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14 Dec 2011 07:53:36 pm by willrandship	The Ultimate Nspire Keypad	Quote
So, apparently TI did something nice by accident. It just so happens that the nspire has 20 data pins in its keypad connector. Right now, they are occupied with detecting keys, but I think that could easily be reduced, leaving lots of room for modifications! The easiest method of reduction, of course, being a PS/2 keyboard slot. that only takes 1 data pin, leaving 19 more. (And think of how much easier it will be to type on!) Now, it's a given that those pins are hard to reach by any standard with a keypad in, which limits their usefulness, so I was thinking of this: Instead of using the connectors with a current keypad, what about modifying it so that it has these features built in? It could include various things, such as: PS/2 Connector (obviously ) SD card slot 84+ link port Audio port Joystick port (maybe with an included ADC for the analog) Plug-in Leads (like your voltmeter's) And, of course, .1" pin headers to the surface for the rest, or including above I was thinking of these replacing the keypad front face. That way your calculator pad isn't simply empty: It has the feel of another keypad option! Also: The CAS touch's pad isn't different from the regular nspire's in any way, it's just got a different shaped, completely unnecessary lip on the top. remove the lip and they're interchangeable. I am also aware of the fact that the OS will not recognize a PS/2 keypad without modification (like ndless can achieve)

14 Dec 2011 10:51:35 pm by Aes_Sedia5		Quote
That sounds like an awesome idea!

14 Dec 2011 10:58:56 pm by willrandship		Quote
The biggest problem I forsee at this point is a good way to make the front of the pad. my soldering skill is sufficient to solder to the connector, and I can just trim the rest of the PCB off, but I don't really have any decent materials for it, except maybe my half-finished vacuum-forming table. (The table works, but I have no heating element or plastic clamps)

14 Dec 2011 11:01:54 pm by Aes_Sedia5		Quote
hhmm. Frankenstien an Nsipre keypad? reroute keys to use a PS2 port, then use the other features from inside the keypad. So just modify the keypad to do what you want.

14 Dec 2011 11:05:22 pm by willrandship		Quote
ehh, rerouting the keys through the PS/2 port means rerouting them through a keyboard chip. Also, I would have to disconnect their current connections. Also, That PCB being gone was where I planned to get room for the features from I am thinking, though, that I could gut a pad and remove keys and pcb, then make a vacuum-formed mold that clips over the top (or is glued) which houses all the connectors. I'm not afraid of ruining keypads since they're so cheap. $10 isn't bad for making an awesome keypad.

14 Dec 2011 11:07:10 pm by Aes_Sedia5		Quote
Sounds good, I would almost pay you to make me one. haha

14 Dec 2011 11:18:26 pm by willrandship		Quote
only almost? I think I would make them for a price, depending on how much I hate doing the first. Any features you think it needs? I'm leaning towards not putting in the ADC joystick though, considering the size of those connectors. I could easily put in an Atari-compatible one though, they're really easy.

14 Dec 2011 11:45:18 pm by Aes_Sedia5		Quote
I meant almost pay you, meaning I would almost pay money for it, not that I wanted one for free. A mouse, would be rather nice. 1 more PS2 port of 1 pin. Even if it had like a laptop internal mouse type thing.

15 Dec 2011 12:08:32 pm by KermMartian		Quote
Aes_Sedia5 wrote: I meant almost pay you, meaning I would almost pay money for it, not that I wanted one for free. A mouse, would be rather nice. 1 more PS2 port of 1 pin. Even if it had like a laptop internal mouse type thing. The literal PS/2 spec requires two data pins (data and clock), a 5V power supply of a few dozen mA at least, and a common ground. Is that what you mean?

15 Dec 2011 06:26:42 pm by willrandship		Quote
Yeah, ben corrected me on that in IRC (I missed it on the pinout somehow ), but there are power pins available on said connector. They're 3.3v though, so it'll need a level shifter for any data, and some way of getting 5v (I believe there's a 5V line in the dock connector, I'll have to check again) Where did you get the power from for your 'Ultimate Calculator' series?

16 Dec 2011 05:02:40 am by Jim Bauwens		Quote
AFAIK, the pins on the bottom are only 3.3v. But I can be wrong. Wouldn't it be better to use the pins on the dock connector? I'm sure there will be some gpio pins there, and is more easy to use than the ones of the keypad.

18 Dec 2011 10:50:49 pm by willrandship		Quote
But the dock connector is harder to make a good connector for. I've tried. The keypads are actually buyable for a reasonable price. Plus, there's fewer pins on the dock connector. There is the advantage of not excluding any calcs though, except for the CX-M or whatever it was that has no dock.

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