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Keyboard conversion custom case

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Kagor
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:36 pm
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Keyboard conversion custom case

#1 Post by Kagor » Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:49 pm

Hi!

I love the 7 row Thinkpad keyboard and have some spare parts left from laptops I want to use.

This desktop, USB variant of the keyboard is nice to have but expensive.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com ... SY355_.jpg

I wonder if anyone has tried to build this or some other laptop spare part keyboard into a custom case. 3d-printing can be used.
https://www.laptopshop.pl/eng_pl_Keyboa ... 0-38_1.png

I see no issues with the mechanical parts, however, I want to know what needs to be done electronically. Converting the pin connector to a USB is one thing. What about firmwar? New circuit board needed? Would this project be too complex ?


Regards//Kagor
Currently using: T430
Inventory: X61, X61s, X220, X230

axur-delmeria
Senior ThinkPadder
Senior ThinkPadder
Posts: 3810
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
Location: Metro Manila, Philippines

Re: Keyboard conversion custom case

#2 Post by axur-delmeria » Fri Jun 15, 2018 10:33 pm

It's already been done: https://hackaday.com/2014/04/30/using-a ... -over-usb/

The base circuit is usually a microcontroller board like a Teensy or Arduino. There's existing firmware for creating custom keyboards.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

Kagor
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:36 pm
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Re: Keyboard conversion custom case

#3 Post by Kagor » Tue Jul 03, 2018 3:51 pm

Thanks for the link.

the video guide is no longer active and the keyboard in the pictures is the older model.
is there a guide and a mod for the keyboard model which can be found in the Thinkpad T400, T410, T420 and others?
Currently using: T430
Inventory: X61, X61s, X220, X230

axur-delmeria
Senior ThinkPadder
Senior ThinkPadder
Posts: 3810
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
Location: Metro Manila, Philippines

Re: Keyboard conversion custom case

#4 Post by axur-delmeria » Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:06 pm

The guy who made that video later made this https://www.tindie.com/products/rampadc ... eceptacle/, but it's no longer available.

Here's the project logs for that build: https://flashandrc.wordpress.com/catego ... -keyboard/
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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