Unbranded Buckling Spring

[CaptCarrot]

Just won a kb from someones garage.

It is un branded, but I have found out a little about it from it's FCC ID.

FCC ID: IZITK-105M

Now that ID relates to several different products, both wired and wireless, so I can only assume it relates to the chip manufacturer?

Anyway, this board is a standard, modern sized, PS/2 keyboard with 4 extra keys.  [Ins], [Home], [Pg Up], [Del], [End] & [Pg Dn] have been shifted down a row to meet the cursors.  [Prt Scr], [Scrl Lk] and [Brk] have been moved down 2 rows to join the top of the previous block, and in there place have been put [Sleep], [Wake] and [Power].  To the right of the right Shift key is an [Fn] Key.  Having done some research on the FCC ID I found out that there is an easter egg stored in this board.  Make sure you are in a text entry area, then hold Fn and press Prt Scr and you get the following message

eleen enterprise co., ltd. v1.02

I have taken it apart, and it would appear to be Buckling Spring technology.

Piccies - click to enlarge (will open in new tab/window).

           

           

[bhtooefr]

Talk about a weird beast - the design doesn't quite look like IBM's buckling spring system, although better photos would be needed to be sure about that.

It is tactile, correct?

And, most keyboards with that easter egg are the $2 rubber dome boards that are only good for this: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=625413727137976232

[bhtooefr]

Also, take a look at this: http://web.archive.org/web/20040812042057/http://www.can-tech.com.tw/mechanical.htm

[CaptCarrot]

Also, take a look at this: http://web.archive.org/web/20040812042057/http://www.can-tech.com.tw/mechanical.htm

thought I would post that info, as the images on that page do not load who knows how long it'll survive

MECHANICAL TOUCH FEELING

• MECHANICAL TOUCH KEYBOARD SPECIFICATION
• SPILL RESISTANCE
• SPECIAL "FN" KEYS FUNCTION:

[LIST=A]

• KEYBOARD LOCK ON/OFF : PRESS "FN" + "F12"
• KEYBOARD REPEAT RATE ADJUSTABLE: PRESS "FN" + "F1" ~ F8"

   

• NO. OF KEYS:

[LIST=A]

• US 108 KEYS
• EUROPE 109 KEYS
• BRAZILIAN 110 KEYS
• KOREAN 111 KEYS
• JAPANESE 112 KEYS

• LANGUAGE: ALL LANGUAGES LAYOUT AVAILABLE
• KEY CLICK SOUND: YES
• KEY SWITCH: PATENTED STAINLESS SPRING KEYSWITCH
• KEY SWITCH LIFECYCLE : 10 MILLION
• WINDOWS 95 KEYS AVAILABLE
• 3 POWER CONTROL KEYS AVAILABLE
• EURO SIGN AVAILABLE
• CONNECTION TYPE: AT(DIN) , PS/2, USB
• OPERATING SYSTEM: ALL MICROSOFT WINDOWS SYSTEMS
• CERTIFICATION: CE, FCC
• CABLE LENGTH: 5 FEET
• PRODUCT COLOR : WHITE
• KEY TRAVEL : 4  0.3 mm
• OPERATING FORCE: 55g  8g
• SPACE KEY FORCE: 55g  8g
• OPERATING VOLTAGE: + 5V DC  10%
• OPERATING CURRENT: MAX 250mA at 5V DC
• STORAGE TEMPERATURE: -20 ~ + 60
• OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -5 ~ +50
• HUMIDITY : 5% - 95% RH

Code: [Select]

PACKAGE INFORMATION

           PALM                PCS/   G.W.   CBF/
  MODEL    REST   DIA.(mm)     CTN    (kg)   CTN
-------------------------------------------------
CAN-2001W  NO     460*160*41   20     17.8   2.6
CAN-6001W  YES    490*180*50   10     12.5   1.65
CAN-7001W  YES    490*180*50   10     12.5   1.65

Also, the patent numbers off the bottom of my  IZITK-105M

German Patent No. G9211065.7
R.O.C. Patent No. 188557
USA Patent No. 07-691S25
China Patent No. 92232015.2

[Chloe]

It looks like the same layout as the Kopek Pacific KB-2 Mechanical Touch Keyboard:
http://www.kopek-pacific.com/computer_keyboard.htm#kb2

The price here seems too good to be true:
http://www.bangkokbest.com/Periperal.htm

What are your impressions of the build quality? How does it feel to type on?

[CaptCarrot]

Its not bad. not brilliant but not bad.  It has the same spill resistance as an M because of the way the case is molded.  I can't really compare it to other boards that well, but I would say it definately has a springy feel to it.

Here is a quick sound sample [REMOVED]...  I'll post a proper one in the keyboard sound thread when the missus goes out and stops nagging at me.

[bhtooefr]

It's from Web Archive - they must not have gotten the images, and the manufacturer's site has already deleted them, but the text is safe.

As for the bangkokbest link, clicking on the order now button gives you "Your requested e-Store is not found !!"

