[CLOSED] [GB] Alt Controller Board for HHKB

[jorgenslee]

Wife got the controller today. So excited to get home. Thanks hasu.

[hasu]

I got Rev.E PCB today, ten boards will be available from this revision.

And I have to raise price to $2 with revision due to change of MCU chip cost. Now the board costs $47 in total.
Sorry.

[esoomenona]

No need to apologize for that. Not in your control, and these things are well worth the cost.

[naasfu]

I installed hasu's controller today and am currently trying out the SpaceFN layout.  Thank you, hasu.  This is really awesome!

[yicaoyimu]

Looks like I will get this awesome controller in the next batch! Best news for today!

[x1a0]

Looks like I will get this awesome controller in the next batch! Best news for today!

If so then I am in next batch too! So excited! Great work! 

[lowpoly]

Got it today. Finally I can use my HHKB again, with Colemak and the Fn layer I'm used to! Thank you hasu!

[hasu]

Really thanks for your support, guys.

Rev.E boards are ready to ship now, I sent PM to top ten people on the list.

[Jakes]

I'd love to get on the list for an alt controller!  PM me when available please

[byker]

Really thanks for your support, guys.

Rev.E boards are ready to ship now, I sent PM to top ten people on the list.

Show Image

Oh nice job Hasu!

[jdcarpe]

hasu, once you get the BT working, will it be possible to use what you have learned to let us know hox to "fix" the earlier PCB revisions?

I have a Rev C and, if I want to get it running with BT, I'm not afraid to cut traces and run some jumper wire as a workaround.

[aliceinwire]

there is some way to add a usb hub to the board ?

[hasu]

hasu, once you get the BT working, will it be possible to use what you have learned to let us know hox to "fix" the earlier PCB revisions?

I have a Rev C and, if I want to get it running with BT, I'm not afraid to cut traces and run some jumper wire as a workaround.

Yep, I'll be able to document about patching old revisions. I have only memo of patcch for rev.D here now.


PATCH for Rev.D PCB
===================
With Rev.D to implements Bluetooth components you better have these fixes. It will work whitout fixes but these will make battery life a little bit longer.
 
Charger leak Fix
----------------
Without this MCU is powered with leakage current of Lipo charger MCP73831 even when swich is off.
 
Cut trace which runs from 'NoPPTC' solder jumper to 'PPTC' and place schottky diode on 'PPTC' lands with direction presented in picture.
 
ADC Switch Fix
--------------
Without this MCU is powered through ADC pin from Lipo battery.
Place components as located in picture.
 
http://i.imgur.com/EJhoeVUl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4MWi1xql.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mfR2xtTl.jpg[FIXED 2014/12/09] http://i.imgur.com/sklO4KDl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ExQrgwzl.jpg


EDIT: and BOM: https://github.com/tmk/HHKB_controller/blob/master/BOM.txt
EDIT: fixed schematic image 12/09

[jdcarpe]

hasu, once you get the BT working, will it be possible to use what you have learned to let us know hox to "fix" the earlier PCB revisions?

I have a Rev C and, if I want to get it running with BT, I'm not afraid to cut traces and run some jumper wire as a workaround.

Yep, I'll be able to document about patching old revisions. I have only memo of patcch for rev.D here now.


PATCH for Rev.D PCB
===================
With Rev.D to implements Bluetooth components you better have these fixes. It will work whitout fixes but these will make battery life a little bit longer.
 
Charger leak Fix
----------------
Without this MCU is powered with leakage current of Lipo charger MCP73831 even when swich is off.
 
Cut trace which runs from 'NoPPTC' solder jumper to 'PPTC' and place schottky diode on 'PPTC' lands with direction presented in picture.
 
ADC Switch Fix
--------------
Without this MCU is powered through ADC pin from Lipo battery.
Place components as located in picture.
 
http://i.imgur.com/EJhoeVUl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4MWi1xql.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sklO4KDl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ExQrgwzl.jpg

Woo! I'm willing to substitute in stuff from Sparkfun, if necessary. haha

[hasu]

there is some way to add a usb hub to the board ?

