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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 04 June 2010, 21:38:03

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 04 June 2010, 21:38:03

I need some clarification on this:

If I want to, let's say add an additional 5 F-keys to my Kinesis Contour, what would need to happen under the hood? Different controller? Additional controller? Is this something that would happen with a Teensy? Or Aikon? What about the programming?

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 04 June 2010, 21:40:03

Good luck.

Best to get something like a model M terminal for extra keys. So many that you'll never need more.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 04 June 2010, 22:10:05

Soooo, it's basically building a keyboard from the "ground up" type of undertaking?

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: kishy on Fri, 04 June 2010, 22:31:26

Unless you were to use some sort of USB controller as a separate device within the same casing...pretty much.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: bitflipper on Fri, 04 June 2010, 22:34:44

You could do something like X-keys (http://www.fentek-ind.com/xks16.htm) instead of building a keyboard from scratch.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 04 June 2010, 22:37:11

An additional keyboard controller, and just use the keys I want?

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: kishy on Fri, 04 June 2010, 22:39:40

Quote from: input nirvana;189817

An additional keyboard controller, and just use the keys I want?

That's what I was thinking, yeah. Extra controller in the case, connect switches of your preference somehow mounted to the case to the controller and you should be good to go. Extra plug of course, but it would be the easy way to add keys to an existing unit.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 04 June 2010, 22:55:41

If I want to add on Mac, keys F13-F19 and maybe a couple hot keys, do I need to use a Mac keyboard controller with those particular keys/programing?

I think I see how X-keys could work.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: In Stereo! on Fri, 04 June 2010, 23:03:15

I noticed that sometimes, if the keyboard uses a generic keyboard controller, its matrix has more intersections (columns*rows) then the actual keyboard has keys. You can quickly see if this is the case with your specific keyboard if you count the keys and then compare it to the number of possible combinations of rows and columns from the controller.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 04 June 2010, 23:09:08

Quote from: In Stereo!;189828

I noticed that sometimes, if the keyboard uses a generic keyboard controller, its matrix has more intersections (columns*rows) then the actual keyboard has keys. You can quickly see if this is the case with your specific keyboard if you count the keys and then compare it to the number of possible combinations of rows and columns from the controller.

I thought that might be possible, but probably not on the Kinesis Contour since it's made as a specific product almost from the ground up. Then there is still the programing issue I would need help with.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 04 June 2010, 23:28:18

I think this would do it:

http://www.xkeys.com/custom/xkmatrix.php (http://www.xkeys.com/custom/xkmatrix.php)

About $60

It addresses the programing issue, I think. Definitely overkill just to add 4-6 keys.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 11 June 2010, 21:50:00

I was just doing point-to-point between switches on the Fiberglas to match the original configuration. My next version will be to use plain board, not a PCB from another keyboard.  I grew too confused trying to re-use traces from the previous board.

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Fri, 11 June 2010, 22:13:19

Is that a.......squirrel?

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: ricercar on Sat, 12 June 2010, 04:27:31

A squirrel? Where?

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: noctua on Sat, 12 June 2010, 04:37:32

ricercar: like this?  (photo is from Frankenstein, prototype (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:7422&do=comments&page=2))

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/4010027735_be2c7e8598.jpg)

Title: Adding keys to a keyboard
Post by: Input Nirvana on Sat, 12 June 2010, 11:37:25

Is that squirrel a pet? A friend? Or just some rodent renegade hijacking your sig?

I'm gearing down on the adding keys idea, Sticking with splitting, 360 degree positioning on chair arms, and integrated pointing device. Do less, do it very well. I can implement the other ideas another time. Besides, I'm tired of getting my butt beat on the learning curves at this time.