USB keyboard LED extender [Pics 82KB]

lamcdonald · 21st January 2004, 7:36 PM

I recently bought a cordless keyboard. I'm quite happy with it, except for the fact it doesn't have any lock LEDs

I've been doing a bit of work in the past few days, that uses the numeric keypad, and it got annoying not knowing if the NumLock was on or off.

So! I bought a cheap USB keyboard, pulled it to bits, put the controller board in a little box, and presto! I have lock LEDs!

Of course I changed the LEDs and painted the circuit board too.

This works because Windows treats all connected keyboards as one board, i.e. if you press NumLock on one board, the NumLock lights on ALL the boards turn on.

(This has probably been done heaps of times before, but I couldn't find any references to it anywhere)

Sorry about the pic quality, The LEDs are blue, white and red, but my camera doesn't like them

http://members.optusnet.com.au/mistermcd/100_1997ss.jpg

Kippa-Dee · 21st January 2004, 9:07 PM

very very nice idea indeed.

very original
I like it

what did you do to deal with the draw of pwer?

t00| · 21st January 2004, 9:12 PM

there is a 5v line coming off usb kippa, wouldnt that just draw off that?

lamcdonald · 21st January 2004, 9:18 PM

Thanks

The superbright LEDs work fine, running directly off the controller board.

Oops I forgot to say, the cordless board is PS/2.

The keyboard is unmodified, the LED thing just runs in parallel, off the USB port.

It takes up one port, but that's not really an issue for me, I can just install it in the system case and run it off the secondary USB headers. I'll get a new casing for it tomorrow when I go back to Jaycar. It's currently in a MiniDV cassette case

Kippa-Dee · 21st January 2004, 9:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lamcdonald

I'll get a new casing for it tomorrow when I go back to Jaycar. It's currently in a MiniDV cassette case

yes, i noticed the TDK down bottom rite

Deftone2k · 21st January 2004, 10:42 PM

very nice mod dude

SilentRaven · 22nd January 2004, 12:05 AM

hey thats a great mod, i kinda have the same issue, but i keep the reciever to the top right of my keyboard anyways, so im right.

|bLuEqUt| · 22nd January 2004, 12:13 AM

So was this easy to install? As my logitech anoyes me without having the led's there. I might buy one and see how wer go

lamcdonald · 22nd January 2004, 1:00 AM

It was very easy to set up, no soldering required unless you want to replace the LEDs.

Just get the cheapest USB keyboard you can find (mine was a $9.75 job from TheDiscShop

), pull it to bits, take the control board out and plug it in! Took me about 5 mins, not including modding time (changing LEDs and painting)

My keyboard receiver only has one activity LED (see below)

Do some of the more expensive ones have the lock LEDs built in?

http://members.optusnet.com.au/mistermcd/100_2009ss.jpg

Just another pic of the contraption

Ghost power!

Actually, this was my first ever attempt at composite photography/editing

Kippa-Dee · 22nd January 2004, 7:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lamcdonald

Actually, this was my first ever attempt at composite photography/editing

looks very convincing

Adeptus · 22nd January 2004, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lamcdonald
Just get the cheapest USB keyboard you can find (mine was a $9.75 job from TheDiscShop

Anyone seen cheap USB multimedia keyboards anywhere?
I want the volume/mute controls...

LethalCorpse · 22nd January 2004, 2:38 PM

Could you not mod it into the receiver? Prise the thing open, maybe there's room in there for the control board. If not, perhaps you could mod the receiver and this board into a different box. Maybe you could mod it into your monitor, or you desktop? Just seems to me that an extraneous box on your desk is a bit cluttered, so I'd look for something else I could squeeze it into.

lamcdonald · 22nd January 2004, 3:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LethalCorpse
Could you not mod it into the receiver? Prise the thing open, maybe there's room in there for the control board. If not, perhaps you could mod the receiver and this board into a different box. Maybe you could mod it into your monitor, or you desktop? Just seems to me that an extraneous box on your desk is a bit cluttered, so I'd look for something else I could squeeze it into.

I intend to eventually mod everything into the system case.

Both receivers (kb and mouse) and the extra board. But the mouse is rechargeable, so I need to keep the cradle part outside.

Maybe mould it into the top of the case or something

I looked at putting the board into the receiver case (I've already opened it to replace the LED), but it wouldn't easily fit because the reset button is in the way.

levinet · 22nd January 2004, 3:24 PM

To finish off they eye burning goodness of this mod... I suggest using KeybVIS plugin for winamp (ive used it on Winamp2 and Winamp5, both work well), this will make your led's flash like a VU meter.. so then maybe you can try sourcing some additional power from a molex and possibly hooking 3 seperate cathodes or lights up to it and putting it in your case?? I think it'd be a coool idea

Blade707 · 22nd January 2004, 4:37 PM

this is a great idea! then you will know what your typing in the dark!