You can mod with Alt controller like this.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57008.msg1491318#msg1491318

Or someone can design Alt controller which has hub function on board, of course but I for one don't use hub of HHKB and have no plan to do it for a while.

[aliceinwire]

there is some way to add a usb hub to the board ?

You can mod with Alt controller like this.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57008.msg1491318#msg1491318

Or someone can design Alt controller which has hub function on board, of course but I for one don't use hub of HHKB and have no plan to do it for a while.

so, how you close the hole in the back of the hhkb?
looks not so good :/

[hasu]

Make 3d print covers, close with epoxy putty or just tape it?

I've had a plan to make covers with 3D printer or resin cast but I don't have 3D printer, casting equipment and any experience of them, I think someone can do better job.

Or buy two USB A receptacles and hot glue them on Alt board so that it looks like stock HHKB Pro2.
http://akizukidenshi.com/catalog/g/gC-07674/

[hasu]

I tested Rev.E and fixed a stupid bug of ADC resistor dividor again. If you want to implement components to get Bluetooth to work you need this fix.
Though, no error for USB controller.

Rev.E Fix   
---------   
Q4 Pch FET drain and source pins are reversed stupidly in schematic and PCB on this revision.
You need to solder the FET upside down like this, really shame.           
http://i.imgur.com/U6UnzaYl.jpg

[aliceinwire]

 
i will try to fix when i can but looks scary mod

[Sturmfrau]

Is USB hub support coming any time soon?

[hasu]

Sorry for very late reply.

No, I have no plan about hub support at this time.

[exitfire401]

I keep putting it off, but I'd like to throw myself on the list for a pro 2 board please 

[hasu]

Bluetooth module RN-42 support was integrated into firmware and hardware design was finalized now. Yes, it works well as Bluetooth keyboard for my usage at least. But due to limitation of the modlue it was not possible to realize all of what I expected, in particular battery life and connectoin switching.(I might be wrong but I won't pursuit any more.) Firmware is not final, I'm sure I'll update the firmware for usability and tuning.

Probably price will be $70-80(not includes battery), yes it is ridiculous.
Think again, you really need Bluetooth? You are welcome if you change your order to USB controller. PM me.

I'll contact some of you who are on wait list for BT controller.

Ask if you have any questons.



Inside and backside look like this. Not slick as consumer products.
You may want to make cover and knob yourself.



Capabitlities:     
- USB keyboard functions
    completely equivarent to USB controller including mouse keys and NKRO.
- Switching between USB and Bluetooth
    You can switch the two connections with BT switch or key combination.
- RN-42 config mode
    You can change power/connection configuration of the module if needed.
- Low battery alert
    Red LED turns on when low voltage.
- RN-42 status indicator
    LED indicates status of Bluetooth connection.
- Pairing           
    The module stores up to 8 connections.
- Auto connect     
    The module connects the last connected device automatically.
- iOS support       
    works as keyboard with iPhone5. No tested completely.
- Android support   
    works as keyboard and mouse with Nexus5. No tested completely.
- Mouse keys over BT
    Note that iOS doesn't accept mouse device.
- Battery charge
    You can charge from USB port or power adapter which has USB outlet.


Limitations:           
- Short battery life   
    Around 12hr with 1000mAh
- No connection switching
    RN-42 auto-connects to the last connected device.
    Some of consumer products can switch between devices, for example Logitech K480.
        http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k480?crid=26
- HHKB JP requires case modification
    You need to drill holes for power switch and LEDs.



NOTE:                 
- Lipo battery is not included. Cannot ship it from Japan due to regulations. See this post for the detail.
- LIPO BATTERY IS VERY DANGEROUS, TAKE EXTRA CARE OF YOUR SAFETY AND PROPERTY. You can learn here.
- No NKRO over Bluetooth
- Check your country's wireless regulations and certification of the module.

RN-42 specification, documenations and certifications:
http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?product=RN42


You can access files of PCB desgin and firmware here.
https://github.com/tmk/HHKB_controller/ [PCB]
https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard/tree/master/keyboard/hhkb/rn42 [Firmware]

[byker]

Wow Hasu! Thank you for all of your hard work on this project!  I think the end product is phenomenal! I cannot wait to get a bluetooth hhkb running! I think 12 hours of battery life is pretty good, enough to use for most of the day and only have to plug it when when not at the computer.

