Pi400 Keyboard for The Portable Hybrid Local Area Network (PHLAN)

[ HOME ] [ About ] [Hardware] [Software] [ToDos] [ Downloads ] [ Links ]

By Francois Gurin <matrix@shot.org>

About the Pi400 Keyboard

Why the Pi400

The Pi400 is a powerful computer squeezed into a compact keyboard case. This means not only is it increadibly useful as a standalone device, it also makes for a great springboard into other projects. Currently the PHLAN Pi400

Works as a standard USB Keyboard when plugged into another device
Is a standalone Pi400 computer when plugged into a monitor

The hardware

Pi 400
TinyPilot Power Connector (optional)

not strictly required, plugging a regular USB C cable will work just as well
allows you to keep the Pi400 powered while working as a USB gadget on different device
you can order one here (no affiliation, but check it out as we'll be using Michael's software too)

16gb MicroSD Card (I'm still using the stock card that comes with the Pi400 kit)
HDMI Monitor and USB mouse (only for initial install)

The Software

I've started with a clean Raspbian / Pi OS installation, full desktop version. This installs LXDE along with chromium and everything else you need to work as a standalone device

After basic configuration, it's time to get some of the custom bits working:

Use any VNC client as a wireless monitor

using raspi-config, enable vnc ("5 Interfacing Options -> P3 VNC -> Yes")

Working as a USB keyboard automatically on boot ( https://youtu.be/DiytbpQMr0E )

Install Key Mime Pi following Michael's instructions
Configure Key Mime Pi to start automatically on boot

add the following to your /etc/rc.local file

cd /home/pi/key-mime-pi/
. ./venv/bin/activate
PORT=8000 nohup ./app/main.py &

Configure a browser window to connect to Key Mime Pi

Make sure you are automatically booting to the desktop (you can enable this in raspi-config under "3 Boot Option -> B1 Desktop / CLI -> B4 Desktop Autologin Desktop GUI, automatically logged in as 'pi' user")

add the following to /etc/xdg/lxsession/LXDE-pi/autostart

chromium-browser --disable-restore-session-state http://localhost:8000

To Dos

create a proper service file for Key Mime Pi
add network wrappers for Key Mime Pi to restrict access to localhost
fix keys that don't work consistently - ALT-TAB for example
reduce boot time (currently ~30 seconds -- do we need / want to load the Key Mime Pi server and use it locally via chrome?)
what can we borrow from a.l.o.a.? weaponised keyboard?
enable overlayfs, we're not going to be shutting down cleanly
bluetooth support
composite device support -- Ethernet Gadget + USB Mass Storage all in one?

Downloads

[Coming Soon]

Links

[Coming Soon]