Numpad Hack

[tchuncly]

Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if it's possible to build a controller with just a numpad, like this one:
http://www.datanet-systems.net/resources/Blue+numpad-unit.jpg

I tested the numpad of a standard keyboard and it seems that 6 keys can be simultaneously pressed, so it's enough for a 1 player controller.

Anyone has something to say about this? Has anyone already tried it???

[severdhed]

i took one apart one day, used a weird matrix configuration...didnt seem like it was worth the effort...not when you can get USB Gamepads to hack for under $10 that should work much better

[Octo]

Would you be able to use two at one time? Wouldn't both players controls get jumbled?

[Beretta]

no, iirc windows as of 2000 can handle like 16 game pads i think.

earlier versions might also handle more pads i dunno. ME should also since it came out after 2000 but god almighty does it suck.

[Octo]

Sorry, I meant could you use more than one 10-key pad plugged in through separate USB ports. I would think they would each send the same signal to MAME (ie. NUMPAD 8, NUMPAD 2, NUMPAD 4, NUMPAD 6 as both players' UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT)

[tchuncly]

This is a good point. Actually I haven't even thought about it; I came to the numpad idea exactly because I need only one controller and the whole keyboard is too big to fit in a single one.
But I agree that's much easier to hack a pc joypad.

[Beretta]

well to the computer it would look the same..


i suppose there are programs out there that could remap the 2nd one to something else.

i just checked mame .132 has support for multiable keyboards and ouse..

i could'nt get the mouse to work.. but 2nd keyboard works fine it can tell the difference, almost most programs out there probably can't.

i do not know when they added support for multi keyboards and mouses.. probably .106 or around there but it does work which is pretty neat.

although as it's been pointed out there are game pads out there to hack that will get you more for less money and time.

[bkenobi]

Too big?  I guess you hadn't considered just removing the circuit board and tossing the keyboard itself?  I haven't really looked into keyboard hacks (since there are so many encoders for dirt cheap), but could you hack a keyboard and then also use it for setting things up?  Meaning, once it's hacked, can it still work as a standard keyboard or can it no longer use the keys?

[Beretta]

it's possible to do a keyboard hack without losing teh function of the keyboard..

however most people just toss everything but the circuit board to save space.. you also dont have to be as "neat" with your wiring if you're not interested in saving the keyboard.

i personally would'nt try to keep the keyboard functional although i really think keyboard hacks have a lot of more con's then pro's