Missing function key in HID Remapper?

General
1

Hi,

I currently have my keyboard plugged into my HID Remapper and noticed that my keyboard’s function key (“fn”), is no longer working.

I checked the monitor tab in the HID Remapper Configuration and it doesn’t appear to have a hexcode when I press it. In addition, there isn’t a button for the “fn” key when selecting an input/output when mapping keys.

Is there a way to add the “fn” key?

Thanks in advance.

2

as far as I know, fn button is used internally by keyboard’s microcontroller. It doesn’t send input signal to pico.

3

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think it’s possible to pass-through the fn button with my keyboard’s microcontroller?

I do have software for my keyboard and it doesn’t detect it being plugged in while using a pico. In addition, I flashed my keyboard so that it works without having to use the software; although, anything related to using the fn button doesn’t work. Any ideas?

Appreciate the help.

4

It’s impossible to pass-through fn key, because it doesn’t send the hid data to pico.

For example, when you press Fn+F5 → volume up, or you press Fn+F9 → cycle led. What the pico receives is only the message from volume up, namely 0x00E9000C. The pico also does not receive messages such as cycle led because that is executed directly by the keyboard firmware.

What keyboard firmware do you use? if you’re using qmk, you can just remap the fn key to control your keyboard (e.g led, led color and stuff).

But if you’re using factory firmware, you can connect the keyboard directly to PC first, then remap the fn key to something like “F24” using factory software. If your firmware doesn’t support F13-F24 use other key like “Pause”, “Scroll Lock” or somthing. Like this

image
image635×195 66.1 KB

Then reconnect the keyboard to the pico and remap the “F24” to something that you want (e.g changing the layer).

{E37410D4-962A-4578-A509-BE8F5D702B62}

Limitation:
You need to implement all fn key functionality from factory firmware, for example in my 65% keyboard:
Fn+1 → F1,
Fn+2 → F2 etc.
Because you don’t have any fn key functionality anymore. Your mapping should looks like this

{46019EE1-0D72-43D3-8343-B8A5C3DA6C46}
{46019EE1-0D72-43D3-8343-B8A5C3DA6C46}1224×286 16.6 KB

when in layer0, button 1 sends “1”, and when in layer1, button 1 will send “F1”

You’ll also lose the ability to control the keyboard’s LEDs because the pico can’t communicate with the keyboard. Communication is one-way, from keyboard to pico.

Pardon my bad English :sweat_smile:

5

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated!