A mini ST keyboard

[MasterOfGizmo]

For the MiSTeryNano I've started to build a mini ST keyboard which is planned to be 50% in each dimension (so actually a 1/8 sized keyboard):

keyboard.jpg

The interface is SPI based and it's supposed to run at 3.3 or 5V. While this is primarily intended to be used with a MiSTeryNano FPGA setup it can probably quite easily be connected to e.g. a Arduino Pro Micro to become a USB keyboard. It can then for example be used with the Raspberry Pi ... at least that's the plan ...

So far the PCB has just been finished and will be sent to manufacturing asap. The keys are those ubiquitous 7x7 mm push buttons available on ebay etc. These are probably not very robust but this keyboard is not intended to be used to write lengthy texts. Instead the idea is to have something that primarily looks cool and which will allow for those sporadic key presses needed to run ST games. As a matching mouse I'd also like to build something equially sized but I have yet to find a widely available wireless mouse small enough to salvage for that. Initially this will probably do the job quite nicely: https://makerworld.com/de/models/92380

[RealLarry]

Great plan - as always!

[joska]

Where do you get keycaps for something like this? 3D-printed?

[Entuzio]

Awesome

[MasterOfGizmo]

The keycaps are 3d printed. I have printed a few with a bambulab carbon x1 and they came out better than expected. Definitely not perfect but absolutely usable. I have recently written some script for freecad that allows me to design the basic key shapes and the script will generate the 95 key caps. That allows me to do adjustments without having to redo all caps manually.

[MasterOfGizmo]

These are some keycaps

keys.jpg.jpeg

Printed with a Bambulab Carbon X1 in PETG they IMHO look ok ...

[sporniket]

great work

[RealLarry]

For the A2600 I'm going to do the Lazy Man's Job and to use a ch57x Macro Keyboard, which is available in different sizes (a few or a few more keys) and this tool to set 'em up. Device already arrived and is waiting...

Edit: Programmed, attached and is working as expected

montage.jpg

[MasterOfGizmo]

.. to use a ch57x Macro Keyboard, which is available in different sizes (a few or a few more keys)

Very funny, I just ordered one of these from far east (the one with the rotary wheel and three buttons) and was going to suggest that to you

[RealLarry]

.. to use a ch57x Macro Keyboard, which is available in different sizes (a few or a few more keys)

Very funny, I just ordered one of these from far east (the one with the rotary wheel and three buttons) and was going to suggest that to you

Ha, very funny indeed! This is probably because of our similar interests, hobbies and location

[MasterOfGizmo]

The full US keyset has now been designed:

keyboard_us.jpg

All files can be found at https://github.com/harbaum/MiSTeryNano/ ... d/keyboard

The PCB has the additional button right to the left shift key to support international layouts as well. Since there's only the US keycaps, yet, I've added a generic "menu" keycap for that. Together with the smaller left ship keycap this would look like this:

keyboard_us_intl.jpg

The PCB itself has been manufactured and seems to be working. For now I am running it from a Arduino Nano:

keyboard_pcb.jpg

In the long term this is supposed to be driven directly from the FPGA or e.g. from a Arduino Leonardo or compatible to give a real USB keyboard for use with a raspberry pi or the like.

[MasterOfGizmo]

It's getting alive ...

keyboard_partly.jpeg

[viking272]

This looks incredible! I presume it could work on TT/Mega STE, Falcon and ST/STEs?

[MasterOfGizmo]

The keyboard itself is "passive" and you'd have to add something that behaves like an IKBD to be recognized by a real st. But I am pretty sure a Arduino will just be able to do that. You probably will also want to add a mouse and joystick port.

[MasterOfGizmo]

The first keyboard has been built and is mostly working fine. The space bar needs some additional mechanics for proper guiding. But the PCB as well as the spacebar cap already have some holes to allow for that. But before that I'll use a sparkfun pro micro Arduino which will allow the keyboard to be used as a standard USB keyboard.

IMG_20241215_134800.jpg