1. About Keyboard Types

There are mainly three types of keyboards:

• Mechanical keyboard

Every key on a mechanical keyboard has its own separate switch, also called a “switch” (axis). Classified by the micro switch type, mechanical keyboards are divided into brown, blue, white, black, and red switches. Mechanical keyboards feel comfortable to type on, but they are on the expensive side.

• Membrane keyboard

A membrane keyboard is a membrane switch with many keys arranged neatly and in order. Many control panels on everyday home appliances use membrane switches. Membrane keyboards are cheap and tough, just a bit worse in feel.

• Electrostatic capacitive keyboard

An electrostatic capacitive keyboard uses changes in capacitance to determine whether a key is pressed or released. An electrostatic capacitive keyboard is good at everything, except that it is very expensive.

2. Introduction to HHKB

HHKB (short for Happy Hacking Keyboard) is a computer keyboard sold by PFU Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu). The keyboard was jointly developed by Eiiti Wada and the PFU research institute, and went on sale in December 1996.

Judging by the name, this keyboard has a very hacker vibe. And in fact, it does. The entire keyboard has only 60 keys.

The HHKB keyboard removes the number keys, function keys, arrow keys, and other keys that ordinary PC keyboards have but that are not essential, and is composed only of the most important minimum set of keys.

If your usage scenario frequently requires number keys, function keys, or arrow keys, then the HHKB may not be for you.

3. Design Principles

1. A keyboard is a basic input device, something used for a lifetime; the keyboard layout must not change back and forth like a cat’s eyes.
2. Reduce the number of keys as much as possible, to shrink its size to the point where it can be held and moved by hand
3. A keyboard layout aimed at Unix programmers

4. Bluetooth Pairing

If you bought the wired version, just plug in the cable and it works right away.

A Bluetooth version of the HHKB requires the device to have Bluetooth capability. There are two ways to activate Bluetooth pairing mode:

1. Long-press the power button for 2 s
2. Fn + Q

Use the device to connect to the keyboard’s Bluetooth, type the pairing code shown on the device on the keyboard, and finally press the Enter key to connect.

5. DIP Settings

5.1 Adjustment Steps

1. Power off the keyboard
2. Adjust the DIP switches
3. Power on the keyboard

5.2 DIP Configuration Bits

The HHKB has a set of DIP switches that can switch between several modes.

• Bits 1-2 are used together to match the operating system
• Bits 3-5 are used to modify key mappings
• Bit 6 is the keyboard’s wake-up mode

5.3 DIP Switches 1-2

HHK mode - suitable for Linux

• No Win key
• Cannot use Fn + H, J, N, M to output +-*/
• Cannot use Fn + diamond key to achieve CapsLock
• Can use Fn + diamond key to achieve the Stop function (stop media playback)

Lite Ext mode - Windows, Android

• Diamond key = Win key
• Can use Fn + Tab to achieve CapsLock
• Except that Fn + diamond key cannot achieve the Stop function, everything else can be achieved

Macintosh mode - suitable for OS X and iOS

• Diamond key = Command key
• Can use Fn + the italic characters on the keys to achieve system shortcuts

5.4 DIP Switch 3

When on, the Delete key is Delete
When off, the Delete key is Backspace

5.5 DIP Switch 4

When turned on, the left diamond key becomes the Fn key

5.6 DIP Switch 5

When turned on, the Alt key and the diamond key swap positions

5.7 DIP Switch 6

DIP switch 6 is called the wake-up switch; on the Bluetooth version it is called the alert switch.

When it is on, you can wake a sleeping computer from the keyboard. When it is off, you cannot.

On the Bluetooth version, if there is no input for 30 minutes, the keyboard automatically enters the off state to save power. You can turn the keyboard on by pressing any key on the keyboard, or by long-pressing the power switch.