I'm pretty sure the ATMega8 has enough I/O pins to make that work -- my understanding is that the USB communication is just done by bit-banging, so the code is pretty simple. I can check that for you, and it might be the case that a surface-mount version, e.g. QFP, might have more I/O lines than the DIP version. Also, if the DIP version doesn't have enough I/O lines by itself, it'd probably be possible to multiplex it.
Let me look into it and get back to you; if I haven't done so in about a week, kick me about it.
I have only the vaguest idea of what those acronyms signify, but that's exciting to hear. I guess my only remaining question is how you're operating the glove; since you haven't posted pictures, I can't quite imagine what you're pressing against what to trip each switch.
This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stenkeys.gif) is what I'm desperately desiring in glove form, but I'm not entirely sure it can be done, especially since in the ordinary course of things the right pinky and index fingers have to do double duty (for the TS/DZ and FR/*, respectively). Without double density of switches on those fingers -- which I figure would lead to some accuracy issues, especially since the pinky is such a skinny finger -- I don't know how the finger switching can be done. But, oh, I want one so bad I can taste it. Yeeee!
Do you think you could come up with a mapping of character combinations to finger positions, i.e., a gesture-based mapping (either static gestures or ones that involve moving the fingers)? You should check out the conversation I'm having with siliconshaman below; it strikes me that finger positions (ie, amount of curl) could be learned fairly easily and intuitively, it would be quite fast, and it would certainly require fewer discrete components.
Hm. Well, the thing is that the steno layout already requires a certain amount of finger curl. For example, the middle finger on the right hand can press just the "P" key or just the "B" key, by only striking each key with the tip of the finger. When it flattens out, though, and presses both P and B together, you get the final "N" sound. So you've got to have three options for that column of keys: curled top, curled bottom, and flattened-out top-plus-bottom. One might possibly adapt an extreme curl option, though, which isn't used in traditional steno -- flat against the top of the palm, for instance, to signify pressing both keys. I'm still not quite clear on the best implementation, whether it should be twiddling the air or the palm or another surface like the forearm or trouser leg. How is your glove currently set up to trigger switches?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-01 08:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-02 01:54 am (UTC)Let me look into it and get back to you; if I haven't done so in about a week, kick me about it.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-02 02:02 am (UTC)This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stenkeys.gif) is what I'm desperately desiring in glove form, but I'm not entirely sure it can be done, especially since in the ordinary course of things the right pinky and index fingers have to do double duty (for the TS/DZ and FR/*, respectively). Without double density of switches on those fingers -- which I figure would lead to some accuracy issues, especially since the pinky is such a skinny finger -- I don't know how the finger switching can be done. But, oh, I want one so bad I can taste it. Yeeee!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-02 02:11 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-02 02:19 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-09 10:29 pm (UTC)