what encoder do i use to build a keyboard?

[willjessup]

I've done quite a bit of searching on the internet for things like "build a keyboard" and "keyboard encoder" but I havn't found any good pages that detail how to actually build my own keyboard from the ground up.

So, my question is: How do i go about building my own keyboard?

what encoder do i need?

any insites or websites would be big help!
thanks!

 

[Skogsgurra]

willjessup,

That question is impossible to answer without knowing more about the application.

It depends a lot on what kind of keyboard you are building and what kind of output you need. If it is a numeric pad or a phone board, a typewriter board or a PC board. If ist shall be used in an EMI rich environment or a "nice" (which it seldom is, ESD) office evironment. If you need buffering, repeat, phantom elimination, debouncing and so on. If you need serial or parallel output etc. If your keys are passive switches or active devices. If if if...

The easy answer is: Use a micro to do the decoding, but remember that it is a complex task if you are going to duplicate the functions found in a modern PC keyboard. It is a simpler task to decode a "Numeric end Enter" board. But even that is not trivial.

I presume that you did an exhaustive google before asking.

 

[willjessup]

You actually lost me with about 90% of what you said. A searh for ""Numeric end Enter" board" brings up nothing about keyboards.

what i want to do is exactly is: build a keyboard for myself from the ground up to be used on my PC. It does not need fancy functions, just the basic typing keys + shift/ctrl/alt and a few custom keys.

I've broken open keyboards and seen the different encoders that are used, but i'm wondering if there are any "easy" ways to do it.

there is a product called "IPAC" used in home build arcades that emulates a keyboard, but i'm not sure if it's what i need.

i'm sure *someone* has gone out and built themselves a keyboard for use on a PC before, i just want advice on doing exactly that.

thanks for response.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Try "keyboard decoder". It brings up a nice collection of 458 hits.

Your search for ""Numeric end Enter" board" is doomed from the beginning. It is too complex and also contains a spelling error that google cannot decode.

Good luck!

 

[felixc]

There's a company called USAR who used to make keyboard controllers for PCs. USAR added all sorts of extras to allow people to add custom features to their keyboards like extra keys, cursors, wheels, etc.
They're now part of Semtech, and the product line is in the "HID" section. (human-interface-device). Take a look at this product line, it will help to define your need.

 

[nbucska]

You will be wasting your time and money -- the present mass-produced keyboards are CHEAP and work very well.

If you want to learn, there are other, less specialized subjects more worth to attention...

<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips

 

[willjessup]

"You will be wasting your time and money -- the present mass-produced keyboards are CHEAP and work very well.

If you want to learn, there are other, less specialized subjects more worth to attention... "

it's for learning, and for a potential product i want to create. nothing about making a 10 dollar keyboard to save 10 dollars... hah.

 

[nbucska]

The PC KB is made in quantities of 100k -- can't compete with their prices.

Perhaps you could use the existing PC as input device...


<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips

 

[willjessup]

i'm actually looking into using something like this:

http://www.audon.co.uk/kbe-98.html

i think that's what i need...

any confirmation?

 

[Skogsgurra]

The KBE-98 seems to be the solution you are looking for. But beware. It has no filtering and no protection whatsoever (except what might be inside the chip). If you are going to use it in any other application than a school project or lab application, you should have a deep look into the ESD/EMI part of the interfacing.

The chip on the board shown obviously does what you are after. Perhaps you could buy the chip and make your own fully protected custom keyboard decoder? But I cannot see how you can save dollars (or pounds) as you said in an earlier posting.