RS-232 Keypad?

I have been looking for simple low cost Keypads w/RS-232 output. What are some good manufacturers? Looking on the Web I keep ending up at Amazon or Ebay, but I want to call up (someone who knows the product) before buying. I need to have at least 3 keys but more, say digits 0-9, would not hurt. Needs to have 9 pin serial output. (Or 24 but pref. 9. Or I could use an adapter it it came with a USB connector.) Use is for part of a Statistical Process Control system that is already set up w/RS-232. Presently this is set up for digital measuring instruments using the smart switch 232BBS4 from B&B Electronics (they don't have anything like I describe above, I asked.). In any case not all measurements are suited for micrometers or calipers, in some cases gage pins are used. The keypad would be a convenient way to capture the results. Machine operators would press one key for a good component, another for undersize, and another for oversize. I would greatly appreciate any leads.

Thank You, Paul Hossfield Mahr/Federal Products Co.

1144 Eddy St. Providence, RI 02940 Phone: 401-784-3270 Fax: 401-784-3461 snipped-for-privacy@mahr.com

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Reply to
plh
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In article , snipped-for-privacy@newsguy.com says... | I have been looking for simple low cost Keypads w/RS-232 output. What are some | good manufacturers? Looking on the Web I keep ending up at Amazon or Ebay, but I | want to call up (someone who knows the product) before buying. I need to have at | least 3 keys but more, say digits 0-9, would not hurt. Needs to have 9 pin | serial output. (Or 24 but pref. 9. Or I could use an adapter it it came with a | USB connector.) Easy, get hold of an old redundant PC with a keyboard and a serial port. A DOS boot floppy disk, with the one single line command in the Autoexec.BAT to redirect output from the keyboard straight out to the serial port. It doesn't have to have a hard disk, nor screen once set up. Just a floppy disk set up as a boot disk.

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Reply to
Harry Bloomfield

some

but I

have at

a

Your autoexec.bat needs at least two lines; you need to set the serial port configuration. mode com1: 9600, n, 8, 1

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Reply to
the Wiz

are some

Ebay, but I

to have at

pin

came with a

port

Hmm, if memory serves then it will need more than two lines, you will have to set the time otherwise the command prompt won't appear and load the correct keyboard file probably. That is going back a few years :)

Reply to
Mjolinor

I keep hitting "Esc", but I'm still here!

Reply to
plh

I

reasonably

service.

There is an RS232 keyboard available, several of them in fact. The ones I have used have a PCB about 50mm X 30mm and use a PIC, they have 0-9 keypads on and cost about £8 last time I bought one. I have no sources for them now.

Reply to
Mjolinor

I keep hitting "Esc", but I'm still here!

Reply to
plh

"plh" schreef in bericht news: snipped-for-privacy@drn.newsguy.com...

some

but I

have at

with a

set up

the

would be a

key for

Paul,

If you need only three switches, get an old 3-knobs serial mouse.

pieter

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Reply to
petrus bitbyter

"plh" schreef in bericht news: snipped-for-privacy@drn.newsguy.com...

some

but I

have at

with a

set up

the

would be a

key for

Paul,

If you need only three switches, get an old 3-knobs serial mouse.

pieter

--
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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Reply to
petrus bitbyter

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:45:30 GMT, "petrus bitbyter" spake:

| |"plh" schreef in bericht |news: snipped-for-privacy@drn.newsguy.com... | |Paul, | |If you need only three switches, get an old 3-knobs serial mouse. | |pieter | Thank You! (Why didn't I think of that?)

-plh

Reply to
Maxine in RI

I tried it but the problem is that, even with the ball removed, it generates output when tilted this way and that, so it would not work for my application.

I keep hitting "Esc", but I'm still here!

Reply to
plh

You need to remove the opto interrupters (IR LED and detector pairs) to prevent them from sending spurious data.

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Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
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Reply to
Michael A. Terrell

In article , snipped-for-privacy@newsguy.com says... | >

| >Paul, | >

| >If you need only three switches, get an old 3-knobs serial mouse. | >

| >pieter | | I tried it but the problem is that, even with the ball removed, it generates | output when tilted this way and that, so it would not work for my application. | |

In that case, jam the internal rollers with a bit of 'Blue Tack' or similar. You could perhaps alternatively remove the rollers completely, they just clip into to place.

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Regards,
         Harry (M1BYT)...
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Reply to
Harry Bloomfield

Paul,

Guess you have to fix the (optical) movement sensors using beewax, nailpolish or some other glue. You can also try to make a shortcut or remove them totaly. Should be possible to make them quiet.

pieter

"plh" schreef in bericht news: snipped-for-privacy@drn.newsguy.com...

generates

application.

are

Ebay,

to

pin

using

like I

for

one

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petrus bitbyter

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