NeoKey Emoji Keyboard

Video of hand holding a QT Py PCB in their hand. An LED glows rainbow colors.

Adafruit QT Py RP2040

What a cutie pie! Or is it... a QT Py? This diminutive dev board comes with one of our new favorite chip, the RP2040. It's been made famous in the new

$9.95

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STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cable - 50mm Long

This 4-wire cable is 50mm / 1.9" long and fitted with JST SH female 4-pin connectors on both ends. Compared with the chunkier JST PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but...

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Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - 10 packs - Cherry MX Compatible

Top down view of four piles of Kailh key switches in Red, Black, Brown, and Black variations.

For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these Kailh mechanical key switches are deeee-luxe!Come in a pack of 10 switches, plenty to make a...

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DSA Keycaps for MX Compatible Switches in Various Colors

Dress up your mechanical keys in your favorite colors, with a wide selection of stylish DSA key caps. Here is a 10 pack different colored keycaps for your next mechanical keyboard or...

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Relegendable Plastic Keycaps for MX Compatible Switches 10 pack

Get ready to customize your keeb with a 10 pack of two-part plastic keycaps for your next mechanical keyboard or

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Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long

Angled shot of coiled pink and purple USB cable with USB A and USB C connectors.

This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and...

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Black Nylon Machine Screw and Stand-off Set – M2.5 Thread

Black Nylon Screw and Stand-off Set with M2.5 Threads, kit box

Totaling 380 pieces, this M2.5 Screw Set is a must-have for your workstation. You'll have enough screws, nuts, and hex standoffs to fuel your maker...

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Download the latest version of CircuitPython for this board via circuitpython.org

CircuitPython is a derivative of MicroPython designed to simplify experimentation and education on low-cost microcontrollers. It makes it easier than ever to get prototyping by requiring no upfront desktop software downloads. Simply copy and edit files on the CIRCUITPY drive to iterate.

CircuitPython Quickstart

Follow this step-by-step to quickly get CircuitPython running on your board.

Click the link above to download the latest CircuitPython UF2 file.

Save it wherever is convenient for you.

To enter the bootloader, hold down the BOOT/BOOTSEL button (highlighted in red above), and while continuing to hold it (don't let go!), press and release the reset button (highlighted in blue above). Continue to hold the BOOT/BOOTSEL button until the RPI-RP2 drive appears!

If the drive does not appear, release all the buttons, and then repeat the process above.

You can also start with your board unplugged from USB, press and hold the BOOTSEL button (highlighted in red above), continue to hold it while plugging it into USB, and wait for the drive to appear before releasing the button.

A lot of people end up using charge-only USB cables and it is very frustrating! Make sure you have a USB cable you know is good for data sync.

You will see a new disk drive appear called RPI-RP2.

Drag the adafruit_circuitpython_etc.uf2 file to RPI-RP2.

The RPI-RP2 drive will disappear and a new disk drive called CIRCUITPY will appear.

That's it, you're done! :)

Safe Mode

You want to edit your code.py or modify the files on your CIRCUITPY drive, but find that you can't. Perhaps your board has gotten into a state where CIRCUITPY is read-only. You may have turned off the CIRCUITPY drive altogether. Whatever the reason, safe mode can help.

Safe mode in CircuitPython does not run any user code on startup, and disables auto-reload. This means a few things. First, safe mode bypasses any code in boot.py (where you can set CIRCUITPY read-only or turn it off completely). Second, it does not run the code in code.py. And finally, it does not automatically soft-reload when data is written to the CIRCUITPY drive.

Therefore, whatever you may have done to put your board in a non-interactive state, safe mode gives you the opportunity to correct it without losing all of the data on the CIRCUITPY drive.

Entering Safe Mode in CircuitPython 6.x

This section explains entering safe mode on CircuitPython 6.x.

