numpad, which... isn't really needed all that much (except for Alt codes, but I use those rarely enough that I can use charmap instead.)

So, here's what I want on the top row:

Esc should be the `/~ key in Fn mode
1 through =/+ keys should be F1 through F12 in Fn mode

(I'm guessing this is how the top row is already implemented...)

Row 2:

W should be Up Arrow
U should be Insert
I should be Home
O should be PgUp

Row 3:

CapsLk should be a physically locking Fn
A should be Left Arrow
S should be Down Arrow
D should be Right Arrow
J should be Delete
K should be End
L should be PgDn

Row 4:

Leave it alone.

Row 5:

Keys should be in this order:

Ctrl Win Alt Space Menu RtFn RtAlt RtCtrl

RtFn shouldn't be physically locking. It'll be useful for when I quickly need to navigate in the middle of something, but don't want to lock it down.

(And, I want Menu there because that's as close to the spacebar as I can get it, perfect for using it as a scroll button.)

[wellington1869]

so basically you want the HHKB style with some modifications; I actually want a perfectly normal layout lol! I do my shortcuts with autohotkey so I need the standard layout else it messes up my hotkeys.

so there should be an hhkb version and a regular version...

[bhtooefr]

What makes this thing better than an HHKB is that it has more hotkeys to play with. I wouldn't consider an HHKB because of its lack of modifiers, and that SO MUCH is hidden.

And, with a LOCKING Fn key, it removes the major deficiency that the HHKB has with navigation.

I've gotta make that clear, though - caps lock MUST BE A LOCKING FN for me to buy this board.

I know there are locking keyswitches in both the Cherry MX and Alps camps, so that won't be a problem.

[wellington1869]

I love the "swirl" icon that he put on the winkeys and on the cable strap. Very funky.

[bhtooefr]

Yeah, that is a nice icon.

You know, is that your attempt at a Geekhack logo, or something else, lowpoly? (It IS supposed to be a G, after all.)

[wellington1869]

omg is that supposed to be a G? That would make a pretty great geekhack logo I think

[bhtooefr]

Also, I think it goes without saying that we want full 6-key rollover on this thing.

This thing is gonna be low enough volume that I doubt it'll add all that much to the cost.

(That is the problem with the Cherry vs. Alps thing, it'll add significantly to the cost to add another keyswitch type, unless they can use the same PCB... but they'll still need different keycaps.)

[D-EJ915]

I say solder in the locking key yourself

If I were to buy a keyboard like this I would want it without the pointing stick to be honest.  Also right control keys are useless, especially on a keyboard with no arrow keys so that could be made into some additional modifier key or something.

I also like how the happy hacking keyboard sticks the #|\ key (left of 1) on the opposite side of the keyboard, for me this is a key I use quite a bit so having it easily accessible is somewhat essential.  I'd also prefer the right alt to be swapped with the 'G' key as it's an Alt Gr for me and the closer it is to the center the better.  The key right of shift added on the 105 keyboard is really not important.

[bhtooefr]

Oh, nice, the alternate action (locking) Cherry MX switches are 2.1 oz, same as the blues.

So, if it were a Cherry-based board, I'd want 59 MX1A-E1DWs (blue, with diode, PCB mount,) 1 MX1A-31DW (alternate action, with diode, PCB mount,) and 1 MX1A-F1DW (green, with diode, PCB mount.)

Of course, all those diodes might not be necessary for a 6-key rollover board...

[lowpoly]

I really should draw my optimal layouts... how many Fn-style modifiers does that controller support?

Only one additional layer.

I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to the logistics regarding what it would take to produce production keyboards...but for what it's worth, you have the full support of geekhack.  If we can be of assistance, just let me know.  (we need a go to keyboard here)  

Thanks. There's a lot to do to make this production ready. I didn't think it through yet fully but plan to during the next days.

(I'm thinking of this from a production standpoint. Buying TrackPoint IV keyboards to rip them apart to integrate the pointing stick = wasteful.)

