Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

Hey, I've got a cool idea for a keyboard interface. Yes, I've seen the two keyboards on the market for the Visor, but I think it would be cool to be able to plug an existing 104-key keyboard into a Visor.

Here's what I'm thinking. I envision a "module" (not a Springboard) that would have USB and serial input jacks on one side. On the other side it would have PS/2, DIN, and perhaps USB output jacks. Place the Visor in your USB or serial cradle and plug the cradle into the wonder keyboard adaptor. Plug a DIN, PS/2, or USB keyboard into the adaptor and type away.

Now there would have to be active electronics in the adaptor module. For one, it would have to be powered to communicate with the Visor. Also, I don't have a 104 keyboard spec, but I believe there's encoders inside them to map the keys in a serial bit stream into a PC.

All it would take is some programmable logic to translate the keyboard information correctly and also allow for custom key mappings (like setting F1 to execute the Datebook+ for instance).

What does everyone think? I think this could make for a nifty product, and fairly simple too!

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Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
[email protected]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 472

Neat, but why? If I'm travelling, I don't want to carry around a full-sized keyboard; if I'm not travelling, I'd rather use the desktop computer...

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

Functionality

Well, there are pros and cons. The way I see it:

PROS -
1) Full size keys and durabilty of a regular keyboard. Currently, the only Visor keyboard that's full size is the Stowaway and what happens when that thing breaks from folding it too many times? Not saying it will, but it could break a lot easier than would a regular 104. Plus, a regular keyboard is solid.

2) Wouldn't have to hotsync to update editing. Editing is immediate to the Visor.

3) Cheaper overall solution. I'm thinking that there's probably only $20 of hardware involved here, if that. The rest is engineering and design time, which is non-recurring anyway. That could pay for itself. That's all assuming I'd even sell it (probably not). I think I'd just post the plans for free, but the programmable chips would have to be provided (not everyone has a $4,000 programmer in their closet!). And a printed circuit board is not the easiest thing to do by hand. Etchant sucks!

CONS -

1) Not very portable, as you pointed out. However, a keybord isn't that hard to throw in a suitcase inside a pillowcase, etc.

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Cheers,
Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
[email protected]

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

Someone is doing this already...I've seen it for the PALM I think...wish I could think of the name off the top of my head, but can't at the moment...

Anyone???

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"Stupid Handspring."

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by MIKE STH
Someone is doing this already...

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

Dang...bothered me so much I went and found it...

PFU America's Happy Hacking Cradle

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"Stupid Handspring."

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Posts: 181

Re: Functionality

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ruprect
the only Visor keyboard that's full size is the Stowaway and what happens when that thing breaks from folding it too many times? <snip> Plus, a regular keyboard is solid.


There are now 3 keyboards, GoType, Stowaway and now the KeySync. You probably missed the news item for the KeySync Keyboard announcement of the Visor version of their keyboard. The keys are full sized and it's a rigid physical format.

http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...p?threadid=7913
http://www.ibizcorp.com/

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 472

Re: Functionality

quote:

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Originally posted by Ruprect
Well, there are pros and cons. The way I see it:

PROS -
1) Full size keys and durabilty of a regular keyboard. Currently, the only Visor keyboard that's full size is the Stowaway and what happens when that thing breaks from folding it too many times? Not saying it will, but it could break a lot easier than would a regular 104. Plus, a regular keyboard is solid.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

Ruprect's idea (or the Happy Hacking cradle) would be perfect for those who predominately need to use a keyboard with their Visors at home and at their desk at work. At Happy Hacking's price, you could easily justify getting two; and elimante the need to carry a keyboard with you on your daily commute. You would also get the ergonomic benefits of desktop keyboards as well as a true numeric keypad. This is a solution that I would go for.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Yet another option...

Over at Handheldmed, there's a Tips & Tricks article about connecting your PC keyboard to a PalmOS device (it requires a serial cradle). I tried it a while back (before my Stowaway arrived) and it does work rather well.

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God bless America, my home sweet home...