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We asked the gaming community
what they wanted in a keyboard encoder. The KE72 represents the
integration of the features most asked for by the experts.
As a result, this unit has become the ultimate choice for serious
PC gamers and Flight Sim enthusiasts interfacing to their PS/2 ports!
The KE72 is one of our most popular products and the popularity of this model continues to grow!
We constantly add improvements and features to
the KE72 to keep pace with the requirements of our customers.
KE72 Price - $119.95 ea.
KE72-T Price - $139.95 ea.
Product Details
The KE72 Switch Inputs
The KE72 features 72 individual
inputs. These inputs are activated by connecting the input (such
as through a switch) to the common
ground on the KE72 I/O header. Each input may be programmed
to output a single keystroke, or a sequence (macro) of keystrokes.
For macros, each input may generate up to 32 keystrokes when
activated, and up to 16 keystrokes when the input is released.
The KE72 is able to emulate any keystroke found on a standard
101
or 104 key keyboard.
Since all 72 inputs are individual, there is no chance
of "phantom" keys
that are inherent in scanning a matrix. With the individual input
configuration, any combination of inputs may be activated simultaneously
during operation. All the inputs share the same common ground.
The configuration for the input responses is stored
on board the KE72 in EEPROM. This memory is maintained until the
configuration
is changed again.
What types of switches
can I use?
Use any type of
switch that produces a contact closure. The KE72 can accept inputs
from pushbutton switches or toggle switches.
The inputs may be programmed to send a response when the input
is activated, when it is de-activated, or both!
In addition to "dry" contact closures,
connection to 5V CMOS or TTL circuits is also possible. The KE72
considers a
low level as an active input.
The KE72-T Trackball
Interface
The KE72-T features an interface for
converting Trackball signals into PS2 mouse signals. This feature
means the user may take
the raw data from a Trackball directly into the KE72 Trackball
Interface port. The KE72 has a dedicated 6 pin miniDIN connector
on the board for connection to the PC PS2 style mouse port.
No other electronics, or power for the Trackball is needed
since
the KE72 supplies the power to the Trackball itself (Except
for a backlight, if the Trackball has one).
We offer an interface cable, our KE-TBH3, which connects
directly to the popular Happ Controls Trackball. This 3 foot long
cable
provides an easy connection to the Happ Trackball, and other compatible
units.
The Trackball interface also features a 3 input header
for simulation of the Mouse Left, Middle, and Right buttons. These
inputs are
activated by connecting them to the common ground provided on the
mouse button interface connector.
How the KE72 connects to
your PC
The KE72 simulates a keyboard on your
PC. The unit plugs in line with your PC keyboard. Two connectors
are used for the keyboard
interface. One connector attaches to your PC keyboard input,
while the other allows you to connect your normal keyboard.
Both the KE72 programmed inputs and your keyboard may be used
at the
same time. Note that the KE72 supplies all neccessary communication
to the PC, so connection of your full keyboard is optional.
The KE72 uses the smaller 6 pin miniDIN connectors. If the
larger
5 pin DIN connector is required, we have standard adapters
available to adapt to that size as well.
For the KE72-T, another connector supports the PS2
mouse support. This port plugs directly from the KE72-T to the
PC PS2 style mouse
port.
The KE72 may be mounted in a PCI slot, or mounted
remotely, since the PCI configuration is for mounting only. Use
our KE-MM6-mini
cables to connect between the KE72 and the PC keyboard port, and
(with the KE72-T) the PS2 mouse port.
It looks like a PCI Card?
Our KE72 unit is designed so that it
may plug into a PCI slot on your computer. Although it will fit
into the PCI slot, this
feature
is for mounting only, since the KE72 does not electrically
interface with the PCI bus. Use the four mounting holes in
the corners
of the KE72 for mounting the unit when not plugged into a PCI
slot. The method of mounting the KE72 is up to the user; the
KE72 operates the same whether plugged into the PCI bus slot
or mounted separately.
Programming the KE72
Input Responses
Each of the KE72 inputs may be programmed
to output a standard keystroke when activated. In addition, each
input may also
be programmed to generate a macro, or sequence of keystrokes,
when
activated. Inputs may also be set up to send a different keystroke
or macro when the input is released.
Programming of the inputs is accomplished by creating
a text file which designates which inputs are being used, and what
the keystroke responses
are to be. Once the text file has been saved, the user runs our
program, KE72LOAD.EXE, to save the configuration onto
the KE72. The configuration may be loaded through the keyboard
port, or through the RS-232 serial port.
Configurations may be changed "on the fly" through the
use of the KE72LOAD program. The KE72 maintains the configuration
last loaded until you change it again, as it is held in EEPROM
on the board.
With the KE72 unit, responses to inputs may be individually
directed to either the PC keyboard port as keystrokes, or to the
RS-232
port. An input may even be defined to output a keystroke to the
PC when pressed, and output to the RS-232 port when released. The
KE72 provides a great deal of functionality when programming the
input responses.
Using the RS-232 Serial Interface
The RS-232 port on the KE72 unit may
be used for loading the user's configuration, sending responses
to input activations,
and translation
of ASCII input to keystrokes. The KE72 serial port operates
at 9600 BAUD, 8 bit characters, with 1 stop bit. No hardware
handshaking
is required.
Any of the 72 inputs on the KE72 may be programmed
to send a response to the RS-232 port when activated or released.
The user may define
a code or codes to be output to the serial port in response to
an input.
The KE72 also has a feature where received characters
on the serial port are translated into keystrokes to
the PC. For example,
sending an ASCII "A" character to the KE72 serial port
will result in an upper case "A" keystroke generation.
KE72 Warranty
The KE72, like all of our Keyboard
Encoder Modules, is backed by our ONE YEAR limited warranty. In
addition, we offer toll-free
technical support during our normal business hours.
Accessories needed
for Operation
When ordering the KE72, you may need
additional accessories to connect the unit for your application.
For connection of the
KE72 to your keyboard input on the PC, a 6 pin Male/Male cable
is required (our part # KE-MM6-mini, $5.95). For users of the
KE72-T, another KE-MM6-mini is required to connect from the
KE72 mouse port, to the PS2 mouse port on the PC. We also offer
a
Trackball Interface cable (our KE-TBH3, $9.95), for connection
of the KE72-T to a Happ Controls Trackball.
We offer adapters from the mini DIN connectors to
the larger 5 pin DIN connection. These adapters, like most of our
cables, are "standard" cables
available from us, and office supply stores or computer stores.
Attaching
wires to the KE72 input headers
The KE72 features two 2x20 headers
with 36 inputs on each. The headers also include 4 ground connections
which are used
as the common to activate all inputs. These 2x20 headers will
accept
a standard IDE cable plug. You may also want to use our IOX36
breakout
board. The IOX36 connects to the KE72 input header through
an
included IDE cable, and brings each pin out to a screw terminal
for easy
access. See our Accessories page for the IOX36.
Have other questions? Please contact us!
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