PC Keyboard multiple key press (MSM) PUBLIC

This circuit provides a single pulse output at each transition of the switch operation after activating SHIFT and/or CTL.

To simulate multiple key hold on a PC Keyboard encoder like 'Shifted' characters or 'Control' characters the SHIFT and/or CTL key must be selected before the required key. This circuit uses a 555 Timer to activate a MOSFET switch when triggered by a physical switch and the falling edge triggers the next 555 Timer to activate the required key press via the upper MOSFET: The two outputs are diode 'ORed' to maintain the SHIFT/CTL key press for the total period.

Note: When the Encoder sees either of SHIFT or CTL it waits for a character before composing and sending a key sequence. SHIFT and CTL are on different keyboard scans so can both be held at the same time but must occur before a character key.