Week 8

From this week, we have not received any answers from the companies. So with further assistance, we decided to create a model layout of a basic keyboard with a single key by next week. The first step was to understand how a keyboard works and is built. A keyboard is a smaller computer. It is made of a microprocessor and controller circuitry which are like a brain that interprets data from the key matrix, the "input".

Figure 1: Microprocessor and Controller Circuitry

Figure 2: Key Matrix

Instead of using the Key matrix as the input, the LCD touchsreen display is the new input. The microprocessor then would be receiving the data from this. We looked at different applications with the LCD screen to get an idea of how to make this LCD touchscreen keyboard. One of these applications was the MP3 player. The MP3 touchscreen was made of two layers, the LCD module, and the Touch panel, seen in Figure 3. This was exactly the same as the diagram of a basic touchscreen that we found from research, seen in Figure 4. This touchscreen is linked to a controller which processes the data and then to the LCD screen.

Figure 3: MP3 Player Circuit Diagram

Figure 4: Basic touchscreen Diagram 

 From what we know, we need a touchscreen, LCD display, circuit controller, and a microprocessor. The construction of the LCD touchscreen keyboard itself can be made. An open of layout can be seen in this video below which can be related to what we are trying to create.