Blaupunkt BTX keyboard

BimboBB · 07 Apr 2013, 13:31

Hey guys,

I recently bought a sweet old mechanical keyboard from Blaupunkt. It was used in connection with these BTX stuff in 80's (link) and running so called "CEPT" protocol. The cable has a 15pin serial conncetor. The PCB is from Cherry and looks quite strange, like a double-deck which is connected through the IC.

Anybody has an idea if this board can be somehow converted to PS2/USB?

Here some pics:

mintberryminuscrunch · 07 Apr 2013, 13:50

Aaaaah.. It was you

Hope it is in good hands
Ps: @7bit I was right :p

Peter · 07 Apr 2013, 14:14

Those QWERTY/QWERTZ-caps are awesome (clutter) !
As are the 'Hat-caps' !!
And it even has a 'Play-Off' cap !!!
Never seen that one before !!!!

mintberryminuscrunch · 07 Apr 2013, 14:40

Btw. Little more than a year ago there was a beige version of this on ebay which featured an apple key. Would be nice to see them here, too, as comparison.

IvanIvanovich · 07 Apr 2013, 14:55

Very nice one. Reminds me a lot of the coffee and cream set I had, it came on something kind of similar but had some difference in layout, and did not have a case. Had the same kind of connector I think too.

If you want to make it USB might as well just replace that controller daughter board with a teensy.

guilleguillaume · 07 Apr 2013, 15:45

It has a lovely colour scheme.

BimboBB · 07 Apr 2013, 15:45

@ivan

So do you think I could just take off this "2nd deck" and replacing it with a teensy?

Findecanor · 07 Apr 2013, 16:07

Cool that all keys are double-shot. Notice also that the Alpha Lock key has a circular LED window - all other locking keys with windows I have seen have had rectangular windows.

I wonder, what is the strip on the top for?

A Teensy might work, but I would first count the number of lines to the matrix first to see a Teensy would work or if you would need a Teensy++.

Daniel Beardsmore · 07 Apr 2013, 16:11

Are the yellow legends pad printed, then?

IvanIvanovich · 07 Apr 2013, 16:16

I would say probably. Looks like all the traces for the matrix terminate at connector for daughterboard. Would only need to wire up the matrix to teensy and program it. It should be not too difficult but I am not expert. From photo it appears there is 20 connections to the matrix?
It will be usable but you will no get more than 2KRO as it is, there is no diode and no way to add them.
Just make sure not to make any permanent change as if you ever decide to let it go mods could effect the price negatively to some collectors.

Lock key is a tripleshot, had the same on my coffee set. Appears strip at top is an alternate legends map, I guess the 2 set key work like Alt Gr sort of.

Ascaii · 07 Apr 2013, 16:44

Sigh, I was the second highest bidder. At least it ended up in the community, but i really wanted it. Any chance I could interest you in a trade for a NIB Loewe BTX keyboard with vintage mx whites?

BimboBB · 07 Apr 2013, 17:25

IvanIvanovich wrote:I would say probably. Looks like all the traces for the matrix terminate at connector for daughterboard. Would only need to wire up the matrix to teensy and program it. It should be not too difficult but I am not expert. From photo it appears there is 20 connections to the matrix?

Where do you count the 20 connections? Right there:

IvanIvanovich wrote: It will be usable but you will no get more than 2KRO as it is, there is no diode and no way to add them.
Just make sure not to make any permanent change as if you ever decide to let it go mods could effect the price negatively to some collectors.

Yes, nkro is not possible.

IvanIvanovich wrote: Lock key is a tripleshot, had the same on my coffee set. Appears strip at top is an alternate legends map, I guess the 2 set key work like Alt Gr sort of.

Lockkey is tripleshot? For me it looks like doubleshot and just a hole drilled for placing the window.

the yellow legends are pad printed, yes.

Ascaii wrote:Sigh, I was the second highest bidder. At least it ended up in the community, but i really wanted it. Any chance I could interest you in a trade for a NIB Loewe BTX keyboard with vintage mx whites?

No, sorry Ascaii.

But I promise to keep my fingers away should there appear another one.

IvanIvanovich · 07 Apr 2013, 18:15

Yes, I was taking the count of the pin header from that photo, assuming it is not stacked or something. Other Cherry pcb with seperate controller have similar number 18-20 so it would make sense.
Lock key I had like that was a tripleshot for sure, so I just assumed one on this was too.

Also, I am curious have you take plate/pcb assembly out of case half? Wondering if there is a label anywhere with it's G80 model?

phetto · 07 Apr 2013, 18:56

omg nice find

dirge · 07 Apr 2013, 19:25

colour combinations on the keys work very well, the orange is stunning.

BimboBB · 07 Apr 2013, 20:36

IvanIvanovich wrote:Yes, I was taking the count of the pin header from that photo, assuming it is not stacked or something. Other Cherry pcb with seperate controller have similar number 18-20 so it would make sense.

There is another "connector" behind. So this daughter board is sitting on two of these connectors with each 20 pins.

IvanIvanovich wrote: Also, I am curious have you take plate/pcb assembly out of case half? Wondering if there is a label anywhere with it's G80 model?

No G80 model sticker. Only these three stickers:

dirge wrote:colour combinations on the keys work very well, the orange is stunning.

yes, looks lovely. maybe an idea for GMK round 2!

IvanIvanovich · 07 Apr 2013, 22:24

Maybe it is G80-0452, made in 11 of 1984... which would place it as made before my G80-0499 by nearly a year so a lower model would make sense. I think this might be oldest documented G80 on the board now?

Ducky Nordic · 09 Apr 2013, 22:32

Nice grab BimboBB. Love the board and especially the chocolade caps...and ofc the superawsm Fct-cap

Okeg · 14 Apr 2013, 17:28

BimboBB, i'm so jelly right now.
That keyboard even beats mine( KMAC mini w/ dolch caps).
You know that you've got a true beauty if the KMAC elitists become jelly :p

EDIT: Could I get a picture of it sitting at your computer setup?

Daniel · 14 Apr 2013, 17:40

Lol was this post meant to be serious?

@Okeg

Okeg · 14 Apr 2013, 17:45

Daniel wrote:Lol was this post meant to be serious? @Okeg

Not really, what i was trying to say is that this ancient(not in a bad way) puts the "overpriced elitist circlejerk stuff" to shame

Okeg · 14 Apr 2013, 21:35

Btw, does anyone know of any keycaps similar to this?
I should probably ask geekhack about "keycaps", tho.