Reuse of old notebook keyboard?

[HAL6128]

I have a pretty old notebook keyboard (Toshiba T1910) - I think it works with the PS/2 protocol - and I wanted to ask if there's a possibility to reuse them in some way?
I have seen different solution for such needs but I think they refer to keyboard works as USB?
example: KeyboardWhiz - laptop keyboard reuse wizard from FairywrenTech on Tindie

Would it possible for me (I can't develop hardware) to get an adapter (or RaspberryPi0 / Teensie mapper) somewhere to use that keyboard as a external PS/2 keyboard plug it on a PC?

It's a 19 Pin FFC out of the keyboard.

[Bryce]

The keyboard is a simple (foil) switch matrix, so if you know the layout or have a fancy device that can learn the keys (like the one you linked to), then it could be connected to anything you like.

Bryce.

[HAL6128]

Could this be driven by a Raspberry Pico connected through the GPIO (from 1 to 19) or similar (3.3V) ? I assume a driver should translate the signals to PS/2 conform serial signal through another GPIO (data line). But a PS/2 keyboard needs 5V?

[eto]

The Pico can act as a USB keyboard. So you can connect the notebook keyboard pins to the GPIO pins, install some software and use the keyboard as a USB keyboard through the Pico.  

here it is done with retro computer keyboards, but it should be similar for your keyboard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0VU5mklIbk

[Bryce]

Could this be driven by a Raspberry Pico connected through the GPIO (from 1 to 19) or similar (3.3V) ? I assume a driver should translate the signals to PS/2 conform serial signal through another GPIO (data line). But a PS/2 keyboard needs 5V?

Shooting sparrows with a cannon. Even a cheap Arduino can easily manage that.

Bryce.

[HAL6128]

The Pico can act as a USB keyboard. So you can connect the notebook keyboard pins to the GPIO pins, install some software and use the keyboard as a USB keyboard through the Pico. 

here it is done with retro computer keyboards, but it should be similar for your keyboard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0VU5mklIbk

Thanks for the nice video @eto. At least I got an idea how to proceed.

[HAL6128]

Bryce.

Isn't a Raspi Pico not similar to Arduino nano? What I have seen is that both are around 10€. Which would had a better use?

[Bryce]

Bryce.

Isn't a Raspi Pico not similar to Arduino nano? What I have seen is that both are around 10€. Which would had a better use?

Not if you compare the CPU's. You don't need a dual core Arm Cortex M0 CPU running at a silly speed and 16MB of RAM to scan a keyboard.

Bryce.

[pelrun]

An ancient AVR is still a cannon. Since you're going to be using a cannon *anyway*, why not go for the cheaper and better option?

[Bryce]

An ancient AVR is still a cannon. Since you're going to be using a cannon *anyway*, why not go for the cheaper and better option?

Because programming an AVR is easier and requires a lot less current.

Bryce.

[pelrun]

Oh come on, even a little familiarity with the Pico makes that comment look silly.

And current? Really? Who is counting electrons here?

I'm going to drop the argument here, it's definitely heading for "my C64 is better than your X" territory

[HAL6128]

For a prototype and for a better understanding I would use a Raspberry Zero (it's available, so I can program and use it).

For what I have understood from your discussion is that the microcontroller between keyboard and plug could / should be the smaller the better? Maybe some kind of PIC?
The controller is driven by the 5V current of the PC plug?