To enter safe mode when using CircuitPython 6.x, plug in your board or hit reset (highlighted in red above). Immediately after the board starts up or resets, it waits 700ms. On some boards, the onboard status LED (highlighted in green above) will turn solid yellow during this time. If you press reset during that 700ms, the board will start up in safe mode. It can be difficult to react to the yellow LED, so you may want to think of it simply as a slow double click of the reset button. (Remember, a fast double click of reset enters the bootloader.)

Entering Safe Mode in CircuitPython 7.x

This section explains entering safe mode on CircuitPython 7.x.

To enter safe mode when using CircuitPython 7.x, plug in your board or hit reset (highlighted in red above). Immediately after the board starts up or resets, it waits 1000ms. On some boards, the onboard status LED (highlighted in green above) will blink yellow during that time. If you press reset during that 1000ms, the board will start up in safe mode. It can be difficult to react to the yellow LED, so you may want to think of it simply as a slow double click of the reset button. (Remember, a fast double click of reset enters the bootloader.)

In Safe Mode

Once you've entered safe mode successfully in CircuitPython 6.x, the LED will pulse yellow.

If you successfully enter safe mode on CircuitPython 7.x, the LED will intermittently blink yellow three times.

If you connect to the serial console, you'll find the following message.

Copy Text

Auto-reload is off.
Running in safe mode! Not running saved code.

CircuitPython is in safe mode because you pressed the reset button during boot. Press again to exit safe mode.

Press any key to enter the REPL. Use CTRL-D to reload.

Auto-reload is off.
Running in safe mode! Not running saved code.

CircuitPython is in safe mode because you pressed the reset button during boot. Press again to exit safe mode.

Press any key to enter the REPL. Use CTRL-D to reload.

You can now edit the contents of the CIRCUITPY drive. Remember, your code will not run until you press the reset button, or unplug and plug in your board, to get out of safe mode.

Flash Resetting UF2

If your board ever gets into a really weird state and doesn't even show up as a disk drive when installing CircuitPython, try loading this 'nuke' UF2 which will do a 'deep clean' on your Flash Memory. You will lose all the files on the board, but at least you'll be able to revive it! After loading this UF2, follow the steps above to re-install CircuitPython.

Download flash erasing "nuke" UF2

Once you've finished setting up your QT Py RP2040 with CircuitPython, you can access the code, bitmap and necessary libraries by downloading the Project Bundle.

To do this, click on the Download Project Bundle button in the window below. It will download as a zipped folder.

Download Project Bundle

# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Liz Clark for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT

import time
import board
import busio
from adafruit_neokey.neokey1x4 import NeoKey1x4
import usb_hid
from adafruit_hid.keyboard import Keyboard
from adafruit_hid.keycode import Keycode

# use STEMMA I2C bus on RP2040 QT Py
i2c_bus = busio.I2C(board.SCL1, board.SDA1)

# Create a NeoKey object
neokey = NeoKey1x4(i2c_bus, addr=0x30)

#  create a keyboard object
keyboard = Keyboard(usb_hid.devices)

print("NeoKey Emoji keyboard - macOS")

#  states for key presses
key_0_state = False
key_1_state = False
key_2_state = False
key_3_state = False

#  update these arrays to customize your emojis
#  cat face emoji
emoji_0 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.A, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  lightning bolt emoji
emoji_1 = [Keycode.V, Keycode.O, Keycode.L, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  control panel emoji
emoji_2 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.O, Keycode.N, Keycode.T, Keycode.R, Keycode.O,
           Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  guitar emoji
emoji_3 = [Keycode.G, Keycode.U, Keycode.I, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]

while True:
    #  switch debouncing
    #  also turns off NeoPixel on release
    if not neokey[0] and key_0_state:
        key_0_state = False
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0x0
    if not neokey[1] and key_1_state:
        key_1_state = False
        neokey.pixels[1] = 0x0
    if not neokey[2] and key_2_state:
        key_2_state = False
        neokey.pixels[2] = 0x0
    if not neokey[3] and key_3_state:
        key_3_state = False
        neokey.pixels[3] = 0x0

