t6x keyboard with USB QMK adapter - design data included

[WarhawkCZ]

Guys,
I have had this project on hold for a while. Our little boy and work around the house do not allow me to continue. For this reason, I want to at least share the design data for the T60/T61 Keyboard USB adapter with the community. There have been already attempts to create USB adapters for ThinkPad keyboards. However, most of them were rather limited. The reason was the number of GPIO pins available on generic *duino* boards. For this reason, I created my own board with an MCU that has enough pins. The MCU is also natively supported by the QMK package. This means unlimited options. Compared to the STM32, the 5-V MCU from Atmel/Microchip does not need any level shifter and makes everything simpler. Trackpoint works too. The PCB layout is in KiCad (opensource). You can either use OSH park (USA) or Aisler (Netherlands) for PCB manufacturing. Make me happy and use western manufacturing resources. The design uses SMD components. The keyboard connector is difficult to get. I de-soldered it from a dead motherboard. Luckily, there are plenty of t60/t61 mobos around.

The linked ZIP file contains all I collected regarding this subject. There is even a version of QMK that shall work with my keyboard config. It has been so long since I touched it that I even forgot how to program it. Linux console luckily remembers

Code: Select all

qmk flash -kb thinkpad_t6x -km default

All design data are opensource. Do what ever you want with it. Please respect the QMK license.
I reserve rights to publish this (one day) on my personal webpage www.panacek.net

If you're interested or have a question, please use this thread for further communication.

Best regards, Jiri

Link to source files www.panacek.net\downloads\t61-qmk-usb-keyboard\t61-qmk-usb-keyboard.zip
Photos:
https://i.imgur.com/0z2XMxX.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/r8uenIg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/d0I5a7A.jpg

[SAIYAN48]

Very impressive!

[WarhawkCZ]

Very impressive!

Thank you. I believe I will continue with making this more acceptable. After 14 years with Thinkpads I decided to switch to a different brand and will definitely miss the nipple.

Couple people on Reddit asked me for design data. This is the reason why I started the thread here.

[axur-delmeria]

Will this work on the X61 keyboard? I don't have a T60/61.

[WarhawkCZ]

Will this work on the X61 keyboard? I don't have a T60/61.

Theoretically yes. I don't have the keyboard pinout in front of me. Nevertheless, modification of the board should be easy. Most important thing is that all buttons are wired to the matrix/mcu. The magic then happens in the qmk software.

[nahuel]

Is the trackpoint feel the same as on the original Thinkpad? I read there are some negative inertia applied and I don't know if the trackpoint controller is adding it or is added on the Thinkpad motherboard/drivers.

[nahuel]

Also.. the middle click+trackpoint movement scroll function works the same as on the original Thinkpad?

[jhjessup]

This is fantastic. I've had this project (with teensy 3.2) on hold because I couldn't figure out how to get the trackpoint to work.

Do you have a parts list? I couldn't find it in the attached .zip.

Thanks!

[WarhawkCZ]

I can generate BOM from KiCad. Please poke my mailbox. I am not very active here these days but I will try to help.

[J888www]

This is fantastic. I've had this project (with teensy 3.2) on hold because I couldn't figure out how to get the trackpoint to work.

Do you have a parts list? I couldn't find it in the attached .zip.

Thanks!

I too am having problems trying to source parts, it's refreshing to find someone else who's interested in making the old Classic keyboard to work as a standalone device after interest diminished a few years ago.
If only that Rampadc still sell assembled kits, life would be much easier for Classic keyboard enthusiasts.
The YouTube video is no longer available but this is what I've found so far.... https://vimeo.com/458669376

Please do offer any information on the adapter for the Classic keyboard.

[axur-delmeria]

This is fantastic. I've had this project (with teensy 3.2) on hold because I couldn't figure out how to get the trackpoint to work.

Frank Adams got a standalone T61 keyboard working with Trackpoint using a Teensy 3.2:
https://github.com/thedalles77/USB_Lapt ... Controller
https://github.com/thedalles77/USB_Lapt ... ensy%203p2

[SAIYAN48]

Any new updates on this?