[HoffmanMyster]

Wow Hasu! Thank you for all of your hard work on this project!  I think the end product is phenomenal! I cannot wait to get a bluetooth hhkb running! I think 12 hours of battery life is pretty good, enough to use for most of the day and only have to plug it when when not at the computer.

My thoughts exactly.  This is excellent work, hasu.      I didn't realize we could pre-order BT boards or I might have done that!   

[Joey Quinn]

Wow Hasu! Thank you for all of your hard work on this project!  I think the end product is phenomenal! I cannot wait to get a bluetooth hhkb running! I think 12 hours of battery life is pretty good, enough to use for most of the day and only have to plug it when when not at the computer.

My thoughts exactly.  This is excellent work, hasu.      I didn't realize we could pre-order BT boards or I might have done that!   

+1 Seriously nice work man. You have put in a ton of work keeping everyone updated on each rev and making changes to the board.


So to make a Rev.E bluetooth I need to make the fix and then source the parts in the BOM and solder them on correct? Is there anyone I could pay to do this for me?

[naasfu]

Hey hasu,

Some dumb Lipo battery questions about the BT version of your controller:
1.  Installing the battery doesn't require any kind of soldering, right?  Can we buy something like this Lipo battery and just plug it into the controller?
2.  How do we recharge one of these Lipo batteries?  Can we do it via a USB cable connected to the controller?  Or would we need to disconnect the battery and use some external charger?

Thanks.   I love your USB controller, and being able to also use BT for my HHKB would be awesome.

[hasu]

Right. You don't need any soldering work.
You need to use 3.7V Lithium Ion battery with JST PH 2pin connector and battery protection circuit is needed.
Battery space inside HHKB is around 54mm x 50mm and its height is 7mm(or 8mm).


That battery you linked has JST connector and protection but it won't fit in the space. I'm using these two Sparkfun Lipo batteries and they works. I can recommend 1000mAh one.
                                                             
Sparkfun 850mAh                                               
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/341                         
Sparkfun 1000mAh                                             
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/339


To charge Lipo battery you just need to plug USB cable into HHKB. BT conroller board has battery charger inside, you don't need external charger. You can charge from normal USB port and USB outlet of wartwart power adapter.

[coolbho3k]

12 hours is a bit short for me, going to try to find a bigger battery online Sparkfun's 2000mah seems to be almost small enough, but a bit bigger than the space. Anyone have any ideas where else in the keyboard where I could fit a big battery? It seems like there is a lot of empty space in the keyboard.

[HoffmanMyster]

12 hours is a bit short for me, going to try to find a bigger battery online Sparkfun's 2000mah seems to be almost small enough, but a bit bigger than the space. Anyone have any ideas where else in the keyboard where I could fit a big battery?

I am not an expert on the subject and I have not read all of the two threads I'm about to link, but they might be good resources to check out.

Smasher816's Teensy mod for HHKB
Smasher816's Bluetooth mod for the aforementioned Teensy-modded HHKB

Just glancing through (and having seen it in person), I'm suspecting that maybe going the Teensy route can give you more room internally, which would allow for a bigger battery.  Might be worth looking into.   

[hasu]

Thanks for your support, guys.
I'm waiting for PCB now and I'll start soldering five BT boards as the first batch next week, in additon to USB boards.


If you want bigger battery
this battery will be the biggest that can be installed inside. manisteinn found it at aliexpress. It is reportedly a bit thick and interfares with bottom of upper component but he could put together back.
See his installation here. http://imgur.com/a/oX2Vr


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=12047.msg1558708#msg1558708

[Sygaldry]

Thanks for your support, guys.
I'm waiting for PCB now and I'll start soldering five BT boards as the first batch next week, in additon to USB boards.


