Overview
Things
Story

Why use it
Tell me how to build it

Published February 13, 2024 © GPL3+

EASY Arduino Hotkey Keypad

Requires the most basic of materials. Uses an Arduino Micro.

BeginnerFull instructions provided339

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino Micro

Breadboard (generic)

Jumper wires (generic)

12mm X 12mm X 7.5 mm Tactical Button

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Story

This is a super simple and easy to build Hotkey Keypad using an Arduino Micro.

It's:

Easy to build with just a few components.
4 customizable buttons (add more if needed).

Unique keys exclusive to this circuit, eliminating accidental triggers during regular keyboard use.

Why use it?

In my opinion, the main reason for using this instead of normal hotkeys is that it doesn't interfere with anything else on your keyboard.

Look at the code here:

const byte BUTTON1KEY = KEY_F13;
const byte BUTTON2KEY = KEY_F14;
const byte BUTTON3KEY = KEY_F15;
const byte BUTTON4KEY = KEY_F16;

You might be asking yourself: "What are those keys? They aren't on my keyboard!"

Well, you'd be absolutely right! But there's a catch.

See, your computer can actually register keys F13-F24, despite them not being normally accessible.

This means that the keys in this circuit are completely unique to it, since it has it's own "unique" keys.

This means there's no chance of them accidently triggering while attempting to do other things on your keyboard. (Ex: accidentally muting yourself while typing)

Tell me how to build it!

Ok.

It's very simple really.

Stick buttons into breadboard
Connect a cable on the left to the corresponding pin (for me its 1-4, left to right)
Connect a cable on the left to Ground

Launch the code onto the board, and you're good to go!

Here's some suggestions for uses:

Screen Recording Start/Stop
Mute Button
You can use a macro software to convert these keys into full macros.

Happy using! Code is below.

hotkey_keypad.ino

// Code Written By BlueJay

#include <Keyboard.h>

// Define Button Pins
const byte BUTTON1 = 5;
const byte BUTTON2 = 6;
const byte BUTTON3 = 7;
const byte BUTTON4 = 8;

// Define Keybinds
const byte BUTTON1KEY = KEY_F13;
const byte BUTTON2KEY = KEY_F14;
const byte BUTTON3KEY = KEY_F15;
const byte BUTTON4KEY = KEY_F16;

void setup() {

  Keyboard.begin();

  pinMode(BUTTON1, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BUTTON2, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BUTTON3, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BUTTON4, INPUT_PULLUP);

}

void loop() {
  byte state1 = digitalRead(BUTTON1);
  byte state2 = digitalRead(BUTTON2);
  byte state3 = digitalRead(BUTTON3);
  byte state4 = digitalRead(BUTTON4);

  // Button 1
  if (state1 == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(BUTTON1KEY);
  } else {
    Keyboard.release(BUTTON1KEY);
  }

  // Button 2
  if (state2 == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(BUTTON2KEY);
  } else {
    Keyboard.release(BUTTON2KEY);
  }

  // Button 3
  if (state3 == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(BUTTON3KEY);
  } else {
    Keyboard.release(BUTTON3KEY);
  }

  // Button 4
  if (state4 == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(BUTTON4KEY);
  } else {
    Keyboard.release(BUTTON4KEY);
  }

}

Credits

BlueJay

4 projects • 2 followers

a guy who makes stuff :D been tinkering with arduino for some time, and am starting to get more advanced ^_^

Contact

Comments

Please log in or sign up to comment.

Embed the widget on your own site

EASY Arduino Hotkey Keypad

EASY Arduino Hotkey Keypad

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Why use it?

Tell me how to build it!

Code

hotkey_keypad.ino

GitHub

Credits

BlueJay

Comments

Related channels and tags