IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread

User avatar
hellothere

05 Sep 2021, 17:26

MMcM wrote:
05 Sep 2021, 16:48
ExZKV wrote:
05 Sep 2021, 16:34
Please help me to identify my keyboard.
VG-920.

Explains the pinout. 4800 baud TTL serial.
Now that's a really complete answer to a question. Very cool.

Mmmmm. Old Topre goodness.

ExZKV

05 Sep 2021, 18:05

MMcM wrote:
05 Sep 2021, 16:48
ExZKV wrote:
05 Sep 2021, 16:34
Please help me to identify my keyboard.
VG-920.

Explains the pinout. 4800 baud TTL serial.
WOW!
It`s a miracle! Thank you very much!

ExZKV

05 Sep 2021, 20:08

MMcM wrote:
05 Sep 2021, 16:48

Explains the pinout. 4800 baud TTL serial.
it`s real to connect this keyboard to a modern pc? may be use some converter?

MMcM

06 Sep 2021, 00:08

ExZKV wrote:
05 Sep 2021, 20:08
it`s real to connect this keyboard to a modern pc? may be use some converter?
How easy this will be depends on what the serial signals are. There are a number of possibilities:
  • ASCII characters -- this makes it very hard to turn into a modern keyboard
  • ASCII characters plus separate indication of shift state -- this is marginally better, but still not great
  • key codes for key press and key release -- this is ideal and allows working as a modern keyboard with arbitrary mapping
  • key codes for key press only with shifts included or key release for shifts only -- this works for regular typing, but makes some games harder and doesn't really allow for changing which keys are shift (including adding more shifts if Ctrl, Shift, and Compose isn't enough)
Based on page 5-44's mention of key code, init code, and status code, I would be hopeful that it is not just ASCII, which means something is possible. But the only way to tell is to hook up an oscilloscope, logic analyzer, or microcontroller to the serial line and see what shows up.

And, yes, a converter is needed, to read from the serial input (and write to serial output to set LEDs and beep). An ATMega32U4, like a Pro Micro or a Teensy, is well-suited to this task, as it has built-in USB support. A framework like TMK or QMK is best for controlling the mapping, once the raw decoding has been done. Arduino also works, and is sometimes useful while working through the decoding. There are a number of examples and people here in the Workshop board are probably willing to help.

User avatar
hellothere

06 Sep 2021, 02:07

Even more manuals.

It can connect to a DEC VT-220 and looks pretty much identical to a DEC-LK201AA keyboard. I'd say that the odds of converting it to work on a modern computer have gone up :).

MMcM

06 Sep 2021, 03:00

hellothere wrote:
06 Sep 2021, 02:07
It can connect to a DEC VT-220 and looks pretty much identical to a DEC-LK201AA keyboard. I'd say that the odds of converting it to work on a modern computer have gone up :).
I am not sure that one can mix and match keyboard and terminal with a VT-220. The LK201 uses an RJ connector not mini-DIN-8, takes 12V power not 5V, and has RS423 serial levels not TTL.

But I agree with the overall conclusion that being some kind of clone increases the chances somewhat.

silba

06 Sep 2021, 13:24

what keyboars is it according to you? also what type of keys ?

Image

Findecanor

06 Sep 2021, 13:35

It looks like a variant of the BTC 51 series with the 1.25u Escape key and the grey "ISO key" next to the left Shift key — I have only seen BTC keyboards have that.
Edit: Some BTC-made Packard Bell keyboards have a similar case.

User avatar
madrobby

06 Sep 2021, 16:50

From a recent eBay listing. Manufacturer is “Video Technologies”.

The nav cluster and blank keys in the bottom row make it slightly more interesting than run-of-the mill boards.

Does anyone know what this is, what switches it uses? (I assume it’s very cheaply made.)
D3F84AF2-FF63-4837-A5CB-4CAC7C7B3AD6.jpeg
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User avatar
zrrion

06 Sep 2021, 19:02

that's a laser board with SMK 2nd gen MX mount clickies. They're nice enough switches and caps but the build of the rest of the board leaves a lot to be desired

silba

06 Sep 2021, 19:55

Findecanor wrote:
06 Sep 2021, 13:35
It looks like a variant of the BTC 51 series with the 1.25u Escape key and the grey "ISO key" next to the left Shift key — I have only seen BTC keyboards have that.
Edit: Some BTC-made Packard Bell keyboards have a similar case.
i got many keyboards with blue switchs but they werent enought tactile, bouncing to my taste
also got another royal but same

i remember having a more tactical kb when i was younger

which type of membrane is the more tactile/bouncy ?

User avatar
jejex

12 Sep 2021, 17:20

Hi, I've found an laptop-like keyboard with ALPS or clones, interestingly there is a single MX black under the caps lock. I couldn't dfind any info on this keyboard, also found one in ISO. Thanks in advance, have a great day!
Photos:
Spoiler:
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User avatar
TNT

12 Sep 2021, 17:24

That's a very interesting luggable keyboard. A different switch family just to make a locklight possible and then they used a keycap with translucent legends, not even just a window like in older Alps-style caps.

