Editing Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC

{{infobox dkeyboard
| image name   = Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- top.jpg
| pn           = 
| fcc          = Various
| model        = KPQ-E99ZC*
| branding     = 
| manufacturer = [[Mitsumi]]
| switch       = [[Mitsumi KPQ Type]]
| layouts      = Various
| interface    = 
| weight       = 
| years        = 
| price        = 
| features     = Integrated cable management
| precedes     = [[Mitsumi KPQ-EA4ZA]]/EA5ZA
}}

'''KPQ-E99ZC''' is a series of [[Mitsumi KPQ Type]] keyboards. Examples examined to date are tactile with conductive foot sliders. The version with Windows keys is [[Mitsumi KPQ-EA4ZA]]/EA5ZA.

==Description==
The following information is based on KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK ISO, below. The details may differ between variants.

Stabilisation varies between keys. Space bar uses a wire [[stabiliser]] that snaps into clips into the keycap; this makes disassembly and reassembly comparatively easy. Right shift is supported by a pair of sliders; a single buckling rubber sleeve supports the keycap from the centre, within which a cross-shaped peg fits into a hole for additional stabilisation. Other large keys including ISO enter have no stabilisation; the keycaps have the clips to hold the stabiliser wire, but stabilisation has proved unnecessary as the sliders are inherently quite stable and fairly free from binding. Caps lock is stepped and has the slider on the left, and in the keyboard depicted, the right-hand side of the keycap is difficult to press. Left control is also hard to press non-centrally, and numeric keypad + but not enter is affected similarly.

Per [[Mitsumi KFK-EA4XA]], a set of pegs underneath the keyboard form Mitsumi's (at the time) patent-pending arrangement for shortening the keyboard cable, by allowing the user to wrap the unneeded portion of the cable around these pegs.

==Variants==
Variants of this keyboard include:

{| class="wikitable"
! Model !! FCC ID !! Description
|-
| KPQ-E99ZC-12 || CMYKPQ6640 || ISO, 102-key UK
|-
| KPQ-E99ZC-13 || CMYKPQ6987 || Asian 101, 105-key US
|}

A lower case bearing model KPQ-E99ZC (which is moulded into the plastic) has been seen in 104-key layout, suggesting that the case was not retooled before the extra keys were added<ref name="utk-wrong-keys" />. And KPQ-E99ZC-13 can also be found embossed on the bottom of a [[Mitsumi KPQ-EA4ZA|Mitsumi KPQ-EA5ZA]].

Model KPQ-E99ZC-13 was also used on a Compaq-branded, ANSI, 105-key US, using a revised [[Mitsumi KKR-E99AC]] case.<ref name="utk-wrong-case" />

==Disassembly==
To disassemble a KPQ-E99ZC keyboard, first remove the four screws from below the front of the keyboard. Next, release the three retaining clips. These can be done without tools: simply raise the two feet, press each of the side retaining clips with your thumb, and use the feet to pull the base up. The centre clip can then be released with just your thumb.

Following a near-full disassembly (where the cable has not been unclipped from the internal back panel), full reassembly is somewhat tricky. The controller board is secured by the back panel, but the back panel if moved will pull the board back out as the cable is soldered directly to the board and then tied to the internal back panel.

==Examples==
===KPQ-E99ZC-12===
The following example appears to be dated 1995 (the year digit on the label is illegible but is most likely "5"), using parts made in late 1994. The serial number also suggests December 1994. The keycaps are made from ABS, while the case is made of polystyrene and has not yellowed.

The hash key was deliberately defaced to demonstrate the way that surface printing can be removed through wear.

Total travel is hard to measure, but it is somewhere between 3.6 and 4 mm, with 4 mm being likely. Tactile force is around 70–75 g, which is likely to be heavier than it was when it was new (tactile force for KPQ Type is rated at 50±20 g).

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- top.jpg                            | Top
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- side.jpg                           | Side
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- rear.jpg                           | Rear
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- bottom.jpg                         | Bottom, with cable management pegs visible
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- DIN-5 plug.jpg                     | DIN-5 plug (AT protocol)
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- switches, top.jpg                  | Top view of the switches
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- flip-out foot.jpg                  | Flip-out foot
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- model details on rear.jpg          | Model details moulded into the bottom case
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- label panel with serial number.jpg | Label panel with serial number label (suggesting December 1994)
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- backspace position.jpg             | Backspace position, with no stabiliser
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- space bar assembly.jpg             | Space bar assembly, with two springs for extra force
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- right shift assembly.jpg           | Right shift assembly, with single dome and dual sliders
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- switches.jpg                       | Switches seen with keycaps removed
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- opened.jpg                         | Opened
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- internal backplate detail.jpg      | Internal backplate markings detail
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- internal date label.jpg            | Internal date label, assumed to read "50950106"
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- backplate stamp.jpg                | Backplate stamp ('94)
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- internal backplate removed.jpg     | Internal backplate removed
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- membrane removed.jpg               | Single membrane sheet removed
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- date and polymer markings.jpg      | Date stamp (December 1994) and polymer markings
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- controller.jpg                     | Controller
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- controller board, bottom.jpg       | Controller board, bottom
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- controller board, top.jpg          | Controller board, top; the board and IC both appear to be dated 1994
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- membrane inscriptions, 1.jpg       | Membrane inscriptions
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- membrane inscriptions, 2.jpg       | Membrane inscriptions
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- membrane inscriptions, 3.jpg       | Membrane inscriptions
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- switch underside detail.jpg        | Underside detail of switch, with buckling rubber sleeve shown
File:Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-12 UK -- sliders and sleeves.jpg            | Sliders and buckling rubber sleeves
</gallery>

==References==
<references>
<ref name="utk-wrong-keys">utensilia.tk — [https://web.archive.org/web/20190414052909/http://www.utensilia.tk/mitsumi_kpq-e99zc-13/ Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-13]</ref>
<ref name="utk-wrong-case">utensilia.tk — [https://web.archive.org/web/20190414080551/http://www.utensilia.tk/compaq-mitsumi_kpq-e99ac-160648-101-dom/ Compaq / Mitsumi KPQ-E99ZC-13]</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Mitsumi keyboards]]
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]