    #  if 1st neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[0] and not key_0_state:
        print("Button A")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0xFF0000
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_0
        for i in emoji_0:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_0_state = True

    #  if 2nd neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[1] and not key_1_state:
        print("Button B")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[1] = 0xFFFF00
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_1
        for i in emoji_1:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_1_state = True

    #  if 3rd neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[2] and not key_2_state:
        print("Button C")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[2] = 0x00FF00
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_2
        for i in emoji_2:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_2_state = True

    #  if 4th neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[3] and not key_3_state:
        print("Button D")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[3] = 0x00FFFF
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_3
        for i in emoji_3:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_3_state = True

# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Liz Clark for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT

import time
import board
import busio
from adafruit_neokey.neokey1x4 import NeoKey1x4
import usb_hid
from adafruit_hid.keyboard import Keyboard
from adafruit_hid.keycode import Keycode

# use STEMMA I2C bus on RP2040 QT Py
i2c_bus = busio.I2C(board.SCL1, board.SDA1)

# Create a NeoKey object
neokey = NeoKey1x4(i2c_bus, addr=0x30)

#  create a keyboard object
keyboard = Keyboard(usb_hid.devices)

print("NeoKey Emoji keyboard - macOS")

#  states for key presses
key_0_state = False
key_1_state = False
key_2_state = False
key_3_state = False

#  update these arrays to customize your emojis
#  cat face emoji
emoji_0 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.A, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  lightning bolt emoji
emoji_1 = [Keycode.V, Keycode.O, Keycode.L, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  control panel emoji
emoji_2 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.O, Keycode.N, Keycode.T, Keycode.R, Keycode.O,
           Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  guitar emoji
emoji_3 = [Keycode.G, Keycode.U, Keycode.I, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]

while True:
    #  switch debouncing
    #  also turns off NeoPixel on release
    if not neokey[0] and key_0_state:
        key_0_state = False
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0x0
    if not neokey[1] and key_1_state:
        key_1_state = False
        neokey.pixels[1] = 0x0
    if not neokey[2] and key_2_state:
        key_2_state = False
        neokey.pixels[2] = 0x0
    if not neokey[3] and key_3_state:
        key_3_state = False
        neokey.pixels[3] = 0x0

    #  if 1st neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[0] and not key_0_state:
        print("Button A")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0xFF0000
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_0
        for i in emoji_0:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_0_state = True

    #  if 2nd neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[1] and not key_1_state:
        print("Button B")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[1] = 0xFFFF00
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_1
        for i in emoji_1:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_1_state = True

    #  if 3rd neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[2] and not key_2_state:
        print("Button C")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[2] = 0x00FF00
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_2
        for i in emoji_2:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_2_state = True

    #  if 4th neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[3] and not key_3_state:
        print("Button D")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[3] = 0x00FFFF
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)
        #  send key presses for emoji_3
        for i in emoji_3:
            keyboard.send(i)
            time.sleep(0.05)
        #  update key state
        key_3_state = True

Upload the Code and Libraries to the QT Py RP2040

After downloading the Project Bundle, plug your QT Py RP2040 into the computer USB port. You should see a new flash drive appear in the computer's File Explorer or Finder (depending on your operating system) called CIRCUITPY. Unzip the folder and copy the following items to the QT Py RP2040's CIRCUITPY drive.

lib folder
macOS_code.py
windows_code.py

Renaming the Code File

There are two versions of the emoji code: one for macOS (macOS_code.py) and one for Windows (windows_code.py). Choose the version for your operating system and rename it to code.py. You can delete the version that you are not using from your CIRCUITPY drive.

Your QT Py RP2040 CIRCUITPY drive should look like this after copying the lib folder and renaming the code.py file.

