Source for jukebox keypad (or numbered buttons)

[Fat-Johnny]

OK, so I have been thinking about building a little "control panel" for my virtual jukebox, and am having a hard time locating any keypad (0 thru 9) or even individual numbered buttons (0 thru 9).  Anybody done thsi yet??  Where did you get the buttons??  Something like Cyberpunk did on his wall-mount jukebox:
http://www.cybertechdesign.net/mameroom/images/P1010835.jpg

I want the control panel simple and to the point:
1)  0 thru 9 number keys
2)  2 BIG arrows (once again, like Cyberpunk's) for left/right scrolling of albums
3)  An "OK" key
4)  A "CLEAR" key

I plan on building this into a little "hobby box" and hooking it to PC thru either an IPAC or a KeyWiz.  Which leads me to my next dilemma.  I have seen some nice keypads such as Storm Electronics:
http://www.storm-keypads.com/technicalservices/datasheets.html
(then click on "3000 Series")

The problem with these is the way they would connect to the IPAC.  These kaypads are a 4x3 "matrix", not individual switches.  With the IPAC operating on with a "common ground" for all switches, I really cannot see how I can make this work with the IPAC.  Any suggestions?

Looking for your input (no pun intended),
Fat Johnny

[BobA]

I took the easy way out and used a standalone keypad that is sold to add a keypad to a laptop that does not have one.  It has the standard ps/2 connection and 17 buttons.  It has even more if you use num lock to shift to the cursor control buttons.  No interface required.  You can also get them in USB versions. Available at any computer shop.

You could even hack one to give you separate buttons on your panel but I have not tried to add any additional buttons to it.

BobA

[Evoman]

I just went to Happ Controls, ordered their illuminated square pushbuttons for the numbers.  I used my printer, printed numbers, and cut the squares and put them into the buttons, over the white retainer.  For the arrows, I used Happs triangular buttons, and pointed one left, and the other right.  I used 2 more, one facing up, the other down for the volume.  I wired everything up using an I-PAC.

[DJ Gary-N]

I went and bought a copper clad board and etched my circuit out on it. Bought a number key pad Kit from Radio Shack and removed the pads. I then tapped them down over my circuit and printed a layout sheet on gloss paper to go over it. Then covered that with clear laminate paper.
Wired a ribbon cable to the back and connected it to a barrier strip. My barrier stipr just has wires off of it going to the guts of a hacked keyboard. Took a little bit of work but it looks like it was factory made for it. I don't use an ok button thou. depending on the keyboard matrix most of the top number on a keyboard (Not the number pad) share mostly the same common.

[planetjay]

I went and bought a copper clad board and etched my circuit out on it. Bought a number key pad Kit from Radio Shack and removed the pads. I then tapped them down over my circuit and printed a layout sheet on gloss paper to go over it. Then covered that with clear laminate paper.
Wired a ribbon cable to the back and connected it to a barrier strip. My barrier stipr just has wires off of it going to the guts of a hacked keyboard. Took a little bit of work but it looks like it was factory made for it. I don't use an ok button thou. depending on the keyboard matrix most of the top number on a keyboard (Not the number pad) share mostly the same common.

And I thought my Jukebox to keyboard hack was alot of work...

[kems]

My jukebox is my first project, after this I want to try a Mame cab   anyhow I went for the keypad  from Storm Electronics (illuminated type!) and wired it up to a hacked keyboard... just got it all working last night.

You just need to pick a selection of 'normal' keys in the keyboard matrix and wire them to the keypad.

The great thing about VJ is it dosnt care if you want 'z' to be '1' etc.

very close to being complete!

[Fat-Johnny]

anyhow I went for the keypad  from Storm Electronics (illuminated type!) and wired it up to a hacked keyboard... just got it all working last night.

I was looking at those, but they seemed quite pricey (Digikey stocks Storm products).  If you dont mind, about how much was that keypad??  I am thinking around $75-$100.

Also, I thought those keypads were constructed as a "matrix" grid-like pattern, not individual switches.  Can you confirm one way or another.  Maybe a pic of the back of keypad?  Or (even better) an pic or scan of the keypad's manual??

Tnanks,
Fat-Johnny

[kems]

The keypad is on a 3x4 matrix but this is very easy to connect to a hacked keyboard, I then had a couple of fruit machine style buttons for the other buttons.

I went for the 12key Red/Green illuminated keypad and it cost about

[pudealee]

The keypad is on a 3x4 matrix but this is very easy to connect to a hacked keyboard,

How does one do the keyboard hack?

[filenabber]

http://tinyurl.com/apvh

I just saw this last night. Only $5. I don't think it's illuminated though. Scroll to the bottom and someone posted a review with the matrix decoded.

Brian

[aj6500]

Nothing special in decoding the matrix, it's printed on the back of the package.  I have 2 that I bought from an ebayer for about $2 each.  They are not illuminated.  On the upside, they share a common ground and are an easy hookup, on the down they're small.  I got my ipac today, and as soon as my arrow buttons from Happ show up I'll be intergrating it into my CP.  I used a laptop syle keypad, but it doesn't look finished just stuck to the board.

[Mametrix-Reloaded]

Got a part number for the Happs buttons you used? That's the route I think I'm going to take, but want to make sure I get ones that I can put the inserts in.

-mike

[TazMan]

Got a part number for the Happs buttons you used? That's the route I think I'm going to take, but want to make sure I get ones that I can put the inserts in.

-mike

Mike,

If I were a bettin' man, I would guess these were the buttons he was referring to. <Click Here>

I used Happ's Illuminated PBs on my cab and was able to add my own custom art for each one

[aj6500]

If you're asking about the triangle buttons, it's part # 71-0004-t12. described as "IPB LP TRIANGLE WHITE BLUE CAP 14V161 LAMP .250 Z SWITCH".  I guess they are a greenish blue, but tend to look green in pics.