Thanks for the Alps tip, I didn't know that. I think you can buy original Trackpoints. The company who manufactures them didn't care to respond to my emails though, grrrr.

all I can say is if the guy who launched metadot could do it on a whim with no previous manufacturing experience, then I think any of us can. Just a matter of getting the funders together with the lawyers

He never manufactured anything himself though. It still might be the right thing to do these days.

There's only 2 things I'd request changing on the design above --
1) that the capslock key be a normal flat-top key and not the 2-step or '2-level' style
2) that we throw in the normal 12 function keys along the top.

The flat capslock key won't work on this board, because the key won't go down very well when pressed on the lower part. It would need a level bracket then.

WRT to function keys I could build an extension module with function keys and cursor block from the left over G80 parts. I could even use the original G80 controller with that and feed it into the USB hub. Like a docking module. But accessing the function keys with Fn and number is perfectly intuitive? If you really need them you could use the number row for function keys and program a Fn numpad somewhere using the number row keys. The keycaps even have the same slant.

So, really, what we need to do is optimize the layout. Of course, the Caps key will be used for different things by different people. I'm thinking of mine as a navigation lock (implemented as a shift - I know there's versions of the Cherry MX that support physically locked keys,) now, with the editing block on the home row and the row immediately above it, with the arrow keys on WASD.

I'd use Fn for accessing function keys...

Of course, that begs the question... do I really even need two separate Fn shifts? The only inaccessible keys with that layout would be the numpad, which... isn't really needed all that much (except for Alt codes, but I use those rarely enough that I can use charmap instead.)

So, here's what I want on the top row:

Esc should be the `/~ key in Fn mode
1 through =/+ keys should be F1 through F12 in Fn mode

(I'm guessing this is how the top row is already implemented...)

Row 2:

W should be Up Arrow
U should be Insert
I should be Home
O should be PgUp

Row 3:

CapsLk should be a physically locking Fn
A should be Left Arrow
S should be Down Arrow
D should be Right Arrow
J should be Delete
K should be End
L should be PgDn

Row 4:

Leave it alone.

Row 5:

Keys should be in this order:

Ctrl Win Alt Space Menu RtFn RtAlt RtCtrl

RtFn shouldn't be physically locking. It'll be useful for when I quickly need to navigate in the middle of something, but don't want to lock it down.

(And, I want Menu there because that's as close to the spacebar as I can get it, perfect for using it as a scroll button.)

Top row is as you said.

Rows  2-4: I like the WASD idea. What do you think of the NEO navigation layout? This is for an ISO keyboard though.

Row 5: Do you want to use Menu as a middle mouse button ("scroll")? I'd probably swap Menu and RtFn because I like to press Fn with the thumb... However, the keys in the bottom row are all the same size and re-programming is quickly done.

I might actually try this during the next days.

so basically you want the HHKB style with some modifications; I actually want a perfectly normal layout lol! I do my shortcuts with autohotkey so I need the standard layout else it messes up my hotkeys.

so there should be an hhkb version and a regular version...

It would be easy to provide a few layout files. And you can pull the lower row keys without a keycap puller because the edges are not hidden.

You know, is that your attempt at a Geekhack logo, or something else, lowpoly? (It IS supposed to be a G, after all.)

No, the original name I had in mind also starts with a G.

Also, I think it goes without saying that we want full 6-key rollover on this thing.

This thing is gonna be low enough volume that I doubt it'll add all that much to the cost.

(That is the problem with the Cherry vs. Alps thing, it'll add significantly to the cost to add another keyswitch type, unless they can use the same PCB... but they'll still need different keycaps.)

I have some ideas for a switch design, I'll have to see how this works out.

The pcb layout has to be done anyway, nKey rollover just adds some complexity. And the diode switches should be more expensive.

So, if it were a Cherry-based board, I'd want 59 MX1A-E1DWs (blue, with diode, PCB mount,) 1 MX1A-31DW (alternate action, with diode, PCB mount,) and 1 MX1A-F1DW (green, with diode, PCB mount.)

Rollover is not that good right now. It currently depends on using additional rows and columns.

[bhtooefr]

Not really feeling the NEO layout, and it has some limitations that make it not good for this layout (with F keys on the board.)