Import the Libraries

First, the libraries are imported.

import time
import board
import busio
from adafruit_neokey.neokey1x4 import NeoKey1x4
import usb_hid
from adafruit_hid.keyboard import Keyboard
from adafruit_hid.keycode import Keycode

import time
import board
import busio
from adafruit_neokey.neokey1x4 import NeoKey1x4
import usb_hid
from adafruit_hid.keyboard import Keyboard
from adafruit_hid.keycode import Keycode

Setup the Objects

Objects are setup for I2C, the NeoKey 1x4 and USB HID so that the QT Py RP2040 can be used as an HID keyboard over USB.

Since you're using the NeoKey with a STEMMA QT cable, the QT Py RP2040's board.SCL1 and board.SDA1 pins are used for I2C.

# use STEMMA I2C bus on RP2040 QT Py
i2c_bus = busio.I2C(board.SCL1, board.SDA1)

# Create a NeoKey object
neokey = NeoKey1x4(i2c_bus, addr=0x30)

#  create a keyboard object
keyboard = Keyboard(usb_hid.devices)

# use STEMMA I2C bus on RP2040 QT Py
i2c_bus = busio.I2C(board.SCL1, board.SDA1)

# Create a NeoKey object
neokey = NeoKey1x4(i2c_bus, addr=0x30)

#  create a keyboard object
keyboard = Keyboard(usb_hid.devices)

Check the Version of the Code

A quick debugging message prints to the REPL that denotes whether you are using the version of the code for macOS or Windows. This will let you know that you've loaded up the correct version of the code for your chosen operating system.

#  for Windows
print("NeoKey Emoji keyboard - Windows")

#  for macOS
print("NeoKey Emoji keyboard - macOS")

#  for Windows
print("NeoKey Emoji keyboard - Windows")

#  for macOS
print("NeoKey Emoji keyboard - macOS")

Debouncing States

For debouncing, each of the four switches on the NeoKey have a state that will be tracked in the loop.

#  states for key presses
key_0_state = False
key_1_state = False
key_2_state = False
key_3_state = False

#  states for key presses
key_0_state = False
key_1_state = False
key_2_state = False
key_3_state = False

Emoji Arrays

The last portion of the code before the loop are the emoji arrays. The way that the emojis are being sent is by searching for them by name in your operating system's default emoji menu.

Each array has a sequence of keycodes that searches for the name of the emoji, selects the emoji and then exits the emoji menu. These arrays are iterated through in the loop so that each keycode is sent one at a time.

The reason that there are different versions of the code for macOS and Windows since both operating systems have different ways to navigate the emoji menu.

#  Windows emoji arrays

#  update these arrays to customize your emojis
#  cat face emoji
emoji_0 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.A, Keycode.T, Keycode.SPACE, Keycode.F, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]
#  lightning bolt emoji
emoji_1 = [Keycode.V, Keycode.O, Keycode.L, Keycode.T, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]
#  control panel emoji
emoji_2 = [Keycode.K, Keycode.N, Keycode.O, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]
#  guitar emoji
emoji_3 = [Keycode.G, Keycode.U, Keycode.I, Keycode.T, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]

#  Windows emoji arrays

#  update these arrays to customize your emojis
#  cat face emoji
emoji_0 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.A, Keycode.T, Keycode.SPACE, Keycode.F, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]
#  lightning bolt emoji
emoji_1 = [Keycode.V, Keycode.O, Keycode.L, Keycode.T, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]
#  control panel emoji
emoji_2 = [Keycode.K, Keycode.N, Keycode.O, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]
#  guitar emoji
emoji_3 = [Keycode.G, Keycode.U, Keycode.I, Keycode.T, Keycode.ENTER, Keycode.ESCAPE]

#  macOS emoji arrays

#  update these arrays to customize your emojis
#  cat face emoji
emoji_0 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.A, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  lightning bolt emoji
emoji_1 = [Keycode.V, Keycode.O, Keycode.L, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  control panel emoji
emoji_2 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.O, Keycode.N, Keycode.T, Keycode.R, Keycode.O,
           Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  guitar emoji
emoji_3 = [Keycode.G, Keycode.U, Keycode.I, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]

