Button Activated...Anything!

by haunted.haunt in Circuits > Electronics

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Button Activated...Anything!

ledbuttonsquareon_LRG.jpg
Have you ever wanted a button to trigger something on your computer?  Well, Here is how you can do it.

Materials and Tools

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Here is what you will need to make this simple rig:

•PS/2 Or USB Keyboard (wireless may work) depending on what you have or what your computer can support.

•Button of your choice (Must be a Push Button)
     Here is some ideas of the types you can use:
       Illuminated push button
       Arcade Push Button
       Other Push Button
   Most can be bought from Adafruit or SparkFun.

You will need a screw driver to open it up, a computer, and any electrical tools that you think that will help you the most.

Open It Up!

ledbuttonsquareon_LRG.jpg
Plug in your keyboard to make sure it works with your computer than start opening it up.  Do not snip any wires and carefully pop off the keys.

If you see clear plastic sheets, it is okay.  That is actually the easiest keyboard to use for this project.

Remove the circuit board and anything else that is not the keys or electrical components.

So, What Does It Do?

ledbuttonsquareon_LRG.jpg

Now it is time to make it actually do something! :)

You need to set your computer up to trigger an action with the press of a key. If you do not know how to do that, read this dictionary entry. I am going to use sound cueing software (you can find it by googling it.)

Hook up the button's 2 pins to the correct circle on each plastic sheet and hook it up to your computer.

Press it, and if it works, you're done! Please comment on what some of your tasks are, or if something doesn't work and I will do my best to help you.

Thank you for reading my instructible. If you like what you read and want more, please Donate!