CONTROLLER FOR RETRACTABLE KEYBOARDS

A controller and methods for controlling a retractable keyboard are disclosed. The controller may control and monitor an extend operation of the retractable keyboard using a first pin, and control and monitor a retract operation of the retractable keyboard using a second pin. Open drain signaling may be used on the pins to allow control and monitoring through the same pin. To control and monitor the extend (or retract) operation using a single pin, the controller releases the voltage at the pin to a floating high state to activate the muscle wire to extend (or retract) the keyboard. During the operation, the controller checks the voltage state at the pin. If the voltage at the pin has been pulled to low by the closing of a limit switch, the controller determines that the extend (or retract) operation has completed and in response drives the pin to a low voltage state to deactivate the muscle wire.