As webwit suggested, I asked the Vortex guys about this controller. Yes, we can mass-order them.
The price currently unknown. The price depends on how many we order. I am assuming something around 10-20 Euros.
Please just leave a message if you are interested.
Up to 4 layers (640 programmable keys)
* Up to 255 custom/macro keys (29 byte strings)
* N-Key Rollover support (USB currently unknown - at least 6 keys as well)
* "Knob" support - can be used for volume, mouse wheel emulation or LED adjustments
* GPO high-current output port (commonly used for LED mods or as a communication port)
* much more features, but my Chinese skills are too inferior to properly understand any of it
Much longer, very detailed description (thanks to litster for the translation!)
Spoiler:
Thanks to Cameleon’s perfect function and open bottom layer hardware customization option, users without professional knowledge can utilize macros to emulate mouse action, 3 states of Fn, GPO/SCO (LED definitions), PWM pulse width modulation output, delay, digital knob as any mixed group, setup different automated function on software and hardware.
Summarily, Cameleon is currently the only controller that can combine professional level keyboard/muse macros, specially fit for multi-functional, small, flexible control of any mechanical keyboards, including 工控 keyboards (Litster: don’t know what this is in English), ergonomic keyboards, one-hand keyboards, atypical keyboards, full keyboard backlit keyboards, pure hardware gaming keyboards, and financial keyboards.
Specification:
Full speed USB2.0 mode
Support all 6 sets of keyboard tables (or charts), including USB HID Usage Page 0x01, 0x07, 0x0C key tables, PS/2 code scan sets 1, 2, and 3 key tables, and:
- Support PC-AT, Mac, Unix systems
- Support worldwide language layouts with each language’s modifier layout and LEDs, including UK, US, Japan, Europe, Korea, etc
- Special support for AiKB, world-first Chinese CN layout standard
4-layer, 8-row, 20 column for 640-key programmable matrix design (litster: column and row maybe swapped)
Up to 255 custom macro keys, nested function keys, and extended macro keys (29 bytes)
Concurrent multiple-key no conflict support (N Key Rollover), 6KRO, 3KRO without using diodes, eliminate all USB keyboard compatibility problems (Litster: kind of imply NKRO over USB, but I am not sure).
Support rotary encoder, can be defined as volume knob, mouse wheel, or backlight brightness knob.
8-channel GPO high current output port or 1 8-bit SCO status control output port(typically for customized LED, backlight brightness control or communication interface).
8-way KVM keyboard/mouse switching synchronized connection, eliminlate LED line connection.
One PWM backlight brightness control output port, can be used for full keyboard, brightness control, respiratory backlight control (Litster: not sure what this is), or buzzer speaker control.
One current delay output port.
World-exclusive LED indicator superior left and right pair FN: each left and right FN can control 2 key table layers, and support Shift, lock, and sticky switching modes.
Support custom keys press down and release timing (as low as 1ms)
Support 2 delay settings, delay range from 1 to 65535ms (1000ms = 1 second)
Support USB power standby and wake up with dedicated LED indicator.
Support Windows application programming interface to program key layout and setup and write to chip, all features are hardware-only, no need to install any driver or software, (litster: I think here it means that you would not be banned if you have macros or automation because it can’t be detected by gaming services since it is all hardware-based)
Energy-saving low power consumption: 230uA current (USB standby mode)
Operating voltage range: 4.57-5.25V
Workign temperature range: 0°C to +70°C
For less demanding users, they can disregard those advance features, the “chameleon” keyboard can be used like an ordinary programmable keyboard.
tl;dr a fully programmable keyboard controller with macro support for usb and ps2 and n-key rollover.
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 20:38
by webwit
I want 5 of them.
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 20:54
by CeeSA
how is the programming? Windows Software?
Seems to be very small....
anyway, i'm in for 5 too
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 20:59
by Ascaii
ill take 2 for sure
Interest Check - Chameleon Keyboard Controller
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 21:23
by litster
I can help translate Chinese to English. Just tell me where to look.
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 21:30
by sixty
litster wrote:I can help translate Chinese to English. Just tell me where to look.
That's fast! I will do it as soon as I get back to my office after lunch. Can't really type on an iPhone
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 21:39
by JBert
How do you wire it up, and how do you program it again?
If only it were easy to add to a Poker...
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 21:43
by sixty
JBert wrote:How do you wire it up, and how do you program it again?
If only it were easy to add to a Poker...
Basically you will have to split up the keyboard PCB into rows and cols. The intention of controllers like these mostly is to convert old vintage non PC keyboards to work with current setups. Check the workshop section here for my Aikon guide. It won't be just like it - but very similar.
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 22:13
by hoggy
I'm in for one.
Posted: 21 Sep 2011, 23:59
by litster
Sorry this took longer than I expected. And this work thing keeps interrupting me…
Here is my translation.
