Hagstrom KEUSB24 User Manual

KEUSB24
PC Keyboard Encoder
User Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction to the KEUSB24 1

Computer Connections and Device ID Jumper 2

Interfacing to the KEUSB24 I/O Header 3

Status LED Connections 4

The KEUSB24.EXE Program 4

The Program Screen 5

File Menu Selections 7

Sample KEUSB24 Confi guration 9

Error Messages 16

KEUSB24 Operating Tips 18

Appendix A: Specifi cations 19

Appendix B: Command Line Loader 20

Accessories 20

Thank you for purchasing the

HAGSTROM ELECTRONICS, INC.

KEUSB24. This product is confi gurable

in a variety of ways to meet your specifi c

requirements. Please take a few minutes to

read this manual before using your KEUSB24.

HAGSTROM ELECTRONICS, INC. warrants this
product against defects in material or workmanship for a
period of ONE YEAR from the original purchase date. We will
repair or replace (at our option) the returned defective unit
at no charge during this warranty period.

No responsibility is assumed for any special, incidental,
or consequential damage resulting from the use of or
inability to use this product. In no case is HAGSTROM
ELECTRONICS, INC. to be liable for any amount which
exceeds the purchase price of the unit, regardless of the
claim.

No other warranty, written or verbal, is authorized. This
warranty is applicable only to units sold in the United States.
Units sold outside the United States are covered by a similar
warranty.

Depending on the state in which you live, you may have additional rights.

Great care has been taken during the assembly, testing, and burn-in
of your KEUSB24 to ensure its performance. If you have any questions,
please send us an email or give us a call. Support is available Monday
through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST).

customer service email: [e-mail]

Call Toll Free 888-690-9080, or [phone]

NOTICE The KEUSB24 product is designed to be used by technically

oriented computer users. When th e KEUSB24 i s in use, y o ur computer’s
signals and voltages are present on the unit. Prudent handling and
packaging is necessary to prevent damage to your computer.

Your keyboard encoder is designed for OEM use, and is not FCC part 15 approved. Because
the packaging and use of the product will directly affect the characteristics of the unit, it is the
responsibility of the purchaser to obtain fi nal approval of their application, if required.

1

Introduction to the KEUSB24

Our KEUSB24 Keyboard Encoder is a product designed to interface
Keypads, Switches, and/or other contact closures to the computer’s
USB port. Devices connected to the KEUSB24 I/O header produce
keystrokes that appear to the PC as if they were entered from a
standard USB keyboard.

The KEUSB24 is fully programmable by the user. This p rogrammability
feature allows the confi guration of the I/O as well as the selection
of the keystrokes that will be sent to the PC. The KEUSB24 stores
the user’s confi guration program in non-volatile memory so that the
information is retained on the unit even after power is turned off.

The KEUSB24 I/O

The 2 x 25 pin dual row header provides 24 I/O signals that can be
programmed to scan any size matrix up to 12 Columns x 12 Rows.
Any of the 24 I/O pins may be designated as either a Column or a
Row. The KEUSB24 confi gures its scanning to the keypad, allowing
the direct connection of many “off the shelf” keypads without any
modifi ed or complicated cabling.

Power Requirements

The KEUSB24 requires no external power source. It is powered directly
from the USB port on the PC.

Supported Computers

All PCs with a standard USB port will work with the KEUSB24. The
KEUSB24.EXE Program is for Windows based systems.

Hardware Requirements

The KEUSB24 is designed to work with standard, commercially
available cables for connection to the PC. An A-B Type USB cable is
required for this connection.

Default Settings

The KEUSB24 is programmed and shipped with a default 4x4 matrix
confi guration. This default confi guration can be changed or modifi ed
at any time by the user.

Operating Voltage
Operating Current
Operating Temp.
PC Interface
Input Debounce Time
I/O Header

2.0”

2

Computer Connection

There is one USB connector located on th e KEUSB24. Connection
to this port can be made with power on as the KEUSB24 supports
“Hot Plug” operation as a USB device.

The KEUSB24 emulates a standard 104 key USB keyboard
and may be used in addition to or in place of the system’s own
keyboard.

Device ID Jumper

Two KEUSB24 units may be connected
to the same computer and programmed
independently. If using one unit, leave
the Device ID jumper open (factory
default). If using two KEUSB24 units,
leave the jumper open on unit 1, and
closed on unit 2. This setup will present
two different USB devices to the system
that both work as USB keyboards.

