Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Linux USB Support -- Second Keyboard (pendant)

John,

I'm in the process of doing the same thing, but going at it from
a different angle. I am going to biild the circuit seen here at
http://home.t-online.de/home/stephan.hans/tricks.htm#spinnerinterface
which will allow the pc to boot with 2 regular keyboards connected.
Took one keyboard apart and will interface to the circuit board in that
one, the other keyboard will be used as is. I'm going to use a Joystick
for the X and Y axis'. They have joysticks that have switches instead of
pots so it should be simple enough.

disclaimer - When I say I'm IN the process of doing this, it should
say I have BEEN in the process of doing this for 2 months. Moving
a little slow right now but as soon as I get my floating engraving head
finished (about a week or two) and as soon as I get my flat panel LCD
to work under linux (who knows how long that will take, maybe never)
I'm going to get right on it. I need to quit my job and just work on my
hobbies all day.

-Bill

> > I want a pendant to control my mini-mill. I have disassembled a USB
> > keyboard, removed the electronics parts and hacked together a box
> > with a few buttons and such. Works fine under WinDoze, just thinks
> > it's another (second) keyboard.
>
> I took a keyboard apart just to take a look inside. I realise you can use
> the encoding piece to make you own pendant like you say but how do you get
> the computer to realise that the input coming in is the signal for an
> action? Like if I press 'A' it send a pulse that tells the program which

key

> I've pressed. But if I add another keyboard are not some of the keys, the
> ones I use on my own pendant, then taken off the other board? Or does the
> adapter for the two give the new pendant a totally different set of

outputs

> so the normal board stay fully working?
>
> I'm just curious as to how this works,
>
> John