Hello all,

Im very new here and i just wanted to get some help starting off on a project, and gain some insight as to where to start researching.

I have a PIC12F509 as well as a programer.

Goal
I would like to have a PIC12F509 that sits inline with a keybaord and have is listening for 2 types of Hex codes.

When it hears the code i want it to Flash an LED then go right back to listening mode.

Whats this for?
When the IR LED flashes it will trigger a Photo-transistor and increment a counter.


Is there a simulation program i can download and test code on?
Where can i locate some good reading material ?

Thanks all

 

What kind of keyboard?

Doing this with a USB keyboard will be a rather big task.

A PICAXE can interpret and send PS/2 signals, the 08M2 is an 8 pin. The editor has a simulator built in.

BoostC also has simulation/debugging, and supports most PIC mid-range uCs.

MikroC is another option that has simulation, but is limited and not as cheap as BoostC.

 

Hey thanks for your reply,

It is an IPAC2 i think it can be USB or PS2
("The board automatically detects which interface it is connected to (USB or PS/2).") http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html

So i guess going for PS2 would be the smarter thing to do?

Sorry i should have been a little more clear.

I want this PIC to be a man in the middle, it will sit there and pass on everything it hears to the PS2/USB port and if it detects a certain HEXcode lets say 5 or 6 it will flash a LED


I managed to snag a copy of MikroC for nothing so i am going to try and do some reading on it.

Do you believe is is possible to achieve what i want to do?

 

Do you believe is is possible to achieve what i want to do?

I know it is possible, however I cannot judge your coding ability or general electronics and signals knowledge and skill.

Something that might be of assistance in the howto and case (not firmware, though) is a similar keyboard device by ThinkGeek.com, take it apart, and see how it works. They have prank devices that insert random keys once in a while, move the mouse randomly, and other annoying features.

I don't know if they are entirely "transparent" or not, but I would think they are. By "Transparent", I mean when adding to a system, it doesn't show up as new hardware. Hardware keystroke loggers also work in this fashion, as sniffers/capture devices. You only need to make a "key sniffee" that doesn't log, bug sends an IR pulse when certain codes are seen. A single purpose decoding serial analyzer, if you will.

 

I got curious and found this good document on processing keyboard signals.

 

It's easy enough to detect a particular keypress from a PS2 keyboard line.

As for compilers, MikroC compiler already has a PS2 keyboard receive library built in.

 

I got curious and found this good document on processing keyboard signals.

wow thanks for that will get stuck into reading that tomorrow!

 

It's easy enough to detect a particular keypress from a PS2 keyboard line.

As for compilers, MikroC compiler already has a PS2 keyboard receive library built in.

thanks mate, im going to have to have a sit down and try and work out the program, do you have any tips where i can get some good manuals for the program or a reference point where to start?

 

Her is one pretty decent source

http://www.mikroe.com/products/view/285/book-pic-microcontrollers-programming-in-c/

 

Her is one pretty decent source

http://www.mikroe.com/products/view/285/book-pic-microcontrollers-programming-in-c/

Thank you i am reading through it now.

A quick rundown on what my capabilities as asked up the top.
I can solder no issue can do 300 leg ic SMD etc etc, very good with a meter.
I can etch and print circuits.
I understand logic gates.
I can write c and Java for computers.

But as for pics the most i have done is program chips with existing code and wire them in.

I am reading through the book as i write this.

My instruction set is located on page 57

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/41236e.pdf

my daughter is screaming so im going to have to deal with her.

All help thus far is greatly appreciated

 

I have spent the last 2 days reading and learning about pics.

However i am awaiting all my new test equipment to come so i can start doing pracs.
(DC PSU) large breadboard etc etc DC-PSU i built myself out of an ATX PSU 0-24v aswell as 12v 7v 5v 3.3v -5 -12 with built in LCD for Current and voltage reading.

Was a lot cheaper then buying one that was for sure.


From the reading i have done i think PS2 is the way to be going,
I am just trying to find a suitable chip.

From what i understand i should be able to grab the data convert it to a string and throw an interrupt if the hex code matching what i am looking for.
I am just a little inexperience to know what would be the best choice of chips so that i could eliminate any delay in doing this.

 

That would help aswell