Difference between revisions of "Custom bluetooth keyboard"
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= Brainstorming = | = Brainstorming = | ||
== Available approaches == | == Available approaches == | ||
| − | + | # USB HID to bluetooth adapter | |
| − | + | #* Pros: | |
| − | + | #** No modification of the keyboard necessary | |
| − | + | #* Cons: | |
| − | + | #** USB HID host chips are uncommon and expensive | |
| − | + | #** Programming USB HID host may be complicated | |
| − | + | # PS/2 to bluetooth adapter | |
| − | + | #* Pros: | |
| − | + | #** Simpler to decode than USB HID | |
| − | + | #** Any microcontroller can do it | |
| − | + | #* Cons: | |
| − | + | #** USB version of keyboard may or may not have PS/2 output | |
| − | + | # Custom replacement keyboard controller with integrated bluetooth | |
| − | + | #* Pros: | |
| − | + | #** Getting data directly from button matrix is likely simpler than decoding some other protocol | |
| − | + | #** Opportunity to add extra features | |
| − | + | #** Likely better battery life | |
| − | + | #* Cons: | |
| − | + | #** Kinesis keyboards have some advanced programmability - reimplementing that on a custom controller could take some time | |
| − | + | #** Requires interfacing with the key matrix directly which either requires special connectors or soldering to the key matrix | |
| + | |||
== Features == | == Features == | ||
* Bluetooth module might have HID and audio capabilities | * Bluetooth module might have HID and audio capabilities | ||
Revision as of 18:49, 13 September 2011
Bluetooth conversion of a Kinesis contour keyboard to a bluetooth keyboard.
Brainstorming
Available approaches
- USB HID to bluetooth adapter
- Pros:
- No modification of the keyboard necessary
- Cons:
- USB HID host chips are uncommon and expensive
- Programming USB HID host may be complicated
- Pros:
- PS/2 to bluetooth adapter
- Pros:
- Simpler to decode than USB HID
- Any microcontroller can do it
- Cons:
- USB version of keyboard may or may not have PS/2 output
- Pros:
- Custom replacement keyboard controller with integrated bluetooth
- Pros:
- Getting data directly from button matrix is likely simpler than decoding some other protocol
- Opportunity to add extra features
- Likely better battery life
- Cons:
- Kinesis keyboards have some advanced programmability - reimplementing that on a custom controller could take some time
- Requires interfacing with the key matrix directly which either requires special connectors or soldering to the key matrix
- Pros:
Features
- Bluetooth module might have HID and audio capabilities
- Use keyboard as audio extender - include a headphone port in keyboard
- Kinesis has a key recognition click speaker built in which can be hard to hear when listening to music, but might still annoy others
- Overlay key click sound over bluetooth audio signal
- USB interface for charging
- disable bluetooth while charging and instead use the USB connection
- Saving, editing, and uploading custom keyboard layouts to the keyboard from the computer
- Cross platform application
Reference
- Development example using Bluegiga WT12
- WT12 breakout boards - supposedly open hardware, but I haven't seen the layout files yet
- WT12 module
- Custom bluetooth IBM Model M using a salvaged bluetooth module from a mini keyboard - salvaged PCB
- Custom bluetooth IBM Model M using a salvaged bluetooth module from a mini keyboard - custom PCB
- Custom bluetooth HHKB using the WT12