Interfacing to the KEUSB24 I/O Header

The 2 x 25 pin dual row header on the KEUSB24 consists of 24
I/O pins with a Logic Ground at one end. The I/O signals are
labeled on the KEUSB24 as “A” through “X”. Each pin on the
dual row header is connected in parallel with its adjacent pin.
Therefore, each I/O signal is available on two different pins.

Use the supplied KEUSB24.EXE program to confi gure th e I/O pins
as either Rows or Columns. Keystrokes are initiated by shorting
a Row pin to a Column pin through a contact closure. The pins
that are defi ned as Columns will sink current while scanning the
matrix. The Rows are used to read the status of the inputs when
a Column is active.

*Note:

The switch, keypad, or input device that is used must
be capable of carrying at least 1mA of current. In addition to
switches and keypads, other electronic circuits may also be used
to generate keystrokes, provided that they do not exceed the 5
volt logic level range of the KEUSB24 I/O.

3

Figure 1.1

Inputs are activated by

shorting a pin defi ned

as a Row to a pin

defi ned as a Column.

Column

Column

Row

“Error saving fi le”

This error message is shown if the KEUSB24.EXE program
attempts to save a fi le t hat is already open in another application,
or if there is not enough disk space. If this happens, close the
other application and try saving the fi le again.

“Error: Pin * is used for multiple scan lines”

If a header pin is used to designate more than one row or column
or is used for both a row and a column, this error will be displayed
when saving the confi guration to a fi le or to the KEUSB24. Check
the matrix confi guration and eliminate redudant pin letters.
The error message will give the letter of the problematic pin
(Example: “Error: Pin D is used for multiple scan lines”).

The KEUSB24.EXE Program

The KEUSB24 unit is shipped with a CD ROM containing the
KEUSB24.EXE utility program which is used for confi guring the

unit. Confi guration parameters include the defi ning of the I/O
pins as Rows and Columns, the keystrokes generated by the
contact closures, as well as other various options.

Getting Started

To begin using the KEUSB24, follow the steps listed below.

1. Attach the KEUSB24 to the computer as described on

page 2 under the section “Computer Connections.”

2. Insert the CD and save the content to its own folder

on the hard drive. The CD may now be removed and
stored in a safe location for future use.

3. Open the folder that was created in step 2 and start

the confi guration program by selecting the program
fi le KEUSB24.EXE.

*Note:

The programs must be copied to and run from its own
folder on the PC’s hard drive. The CD itself should be reserved
for back up purposes only.

4

Status LED Connections

The KEUSB24 features a 2 x 3 header for driving the three status
LEDs for Num, Caps, and Scroll Lock. Connect LEDs as shown to
use this drive capability. No external current limiting resistors are
required as they are supplied on the board.

The Program Screen

The main program screen displays the confi guration settings for
the KEUSB24. A list of these settings and a description of how
they pertain to the KEUSB24 setup are listed below.

*Note:

The number of Rows plus the number of Columns
cannot exceed the total number of 24 I/O pins. For example, 5
Rows + 12 Columns = 17 I/O pins.

Number of Rows: The number of Rows are selected from
the drop down list. This may be any value from 1 to 23.

Number of Columns: The number of Columns are selected
from the drop down list. This may be any value from 1 to 23.

5

Step 5

Now that the setup is complete, it can be saved to disk. Specify
a fi le name under which to save the confi guration.

Step 6

Load the KEUSB24 with the confi guration. Be sure that the
KEUSB24 is connected to the PC. Once the KEUSB24 is loaded,
it will begin running the new setup.

Typematic: The typematic option controls the enable or
disable of the KEUSB24 repeat function. Typically on a PC
keyboard when a key is held down, it will begin to repeat after
a short delay. This function can be duplicated by the devices
connected to the KEUSB24 I/O header by enabling this option.
Enabling this option will affect all keys within the matrix. The
rate at which the key will repeat is the same as your PC keyboard
settings on the PC. With this option disabled, the keystrokes
being generated from the devices attached to the KEUSB24 will
produce one keystroke per activation.

*Note:

The Typematic Enable/Disable option only applies to
the devices connected to the KEUSB24 I/O header. It will not
affect the repeat functions of the PC keyboard.

Column Pin Assignments: Column pin assignments are
selected from their corresponding drop down list. Each column
must have an I/O pin assigned to it. Specify any I/O pin “A”
through “X” as a column.

Row Pin Assignments: Row pin assignments are selected
from their corresponding drop down list. Each row must have an
I/O pin assigned to it. Specify any I/O pin “A” through “X” as a
row.

*Note: A pin cannot be assigned to both a Column and a

Row.

6