If you want bigger battery
this battery will be the biggest that can be installed inside. manisteinn found it at aliexpress. It is reportedly a bit thick and interfares with bottom of upper component but he could put together back.
See his installation here. http://imgur.com/a/oX2Vr

Show Image

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=12047.msg1558708#msg1558708

This is awesome! Thanks for doing this, Hasu! I can't wait for my turn to come up =]

[coolbho3k]

Not as good as my tablet's keyboard that supposedly lasts half a year idle but I'll take the HHKB anyday

[Jakes]

Throwing myself at the mercy of the board: I'm an idiot and plugged my HHKB2 (this style http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhkbpro2&pid=pdkb400b) into a USB1 hub and fried the poor controller board.  If anyone has replaced their controller board and is willing to sell their stock one to me I would love to buy it and raise my KB from the dead.  I can pay with paypal

[Moralless]

Throwing myself at the mercy of the board: I'm an idiot and plugged my HHKB2 (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhkbpro2&pid=pdkb400b) into a USB1 hub and fried the poor controller board.  If anyone has replaced there default controller board and is willing to sell their stock controller board I would love to buy it and raise my KB from the dead.  I can pay with paypal

If you don't really use the USB on the HHKB itself, then you could try to make your own controller with a teensy powered by hasu's tmk firmware. Here's a great write up about it by Smasher. This mod allows for complete programmability of the layout but at the cost of not being able to use the USB hub.

[Jakes]

If you don't really use the USB on the HHKB itself, then you could try to make your own controller with a teensy powered by hasu's tmk firmware. Here's a great write up about it by Smasher. This mod allows for complete programmability of the layout but at the cost of not being able to use the USB hub.

Thank you for the reply Moralles; I'll give that a look - nowhere to go but up from here right

[coolbho3k]

Throwing myself at the mercy of the board: I'm an idiot and plugged my HHKB2 (this style http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhkbpro2&pid=pdkb400b) into a USB1 hub and fried the poor controller board.  If anyone has replaced their controller board and is willing to sell their stock one to me I would love to buy it and raise my KB from the dead.  I can pay with paypal

Why would that fry it? Just curious. Thought USB2 was supposed to be 100% backwards compatible.

[Jakes]

Why would that fry it? Just curious. Thought USB2 was supposed to be 100% backwards compatible.

I am not sure why myself.  It was fairly old and cheap.  Everything seemed fine for a few minutes and then it started to smell like something was melting all of a sudden.  When I plugged it back into my main computer it failed to recognize the USB device. 

The teensy mod looks like exactly what I need.  I ordered two just in case I mess up the first go around 

[coolbho3k]

Why would that fry it? Just curious. Thought USB2 was supposed to be 100% backwards compatible.

I am not sure why myself.  It was fairly old and cheap.  Everything seemed fine for a few minutes and then it started to smell like something was melting all of a sudden.  When I plugged it back into my main computer it failed to recognize the USB device. 

The teensy mod looks like exactly what I need.  I ordered two just in case I mess up the first go around 

Yikes. Hope your keyboard PCB wasn't damaged or anything and it was just the controller board. Good luck.

[osxoep]

hasu, I'm not sure if you got my PM (it was over a week ago) but I received the board and it works really well! Thanks for all your hard work.

[hasu]

Great! I hope you enjoy it.
Yes I got your PM but I forgot to reply, sorry. It seems like tracking system doesn't work well between UK and JP and doesn't have 'final delivery' mark on your item yet. Thanks for letting me know.

hasu, I'm not sure if you got my PM (it was over a week ago) but I received the board and it works really well! Thanks for all your hard work.

[hasu]

Today some of BT controllers from first batch are shipped today. I assembled five boards in this batch last week and USB controllers will be soldered, next.

And I wrote simple manual for BT controller in first post.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56494.0

[rdev5]

Throwing myself at the mercy of the board: I'm an idiot and plugged my HHKB2 (this style http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhkbpro2&pid=pdkb400b) into a USB1 hub and fried the poor controller board.  If anyone has replaced their controller board and is willing to sell their stock one to me I would love to buy it and raise my KB from the dead.  I can pay with paypal

I still have my original that's been sitting in the box since I received the alternate HHKB Pro 2 keyboard controller from hasu. I'm actually only revisiting these threads now because it looks like I'm up for ordering the BT version so I could use some change to help offset the cost

Send me a PM if you're still looking for the original controller board for HHKB Pro 2.

