Speed Tracking Luxury Keyboard
Summary
I am going to build a keyboard that tracks your typing speed and displays it on a small LCD screen. It will measure the speed of the user in words per minute and display additional stats such as the max words per minute of a session, the total number of keys/words pressed, and more. The keyboard will be able to detect the user and start a session using an ultrasonic sensor. This way, the keyboard will be able to automatically detect when a user is in front of it or not.
The keyboard will have additional features such as interactive LCD lighting, programmable messages, and speakers for music and sound effects which will all be controlled using web application that the user can access.
In my experience, many people are interested in how fast they type and use typing speed tests to measure their progress. This project will allow users to track their typing speed in a more convenient way and will allow them to see their progress over time.
The keyboard comes with many other features as well, making it much more than a regular keyboard. This project will also be a fun way to learn about electronics and programming in a tool that is used everyday.
Plan
First, I will use the micro USB to USB C adapter cable to connect the keyboard to the Arduino Leonardo. I will then use the Keyboard library in arduino to read the keyboard input from the serial port. I will write an arduino program to check the serial port for incoming inputs and use those inputs to calculate the words per minute. Aid for the program will be following this link (https://docs.arduino.cc/built-in-examples/usb/KeyboardSerial).
Then, I will connect the LCD display to the arduino using the diagram that can be found in this link (https://wiki.52pi.com/index.php?title=Z-0234). I will write a function in the arduino program to update this display with the words per minute and rotate this text around with other stats such as the highest words per minute of a session, the total number of keys pressed, and more.
Secondly, I will have a web application set up where the user is able to set how they want the lights and speaker to function such as what color schemes and patterns they want. This will be done following this tutorial (https://github.com/garyhtou/Desk-Lights).
Third, I will write an arduino program to use the ultrasonic sensor to detect when someone is using the keyboard and start a session. I will connec the ultrasonic sensor to the arduino using the breadboard and jumpwires follwing this guide (https://howtomechatronics.com/tutorials/arduino/ultrasonic-sensor-hc-sr04).
Using similar guides, I will attach the led strips and speakers to the arduino and write corresponding programs to control their function such as adjusting the color and brightness of the lights on a cycle. Finally, I will put together the keyboard required and attach the led display to the keyboard.
Useful links: https://github.com/garyhtou/Desk-Lights https://projecthub.arduino.cc/Isaac100/7cabe1ec-70a7-4bf8-a239-325b49b53cd4 https://forum.arduino.cc/t/serial-input-basics-updated/382007/3 https://docs.arduino.cc/built-in-examples/usb/KeyboardSerial