Spoiler:
Thanks to Cameleon’s perfect function and open bottom layer hardware customization option, users without professional knowledge can utilize macros to emulate mouse action, 3 states of Fn, GPO/SCO (LED definitions), PWM pulse width modulation output, delay, digital knob as any mixed group, setup different automated function on software and hardware.
Summarily, Cameleon is currently the only controller that can combine professional level keyboard/muse macros, specially fit for multi-functional, small, flexible control of any mechanical keyboards, including 工控 keyboards (Litster: don’t know what this is in English), ergonomic keyboards, one-hand keyboards, atypical keyboards, full keyboard backlit keyboards, pure hardware gaming keyboards, and financial keyboards.
Specification:
Full speed USB2.0 mode
Support all 6 sets of keyboard tables (or charts), including USB HID Usage Page 0x01, 0x07, 0x0C key tables, PS/2 code scan sets 1, 2, and 3 key tables, and:
- Support PC-AT, Mac, Unix systems
- Support worldwide language layouts with each language’s modifier layout and LEDs, including UK, US, Japan, Europe, Korea, etc
- Special support for AiKB, world-first Chinese CN layout standard
4-layer, 8-row, 20 column for 640-key programmable matrix design (litster: column and row maybe swapped)
Up to 255 custom macro keys, nested function keys, and extended macro keys (29 bytes)
Concurrent multiple-key no conflict support (N Key Rollover), 6KRO, 3KRO without using diodes, eliminate all USB keyboard compatibility problems (Litster: kind of imply NKRO over USB, but I am not sure).
Support rotary encoder, can be defined as volume knob, mouse wheel, or backlight brightness knob.
8-channel GPO high current output port or 1 8-bit SCO status control output port(typically for customized LED, backlight brightness control or communication interface).
8-way KVM keyboard/mouse switching synchronized connection, eliminlate LED line connection.
One PWM backlight brightness control output port, can be used for full keyboard, brightness control, respiratory backlight control (Litster: not sure what this is), or buzzer speaker control.
One current delay output port.
World-exclusive LED indicator superior left and right pair FN: each left and right FN can control 2 key table layers, and support Shift, lock, and sticky switching modes.
Support custom keys press down and release timing (as low as 1ms)
Support 2 delay settings, delay range from 1 to 65535ms (1000ms = 1 second)
Support USB power standby and wake up with dedicated LED indicator.
Support Windows application programming interface to program key layout and setup and write to chip, all features are hardware-only, no need to install any driver or software, (litster: I think here it means that you would not be banned if you have macros or automation because it can’t be detected by gaming services since it is all hardware-based)
Energy-saving low power consumption: 230uA current (USB standby mode)
Operating voltage range: 4.57-5.25V
Workign temperature range: 0°C to +70°C
For less demanding users, they can disregard those advance features, the “chameleon” keyboard can be used like an ordinary programmable keyboard.
Both Bing Translate and Google Translate say 工控 is Industrial or Industrial control. Maybe in this context it means keyboards for machinery or manufacturing?
Depending on final price and shipping im in for 2-4
Thx for your efforts
Sent from my Milestone using Tapatalk
Posted: 22 Sep 2011, 17:03
by Spharx
Want one if I wont have to pay more than 20€ + shipping
Posted: 23 Sep 2011, 21:55
by BiNiaRiS
What would it take to use one of these to get an old Wyse terminal boards working? I've wanted one of those working on a PC for a long time.
Posted: 23 Sep 2011, 23:31
by webwit
According to this topic there's a manual and Windows software to handle your configurations and the firmware.
Posted: 26 Sep 2011, 15:45
by alaricljs
I would suggest making sure to get the manual and software first. I'd like to know a whole lot more about this toy before committing to buy.
Posted: 26 Sep 2011, 16:53
by hargon
Sounds very interessting. Depending on the price, I would be in for 1 oder 2.
Posted: 26 Sep 2011, 22:27
by Glockateer
I'd be interested in ordering some. Any idea what the difficulty is to code it?
Posted: 26 Sep 2011, 23:02
by JBert
I believe you can't "code" it, I think you just make a keymap with multiple layers and then upload those to the device.
Is this thing ready yet or is this still in the prototype phase?
Posted: 06 Oct 2011, 13:13
by mintberryminuscrunch
for how many orders are you waiting before ordering/asking for price?
did u post this over at geekhack?
Posted: 06 Oct 2011, 16:53
by Clickey
Could I get one in the US? If so I would be down for two.
Posted: 06 Oct 2011, 23:01
by webwit
That should be no problem (unless sixty corrects me). Maybe if there's sufficient demand from the US, someone could volunteer to receive a shipment for all of the US and distribute to people from there?
Posted: 06 Oct 2011, 23:26
by alaricljs
Considering the size of these things, demand wouldn't have to be too high to make that a good choice.
Posted: 06 Oct 2011, 23:41
by litster
I would be happy to do the distribution in the US. Right now I just don't konw what I would use it for. Maybe convert one of my junky Wyse terminal keyboards to use this controller.
