Hi John, (01)
Comments inline. (02)
Jonathan (03)
John Sechrest wrote:
> I think that it will be good to have the external switch, so that the
> keyboard knows which mode to come up in as a default. And it can be
> programatically converted between them. (04)
The default mode should definitely be the standard keyset mode (5 bit),
since most applications are not Augment-enabled and would require the
standard (non-Augment) behavior of the mouse when left- or
right-clicking on things. (05)
If you are able to find a way to programmatically switch between the two
modes, then I would suggest skipping the state switch altogether, since
the default state will be the standard keyset mode. It would also
simplify the hardware a little and keep the user interface simpler for
the end-user (no extra switches to deal with). (06)
> It is not a power switch. It is mislabled in the drawings. it is
> a state switch for the mode of the mouse/keyboard. In one state
> the mouse and keyboard are seperate. In the other mode, the
> three buttons of the mouse and the 5 buttons of the keypad
> are mapped into an 8 bit key code. (Augment mode) (07)
Ah, thanks for the clarification. (08)
> One of the USB connectors is for the PC connection
> One of the USB connectors is for the Mouse
> One of the USB connectors is for a USB Fob
>
> I have assummed that the cable to the PC is just a seperate
> cable. And that one of the USB connectors would be labled as
> the upstream connector. (09)
Ok, this sounds fine. (010)
> The circuit board will do the key processing. And it will programatically
> support the two modes that you describe. To do that it will need to
> operate as a psuedo USB hub. As the key codes pass thru the usb hub,
> it will transform the keycodes based on the switch. To do this makes
> the board more complex. But it makes the Augment mode possible.
> And it makes the keyboard transparent to the PC system, so that
> it will not need any driver on the host.
>
> At least that is the goal. (011)
If you think you would be able to support a programmatic switching of
modes, that would be really great! This is essentially our "ideal"
version of the chord keyset. (012)
Yes, avoiding the need for a driver on the host is a really useful
proposition, because that would allow us to have the keyset be used (in
5-bit mode) for all traditional applications on the major platforms
(Windows, Linux, MacOS) without any software work. (013)
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