RPi Pico as a keyboard emulator. (Update)

[DaOld Man]

As the title says.
I have tried this and it works, but it does have some limitations.
It is max 26 inputs.
It should be good with a two player cabinet, joystick, six action buttons, start, and coin for each player.
That leaves 2 more, which I configured on my setup as ESCAPE and PAUSE.
I tested it by plugging it into my game PC (via USB).
I hooked a jumper wire to a ground terminal on the Pico, then touch each input with the jumper wire.
All inputs registered as keyboard presses.
Whats so hot about this? Price tag! 5 bucks on amazon.
I plan to test it in game play with my next build, which may be a while.
You will need to install circuit python and adafruit_hid on the Pico.

[DaOld Man]

Thought Id add a very useful link to explain more.

https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-pico-mechanical-keyboard-with-fritzing-circuitpython/installing-circuitpython

Just follow the guide.
I didnt use MU, I used Thonny to write the code.
I also changed the code listed at the end with all the inputs to support a standard control panel.
Please let us know on here,  if you try this.

[DaOld Man]

I could solder all the wires to the pico that I need, but I decide to order this adapter to give me screw terminals to connect wires to.
I still had to solder the 20 pin headers to the pico, to allow it to plug into the adapter.
Adapter was around 8 bucks on amazon.
Soldering wires from all the switches probably would have been just as easy than buying the adapter board, but I figure if this doesnt work for an arcade keyboard emulator, I can still use the pico for any other projects.
The screws in the terminal strip are very small, the order came with a tiny screwdriver.
So if you use this board, and you lose the included screwdriver, you will need a very small screwdriver, such as precision or eye glass screwdrivers.




Here is a link to the board on amazon. Im not trying to sell these and gain no profit from them, just trying to help.
If this is not allowed please remove it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBGQHJSM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[DaOld Man]

This little board works pretty good, BUT.... there is one problem I am encountering. (And its pretty significant.)
When plugged in to USB port on bootup, the PC hangs in BIOS.
Unplug the board, reboot the PC, after windows is up and running, plug the board in and it works great.
Now of course, for this hobby, this will not work, because the keyboard emulator has to stayed plugged in always.
So Im scratching my head over head, thought I had a good thing but maybe not.
I need to test it on another PC, it could be something with my arcade PC, but I seriously doubt it.
Oh well, I will update this thread if I come up with a fix.
If anyone else has tried this project, please let me know your results.

[DaOld Man]

I think the problem is fixed.
Thanks to mikeysklar over at forums.adafruit.com

I had to place a file called boot.py on the PICO.

Code: [Select]

import time
time.sleep(5)

This delays running the code on the PICO until the PC has finished its BIOS loading.
I had to increase the 5 second delay to 10, and I may go to 15 just to be sure.