geekhack
geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: skygazer on Sun, 28 February 2016, 19:18:03
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I love my Atreus... it is the perfect ergo keyboard for typing in my lap! But after using it for a month or so, I started longing for some kind of pointing device that could fit it that small gap between the right and left halves. I wanted something simple and removable, and i didn't particularly want to completely rebuild the keyboard.
After exploring trackpoint and handheld trackball options, I began to think that I woulldn’t find a hack to fit in the Atreus ‘wedge’ space without totally rebuilding the keyboard. I really wanted the pointing device to be easily be removable and use its own USB connection, without modifying the keyboard.
I found eventually found a reference showing the Logitech Trackman Marble, which has a small format CCB under the ball and a separate CCB for the controller. This looked promising.. the ball is larger than I would have liked, but the base is very small.
(http://i.imgur.com/P7sTNYF.jpg)
Here it how it turned out:
(http://i.imgur.com/GnmHZzn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nNaualS.jpg)
I call it “Aerope”, after the wife of Atreus. She was a very bad girl…
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Here is the trackball without the Atreus. It just sits on top of the keyboard, and the ball just sits in the cup. Note that I used some MX clears that were lying around, instead of the Logitech microswitches.
(http://i.imgur.com/u3D5yM5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7eo6pdE.jpg)
Here's a view of the bottom, showing wiring and the controller card. I have since added some thin stick-on rubber feet, which keeps it from moving around on the keyboard.
(http://i.imgur.com/slYtFqz.jpg)
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Awesome stuff. (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/cheer2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862495)
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Here are some construction details. Since it is a standard Logitech Trackman, the standard Logitech drivers work (windows drivers are pretty good, Mac drivers suck. I use USB Overdrive on my Mac).
I had to dremel away a lot of the cup to make room for the 'T' and 'Y' keys (or 'Y' and 'F' keys in Dvorak). It is still a little cramped, but I can live with it.
(http://i.imgur.com/yJm4BTE.jpg)
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That looks good. Does the ball stay in place pretty well?
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I type with the keyboard in my lap. My only problem with the ball falling out happens when I lean forward too much, or inadvertently tip the keyboard taking it on or off of my lap.
That said, I haven't had to chase the ball across the room in over a week now :thumb:
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I'd only had to chase my trackman marble ball a few times after cleaning the sensor :)) nice
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This is great!
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If this were mass produced I would buy this so god damn hard
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damnnn, that's awesome
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Amazing. This really makes me consider getting away from aircraft carrier keyboards. I am truly impressed.