geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: HeroXLazer on Wed, 18 January 2017, 17:00:26
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Can I implement a Trackball into a hand wired build? It will be split and each will have a separate controller and have two USB cables going to the computer. I don't want to use something like a disassemble Logitech trackball. I want to go fully custom. Is it possible, and if it is, how would i do it?
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Software wise, I saw some folks build their own full-size custom trackball. And the major forms of keyboard controller have mouse commands now, so if you have the hardware it would seem the only other constraint would be dedicated I/O lines on your uC.
Unfortunately I can't offer more help than that, except to say there have been keyboards with builtin pointers, so it shouldn't really be that hard, aside from the physical space & construction skill needed.
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Can I implement a Trackball into a hand wired build?
Yes. Depending on your skill and desire, you can make just about anything.
It will be split and each will have a separate controller and have two USB cables going to the computer.
Why not combine them with a hub and only have one cable go to the computer? That's what I did on most of my trackball/keyboard builds.
I don't want to use something like a disassemble Logitech trackball. I want to go fully custom. Is it possible, and if it is, how would i do it?
Is there a reason why you don't want to implement an existing commercial trackball? It would be a lot easier than starting from scratch.
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I'm not sure exactly how you define "fully custom" but what about something like this Blackberry trackball breakout: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13169
I suspect this is similar to what the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard uses as one of its add-ons.
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Can I implement a Trackball into a hand wired build?
Yes. Depending on your skill and desire, you can make just about anything.
It will be split and each will have a separate controller and have two USB cables going to the computer.
Good point and it was going to be a split keyboard with a hub in the one with the trackball.
Why not combine them with a hub and only have one cable go to the computer? That's what I did on most of my trackball/keyboard builds.
I don't want to use something like a disassemble Logitech trackball. I want to go fully custom. Is it possible, and if it is, how would i do it?
Is there a reason why you don't want to implement an existing commercial trackball? It would be a lot easier than starting from scratch.