Alternative Controller for HHKB Pro

I wanted to add some features like vi cursor and mouse keys to my HHKB but its controller is not programmable and firmware source code is not open, of course. This means customizing this keyboard needs to replace original controller with programmable one.

This controller can work with HHKB Professional, Professional 2 and Type-S.

See this thread in geekhack.org.

Features

• Customizable keymap
• More keymap layers(more Fn keys)
• Mouse keys
• USB NKRO

See README of tmk_keyboard for more.

Pros

• No risks: Everything is all reversible
• No need for PCB trace patching, case cutting or any other destructive mod
• Can keep original controller intact
• Can change all HHKB behavior as you like

Cons

• Void your warranty
• Lose USB hub function of Pro2

DISCLAIMER

I’m not a professional of electronics nor MCU programming. This may damage your HHKB. And my English writing is poor, I’m not sure I can convey my notions accurately.

Documents

See doc/HHKB.txt and files under doc/ for internal of HHKB and this controller.

Build Firmware & Program

See this document first.

Configuration

Set MCU, BOOTLOADER_SIZE and other build options in Makefile and config.h.

Build

Several version of keymap are available in advance but you are recommended to define your favorite layout yourself. Just make with KEYMAP option like:

$ make KEYMAP=[hasu|hhkb|spacefn|<name>]

Program

First, push reset button on board to start bootloader.

This command programs the controller with dfu-programmer if the tool is installed and configured properly.

$ make dfu

Or you can also use FLIP command to program. Also the tool should be installed and configured properly. FLIP GUI application is also available.

$ make flip

Use Teensy Loader if your controller is Teensy/Teensy++.

Keymap

To define your own keymap create file named keymap_<name>.c and see keymap document(you can find in top README.md) and existent keymap files.

Hardware

You have some options for hardware. Development boards with USB AVR family(ATMega32U4, AT90USB1286) like Teensy will work while MegaAVR with V-USB library is also cheaper option for DIY.

1. TMK Alt Controller Board

TMK designed Keyboard Controller Board for HHKB Pro2(KiCad project). See this post.

2. PJRC Teensy++ 2.0 version

+---------------+
|   Teensy++    |
|               |
|               |               HHKB pro    HHKB pro2
|               |               ~~~~~~~~    ~~~~~~~~~
|          PB0-2|------->ROW    (6-8)       (5-7)
|          PB3-5|------->COL    (9-11)      (8-10)
|            PB6|------->ENABLE (12)        (11)
|            PE6|<-------KEY    (4)         (3)
|            PE7|------->PREV   (5)         (4)
|               |
|               |   5V---       (1-3)       (1-2)
|               |  GND---       (13-14)     (12-13)
+---------------+

• NOTE: PJRC Teensy

3. V-USB version

See V-USB controller for HHKB