Customized laptop keyboards are available in all styles and sizes. At their core, they’re a matrix of switches linked in a matrix {that a} microcontroller scans. The TypeBoy is an ergonomic mechanical keyboard packing a singular microcontroller design. The challenge creator, Stu (AKA FlatFootFox), designed an nRF52 module referred to as the TypePak to suit right into a Sport Boy Advance cartridge that plugs into the keyboard!

“Your eyes do not deceive you: It is a keyboard that wants a Sport Boy Advance cartridge to perform.” — FlatFootFox

This challenge has a number of items: the keyboards and the microcontrollers. The cut up keyboard is named TypeBoy. Every has 29 keys wired in a matrix, that means the entire ergonomic keyboard has 58 keys. TypeBoy doesn’t have any intelligence. As a substitute, it has a socket that mates with a Sport Boy Advance-style cartridge. The socket’s routing makes it reversible, so a single PCB works for the keyboard’s left or proper half.

TypePak incorporates the microcontroller and appears like a Sport Boy Advance cartridge. Inside is a customized PCB with a Seeed Studio’s XIAO nRF52840 board. The Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 helps Bluetooth Low-energy (BLE) and 5.0. A Sharp LS011B7DH03 Reminiscence-In-Pixel (MIP) LCD shows standing data like Bluetooth sign power and battery life. The enclosure has sufficient house to accommodate an 80 mAh LiPo battery.

The XIAO’s type issue has restricted GPIO pins. So FlatFootFox added a 74HC595 shift register for added IOs. The result’s that TypePak’s 32-pin edge connector has all the XIAO’s pins damaged out and sufficient IOs to scan the keyboard matrix.

The TypePak runs an open supply firmware for keyboards referred to as ZMK. It’s a Zephyr-based RTOS with crucial keyboard options. For instance, it has built-in help for low-latency BLE, cut up boards, macros, and far more. You’ll be able to see the in depth ZMK characteristic checklist right here.

Whereas the microcontroller runs the inventory ZMK firmware, shifting TypePak from one keyboard to a different will not be a straight plug-and-play swap. If the keyboard matrix differs, you have to re-flash the firmware first. Regardless, TypePak is a compact resolution for including logic to a customized keyboard design.

The boards and elements wanted to construct one are comparatively cheap. The KiCad design information, gerbers, and ZMK configurations are within the Typeboy and Typepak GitHub repository. FlatFootFox has supplied in depth construct notes in this weblog publish.