User avatar
jejex

12 Sep 2021, 17:50

TNT wrote:
12 Sep 2021, 17:24
That's a very interesting luggable keyboard. A different switch family just to make a locklight possible and then they used a keycap with translucent legends, not even just a window like in older Alps-style caps.
I believe at some point, some user modified the keyboard to take a MX switch on the caps lock because;
a) other locklight keycaps are in the classic windowed style; num lock, scroll lock - and they look like the original Alps keycaps the whole board has.
b) I've found almost the exact same keyboard in ISO layout, and it has a normal, windowed caps lock that seems to be the original one. Attaching a photo -
Spoiler:
iso.jpg
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This leads me to believe, it is an user-made modification. Why, and how is it possible, is a whole another question :D
I appreciate any leads regarding this keyboard's model or name, thanks again!

davkol

12 Sep 2021, 18:52


JannievanZyl

13 Sep 2021, 15:53

Lalaland124 wrote:
14 Aug 2021, 13:20
Supposed to be an old Siemens keyboard. Any guess on use-case and switches?
Did you get any more info on this keyboard?

I found a similar looking one, but with some extra keys top right.
Siemens.jpg
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User avatar
jejex

14 Sep 2021, 01:56

One more keyboard, strange layout with a 1u space and a lot of windowed keycaps in a interesting profile - appreciate any info about this one, and thanks in advance!
unknown.png
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User avatar
Lalaland124

15 Sep 2021, 10:28

jejex wrote:
14 Sep 2021, 01:56
One more keyboard, strange layout with a 1u space and a lot of windowed keycaps in a interesting profile - appreciate any info about this one, and thanks in advance! unknown.png
Those keycaps are gorgeous! What kind of connector does it have? Reminds me of old video editing terminals

User avatar
Lalaland124

15 Sep 2021, 10:29

JannievanZyl wrote:
13 Sep 2021, 15:53
Lalaland124 wrote:
14 Aug 2021, 13:20
Supposed to be an old Siemens keyboard. Any guess on use-case and switches?
Did you get any more info on this keyboard?

I found a similar looking one, but with some extra keys top right.
Siemens.jpg
Unfortunately not :?

User avatar
OleVoip

15 Sep 2021, 14:08

Lalaland124 wrote:
15 Sep 2021, 10:29
JannievanZyl wrote:
13 Sep 2021, 15:53
Lalaland124 wrote:
14 Aug 2021, 13:20
Supposed to be an old Siemens keyboard. Any guess on use-case and switches?
Did you get any more info on this keyboard?
I found a similar looking one, but with some extra keys top right.
Siemens.jpg
Unfortunately not :?
That's a Siemens T1000 teletypewriter keyboard. We had a similar one rather early in this thread, which I replied to.
Another one had its own thread, and another thread describes another family of keyboards with that switch and the switch itself, for which there is a wiki entry, too.

User avatar
jejex

15 Sep 2021, 20:03

Those keycaps are gorgeous! What kind of connector does it have? Reminds me of old video editing terminals
No clue on the connector, bought this on a Chinese second-hand website, paid approx $5, and has MX blacks or some clones. The keycaps are doubleshot, and absolutely great, unfortunately there's 2 missing, but I'm going to use them in my ortho build.

EDIT: I think I've found it: Sieb & Meyer 45.01.04.3 and it looks it's a keyboard from a German CNC machine control panel, with a presumably homemade case. Sadly, this didn't get me much info, as it is pretty much undocumented. As always, thanks for your help and have a great day!

JannievanZyl

15 Sep 2021, 22:18

OleVoip wrote:
15 Sep 2021, 14:08
Lalaland124 wrote:
15 Sep 2021, 10:29
JannievanZyl wrote:
13 Sep 2021, 15:53

Did you get any more info on this keyboard?
I found a similar looking one, but with some extra keys top right.
Siemens.jpg
Unfortunately not :?
That's a Siemens T1000 teletypewriter keyboard. We had a similar one rather early in this thread, which I replied to.
Another one had its own thread, and another thread describes another family of keyboards with that switch and the switch itself, for which there is a wiki entry, too.
Thanks, I've looked at a lot of site and photos of various T1000's but I've not yet seen one with the two extra red keys you see top right on the one I found.

User avatar
june bug

22 Sep 2021, 05:56

hey y'all, does anyone recognize this keyboard? there was no information on the pcb that i could see
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User avatar
Polecat

22 Sep 2021, 06:14

Terminal board of some sort, sorry I can't tell you which model. Keytronics foam and foil, good looking keyboard, but not a very desirable feel for most of us.

Lucid

23 Sep 2021, 01:48

Has anyone seen an Ericsson keyboard like this before?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ericsson-Keybo ... 637-2357-0

Image

Those orange key caps and the bezels are so beautiful

User avatar
Polecat

24 Sep 2021, 06:17

Weird Focus-ish keyboard. No photos or info on the switches, anyone know this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384410414027
Attachments
rin-teck_rt1000.jpg
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User avatar
june bug

24 Sep 2021, 06:43

i think it's a Rin-Teck RT-1000 board minus the Chinese legends
link

Lucid

24 Sep 2021, 14:59

Polecat wrote:
24 Sep 2021, 06:17
Weird Focus-ish keyboard. No photos or info on the switches, anyone know this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384410414027
I had that on my watch list for a few days. Seems way too expensive for a standard Focus board with SMK switches.

User avatar
Polecat

24 Sep 2021, 17:26

june bug wrote:
24 Sep 2021, 06:43
i think it's a Rin-Teck RT-1000 board minus the Chinese legends
link
That's definitely it, thanks! I tried searching the forums and looked in the wiki, but it's not listed in the index of keyboards by brand for some reason. Not the first time that has happened either.

User avatar
hellothere

25 Sep 2021, 03:11

Lucid wrote:
23 Sep 2021, 01:48
Has anyone seen an Ericsson keyboard like this before?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ericsson-Keybo ... 637-2357-0

Image

Those orange key caps and the bezels are so beautiful
Very nice looking KB!

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