Re: How to send USB keyboard signals

["Andy Laurence" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "Berg" <4berg@xxxxxxx>
> As a long time lurker, I have really enjoyed this forum and got many
> great ideas here. Thanks !
>
> I now am stumped and could not think of a better place to visit for
help
> ! Could you please see if you can help ?
>
> I am the new owner of digital set-top boxes for our televisions. I
live
> in Canada so the actual device might not be that relevant, but they
are
> the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3200 model. The box has a USB port to
> accept a keyboard. I was inspired :)
>
> I tried plugging in a USB keyboard in the port and I can send numbers
> and other keys which can control the box. That was easy ;)
>
> This is where I need help -
>
> I would like to find or build a simple device that could be controlled
> serially (or otherwise) to send the appropriate signal over a USB
> connection to one of two or three of those set-top boxes, but I have
> some many questions ..... Would you know :
>
> - Where can I find more information about the signal sent over the USB
> connection for each digit or key ?
>
> - What connection / which wires are used to send the signals over the
> USB connection ?
>
> - Should I be able to build my own cable to send commands to the
> keyboard port ?
>
> - Before I begin a long journey to create something from scratch, do
you
> know of any device/software that would accomplish what I want ?

The easiest solution would be to have a keyboard controller at each
location, and a serial relay controller pushing the buttons for you.
However, it's likely to be quite bulky.  Aside from that, you're looking at
a task of emulating the USB keyboard.  You can buy USB chips that will make
a design simpler.  IIRC, there is a PIC with on-board USB.  That may be
your
simplest (elegant) solution.

Cheers,
Andy
--
http://www.andylaurence.co.uk