[rdev5]

Also, regarding the BT controller that's now out, should we be concerned with Bluetooth hacking as a form of remote keylogging?

http://hackyogi.com/top-5-bluetooth-hacking-tools/

Obviously we use things like Bluetooth and WiFi on a day-to-day basis at our own risk (or how about the Internet? but I wanted to at least point that out. To be honest, I haven't thought about it much until just now that this would affect any Bluetooth technology and not just this controller board.

One additional thought I had is adding flash memory; something sort of like an onboard solid-state storage medium similar to that of a USB drive so when you connect the keyboard over USB, it would also mount a removable disk for you to be able to drag/drop files from the OS and be able to access it in the controller's firmware/code. I know this is essentially approaching an OS environment for the HHKB Pro 2, but I'm looking at it from the perspective of perhaps extending the head room for compiled code to run due to existing size limitations and even some kind of bi-directional communication between the board the host it's connected to.

I haven't tried this yet, but is it possible to establish a socket connection in code at this point or is that pretty much outside the parameters of what the board can store or handle? Bah, I guess it'd be outside the scope since there's no TCP/IP stack or anything like that. I guess what I was going after was something like the Arduino Ethernet board: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardEthernet

Oh well

[Glissant]

I hope to one day be able to get the controller with the BT module. The controller by itself is a lot of fun, but having it wireless would be insanely awesome. Thanks again for all your hard work!

[HoffmanMyster]

As I've started using my HHKB with this controller more and more, I'm noticing an odd behavior with the function layer. 

If I press fn + arrow, then release the arrow but continue to hold fn (in anticipation of pressing another arrow key very soon), the cursor/whatever will continue in the initial arrow direction as if I've continued to press it down.  Was this intentional?  Is there a way to fix it? 

There is also a half-second delay between the initial arrow press and the first time the cursor moves, which is bothering me as well.

This happens with most of the keys in the function layer.

I understand that these are programmable, but is this sort of behavior something that we can adjust ourselves?  I haven't attempted to reprogram the layout and am not sure where to start with that, but I haven't done much digging so that's not the intent of this post. 

[hasu]

HoffmanMyster,
it is totally weird to me too. It is not intentional at all there are somethong wrong.
You are still using default keymap I uploaded when shipping, right? If so you should not have those problem at all.

Low voltage may cause some problem but looks to me like it is unlikely. Just plug in USB port of PC directly if you are using unpowered hub or something. Or try other PC if available.

And I'd suspect connection and hardware problem. Unmate HHKB internal connector of HHKB and reconnect it firmly. If this doesn't resolve your problem, try orignal controller and confirm your HHKB has no problem.

[hasu]

And I'd like to let you know that HHKB uses naive and delicate capacitve swithes, you have to place switch board and controller properly in its case, or you may have some weird behaviours.(BTW, screws are not so important, you can keep it unscrewed.) Don't place them direlcty on desktop or something when it turns on.

This is for 'just in case', ignore if you installed properly.

[naasfu]

I just received my 1000mAh battery from SparkFun today, and finally got around to installing hasu's new BT version of the controller and the battery into my HHKB.  This thing is super duper awesome!  I paired my HHKB with my iPhone and also my laptop, and so far everything works very well.  The range is really impressive; I was able to use the HHKB with my laptop which was over 20 feet away.

When compiling the firmware, don't make the same dumb mistake I did.  After tinkering around with my board for a bit, the Bluetooth functionality stopped working.  I could pair with my devices, but nothing registered when I typed.  It was only after awhile that I realized that I had used the default Makefile for compiling the firmware, when I should have been using the BT version of the Makefile (Makefile.rn42) instead.  Oops.

I need to spend more time with this new setup, but so far it works great.  Being able to use my HHKB with my laptop and not having to deal with annoying USB cables is a huge win.  Really excellent work, hasu!  Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

[hasu]

naasfu,
Thanks for the detailed report! I'll improve my document of firmware build.

Before shipping next batch of BT controllers I need more feedback from other BT users of first batch. Feel free to post your questions and problems please, first users!