And, yes, I'll be using RtFn less than the scroll button. I use trackpoint scroll ALL THE TIME right now.

But, you might ship it in this layout, for that cluster:

RtAlt RtFn Menu RtCtrl

That way, it looks like a standard Windows 104-key layout in that cluster, and it IS reprogrammable, so I could just change it to be how I want it.

[lowpoly]

You're right about the NEO layout, I forgot the F keys. NEO has 4 layers so it's less cramped.

Currently I use a well known Japanese layout for the cursor keys just so I don't have to adapt when switching between keyboards. I'm not too happy with that one though as it relies heavily on the right pinky. I'll try WASD next week.

But, you might ship it in this layout, for that cluster:

RtAlt RtFn Menu RtCtrl

That way, it looks like a standard Windows 104-key layout in that cluster, and it IS reprogrammable, so I could just change it to be how I want it.

Sounds like a plan. A couple of blank keys for the space bar row might be nice. For ex. I never use RCtrl.

I just used Autohotkey to put the middle mouse button on menu. Very nice.

Speaking of standard layout...

I also like how the happy hacking keyboard sticks the #|\ key (left of 1) on the opposite side of the keyboard, for me this is a key I use quite a bit so having it easily accessible is somewhat essential. I'd also prefer the right alt to be swapped with the 'G' key as it's an Alt Gr for me and the closer it is to the center the better. The key right of shift added on the 105 keyboard is really not important.

I thought about that layout change for some time and finally decided against it. First it would have been very difficult to pull off without machinery. I only had a Dremel and a simple power drill. And I'm not that precise with my pinky so more distance between enter and backspace is good for me.

I'm using the board on my laptop now and the large feet work perfectly. I can even move the 'board around into any position I want (one of the big advantages of the small footprint).

Also, I put Ctrl-X/C/V on Fn-S/D/F. Not a big improvement but still nice. I'll move that to the other side for WASD navigation.

[bhtooefr]

ESDF for the arrow key cluster actually makes more sense (which is what the NEO does,) as that moves right arrow to the F key, but WASD is more standard for an arrow cluster. (Think first person shooters.)

[bhtooefr]

Oh, and what's your opinion on making Caps Lock a physical Fn lock, with an alternate action switch?

[bhtooefr]

Sorry about the triple-post, but do you mind if I post this on other forums to gauge interest in a production version?

[lowpoly]

ESDF for the arrow key cluster actually makes more sense (which is what the NEO does,) as that moves right arrow to the F key, but WASD is more standard for an arrow cluster. (Think first person shooters.)

NEO uses ESDF because then home and end can be put to the left and right of the horizontal arrow keys. Which is quite elegant. But WASD is well established which I prefer.

Oh, and what's your opinion on making Caps Lock a physical Fn lock, with an alternate action switch?

I think using CapsLock as LCtrl is highly popular so many would be put off by that switch. But I understand the reasoning behind it. I think we need both.

[wellington1869]

lowpoly what r u planning in terms of manufacturing? To take it to an oem manufacturer? Is that different from what metadot guy did?

(And yes I think we'll need multiple versions of this (both layout and switches) to make everyone here happy I'd definitely only want normal layout (and preferably with normal function keys since I use them a LOT, both for custom functions and for programs, tho I might buy it even if they were just tied to function key). The trackpoint I could live either with or without.) But normal layout on the remaining keys is a must... at least on one version of the board...

[lowpoly]

Sorry about the triple-post, but do you mind if I post this on other forums to gauge interest in a production version?

Not at all, thanks for doing this.

[bhtooefr]

That is elegant, but my idea does put End on a home key (whereas the NEO layout doesn't,) and it puts Home one row above a home key.

Of course, maybe I could just do what wellington said, and solder in my own alternate action switch.

[wellington1869]

Not at all, thanks for doing this.

we should generate buzz so that this actually gets made (including pressuring and hounding lowpoly himself)

[itlnstln]

This is a very cool design.  Lowpoly should get this thing patented and in mass production.  I am not a huge fan of the small layouts, but this is great (I do love my ml-4100, too).