Hack PalmOne Keyboard matrix (3169WWZ) into regular usb keyboard, possible? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Thaiel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 19, 2017, 04:58:48 pm
content: Hello! I am an English teaching student, so please be kind with the technicalitiesI have a PalmOne keyboard, the model is in the title, here's a pick of one I found online. It works with infrared light only.I have the following question, since electronics is not my forte, is it possible to dissasemble the keyboard, wire the matrix wires into a keyboard controler (PS/2 or USB) then connect the controler into my Moto Z play (which has OTG support)?This means, I would map out the keys of my PalmOne keyboard, any tutorials on that would be appreciated, and after mapping out my palm one, I would then connect the wires into my controler, as if it were the original keyboard.POSSIBLE ISSUES:1) The controler has a different number of keys/wires.2) Does the controler work with any electric signal?3) Would the Palm Keyboard need batteries if all this worked?Thanks in advance

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2017, 06:29:43 pm
content: Welcome to the forum.The construction of the keyboard matrix is an extremely compact flexible PCB. I don't think you have any chance of modifying it or patching into it without destroying it.You have aMUCHbetter chance of simply decoding the serial protocol being fed to the IR LED. It shouldn't be too difficult to decode using a cheap ebay logic analyser and Sigrok s/w. You could then use something like an Arduino to act as a converter to USB. I believe the Arduino Leonardo is particularly suitable as it has a USB HID stack available (sorry, I can't remember the details. I'm sure others can).

author: Thaiel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 19, 2017, 07:35:59 pm
content: that's unfortunate because getting al that into the country would be a bitch. Thank you.To anyone outhere, if you have the Keyboard's service handbook or datasheet, i'd be thankful.

author: mavu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2017, 06:11:52 pm
content: Thank you for reminding me!I have the exact same old Palm keyboard, and wished several times I could use it on todays computers, but have not tripped over the box its in for years.I think you just pointed me to my next project.

author: Thaiel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 04:59:48 pm
content: If you make any progress do tell me. The only thing available for me is mixing matrix cables with another keyboard controler, and I dont even know if thats possible

author: mavu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 05:37:36 pm
content: Most keyboards (at least home made ones) are internally divided in rows and collumns, and then scanned by the controller.The switches are then mapped to specific keycodes by the controller, who knows which keycode to send when which row/column combination is pressed.I very much doubt your available keyboard controller will incidentally have the same keycodes on the same rows/columns.So, you might be able to connect the keyboard matrix to your controller, but almost certainly your keys will be more or less distributed at random on the keyboard.that said, if you can get/use any microcontroller at all, it should be possible to get the matrix connected to it, and there several opensource keyboard firmwares available.The easiest way is using a Teensy USB Development Board and the QMK or TMK firmware.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 05:39:21 pm
content: I'm not sure about your local conditions in Argentina but I would have expected that you would have been able to pick up cheap 8-bit LAs and Arduino clones on ebay from China.I'm sorry to repeat my opinion on it being impossible to tap into the key matrix without breaking it.

author: Thaiel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 22, 2017, 01:44:33 am
content: 50% tax onANYTHING but books.I have to have a registered job or someones number and go to the fucking headquarters. Too muche trouble. I appreciate tall's info.