As noted on [wiki]Product identification[/wiki], we have a new way to identify keyboards: UL File Numbers.
I've noticed for some time that "E" numbers appear on PCBs. These are numbers like "E206453". I thought they were part numbers for some specific manufacturer, which is in part why I "deduced" that Chicony were making keyboards for Cherry. (I was still correct, but not entirely for the reasons given.)
Recently I've been noticing these numbers more and more, so I figured that they had to mean something different, and looked it up. In fact, the E numbers are company IDs with UL, so they function like FCC grantee codes.
This now proves that Chicony makes the Cherry KB-0556, as it has Chicony's UL File Number, E164844, written on the label. The Dell KB1421 mystery is now solved, as that has the UL File Number for Primax, indicating that they were involved one generation earlier than I realised (their next keyboard for Dell was clearly identifiable, although it's possible that Primax were mentioned on the KB1421 box (if it had KCC details) — I've never managed to get a photo of the box of one).
The earlier Dell L100 came from Darfon Electronics Corp, hence the DFN-L100 on the label in smaller writing.
FCC IDs seem to be pretty rare now, but UL File Numbers are here to help instead.
UL File Numbers, AKA E numbers
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Daniel Beardsmore
- Location: Hertfordshire, England
- Main keyboard: Filco Majestouch 1 (home)/Poker II backlit (work)
- Main mouse: MS IMO 1.1
- Favorite switch: Probably not whatever I wrote here
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
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mecano
- Location: Paris
- Main keyboard: Tipro KMX128
- Main mouse: Kensington Orbit Trackball with scroll ring
- Favorite switch: Beam Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
Wow amazing Daniel! the azot files of the ul db also list keyboard models!
A short try with Chicony spitted out
Keyboard, Model(s) JK-01 and JK-02, KB-0556, KB-0556G, KB-0602, KB-0630, KB-0631, KB-0841, KB-0926
Keyboard, Model(s) KB-0985, KU-0985, KU-1060, KU-1228
Keyboard, Model(s) KB410 P, KC-0030, KU-0556, KU-0556G, KU-0833, KU-0841, KU-0901, KU-0903, KU-0906, KU-1018, VGP-UKB2JP
Keyboards, Model(s) KB-0713, KB-0759, KU-0418, KU-0760
A short try with Chicony spitted out
Keyboard, Model(s) JK-01 and JK-02, KB-0556, KB-0556G, KB-0602, KB-0630, KB-0631, KB-0841, KB-0926
Keyboard, Model(s) KB-0985, KU-0985, KU-1060, KU-1228
Keyboard, Model(s) KB410 P, KC-0030, KU-0556, KU-0556G, KU-0833, KU-0841, KU-0901, KU-0903, KU-0906, KU-1018, VGP-UKB2JP
Keyboards, Model(s) KB-0713, KB-0759, KU-0418, KU-0760
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Daniel Beardsmore
- Location: Hertfordshire, England
- Main keyboard: Filco Majestouch 1 (home)/Poker II backlit (work)
- Main mouse: MS IMO 1.1
- Favorite switch: Probably not whatever I wrote here
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
The keyboard that Primax made for Cherry wasn't listed — I guessed it was them (which is why I checked) but I didn't know for certain until I got a higher resolution image where I could read the file number. Microsoft stuff all uses the same unlisted number (they have several E numbers, but the one on all their products is not one of them).
It's not going to answer all our mysteries, but it's another tool to help out. It also means that we can often ID who makes the PCBs and membranes, something I've started noting on the wiki.
It's not going to answer all our mysteries, but it's another tool to help out. It also means that we can often ID who makes the PCBs and membranes, something I've started noting on the wiki.