And, that sound... what sort of compression are you using on that file? Because that sounds like a horribly overcompressed file.

[CaptCarrot]

I'll redo the sound.  I have got the missus nagging at me, thinking I'm a freak and I can only record in wma, so I tried converting it to mp3 as I can't upload wma.

Ive got to take the missus out now, try and shut her up.  I'll repost later (the original wma sounded fine)

[bhtooefr]

Record it in WAV, and convert to MP3. Sound Recorder FTW.

Rule #1 of converting media: Avoid converting from one lossy format to another.

[CaptCarrot]

i'll do it on my xp machine. Sound recorder on vista only lists wma as an option.

[CaptCarrot]

In an effort to give a better recording I am A: recording direct to mp3, and B: recording what I am typing here and not some arbitrary nonsense.  HTH.

[bhtooefr]

OK, that's more helpful.

And, now I want one of these things, just to see how it is. We might have just found the cheap buckling spring board of choice for people who don't want to pay a bunch of money for a new Unicomp, or buy a 13+ year old 1391401 from Goodwill (or, for that matter, a 10-13 year old Lexmark board.)

Although, the layout certainly is NOT US 104...

[CaptCarrot]

Agreed it is not US 104, but I do believe that it says in that datasheet that all language layouts are available, (US is 108).  Who knows, it may even come as a 105 (only the fn key extra).

here is one on Ebay UK BIEGE MECHANICAL TOUCH AT KEYBOARD FOR WINDOWS95/98 (Item number: 170268428298)

[CaptCarrot]

You want better pictures of the spring mech... GO HERE

Apart from the fact mine does not say Mechanical Touch where the status LED's are, and is missing the other character imprints on the keys, the text for Caps, Num & Scroll Lock is identical.  The sticker underneath mine says No: 200010  Made in China

[CaptCarrot]

This Guy Doesn't know when he was onto a good thing.

The keyboard feels very cheap and tacky. The keys wobble and don't feel very firm, and they are quite loud. The plain packaging says in huge letters, "Mechanical touch feeling!", but this just means the keys are very loud and springy. So far there are no actual problems with the keys; I assume the letters won't wear off, and the keys don't seem like they would break loose despite how wobbly they are. Only time will tell whether this keyboard will last a few months or a few years, though the cheapness definitely suggest it will break sooner rather than later.

[lowpoly]

A new switch, non-understanding SOs, great internet detective work, this thread delivers!

[CaptCarrot]

great internet detective work

Just call me Caps Lock Holmes


p.s. whats an SO?

[Chloe]

This Guy Doesn't know when he was onto a good thing.

I'm not sure if this is the same keyboard. The one in the review had 104 keys and 18 multimedia keys. The F21RFXP2 here has a "Mechanical Touch Feeling" option.

[CaptCarrot]

I'm not sure if this is the same keyboard. The one in the review had 104 keys and 18 multimedia keys. The F21RFXP2 here has a "Mechanical Touch Feeling" option.

Sure, its just he was moaning about the noise and the springiness...  Our Holy Grail

I found that page, noted the following

  Model Number : F21HQ

• Dimension : ( L x W x H) : 465*175*30 mm
• Switch activation mechanism : Mechanical type
• Patented APC Mechanical Key Switch
  
• PS2/AT port
• CE/FCC approved
• One Year warranty
• Packing : 10 PCS/CTN;N.W.12.5 Kgs;G.W:15.55Kgs; Measurement: 2.0'

Just wasn't sure it was a spring not a switch.

[lowpoly]

p.s. whats an SO?

Significant Other.

[CaptCarrot]

ahhh

[CaptCarrot]

You want better pictures of the spring mech... GO HERE

Apart from the fact mine does not say Mechanical Touch where the status LED's are, and is missing the other character imprints on the keys, the text for Caps, Num & Scroll Lock is identical.  The sticker underneath mine says No: 200010  Made in China

Found on the same site...  A really good graphical display of how the IBM switches work.

Look Here

[CaptCarrot]

OK, that's more helpful.

And, now I want one of these things, just to see how it is. We might have just found the cheap buckling spring board of choice for people who don't want to pay a bunch of money for a new Unicomp, or buy a 13+ year old 1391401 from Goodwill (or, for that matter, a 10-13 year old Lexmark board.)

Although, the layout certainly is NOT US 104...

Well, I don't know if this has the same key-mech (it appears to have the fn key)... If anyone is willing to take a punt on it and find out, I think some might be interested to know, maybe.

I would, but I can just about justify the price of the board, add shipping to the UK and my mrs would kill me.

The e-bay auction says ps/2.. this uk auction says mac only adb.

[CaptCarrot]

scratch that - found some specs... sounds like Cherrys...
http://www.datadesktech.com/desktop_base.html

Keyswitch Characteristics
Full-travel, tactile, gold-plated mechanical switches
Rated at 50 million cycles
Operating force:  momentary, 70 - 25g
Switch travel:  3.5 - 0.5 mm

[CaptCarrot]

Back to the original, looks like the base manufacturer is Can Technologies...
Interesting link to ALPS too...

http://www.can-tech.com.tw/html/history.html

... Mr. Tao Shen Chen, the founder of CAN TECHNOLOGY...

