I wrote my first Hackaday article in almost a year about an eye-catching device that was somewhere between a line-following robot and a marble run. All the tricks were inside, so it was a clean-looking device.
I added five wires to the keyboard for offhand keys. They connect to four new buttons and a ground wire on the microcontroller. I can now access deeper layers with my left hand while still typing with my right hand.
Offhand buttons getting conductors
I selected six easy-to-press layers, instead of sixteen, due to low Arduino memory. I used digitalRead() on analog pins to check the keys and built scaffolding for new modes, but they currently act like mode 00. I will replace known-good actions with experimental ones as I sketch out each key.
Allocating space in the sketch
A right key wasn't working due to a cold solder joint. Three keys on the left stopped working after installing the offhand buttons. I added an LED to test connections and found a dislodged diode. I removed hardware to fix the right key. Tested all buttons with LED feedback and sealed it up.
Opening the lid to make repairs
I combined the home/end/pgup/pgdn keys and the numpad into one modeand rerouted actions from the left-hand side keys to save memory. I programmed an AutoHotkey macro for volume control, but it didn't work, but I found a convoluted key combination that did work.
AutoHotkey script and Arduino sketch
I wanted a function key for typing letters super fast, but the Bluetooth could not keep up. I moved on to a retained-key function for scrolling through web pages without holding any buttons. I made a mode that ignores button releases, and it is easy to switch back with the escape key.
Retaining keys
The rest of the summary posts have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
I added five wires to the keyboard for offhand keys. They connect to four new buttons and a ground wire on the microcontroller. I can now access deeper layers with my left hand while still typing with my right hand.
I selected six easy-to-press layers, instead of sixteen, due to low Arduino memory. I used digitalRead() on analog pins to check the keys and built scaffolding for new modes, but they currently act like mode 00. I will replace known-good actions with experimental ones as I sketch out each key.
A right key wasn't working due to a cold solder joint. Three keys on the left stopped working after installing the offhand buttons. I added an LED to test connections and found a dislodged diode. I removed hardware to fix the right key. Tested all buttons with LED feedback and sealed it up.
I combined the home/end/pgup/pgdn keys and the numpad into one modeand rerouted actions from the left-hand side keys to save memory. I programmed an AutoHotkey macro for volume control, but it didn't work, but I found a convoluted key combination that did work.
I wanted a function key for typing letters super fast, but the Bluetooth could not keep up. I moved on to a retained-key function for scrolling through web pages without holding any buttons. I made a mode that ignores button releases, and it is easy to switch back with the escape key.
The rest of the summary posts have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
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