#  macOS emoji arrays

#  update these arrays to customize your emojis
#  cat face emoji
emoji_0 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.A, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  lightning bolt emoji
emoji_1 = [Keycode.V, Keycode.O, Keycode.L, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  control panel emoji
emoji_2 = [Keycode.C, Keycode.O, Keycode.N, Keycode.T, Keycode.R, Keycode.O,
           Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]
#  guitar emoji
emoji_3 = [Keycode.G, Keycode.U, Keycode.I, Keycode.T, Keycode.DOWN_ARROW, Keycode.ENTER]

Customize Your Emojis

If you wanted to change the emojis, you would need to open your operating system's emoji menu, find the official name of your desired emoji and update an emoji array with the needed keycodes.

Most emojis can be brought up by entering a portion of its name, which can help you to keep the length of your arrays fairly short.

The Loop

Switch Debouncing and Turning Off NeoPixels

The loop begins with debouncing for the four neokey inputs. Additionally, logic is setup so that when a neokey is released, its corresponding NeoPixel is turned off.

#  switch debouncing
    #  also turns off NeoPixel on release
    if not neokey[0] and key_0_state:
        key_0_state = False
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0x0
    if not neokey[1] and key_1_state:
        key_1_state = False
        neokey.pixels[1] = 0x0
    if not neokey[2] and key_2_state:
        key_2_state = False
        neokey.pixels[2] = 0x0
    if not neokey[3] and key_3_state:
        key_3_state = False
        neokey.pixels[3] = 0x0

#  switch debouncing
    #  also turns off NeoPixel on release
    if not neokey[0] and key_0_state:
        key_0_state = False
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0x0
    if not neokey[1] and key_1_state:
        key_1_state = False
        neokey.pixels[1] = 0x0
    if not neokey[2] and key_2_state:
        key_2_state = False
        neokey.pixels[2] = 0x0
    if not neokey[3] and key_3_state:
        key_3_state = False
        neokey.pixels[3] = 0x0

Open the Emoji Menu

The rest of the loop contains if statements for each neokey. If a neokey is pressed, then its corresponding NeoPixel is turned on with its assigned color. Then, depending on your operating system, the keyboard macro to open the emoji menu is opened.

For Windows, this key sequence is Windows Key + Period and for macOS, it is Control + Command + Space.

A longer than normal pause is required after sending the macro to open the menu. This differs between operating systems, with Windows requiring almost a full second to fully open.

#  Windows version of the code

#  if 1st neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[0] and not key_0_state:
        print("Button A")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0xFF0000
        #  open windows emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.WINDOWS, Keycode.PERIOD)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(0.75)

#  Windows version of the code

#  if 1st neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[0] and not key_0_state:
        print("Button A")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0xFF0000
        #  open windows emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.WINDOWS, Keycode.PERIOD)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(0.75)

#  macOS version of the code

    #  if 1st neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[0] and not key_0_state:
        print("Button A")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0xFF0000
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)

#  macOS version of the code

    #  if 1st neokey is pressed...
    if neokey[0] and not key_0_state:
        print("Button A")
        #  turn on NeoPixel
        neokey.pixels[0] = 0xFF0000
        #  open macOS emoji menu
        keyboard.send(Keycode.CONTROL, Keycode.COMMAND, Keycode.SPACE)
        #  delay for opening menu
        time.sleep(.2)

Send the Emoji

After this, a for statement is setup to iterate through the corresponding emoji array. keyboard.send() is used to send each individual keycode in the emoji array with a slight delay between each message.

keyboard.send() has the benefit of both pressing and releasing the keycode compared to keyboard.press() and keyboard.release().

Finally, the state of the neokey is updated for debouncing.