Author Topic: Serial Keyboard For Simpad (Read 8000 times)

Snappy · « **on:** July 21, 2005, 12:14:15 pm »

Hi there,

I am thinking of using a ps2 FEMALE <-> 9DIN MALE adapter to convert a ps2 keyboard so that it can plug directly to the luxemberg cable with its 9DIN FEMALE plug.

For now, I am going to write a simple app to listen on the comm port for wince *gasp*. This should give me the raw keyboard scan codes coming in from the keyboard which I will use to send key strokes to the wince system.

Of cos, if there is a ready solution, it would be great too! Short of getting a $50+ iBiz keyboard, I hope this will work.

I know you can use the belkin ir keyboard as well, but my ir on the SL4 is dead (I think) and I believe repairing it could be more expensive than the iBiz keyboard.

Any ideas or comments appreciated!

The adapter is found here ...
Serial Mouse Adapter
DB9 Male/MiniDin 6 Female
http://www.viking-tech.com/Adapters.htm

mike.w · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2005, 07:47:32 pm »

Learn morse code and write an app to read one or more of the very few buttons on the Simpad. Sorry, I am of no help.

Tom61 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2005, 11:32:01 pm »

PS/2 and RS-232 are electrically incompatable. That adapter is only for mice that are both PS/2 and RS-232, and it just terminates the proper pins to tell the mouse to go into RS-232 mode.

You'll need a complex adapter to go from PS/2 keyboard to RS-232, either PIC or AVR driven, like this one: http://www.iptel-now.de/HOWTO/PS2SER/ps2ser.html

Snappy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2005, 02:21:21 pm »

Gee ... no wonder there is a keyboard controller onboard motherboards! ... thanks for the info Tom!

albertr · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2005, 02:28:14 pm »

I think old SUN keyboards might use serial protocol.
-albertr

Snappy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2005, 09:32:08 pm »

ah I see ... hmmm ... how about any of the pda keyboards? They do use serial protocol too? Then maybe an adapter cable can convert such a keyboard for use with the SL4? Just need to write a driver for it.

wavetossed · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2005, 11:14:08 am »

You need a serial keyboard like the ones used with older PALMs before Bluetooth keyboards became popular. There is a driver for the OPIE Simpads that will work with some serial keyboards. It is called QPE-Flexis so presumably it will work with any of the roll-up flexible keyboards that used to be sold under the Flexis brand. This keyboard is still being sold but it has a completely different name now. In any case, it is a rubber type material that you can literally roll up into a cylinder the size of a toilet roll tube.

I did manage to find a serial keyboard for my old Palm V on ebay earlier this year and there were several auctions to choose from. That may be the best bet.

Tom61 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2005, 04:25:38 pm »

Quote

ah I see ... hmmm ... how about any of the pda keyboards? They do use serial protocol too? Then maybe an adapter cable can convert such a keyboard for use with the SL4? Just need to write a driver for it.
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They do use a serial protocol, however, the voltage signaling levels are not the same as RS-232. You'd need a chip to convert the voltage levels to RS-232 compatable levels.

Quote

know you can use the belkin ir keyboard as well, but my ir on the SL4 is dead (I think) and I believe repairing it could be more expensive than the iBiz keyboard.

Your best bet may be to get a serial IRDA adapter (about $20) and pairing it with a cheap IR keyboard from Ebay. There's at least one Serial to IRDA cable that has the IR part on the end of 2 foot long cord, then attach that end to the keyboard.

Snappy · « **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2005, 11:57:06 am »

Tom61, thanks for the info and tip!

btw, would that mean I need a relevant irda driver on the SL4 or does it mean I can use other apps via the serial port without knowing that it is really ending with an irda port?

Tom61 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2005, 05:57:02 pm »

Quote

Tom61, thanks for the info and tip!

btw, would that mean I need a relevant irda driver on the SL4 or does it mean I can use other apps via the serial port without knowing that it is really ending with an irda port?
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Should be transparent to the system, it'll be seen as serial.

mr_nice · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2005, 04:05:39 pm »

The Palm V Keyboard works great - I am writing this text with it
the voltage isn't a problem - it does not kill my keyboard or my simpad!
but I can not guarante you this for yours .
the pinout is just copied form 1

Pilot Connector Pin    PC serial port Usage
2 4 - DTR +3,3V - from Palm to KBD
3          2 - RD Palm RD - from KBD to Palm
4          7 - RTS RTS - Request to Send - from Palm to KBD
7 Palm GPI1 - to Palm - triggers HotSync usually
10          5 - GND Ground

you yust have to convert it to the simpad pinouts 2
I used the kbdd driver and the stowaway keyboard type.
Have fun!

1 http://www.iptel-now.de/HOWTO/SER_PALM_KBD/ser_palm_kbd.html
2 http://opensimpad.org/internals.0.html#218

Martin · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2007, 11:57:22 am »

Hi :-)

I have a nice serial keyboard from Datacomp Electronics ... works great with WinCE 3.x on SL4 ... now I want to try it with Similar GPE 0.8.x ...

Did anyone know which of this keyboards in system settings "keys and buttons" is compatible with my DPK62AV Version 3.1?

What about getty running on /dev/ttySA0 ... I change serial setting from "console" to "none" ... killed getty ... it will get up again :-(

What about running xkbd ?

Read about serial keyboard at this page

THX
Martin

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Author Topic: Serial Keyboard For Simpad (Read 8000 times)