Micro Innovations (diy Computer Interface)

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Computing Data DIY Hacks Input Keyboard Max Msp Physical Pure Salvaged Solder Turorial
mrshiz111
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    mrshiz111
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  • Added: 04-Aug-07

http://richard-c.com

This video tutorial will show you how to take an old computer keyboard and use its circuitry as a physical computing input device. This is my first video tutorial so feedback will be greatly appreciated.

ONCE YOU HAVE THIS DEVICE, YOU CAN THEN USE IT TO INTERFACE WITH PROGRAMS
THAT YOU WRITE USING SOFTWARE SUCH AS PURE DATA, PROCESSING, MAX/MSP,
AND ABLETON LIVE TO NAME A FEW.

I AM PLANNING ON USING THIS THIS DEVICE TO INTERFACE SOME SALVAGED ORGAN
PEDALS WITH THE COMPUTER.


THINGS TO NOTE:
- WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS REPLACING THE SWITCHES WITHIN YOUR KEYBOARD WITH
OTHER FOR INPUT DEVICES

- MAKE SURE THE INTERFACE IS PLUGGED IN WHEN YOU ARE TESTING, BUT
IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA TO UNPLUG IT WHEN YOU A SOLDERING YOUR SWITCHES.

- SINCE THIS KEYBOARD IS PS2, YOU ARE GOING OT NEED A PS2 USB ADAPTER IF
YOU COMPUTER DOESN'T HAVE A PS2 PORT

- YOU ARE GOING TO USE ONE OF THE 4 PINS AS A "GROUND" THAT YOU WILL PLUG
USE TO WIRE TO ALL YOUR OTHER PINS WITH A SWITCH IN BETWEEN

  1. Categories: How To
Comments on

Micro Innovations (diy Computer Interface)

15 Comments | Add Comment
  • This was incredibly ...

    This was incredibly useful, thanks!

    By laux0083 [Affiliate User] 1226273934 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Great Idea, I think ...

    Great Idea, I think it will realy help thanks!
    We will all be waitng for new posts from you... Any Idea how to create an output device? For example trafic lights or something like that? Not very complicated. Thanks again! (also how to use the output device with C++, ok I might be asking for to much but if you can I would be realy glad watching it).

    By kanenas10791 [Affiliate User] 1222557048 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • great help! way to ...

    great help!
    way to go...
    keep posting

    By Shikharprasad [Affiliate User] 1217104293 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • there are more than ...

    there are more than 255 possible inputs..

    your forgetting all the 3 Key combinations like

    Ctrl+alt+enter etc

    and the uppercase keys.



    I think I might use this system to build a motion sensing grid in my house..

    if you map the keys correctly theres no reason why you couldnt have a few dozen motion sensors hooked up to keystroke combinations and then use the data to track movement thorough your house.. nice vid thanks for the idea..

    By 2Shye [Affiliate User] 1215276625 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • The 3rd set of ...

    The 3rd set of contacts on the left probably has inputs for the Shift, Ctrl and Alt keys. If you carefully short the right combinations of these while shorting the others, you'll get still more inputs (85 x 3 = 255 possible inputs). Have fun!
    CMF

    By cmfairbank [Affiliate User] 1202320548 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • What's not too ...

    What's not too clear in video: the contacts work as a grid. Draw 17 horizontal lines on a piece of paper, then crosshatch with 5 vertical lines. Now, as you short one of the 5 with one of the 17 on the PC board, write the letter you get where the lines cross. You now have a complete map of your inputs. This design maximizes the number of inputs (85) for a minimum of contacts (22). And that's how that works! Hope it helps,
    CMF

    By cmfairbank [Affiliate User] 1202320194 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • nerd

    nerd

    By sk8ter1962 [Affiliate User] 1202152501 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I don't get it??? ...

    I don't get it??? What are you doing???... still looks great :P

    By ijoly [Affiliate User] 1201458535 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • palm pilot, palm ...

    palm pilot, palm pilot, palm pilot!

    By jasonofcompsci [Affiliate User] 1201138800 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • this is great. i'll ...

    this is great. i'll take the idea to control jesusonic.

    By decodine [Affiliate User] 1199207526 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • nice, going to make ...

    nice, going to make my own controller for a nintendo emu. Tried before but didn't have the balls to start probing the circuit. So Ya. Good vid.

    By Qbasic8 [Affiliate User] 1191649520 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • what is the maximum ...

    what is the maximum amount of switches you can connect to the keyboard circuit - is it just all the buttons on a keyboard?

    By KeyboardGez [Affiliate User] 1187789392 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • the videos kind of ...

    the videos kind of slow moving and youre looking away alot, so id assume you just need to loosen up and wing it more than you did. video quality is real good thou and i can understand exactly how to set up a controller right away from it.

    By homebrewalright [Affiliate User] 1186281229 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • thats pretty rad.

    thats pretty rad.

    By homebrewalright [Affiliate User] 1186280900 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • useful info, thanks ...

    useful info, thanks for sharing it.

    By tezmcuk [Affiliate User] 1186274633 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
15 Comments | Add Comment