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ThumbsUp! Bluetooth Controls

Some ThumbUp! keyboards can use nice!nano v2 controllers with ZMK firmware which makes them wireless over Bluetooth connection.


Bluetooth Profiles


Keyboard supports four simultaneous Bluetooth connections, you can switch between them by pressing Tab (the key under Escape in the leftmost column) and W, E R, T (for connections 1 to 4). To reset/forget the currently selected connection press Tab+D.




For example to connect your primary computer as connection #1 - press Tab+W, then Tab+D, initiate the Bluetooth pairing on the computer, select ThumbsUpV5 in the list of available devices. If/when prompted to enter PIN/given numbers - type them in and press enter (the second from the bottom key in the rightmost column.)


Then to connect to the phone in the second slot - press + Tab+E, then the same with Tab+D and so one as listed above for the computer connection.


Once you have those two connections established you may switch between them by pressing Tab+W and Tab+E.


You may switch to the unused slot to temporarily block keyboard output to any device, e.g. Tab+T to switch to connection #4 which is not yet configured. Keyboard will remain connected to the computer and the phone.


The power slider switch is located on the bottom side of the middle board. It disconnects the battery, effectively turning Bluetooth off completely. Note that it should be in ON position to charge the battery, i.e. if you attached the keyboard to the computer with a USB C cable and the switch is OFF, then the keyboard will work (since it is powered and communicates through USB cable) but the battery would not be charging.


Keyboard firmware is built with ZMK: https://zmk.dev/


My layout/keyboard configuration is in these project folders:

58-key keyboards ThumbsUp! v5, v8, v11:

https://github.com/ak66666/zmk-config/tree/master/config/boards/shields/thumbsupv5


ThumbsUp! v9:

https://github.com/ak66666/zmk-config/tree/master/config/boards/shields/thumbsupv9


Projects thumbsupv5q and thumbsupv9q support Proglide Cirque touchpad.

If you want to change the layout - clone my project and do whatever changes you need.


Power Control

All Bluetooth-enabled ThumbsUp! keyboards contain a battery which is connected through a switch. When that switch is turned off the battery is disconnected from the USB connector and the charging circuit. To charge the battery that switch much be in ON position.
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