[sdiy] WinTel Keyboard by 2

[Dan Gendreau]

This sort of thing has been done extensively by those building custom MAME
video game cabinets. They use it to interface arcade joysticks and buttons
to the PC keyboard port.

One kit I used to build my control panel was the I-Pac:
http://www.ultimarc.com

They sell a 28 key and a 56 key version. All you need to do is set up a
keypad that shorts each connector to ground. It comes with a utility that
lets you configure what keystrokes are generated by each input. It supports
a "shift" key that lets you select a second mapping, effectively doubling
the number of functions available. It also supports both PS/2 (w/ a keyboard
passthrough) and USB connectors.

Its a bit pricey at $39 (28 key) and $65(56 key), bit its a complete
solution. All you need to do is wire up the buttons and map the keys.


Another common technique is to hack the PowerRamp Mite:
http://www.act-labs.com/game1.htm
Its a $15 PC gamepad that is actually a keyboard wedge instead of a gameport
joystick. It has 20 buttons that can hold up to 16 keystrokes each. This one
supports much more sophisticated macros than the I-Pac. There are 4 banks
selectable via a switch. All you need to do is remove the plastic and wire
up the button contacts to your own switches.

If you would rather go the DIY route from scratch, here is a decent
reference on PC keyboard interfacing:
http://www.beyondlogic.org/keyboard/keybrd.htm

And here is a good Atmel app note on PC keyboard interfacing:
http://www.atmel.com/atmel/acrobat/doc1235.pdf

Hope that helps...
-Dan G.