close-circle
Close
0%
0%

Commodore PET USB Keyboard

A PET graphics keyboard hacked to be USB enabled

J. M. Hopkins
Following
Liked Like project
Similar projects worth following
558 views
7 comments
4 followers
likes
View Gallery
I've had this PET graphics keyboard laying around for near a decade. "I'll use it in a project one day," I said. Years went by and finally as I progress into my rocketry project I've found the encouragement to make this happen.

The Commodore PET is nearly 40 years old and ran at a solid 1MHz. This project uses a Teensy 3.2 running at nearly 100x the processing power to just turn the old keyboard matrix into a USB keyboard. Times have changed :)

I recently completed a 70cm Serial WiFi Bridge that will control my electronics for my rocketry projects, and finally got the urge to use this keyboard.

The keyboard itself operates as a giant 8 row by 10 column key matrix. Utilizing a plethora of GIO pins found on the Teensy I interfaced the keyboard without having to use shift registers.

Because the Teensy is removable, it can be used in other projects later if I want.

The Teensy is operating as an HID USB device, allowing it to be a USB keyboard.

The key layout on this keyboard is by no means standard, and after quite a bit of key mapping I have the program written and it's operating well.

I'll be making a nice box to put it into here soon.

View all 2 project logs

Enjoy this project?

Share

Discussions

Mike Maluk wrote 04/30/2016 at 06:21 • point

I love the woodworking aspect to a lot of your projects, really brings them full circle! 

  Are you sure? yes | no

J. M. Hopkins wrote 04/30/2016 at 11:08 • point

Thank you! I'm by no means the best wood worker, but I usually like the end results :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

danjovic wrote 04/29/2016 at 17:54 • point

Beautiful!!

  Are you sure? yes | no

J. M. Hopkins wrote 04/29/2016 at 23:21 • point

Thank you :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

matseng wrote 03/03/2016 at 07:52 • point

Brings back memories from my 7'th grade in school. A single PET2001 was the only computer available for the students - better than nothing back in 1979 I suppose....

  Are you sure? yes | no

J. M. Hopkins wrote 03/03/2016 at 11:52 • point

I've just loved the look of it. Terrible to type on, but for some reason fits for a keyboard to arm and launch rockets from :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

matseng wrote 03/03/2016 at 12:19 • point

The machine itself is absolutely awesome looking. Built in heavy sheet metal and weighs a ton.  No wonder that most ebay auctions that accepts shipping them overseas charges about $250 for the shipping. But for a $500-$800 machine it can be worth it.  

Some day... Some day I'll get one...  And a VT-100 terminal and a Model 33 ASR Teletype, and a life insurance because my wile will kill me ;-)

  Are you sure? yes | no

Similar Projects

eye
392
users
285
skull
1
Convert an ordinary USB keyboard into a foot controller with 21 buttons suitable for use with live music software.
Project Owner Contributor

Footcontroller Keyboard

Tim Trzepacz

eye
4.7k
users
36
skull
10
Making a really old mechanical keyboard USB
Project Owner Contributor

USB adapter for Apple ADB keyboard

Benchoff

eye
446
users
33
skull
4
another usb modification of the folding keyboards for the old Palm PDAs that puts all electronics inside the the folded case
Project Owner Contributor

Palm Portable Keyboard USB mod

JohSchneider

Does this project spark your interest?

Become a member to follow this project and never miss any updates

close

Yes, delete it Cancel

close

Report project as inappropriate

You are about to report the project "Commodore PET USB Keyboard", please tell us the reason.

close

Send message

Your application has been submitted.

close

Remove Contributor

Are you sure you want to remove yourself as a contributor for this project?

Project owner will be notified upon removal.