Japanese ATM switch?

[explicit]

Recently visited Tokyo and naturally used their ATM's (Automated teller machines);
Some of the numpads, I think, had mechanical switches and were a pleasure to type on.  So much so that I kept pressing them even after I had gotten money from the machine, and ended up being sort of curious if they are using Topre switches (never tried those before).

Figured I'd ask here, if anyone knows what kind of switches they use - or if they are not available to the public, what they feel similar to if someone here has tried them as well. Anyone know?

[rootwyrm]

Figured I'd ask here, if anyone knows what kind of switches they use - or if they are not available to the public, what they feel similar to if someone here has tried them as well. Anyone know?

That's a fairly good question, and actually, possibly one we can answer. What we'd need to know is: who manufactured the ATM (e.g. Diebold, NCR, Siemens, etc) and either the model number of the ATM or photos of the whole unit and the keypad. It's in fact, probable you can find the keypad separately since that would be a common service part.

[explicit]

If memory serves, this was at a 7-eleven at the south end of Tokyo Central. Had a picture of the unit actually, but I have since lost my phone and apparently not imported them; however, I did manage to google my way to this picture:

Keypad off to the right and the pink/green buttons are correct according to my memory. A little zoom revealed that it is a NEC produced unit. Think we can figure it out now? (No luck on my first googles:/) Thanks in advance!

[rootwyrm]

That is potentially helpful, yes.. NEC makes ATMs, that I did not know. More to the point, I don't know which division of NEC makes them. But that's the NEC logo there so they made it. (Let's presume it's not the computer division; they've got their hands full with SX-9 et al.) However, NEC does make their own key switches, so it's probably a safe bet that they're dogfooding. Does anyone know of any slightly less than ancient NEC keyswitch based keyboards?

[explicit]

Found more, http://www.nec.co.jp/press/en/1010/1801.html . The PDF's show the whole unit, co-developed by Seven Bank (7-eleven) and NEC Group. I used the 3G unit, which is the latest one they have made and rolled out in 2011 - I'm totally sure thats the one. However, I have not figured out what kind of switches it uses yet!

[explicit]

Hard to find the answer to this, might have to e-mail NEC/Seven Bank or something - but so far I suspect it is NEC's own switches and as such, impossible to find on a keyboard. What a shame, it really was a joy to enter my pin-code on - felt sort of like I was bordering on sniffing bicycle seats, but it was worth it^^

[hasu]

Maybe it's a Topre.
I can find some people says 7-Bank/7-eleven ATM has a Topre keypad in their blog.

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=%E3%82%BB%E3%83%96%E3%83%B3%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AC%E3%83%96%E3%83%B3+ATM++%E6%9D%B1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AC&oq=%E3%82%BB%E3%83%96%E3%83%B3%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AC%E3%83%96%E3%83%B3+ATM++%E6%9D%B1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AC

[fruktstund]

Now this is an interesting subject, since I also noticed the ATMs at 7-eleven felt a lot better than our ATMs here in Sweden, although I never thought more of it before now. I do remember they had a longer travel distance, and I think they actually might've felt like Topre. It's very hard to discern if it is or is not Topre though, since the angle of typing is very different from what I'm used to on my HHKB.

I remember it felt a bit strange using the keypad due to the travel distance, but I also remember it felt nice, so I'm definitely interested to see if we can find out some more on this. :>

[explicit]

If there is a chance that they were topre I will buy a Realforce, they were such a joy to type on. Afaik they were pretty light compared to my MX Blue, so I should go for an all 45g board then. Keep me posted if you figure out more!

[HarryPalms]

Those are not mechanical. At least they didn't feel mechanical to me.

[explicit]

Those are not mechanical. At least they didn't feel mechanical to me.

Sure you used the 3G and not 2G? Might be different... cause to me it felt a lot like a mechanical, but perhaps more linear than tactile?

[Frunk]

Hi all, 5 years later I stumbled accross that thread, as I was researching "7-Eleven ATM Japan Keyboard".
Because yes, for years I've also told myself "God, I wish I had a full keyboard made of these keys". And I realize I've not been the only one pursuing that (weird) dream.
Let me add some elements for future visitors:

1) Based on the conversation above, I eventually decided to purchase a Topre keyboard.
That one precisely:Topre Realforce 105UB 45g Light Gold on Black Keyboard.
As much as I love that keyboard (now sitting on my desk at work), I can confirm it's NOT what we're all after.
Keys are, I think, way too stiff compared to the amazing 7-Eleven one.

2) So I kept looking and eventually decided to purchase a Topre clone with a 30g keyboard.

That one precisely: Plum 108 electrostatic capacitive pro mechanical keyboard topre clone switches gaming keyboard black side print 87 TKL RGB KB / 30g.
And I feel that one is actually really close to the 7-Eleven one. I suppose going 25g (if it exists) would bring it to an even closer feeling, but for now, 30g is close enough for me!
Now officially my home keyboard!

[Daniel Beardsmore]

The one company that comes to mind (simply because they are Japanese and still made discrete switches until this year) is Tokai (TKC), and MM9 series ball contact switches. They also made model SPT-0101 optoelectronic switches (which are Alps mount), that I've never seen used in anything — they went bust right around the time I discovered these, so we won't be getting more details about them from Tokai, or any left-over switches. SPT-0101 is Tokai-branded however, making them easy to recognise.