[PX3] Keyboard, Mouse, Thumb Drive and Knob Support

[Joe Stone (KF5WBO)]

> Don't limit it to just the KX3/PX3 ... mouse and thumb drive support
> would be welcome in the K3/K3S and P3 particularly since the K-NOB is
> not apparently going to be able to control the P3 marker/QSY.

[js] You’re absolutely correct, Joe.  I’m assuming the PX3 and P3 / P3SVGA share a similar code (firmware) base.

[js] The P3 (with P3SVGA) already supports a thumb drive, at least in terms of capturing a bitmap image of the P3 display and saving / restoring text messages and macros to / from a thumb drive.  If you’re looking for the P3 to natively support a thumb drive (and/or mouse) without the P3SVGA, that’s a different story.  

[js] I don’t own a K3 / K3S so I haven’t specifically looked at the K•Pod constraints related to the P3.  My approach to integrating the K•Pod with the PX3 (with Mouse-n-Click QSY) will also work with the P3 / P3SVGA.

[js] I have very specific thoughts on a scaled back, lower-cost version of the K•Pod (same packaging, no switches, only a knob, preferably wireless) targeting the PX3 (and P3).  However, I’m trying to refrain from derailing this “firmware-only” thread.  If you’d like to discuss the possibility of a K•Nob, let’s start a new thread.
       
Joe Stone
KF5WBO

[Grant Youngman]

Is it no longer possible to have a relatively polite disagreement about anything with anyone without some ugly comment to follow?

> This is
> basically the same group of "contradictorians" and kool aid drinkers that
> will never suggest or let alone try anything to advance the state of art.
>

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[Joe Stone (KF5WBO)]

> Adding hub support will also probably allow the use of Apple USB keyboards. They have
> built-in hubs, which is probably why they don't work with the P3/PX3. (Says the man who
> has several lying around just looking for uses. At least I can use them with myBeagleBone
> and Raspberry Pi.)

Assuming the Apple USB keyboards are 2.4 GHz wireless and generate the standard HID (Human Interface Device) report, yes (probably).

A built-in hub isn’t fundamentally different than an external hub.  The same firmware will support both.  I use a keyboard / mouse combo (i.e., a separate keyboard and mouse which share the same wireless dongle).  I even have a $20 credit card sized iPazzPort 2.4 GHz keyboard with a built-in *gyroscope*.  It appears to the PX3 (via the Arduino microcontroller) just like any other keyboard and mouse.  

I also heard from a member whose gaming keyboard didn’t work with the P3 / PX3.  However, I’m not sure what the exact constraint was.  In theory, hub support *may* address this situation as well.  No promises.

Joe Stone
KF5WBO