Kevin J. Slater wrote:

<snip>

> Alternately, can anyone suggest an IC that could be used to read the keypad
 and
> present the key pressed to a PIC pin?

I have used the 74C922 & 74C923 chips which scan a 16-key or 20-key
 (respectively)
keypads.  They are pricey at $13.13 US for ones at Digi-Key, but drop to $5.625
 in
hundreds.  They work well handling all the scanning, rollovers, and generating
 an INT
signal on keypress.  Four data lines plus some control line overhead and two
 caps.

I always buy the `923's as they are the same price as the `922's.

Michael

When the way of the Tao is forgotten, kindness and ethics must be taught.
Men must learn to pretend to be wise and good.  --  Lao Tzu