This auction is for one 64-Key Keyboard Encoder. These boards were originally designed by Lupine Systems for Two Bit Score back in 1995 and sold OEM to high end poker and blackjack multiplayer game manufacturers. This board is from excess inventory that has recently been discovered -- it is NEW OLD STOCK and has been retested and passes it's original specifications.

This board has 8 10-pin Molex connectors around the edge for wiring harness input. Each connector supports 8 keys and two ground wires. Data is sent to the PC via a Molex connector. Included in this auction is a wiring harness so you can connect this board to a standard PC keyboard jack, or with an adapter whip you can plug it into a PS/2 connector. The board is self-powering and gets its power from the PC via the keyboard cable.

Auction incudes all spec sheets, pinout and key map.

This keyboard encoder outputs data in the IBM keyboard Scan Code Set 2. Each input sends the keystroke ONCE, then the break code when the pin goes open. All keys can be depressed at the same time without overrunning the PC's keyboard buffer. The system includes all keyboard command interpreters; no extra keyboard is required.

This board is perfect for MAME, especially if you plan to build a huge MAME cabinet, or perhaps a 4-player MAME game (so you can play Gauntlet, etc).

Additional Information. Since I have listed this item I have received hundreds of E-mails asking some common questions. Here are the answers to some of these questions in paraphrase format:

Does this encoder use a matrix, and how does it send key data to the PC?

This device encodes each input as a single keystroke. When the input pin goes LOW (pulled to GROUND) the encoder will send the corresponding keycode ONCE, then remain inactive until the input pin goes HIGH (open). At that time, the encoder will send the BREAK CODE to the PC. The encoder is NOT typematic. The encoder operates on the SINGLE IDENTITY principle where each input sends only the make code once. The encoder does NOT use a matrix, nor is it built around a matrixed chip that has been "dematrixed" by external circuitry. This encoder will not ghost, block or drop keystrokes. Since it is not a matrix, the problem with matrix key "duplication" does not exist. This encoder was designed originally to be used on very expensive, very high end gambling machines used in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Monte Carlo and other famous places where gaming machines are played. Therefore, since the board would be used in gambling and would be responsible for handling REAL money, special precautions were written into the code to protect the single identity operations and to be absolutely sure no keystrokes would drop.

Will this encoder overrun the PC's keyboard buffer and cause lost control of the buttons?

Since this encoder only sends the keystroke once (non-typematic) it is very difficult if not impossible to overrun the PC's keyboard buffer (overrunning the keyboard buffer is a common problem with MAME, the results is lost keystrokes, missed "moves" or the loss of joystick control). Once the PC receives a key Since this encoder only sends the keystroke once (non-typematic) it is very difficult if not impossible to overrun the PC's keyboard buffer (overrunning the keyboard buffer is a common problem with MAME, the results is lost keystrokes, missed "moves" or the loss of joystick control). Once the PC receives a key MAKE code and acts upon it, the keyboard chip will remove the keystroke from the buffer. How the keyboard buffer overruns in the first place is through the overuse of the typematic function, where too many keystrokes are sent too fast. Since this board has ALL of the PC keyboard command interpreters on board, the encoder can interpret the STOP command, where the PC tells the encoder to WAIT until a free buffer spot is open. The encoder can hold up to 400 keystrokes in its buffer, so with the combination of the large keyboard buffer and command interpreter, this keyboard encoder will not overrun the PC's keyboard buffer and thus drop keystrokes.

I cannot "guarantee" the usefulness of this board for your particular application, but when I used one of these boards to build myself a MAME play-all cabinet nearly 2 years ago, I haven't had a single problem whatsoever with it, and I am playing complex control panel games like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter II, Time Killers, Gauntlet and a variety of others, and have plenty of inputs left over for future expansion. When playing games like Track N' Field, the encoder does not miss a single lick of the RUN button no matter how fast it is tapped.

WOOFY

Woofy Says....

The winning bidder will pay $5.50 shipping/handling charge (USPS Priority Mail).

ABSOLUTELY NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING! THIS INCLUDES NO SHIPPING TO JAPAN!!!

Payment by PayPal ONLY!.

Item is being sold AS-IS NOS NO RETURN. Please be sure you want this item BEFORE you bid!

If you have any questions, please E-mail WOOFY and he'll HOWL back at you as soon as he can!

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