Customized pc keyboards are available in all styles and sizes. At their core, they’re a matrix of switches linked in a matrix {that a} microcontroller scans. The TypeBoy is an ergonomic mechanical keyboard packing a novel microcontroller design. The mission creator, Stu (AKA FlatFootFox), designed an nRF52 module referred to as the TypePak to suit right into a Recreation Boy Advance cartridge that plugs into the keyboard!
“Your eyes do not deceive you: This can be a keyboard that wants a Recreation Boy Advance cartridge to operate.” — FlatFootFox
Naked TypeBoy keyboard with TypePak plugged in (📷: FlatFootFox)
This mission has a number of items: the keyboards and the microcontrollers. The cut up keyboard is named TypeBoy. Every has 29 keys wired in a matrix, that means the whole ergonomic keyboard has 58 keys. TypeBoy doesn’t have any intelligence. As an alternative, it has a socket that mates with a Recreation Boy Advance-style cartridge. The socket’s routing makes it reversible, so a single PCB works for the keyboard’s left or proper half.
TypePak incorporates the microcontroller and appears like a Recreation Boy Advance cartridge. Inside is a customized PCB with a Seeed Studio’s XIAO nRF52840 board. The Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 helps Bluetooth Low-energy (BLE) and 5.0. A Sharp LS011B7DH03 Reminiscence-In-Pixel (MIP) LCD shows standing info like Bluetooth sign energy and battery life. The enclosure has sufficient house to accommodate an 80 mAh LiPo battery.
Left and proper keyboard with TypePaks (📷: FlatFootFox)
The XIAO’s kind issue has restricted GPIO pins. So FlatFootFox added a 74HC595 shift register for added IOs. The result’s that TypePak’s 32-pin edge connector has all the XIAO’s pins damaged out and sufficient IOs to scan the keyboard matrix.
The TypePak runs an open supply firmware for keyboards referred to as ZMK. It’s a Zephyr-based RTOS with vital keyboard options. For instance, it has built-in assist for low-latency BLE, cut up boards, macros, and far more. You may see the intensive ZMK function checklist right here.
Whereas the microcontroller runs the inventory ZMK firmware, shifting TypePak from one keyboard to a different will not be a straight plug-and-play swap. If the keyboard matrix differs, you could re-flash the firmware first. Regardless, TypePak is a compact answer for including logic to a customized keyboard design.
TypePak PCB with XIAO nRF52840 (📷: FlatFootFox)
The boards and elements wanted to construct one are comparatively cheap. The KiCad design recordsdata, gerbers, and ZMK configurations are within the Typeboy and Typepak GitHub repository. FlatFootFox has offered intensive construct notes in this weblog submit.
