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Author Topic: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab  (Read 3138 times)

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Mario

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Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« on: October 19, 2006, 12:18:16 am »
I want a very small keyboard to use with my MAME cabinet. I often play PC games on my MAME cab, and many games require one to input names to start, or to use the Enter key, or require other actions that cannot be simply done without a keyboard.
I have an Ultimarc Mini-Pac installed, and I can use special moves to simulate the Enter key and some other keys, but it's not very intuitive. People who visit and play the cab don't know the moves. Besides, this doesn't cover all situations. No, I need a real keyboard.

I want a keyboard that is readily accessible. I have seen many other people's cabinets with pull-out keyboards. But I want a keyboard right there on the control panel, in plain site and ready for use at any time.

After searching the web for small keyboards, I found nothing small enough. Then I had a thought. I used to use a Motorola PageWriter pager at work, and I thought that maybe its keyboard would be workable. I got a hold of some old units and began looking at the possibility of using one.

I put details about my progress here:

http://www.dalessio.ws/PW/

I don't yet have anything working, but I believe that it can be done.

Comments and help in getting this working are welcome.

Mario


MikeDeuce

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2006, 01:34:13 am »
Very interesting.

Would this mini keyboard have met your needs?

http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=COM%2D005

It's pretty small, 3"x2" according to that page, has function keys, but no ctrl or option, and is USB.
« Last Edit: October 19, 2006, 01:40:31 am by MikeDeuce »

Mario

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2006, 10:37:52 am »
Very interesting.

Would this mini keyboard have met your needs?

http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=COM%2D005

It's pretty small, 3"x2" according to that page, has function keys, but no ctrl or option, and is USB.

Yes, this may work. But where's the fun in simply buying something pre-made?  ;D

Thanks for the link.

Mario

michelevit

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2006, 10:51:27 am »
i like to use a wireless keyboard and mouse. i use it to cofig games and such and
then simply stash it somewhere when the kids or worse friends come over for
some gaming.

its too easy to screw up a cabinet if you don't know what you are a doing.
a wireless keyboard solves that problem.

once the keyboard is gone, the cab looks like a cab, and not a pc.

NoOne=NBA=

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2006, 02:01:53 pm »
I would second the wireless idea.
You can leave the receiver plugged into the cab, and use the keyboard anytime you want to just by getting it close enough.
I have a large enough flat spot on the top of my cab that the keyboard can stay up there until needed.

Mario

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2006, 09:33:42 pm »
i like to use a wireless keyboard and mouse. i use it to cofig games and such and
then simply stash it somewhere when the kids or worse friends come over for
some gaming.

its too easy to screw up a cabinet if you don't know what you are a doing.
a wireless keyboard solves that problem.

once the keyboard is gone, the cab looks like a cab, and not a pc.


This is opposite of what I want. I want the keyboard to be readily available, not hidden away.

Mario

original_maxlamer

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2006, 02:51:59 am »
Being that you can't solder to the original membrane, the only other feasable option i can see is if you etch a new pcb to replace the membrane if you wanted to retain the original feel of the keyboard.

You can get hobbiest kits that have a small board, chemicals and a etch resistant pen.

monzamess

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2006, 07:54:34 am »
We've used these guys for non-arcade-related projects at work:

http://www.l3sys.com/keybd/wristpc_abs.html

They're a little bigger than the thumb keyboard listed above but it seems like they're be easier to mount flush in a control panel if that's your objective.

Edit:

Holy crap, never mind! I thought they were $30, but no, that's the additional charge for certain colors... these things cost $300 to $600! (hey, I didn't buy the ones at work)

« Last Edit: October 20, 2006, 07:57:33 am by monzamess »

mark shaker

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2006, 09:32:34 am »

I know you already have your solution in progress. But for others thinking along similar lines:

Most bluetooth PDA keyboards are also PC compatible:
http://www.amazon.com/Think-Outside-XTBTUE-Accessory-Bluetooth/dp/B0002OKCXE

Of course a laser keyboard would be cool:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_seeall_1/104-2431135-3518329?ie=UTF8&keywords=laser%20keyboard&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Alaser%20keyboard%2Ci%3Aelectronics

   - Mark

Mario

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2006, 03:37:13 pm »
I think I'm going to give up on the Pagewriter keyboard. The leads are just too small for me to solder wires to, making it too difficult to wire up to anything. I'm going to have to look into some of the other options provided above.

Mario

crzywolf

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2006, 04:12:33 pm »
What about this keyboard it might be easier for you to work with . MiniKey (Tiny USB keyboard)


*Never mind same keyboard MikeDeuce posted  sorry.*
« Last Edit: October 22, 2006, 04:21:27 pm by crzywolf »

Mario

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2006, 09:48:13 pm »
Being that you can't solder to the original membrane, the only other feasable option i can see is if you etch a new pcb to replace the membrane if you wanted to retain the original feel of the keyboard.

You can get hobbiest kits that have a small board, chemicals and a etch resistant pen.

I could have soldered onto the membrane if the leads were larger. I was able to do it, but I kept accidentally touching the solder to other leads. I don't have hands steady enough nor a soldering iron small enough.

I did think of making a small board, but at this point I think I'll just buy one of the tiny keyboards mentioned by others.

Thanks.

Mario

bvicarious

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2006, 03:37:06 am »
My recommendation: http://www.directron.com/psk3100u.html

It's very small, very flat, and its design is not very imposing.

jerryjanis

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2006, 04:44:14 pm »
Here's a cheaper price for one of the small keyboards:

Mini-Key Keyboard for Playstation 2

I haven't bought from there myself, so I can't vouch for the quality.

Jake

Bill Mote

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2006, 09:24:52 pm »
What about one of those USB laser keyboards that draw the keyboard on any surface?  Then you could just extend a USB port to the exterior of your cabinet.

dot

daywane

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #15 on: October 25, 2006, 08:19:00 pm »
Here's a cheaper price for one of the small keyboards:

Mini-Key Keyboard for Playstation 2

I haven't bought from there myself, so I can't vouch for the quality.

Jake
HAY! Thats cool.

Havok

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #16 on: October 26, 2006, 11:12:27 am »
A small keyboard would be great for a Thayer's Quest control panel! I might have to pick one of these up...

ahofle

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #17 on: October 26, 2006, 11:48:16 pm »
Here's a cheaper price for one of the small keyboards:

Mini-Key Keyboard for Playstation 2

I haven't bought from there myself, so I can't vouch for the quality.

Jake

I ordered one from this place (thx for the link).  I'll let you know how it turns out.  Hopefully it will be great for Family Fued on the PS2 and that is a brilliant idea about Thayer's Quest!  Never even thought of that one.

ahofle

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Re: Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab
« Reply #18 on: October 29, 2006, 11:52:41 pm »
Received my mini keyboard today.  It's even smaller than I thought (smaller than the palm of your hand).  The buttons feel better than they look on the website, and provide a tiny amount of feedback when pressed.  Plugged it into the playstation2 (it includes a little clip to attach it to the gamepad) and was able to use it with no issues.  I also plugged it into the PC and XP didn't need any drivers and I was able to immediately start typing with it.  Very slick little device -- I just ordered another one.