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Ultra small ps/2 keyboard — Parallax Forums

Ultra small ps/2 keyboard

RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
edited 2010-07-19 13:56 in Propeller 1
Hey, after searching for a really small Ps/2 compatible keyboard i found absolutely nothing. Does anybody know of a mini keyboard that is roughly half the size of the one sold by parallax? Perhaps 6 inches by 4 inches. Height is really not an issue. I just need something small length ways. I am going to use if for a propeller based computer system, so that is why i posted my request on the propeller forum and not the sandbox. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciatedsmile.giftongue.gif

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Comments

  • AleAle Posts: 2,363
    edited 2010-07-17 05:54
    There are bluetooth keyboards of roughly that size, but not easy to find. But PS/2... haven't seen anything.

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-07-17 06:39
    8.74" x 4.06": www.txcesssurplus.com/servlet/the-6438/NEW-8.7%22-Ultra-Mini/Detail

    6.70" x 2.88" (USB: Works with PS2 adapter?): www.ergonomicsmadeeasy.com/store/mini-keyboards/product/ultra-mini-keyboard/

    -Phil

    Post Edited (Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)) : 7/17/2010 6:44:28 AM GMT
  • Toby SeckshundToby Seckshund Posts: 2,027
    edited 2010-07-17 07:30
    Do they come with a free pencil sharpener, to make your fingers fit them ?

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  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2010-07-17 19:35
    Phil said...
    6.70" x 2.88" (USB: Works with PS2 adapter?):
    I'd be surprised if it will work with a PS2 adapter.· The keyboards that can use both USB and PS2 usually come with an adapter and advertize that they can work both ways.

    When I first started learning about electronics I thought I could use a USB device on my Propeller Demo board by using one of those adapters.· It would have made so many things easier.

    I have a small keyboard for use with a Palm Pilot device.· It has an IR interface.· I've often thought of trying to figure out the communication protocol it uses so I could use the keyboard with a Propeller.

    Duane
  • Toby SeckshundToby Seckshund Posts: 2,027
    edited 2010-07-17 20:27
    A lot of, but not all, PS2 - USB keyboards sense the volts on the two data pins, if they are both high the chip communicates as a PS2, if only one pin is held high then it assumes it is USB. Most of those converters are plug/socket combos with straight connections through.

    (I think)

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  • LarryGLarryG Posts: 50
    edited 2010-07-17 22:19
    Try ebay. Not recommending this one specifically, but here is an example.http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Mini-SLIM-USB-PS2-Keyboard-7-Multimedia-HotKeys-/320559353187?cmd=ViewItem&pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4aa2d38d63#ht_2017wt_862
  • Fred HawkinsFred Hawkins Posts: 997
    edited 2010-07-18 09:28
    speaking of ebay, you can pick a TI99-4a for shipping, especially if it's labeled for parts. No one really bids on them so even a buck bid will get you a box full. They all have a decent, albeit non-ps2 keyboard, that measures about 3.8 x 8.4 inches. As I recall, they are dumb keyboards with a 14 pin connector to its simple matrix. Shoot, you may even have one in a closet somewhere, or a relative that does...
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-07-18 11:42
    The way to get text entry as small as possible is a chord keyboard. The old Microwriter is an example:

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwriter

    Something like it probably gets reinvented frequently as a student project. I'm sure there are lots of recent ideas along the same lines with a PS2 I/F.

    A chord keyboard implemented on the Propeller would make a nice project.

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    Post Edited (Leon) : 7/18/2010 11:47:20 AM GMT
  • al-spideral-spider Posts: 42
    edited 2010-07-18 15:38
    hello everyone!
    I found this small keyboard at Tiger direct. I think it would be very good for prop programing use, although i don't have the skills to interface it to the prop yet ,i would love to have for my prop Bot Programing use. So if someone likes and get it work or help me get it to work that would be sweet.
    I try very hard to get up to speed with the prop but thing seems to be happening to fast out there for me to keep up with you young guys, even that i'm hooked on the prop !! i week on programing i love trying to work with it what can say i'm an old prop head(hahaha). lots of ideas just slow on getting them together.
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  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2010-07-18 15:39
    Not PS/2 but the Micro Innovations TKB150P is the smallest keyboard I've ever seen. It outputs serial data (9600 baud I think) and can be powered by 3.3V.

    I used to sell them. If you only need one or two I could probably find a couple in my junk box.

    Bean

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  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2010-07-18 22:18
    Wow, guys. Thanks for the help. I guess the general consensus is that it is very hard to find a keyboard that small. I actually like Leon's idea a lot. They said on the wikipedia page that such a device would could actually yield a faster typing time than a traditional qwerty keyboard. Something like that would be very easy to implement. In fact, i just might do it, even as a side project...

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    Propeller + Picaxe = Romeo & Juliet
  • TimmooreTimmoore Posts: 1,031
    edited 2010-07-18 22:32
    Trying seeing if you can get an old twiddler, the new one I think is usb only but the twiddler 2 is PS2.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-07-18 22:42
    I vaguely remember seeing something about the Twiddler some time ago. It looks quite good. My favourite input technique at present is the Swype beta on my Dell Streak:

    www.swypeinc.com/

    It's fantastic!

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-07-18 23:53
    If more people knew Morse code, one or two key buttons would be enough! smile.gif

    -Phil
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-07-19 00:28
    I remember someone who input his programs into his home-made computer in binary using two buttons, one for the clock and the other for the data.

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-07-19 03:19
    OMG! I thought binary console switches were hard core!

    -Phil
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2010-07-19 13:48
    @ Leon..... Only two buttons!!! Wow, that must have taken forever. Anyways, i have a perfect five button keyboard laying around. I will try the chording scheme on it and see if it is any good. 5 buttons would allow for 32 different combinations, enough for the alphabet and a shift combination so you can enter in decimal numbers. Now i just got to remember which combo does what....

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    Propeller + Picaxe = Romeo & Juliet
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2010-07-19 13:48
    @ Leon..... Only two buttons!!! Wow, that must have taken forever. Anyways, i have a perfect five button keyboard laying around. I will try the chording scheme on it and see if it is any good. 5 buttons would allow for 32 different combinations, enough for the alphabet and a shift combination so you can enter in decimal numbers. Now i just got to remember which combo does what....

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    Propeller + Picaxe = Romeo & Juliet
  • heaterheater Posts: 3,370
    edited 2010-07-19 13:56
    Has anyone made a Morse code input object for the Prop yet? Either from a Morse key or actual beeps and if not why not? There seem to be a bunch of hams around here,

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