A Classic II/LC III laptop/book….

[panman_gr]

Yes, the diodes are a (very) popular addition to modern mechanical keyboards. They prevent what's called "ghosting", i.e. when say 5 characters show up when you press 4 keys at once. Totally optional.

Also yes, you can reuse the PCB, provided it has one. It's possible it has a membrane in there, and not a normal PCB. Depends on your model.

 

[-SE40-]

@panman_gr Good to know!

What diodes should I get, and how should these be placed?

 

[panman_gr]

Most diodes will do, I'm using the 1N4148 in the SMD package called SOD-123, though a through-hole package like the DO-35 would be easier if you plan to hand-solder.
The general rule of placement is between each key switch and the row of the matrix, pointing to the keyboard controller chip, but orientation (towards or away from the chip) depends on the chip's programming, so it's better to test one on an existing/hardcoded chip. This is my schematic:

 

[-SE40-]

So, DO-35 I will order.
Thanks again!
Will try it out as soon as I have the switches and a mountpanel baseplate cutup.

 

[flufflepuck]

Oh, I just found a set of pictures from a different book, AppleDesign, which has some of the concept sketches for this book design.

Note the Apple Phone design on the left

 

[-SE40-]

Its time far ahead!

Thanks for your input

 

[-SE40-]

Best info on a keyboard conversion:

Just found, trying to catch up - some backreading…..very helpfull!

 

[François]

This concept design looks really cool, and then there’s this, that existed in the eighties:

The VTech PreComputer 1000

So, who copied who?!…

 

[-SE40-]

@François …. Nice Find!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTech_PreComputer_1000

Did check….august 1988….for V-Tech
1982 for the Apple concept.
So it seems that Frogdesign was first.


The V-Tech seems to have a pretty decent keyboard for a kiddy computer….

 

[-SE40-]

Just got curious……this precomputer is no real kiddy toy.
It was actually pretty capable and learnfull for its time and price,
stubled over this video

 

[-SE40-]

It took a while, but here they are…. the low profile switches.

The switch fits completely into the keycap at full stroke (2,5mm) switch moment at 1-1,2mm of its stroke - so thats ok. The added 3D printed connection platform will take some space, but expect that less than 1mm. That would bring the total practical max keylevel to about 14mm. Works for me.

 

[-SE40-]

Hi all,

Came accross this Jan Beta video…


This is a nice aproach for any old non functioning (membrane) keyboard.

 

[Trash80toG4]

Love following your progress. VTech was a VERY creative company. The VTech Type-right was one of the first things I bought in anticipation of the arrival of my first CAD/CAM letter cutting workstation. Lo and behold, its KBD responsiveness was far better than that of the very expensive Gerber Sprint letter cutting workstation I'd ordered. Go figure!

 

[-SE40-]

@Trash80toG4 - thanks, but not much progress.
Currently i have some other work to finish.

Still enjoyable to see how Professional this Atari keyboard has been created.
Love to see similar initiatives happening for some old Apple keyboards.

V-Tech was - i believe - not that populair overhere, but innovative for sure.
Some of their product also showed the privacy risks of the digital communications.