Macro Keyboard Questions

Projects Programming
1

I have a few questions for everyone.
Im building a 16 key 4x4 matrix macro keyboard.
I have a few questions on the code.
When I define the code as follows

#include <Keyboard.h>
 
const byte ROWS = 4; //four rows
const byte COLS = 4; //four columns
//define the cymbols on the buttons of the keypads
char CalculatorKeys[ROWS][COLS] = {
  {'7','8','9','/'},
  {'4','5','6','*'},
  {'1','2','3','-'},
  {'C','0','=','+'}
};

Can I add other things besides single keys here.
IE

#include <Keyboard.h>
 
const byte ROWS = 4; //four rows
const byte COLS = 4; //four columns
//define the cymbols on the buttons of the keypads
char CalculatorKeys[ROWS][COLS] = {
  {'google.com','8','9','/'},
  {'4','5','6','*'},
  {'1','2','3','-'},
  {'C','0','=','+'}
};

Second question. If I wanted to add a second layer to the matrix using say a dip switch. Would I write the code with an if else saying check pin(x) if on choose

#include <Keyboard.h>
 
const byte ROWS = 4; //four rows
const byte COLS = 4; //four columns
//define the cymbols on the buttons of the keypads
char CalculatorKeys[ROWS][COLS] = {
  {'7','8','9','/'},
  {'4','5','6','*'},
  {'1','2','3','-'},
  {'C','0','=','+'}
};

else chose

#include <Keyboard.h>
 
const byte ROWS = 4; //four rows
const byte COLS = 4; //four columns
//define the cymbols on the buttons of the keypads
char CalculatorKeys[ROWS][COLS] = {
  {'google.com','8','9','/'},
  {'4','5','6','*'},
  {'1','2','3','-'},
  {'C','0','=','+'}
};

Sorry for the long winded question. TFA

2 
char CalculatorKeys[ROWS][COLS] = {
  {'google.com','8','9','/'},
  {'4','5','6','*'},
  {'1','2','3','-'},
  {'C','0','=','+'}
};

'google.com' is not a char.

3

vaj4088:

char CalculatorKeys[ROWS][COLS] = {

{'google.com','8','9','/'},
  {'4','5','6','*'},
  {'1','2','3','-'},
  {'C','0','=','+'}
};





'google.com' is not a char.

Very true. So this code is not at all near production, but that is the example of what I want it to do. Im just not sure where to define the fact that button 1 i want it to enter google.com or something of that nature.

4

Regarding your second question, the answer is no.

What you need to do is separate the keypad functionality from the Keyboard.print/press functionality.

You will have one (two-dimensional) array for your keys as you have now. Create an array for the text that you want to send. It can look something like below (only showing the basics around the if/else).

#include <Keyboard.h>

...
...

char *text[] =
{
  "google.com",
  "forum.arduino.cc"
};

void setup()
{
  ...
  ...
}

void loop()
{
  if (dispswitchValue == LOW)
  {
    if (pressedKey == '0')
    {
      Keyboard.print(text[pressedKey - '0']);
    }
  }
  else
  {
    Keyboard.press(pressedKey);
    delay(10);
    Keyboard.release();
  }
}

It's just to give you the idea, needs a lot of polishing because e.g. you want '7' to be 'google.com' and it needs hardening so you don't try to access elements of text that don't exist.