21st January 2004, 7:36 PM	#1
lamcdonald Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Logan City, QLD Posts: 1,397	USB keyboard LED extender [Pics 82KB] I recently bought a cordless keyboard. I'm quite happy with it, except for the fact it doesn't have any lock LEDs I've been doing a bit of work in the past few days, that uses the numeric keypad, and it got annoying not knowing if the NumLock was on or off. So! I bought a cheap USB keyboard, pulled it to bits, put the controller board in a little box, and presto! I have lock LEDs! Of course I changed the LEDs and painted the circuit board too. This works because Windows treats all connected keyboards as one board, i.e. if you press NumLock on one board, the NumLock lights on ALL the boards turn on. (This has probably been done heaps of times before, but I couldn't find any references to it anywhere) Sorry about the pic quality, The LEDs are blue, white and red, but my camera doesn't like them http://members.optusnet.com.au/mistermcd/100_1997ss.jpg Last edited by lamcdonald; 21st January 2004 at 7:37 PM.

21st January 2004, 9:07 PM	#2
Kippa-Dee Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 6,287	very very nice idea indeed. very original I like it what did you do to deal with the draw of pwer? __________________ OCAU Guitar Players Club \|OCAU Musicians Guild Member #14\| OCAU Fitness Club Member #22\|OCAU Weight Training Club Member #24 http://www.lazarusmode.com

21st January 2004, 10:42 PM	#6
Deftone2k Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Strathfield, NSW Posts: 12,634	very nice mod dude __________________ Jack Chauvel Photography Guide to B&W Film Development \| Flickr \| Facebook \| Twitter \| My Travels in Photos 186* Successful Trades

22nd January 2004, 1:00 AM	#9
lamcdonald Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Logan City, QLD Posts: 1,397	It was very easy to set up, no soldering required unless you want to replace the LEDs. Just get the cheapest USB keyboard you can find (mine was a $9.75 job from TheDiscShop ), pull it to bits, take the control board out and plug it in! Took me about 5 mins, not including modding time (changing LEDs and painting) My keyboard receiver only has one activity LED (see below) Do some of the more expensive ones have the lock LEDs built in? http://members.optusnet.com.au/mistermcd/100_2009ss.jpg Just another pic of the contraption Ghost power! Actually, this was my first ever attempt at composite photography/editing Last edited by lamcdonald; 22nd January 2004 at 1:02 AM.

22nd January 2004, 2:38 PM	#12
LethalCorpse Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Harris Park, NSW Posts: 3,799	Could you not mod it into the receiver? Prise the thing open, maybe there's room in there for the control board. If not, perhaps you could mod the receiver and this board into a different box. Maybe you could mod it into your monitor, or you desktop? Just seems to me that an extraneous box on your desk is a bit cluttered, so I'd look for something else I could squeeze it into. __________________ Sig Of Shame removed.

21st January 2004, 9:12 PM	#3
t00\| Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bunbury Posts: 2,788	there is a 5v line coming off usb kippa, wouldnt that just draw off that?

21st January 2004, 9:18 PM	#4
lamcdonald Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Logan City, QLD Posts: 1,397	Thanks The superbright LEDs work fine, running directly off the controller board. Oops I forgot to say, the cordless board is PS/2. The keyboard is unmodified, the LED thing just runs in parallel, off the USB port. It takes up one port, but that's not really an issue for me, I can just install it in the system case and run it off the secondary USB headers. I'll get a new casing for it tomorrow when I go back to Jaycar. It's currently in a MiniDV cassette case

22nd January 2004, 12:05 AM	#7
SilentRaven Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: melbourne.3166 Posts: 44	hey thats a great mod, i kinda have the same issue, but i keep the reciever to the top right of my keyboard anyways, so im right.

22nd January 2004, 12:13 AM	#8
\|bLuEqUt\| Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: QLD Posts: 1,605	So was this easy to install? As my logitech anoyes me without having the led's there. I might buy one and see how wer go

22nd January 2004, 3:24 PM	#14
levinet Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 618	To finish off they eye burning goodness of this mod... I suggest using KeybVIS plugin for winamp (ive used it on Winamp2 and Winamp5, both work well), this will make your led's flash like a VU meter.. so then maybe you can try sourcing some additional power from a molex and possibly hooking 3 seperate cathodes or lights up to it and putting it in your case?? I think it'd be a coool idea __________________ Canon EOS 5D Mark II \| Samyang 14mm f/2.8 \| Samyang 35mm f/1.4 \| Simga 50mm f/1.4 EX \| Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX loudphotos \| levibuzolic.com \| flickr Last edited by levinet; 22nd January 2004 at 3:25 PM.

22nd January 2004, 4:37 PM	#15
Blade707 Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 1,157	this is a great idea! then you will know what your typing in the dark!