Another (winter) new project

salaxi54

Incoming ASROC!
AmiBayer
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Well fellas, it's getting colder lately, thus my cockpit build is taking a brake...
Things have to be done in-house for the time being, so i decided to start something different. Here's the first pictures of my work in progress, which i can guarantee will be a sloooow process! Not telling you yet what it'll end up being, cause i'm not sure myself yet. :)

AMPPC3.jpg

Here we have an old IBM ps2 keyboard.

AMPPC1.jpg

Cheap sonofagun, no springs, a set of membranes, and no-feel keys!
Only reason for utilizing it, is the fact that its matrix suits my victim's layout. Lemme tell ya, you can hardly find something similar fitting where this crap will be hosted!

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Now you should be getting an idea of what gives... :nuts:

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First obstacle! The black jack on the pcb protrudes beyond the casing of the Amstrad casing.

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It will have to be removed or placed elsewhere..

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This shows why it's an obstacle.

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Jack unplugged, and cable removed.


Excess plastic being removed. The rest of the pics are mostly of this sequence:

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This is a very sensitive part, whereas the membrane's contacts press against the thin plastic crossbars. I might keep it like that, or replace that with some solid surface...

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Well, this is as far as i got for now. Don't expect this to be updated on a daily basis, as real life hasn't been good to me lately. As about the contents of the host casing, well, that's something i haven't decided on yet. Later! (y)
 
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Looks interesting. (y)

So I take that you haven't got the original PPC640 keyboard since you have to put in a replacement?
 
I actually have all the contents, just thought that it's another boring ol' pc...
 
Here's a little more work on the keyboard:

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Not much to say about these pics folks, it probably is pretty obvious that i'm trying to fit the IBM keyboard to the Amstrad casing.. :)
And as i was saying in my first post, real life is an obstacle lately. Lemme give you a small example:

DADOOR.jpg


Here's yours trully, driving my Getz with a full-sized interior door (213x80 cm) inside the car! :nuts: (all doors are actually closed!)
My daughter is actually trying to open her own business, and i'm helping as much as possible. This involves carpentry, building skills, metalworks, paperwork, etc etc... As about the picture, notice the headrest has been removed, and there's a very limited amount in head motion freedom. :p
 
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A rather small update on this. Just received a new part for the case.
Here's what the original screen frame looks like from the monochrome display:

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And here's the new part:
AMPPC40_zps32b5335d.jpg

A 7.1" color TFT screen. Composite input. Let's see how it fits...

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Yup, with the proper framing, it'll do the job methinks! :)

And here's the contents lot of the package:

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Notice the manual! "perating instructions" lol Seems some Asian fella wasn't in the "O" mood at the time... :LOL:
 
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I've a question which troubles me since yesterday.
The keyboard i plan on using with this project is a PS2 protocol type.
I bought a PS2 to USB adaptor, which actually works on a couple of pc's i tried it, but not on the Pi.
Is there a solution that could 'persuade' the Pi into cooperating with the PS2 keyboard? Would i need to get some sort of an interface?
Thanks for any tips in advance. (y)
 
It seems like the Active (and not the simple passive) adapters work just fine.

from the Wiki of RPi's verified peripherals I quote the following:
Adesso
PS/2 to USB Adapter ADP-PU21, 100 mA (tested only with keyboards) Any PS/2 keyboard will work only if it will work with a reduced operating voltage.

Also have you tried putting the PS/2 to USB adapter to an powered USB hub in case the problem resides with the voltage?
 
Thanks Marios, does this mean that my keyboard's current draw is too high?
I mean, would it not matter even if i get me an 'active' adapter?
EDIT: i'm planning to get me a powered hub anyway, cause it's actually necessary for the pi.
Will post results soon.
 
Finally got me a powered USB hub, but it seems the problem still persists.
Plugged the keyboard to the hub via the adapter, and it still is not recognized by the pi... Guess i'll have to be on the lookout for another keyboard. :picard
 
Minor update! Here's what my thinking of the internals is:

AMPPC47_zps65578285.jpg

You're only seeing part of the contents, but that's roughly the layout. There's a SD reader extension, a powered USB hub, sooner or later an ethernet extension cable, and some audio jacks to be installed.

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That's the USB hub and SD reader placement. There will of course be backplates for everything, so i hope it will not look messy.. :)

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And, this is the only part of the Pi to be facing directly out. The HDMI socket. My built-in monitor will be connected to the Pi via the composite line, and HDMI will be there just in case i want to use a regular monitor.
Pics of the monitor to be posted asap.
I also found a USB Lenovo keyboard which has a fitting layout, but there's a missing Return key from the numeric keypad area. :(
I'll see what sort of a patent i can do about that.
 
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Keyboard update! As i discovered that the old IBM keyboard would not cooperate with the Pi, i went for the Lenovo USB keyboard i found.
Same pattern for the keys, so will still fit into the casing.
However, i do have a small problem here...
I'm missing the Enter key from the numeric keypad. :(
Here's a pic that shows the missing key position:

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Notice the rectangular receptacle where the key 'plugs' into.

I would've swapped it with the IBM key, but it's of a circular base. (n)
Here's where the difference is:
AMPPC52_zpsa1f4fc8f.jpg

The top one is the IBM (now canceled), and the bottom one is the Lenovo.

I'll be posting a "Wanted" thread, but for completenes's sake here's the tag showing the model:
AMPPC51_zps20757200.jpg

Model : SK-8825 (L) is what the tag says.

And, here's the two keyboards both 'butchered' to fit-in.
AMPPC53_zpsdb0b714e.jpg
 
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Some more work on the keyboard..

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Making space for the keyboard membrane's retainer.

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The retainer cut from the Lenovo keyboard.

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And another view of it.

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Membrane and retainer in place.

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Here with the keyboard in place.

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This is the controller pcb.

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Notice the contacts that match the membrane. A bit like the Keyrah construction.

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Here's the problem, where the pcb won't fit in the casing.

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A handsaw or Dremel is always handy. :)

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I'll have to solder some thin cabling there, to overcome the cut..

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...but now she fits!

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The metal rod is what keeps the membrane in tight contact with the pcb.

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This socket has to be removed from the pcb, as it adds to the height. I'll also have to desolder the LEDs and place them remotely.

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Here's the top lid in place.
 
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Thanks Justin buddy, i just hope to find a spare key to replace the missing one, but that's not a rush for now. It's been a pleasant -and rare- weekend after such a long time. (y)
 
Continuing on the keyboard front..

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Here's the plug removed from the controller pcb.

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Then the LEDs were removed

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The plug was soldered to an extension cable,

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Heat-shrink macaroni for the 'just in case' :)

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Extension soldered directly on the board

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And the LED extension cables in place.

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Small 'bridging' where the pcb was cut.

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And, assembly in place. That's all for today fellas.
 
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Short update..
I had a little work done on the USB backplate. Glad i saved all the plastic scrap from the Lenovo keyboard i butchered! :)
Well, i hope pics speak for themselves:

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Needs a little trimming at the opening, but the general idea is simple.. ;)
 
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Minor update again..
A friend of mine has offered me the missing key from the Lenovo keyboard!
Thanks Telis, i know you're reading this. (y)

AMPPC84_zps33fca031.jpg


So now, the blue Enter key is back in place.. :)
 
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Where is the rest??!!

Where is the rest??!!

What!!! End of thread!! No updates since 2013 :( Please tell me you finished this project? :eek:
 
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