Looking to get some feedback on my on screen keyboards

Jim Fouch · Oct 23, 2026, 12:11 AM

Was looking to get some feed back on some on keyboards I'm designing.

These are running on a custom STM32H743 board and 480 x 480 x 16 bit RGB interface 4" screen. So space is limited. I'm designing two basic input methods. One for numerical input and another one for Alpha-Numeric and character input. This is a mobile device designed to me mounted to a motorcycle. There really is not much input needed. It's not like a user would be texting or writing a novel on this thing.

But I'd like to get some feed back from other embedded developers.

The system is running ST's TouchGFX HMI software. so that system is doing the heavy lifting. I've used Codex to do most of the overall work. The Numerical input was designed by me back in early 2020. And I've handed it over to Codex to pick up from there.

One of my initial design ideas was if I'm going to have to build an onscreen keypad I may as well add some useful features, so I designed a calculator for ease of use if the user needed to do some simple math while entering a number.

In these examples, the calling code can add user help to the entry screen to help explain what the system is asking for.

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In the text input I have added a similar interface, but the issue is there are a ton more keys and the screen is pretty cramped. So, I have broken the keys into groups.

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I'll have to make a 2nd post to show more picture of how the Text input works.

Jim Fouch · Oct 23, 2026, 12:17 AM

Users have the option of two Text entry modes. One where they have narrow keys and one where the keys are wider, but they can shift the keyboard side to side.

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They also have the ability to scroll the contents of larger text entries...

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Just looking for feed back on what people think? It's hard to get a good on screen keyboard with a small 4" screen, but I think for the limited use on this device these should work ok.

JKnightandKARR · Oct 23, 2026, 10:33 AM

Looks pretty good. I take it screen size is limited?

Jim Fouch · Oct 23, 2026, 10:58 AM

Yes. It's only a 4" screen. So, the limiting factor is too small of a button makes it awkward to enter characters.

JKnightandKARR · Oct 23, 2026, 11:23 AM

Quote from: Jim Fouch on Oct 23, 2026, 10:58 AMYes. It's only a 4" screen. So, the limiting factor is too small of a button makes it awkward to enter characters.

That makes sence. I need to figure out how todo this kinda thing.... I need to make a Fallout Pip-Boy screen for my Fallout 76 Pip-Boy.

granz · Oct 24, 2026, 05:42 AM

Quote from: JKnightandKARR on Oct 23, 2026, 11:23 AMI need to figure out how todo this kinda thing.... I need to make a Fallout Pip-Boy screen for my Fallout 76 Pip-Boy.

PicoMite BASIC has screen GUI buttons built in to the language. Check out the manual for advanced GUI commands.

Chris Savage · Oct 29, 2026, 08:43 AM

Quote from: Jim Fouch on Oct 23, 2026, 10:58 AMYes. It's only a 4" screen. So, the limiting factor is too small of a button makes it awkward to enter characters.

I apologize that I don't have much feedback without seeing it in action on the target screen.

Jim Fouch · Oct 31, 2026, 01:18 PM

Here is a video I made of the keyboards in action.

Chris Savage · Nov 01, 2026, 10:22 AM

Very cool...and I will say this...if you've ever had to, on a TV or Blu-Ray player, enter your email and password, you'll know what I mean...it's not any more difficult than that, where you're using a 4-way arrow and enter button and having select an uppercase / lowercase / symbols set, etc. Unless you're constantly inputting data, I mean, you gotta work with what you have.

I no longer use my watch for Google Pay / Samsung pay at the store, because when active, you MUST enter a pin or password before you swipe. It takes me longer to try and punch that in on the watch face than to just pull out my wallet and use the card, even if I have to enter my PIN. Just sayin...I guess I am more patient in my old age. I'd rather take the longer / easier way than have it be fast, but difficult for me to see.

Jim Fouch · **Today** at 02:59 AM

For the regular use of this device numeric entry is somewhat rare. And alpha-numeric would be very rare. It's more of an instrument and once it's set up, you really don't need to do much data entry. It's very much like a cell phone experience.

Chris Savage · **Today** at 11:42 AM

Quote from: Jim Fouch on <strong>Today</strong> at 02:59 AMFor the regular use of this device numeric entry is somewhat rare. And alpha-numeric would be very rare. It's more of an instrument and once it's set up, you really don't need to do much data entry. It's very much like a cell phone experience.

Yeah, then I don't see the interface as an issue.