... In 1984, Mr. Chen founded a component plastic injection company named Precision Great Plastic Co. Ltd. ...

... Meanwhile, PGP also had developed ALPS plastic key switch tooling and had produced the plastic components to Forward. ...

... 　In 1989,  ... In same year, PGP had started to develop and manufactured PGP's first computer mechanical keyboard, and had also received various patents for stainless spring mechanical switch. ...

... Mr. Chen founded a factory in Zhuhai Nanping, China, which was named President
Computer Technology Co., Ltd ...

... President Computer had started to manufacture mechanical keyboard for TRUST. Later on, President also had started to manufacture rubber membrane keyboard for Logitech, and A4. Besides wired keyboard, President computer had also started to manufacture wireless keyboard for Chic ...

... President Computer had manufactured mid-low range keyboard or mouse for BenQ Darfon, Liteon, and Mitsumi ...

[Chloe]

Also, the patent numbers off the bottom of my  IZITK-105M

German Patent No. G9211065.7
R.O.C. Patent No. 188557
USA Patent No. 07-691S25
China Patent No. 92232015.2

Here's the patent for the key switches:
http://www.cpsfu.com/H01H/1993/2135825.shtml

English translation

[CaptCarrot]

Hmmm....

Application (patent)    Ya Sheng Co., Ltd.

In 1993, Sheng Ya (CAN) had created its first branch office in the United States, and named itself as Syncan. Syncan was renamed as CAN TECHNOLOGY Co

Ya Sheng and Sheng Ya, bit of a coincidence?

[CaptCarrot]

MECHANICAL TOUCH FEELING

• MECHANICAL TOUCH KEYBOARD SPECIFICATION

...

• KEY CLICK SOUND: YES
• KEY SWITCH: PATENTED STAINLESS SPRING KEYSWITCH
• KEY SWITCH LIFECYCLE : 10 MILLION

Code: [Select]

PACKAGE INFORMATION

           PALM                PCS/   G.W.   CBF/
  MODEL    REST   DIA.(mm)     CTN    (kg)   CTN
-------------------------------------------------
CAN-2001W  NO     460*160*41   20     17.8   2.6
CAN-6001W  YES    490*180*50   10     12.5   1.65
CAN-7001W  YES    490*180*50   10     12.5   1.65

That web-archive article appears to have been taken directly from Can technology's website.

Having done some research, I have found the following...

• CAN-2001W - Appears to be SILENT - mainly on sale in Czech and Slovak countries. Google Search
  
• CAN-3001W - This appears to be clicky About 4/5 the way down the page
  
• CAN-5001W - metal or plastic frame - key-mech unknown
• CAN-6001W - multimedia with or without palm rest - key-mech unknown
• CAN-7001W - multimedia with or without palm rest - key-mech unknown

[CaptCarrot]

I think I can SAFELY say I have found MY Keyboard

I give you the DISCONTINUED Dabs Value 105 Key AT

And just incase we lose that page:

Dabs Value 105 Key AT
Discontinued
quicklinx: T3JD1
mfr#: 2001W AT

MECHANICAL TOUCH KEYBOARD SPECIFICATION SPILL RESISTANCE NO. OF KEYS: EUROPE 109 KEYS KEY CLICK SOUND: YES KEY SWITCH: PATENTED STAINLESS SPRING KEYSWITCH KEY SWITCH LIFECYCLE : 10 MILLION EURO SIGN AVAILABLE CONNECTION TYPE: AT(DIN) OPERATING SYSTEM: ALL MICROSOFT WINDOWS SYSTEMS CERTIFICATION: CE, FCC CABLE LENGTH: 5 FEET PRODUCT COLOR : WHITE KEY TRAVEL : 4 0.3 mm OPERATING FORCE: 55g 8g SPACE KEY FORCE: 55g 8g OPERATING VOLTAGE: + 5V DC 10% OPERATING CURRENT: MAX 250mA at 5V DC STORAGE TEMPERATURE: -20 ~ + 60 OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -5 ~ +50 HUMIDITY : 5% - 95% RH

• Standard AT Keyboard
• SPILL RESISTANCE

Note the model/mfr number is 2001W AT (CAN-2001W?)

[CaptCarrot]

Some more finds (slightly different specs)

http://www.actionmedia.com.hk/kb-3000.html

Appears to be the same(ish) as the following 2 (Web Archives)
Multimedia Keyboard (PS/2) - £3.50 - Bottom of .pdf page 19
Connectland™ Multimedia and Internet KEYBOARD PS/2 (BLACK COLOUR) - $44.00

[bhtooefr]

Bumping an old thread, but Shengya is definitely the same company - the European Patent Office's entry for that patent: http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?KC=Y&date=19930609&NR=2135825Y&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=CN&FT=D