Hagstrom KE-USB36 User Manual

KE-USB36
PC Keyboard Encoder
User Manual

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 KE-USB36 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 KE-USB36 product is designed to be used by technically

oriented computer users. When the KE-USB36 is in use, your 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 final approval of their application, if required.

Thank you for purchasing the

HAGSTROM ELECTRONICS, INC.

KE-USB36. This product is configurable

in a variety of ways in order to meet your

specific requirements. Please take a few

minutes to read this manual before using

your KE-USB36.

NOTICE: The KE-USB36 product is designed for use by
technically oriented computer users. When the KE-USB36 is in
use, your Computer’s signals and voltages are present on the
unit. Prudent handling and packaging is necessary to prevent
damage to your computer.

Great care has been taken during the assembly, testing,
and burn-in of your KE-USB36 to ensure its performance. If
you have any questions, help is available Monday through
Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST).

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

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 final approval of their
application, if required.

CONTENTS

Introduction to the KE-USB36

Connection to the Computer

Interfacing to the KE-USB36 Input Header

Keyboard Status Light Signals

Interfacing to the KE-USB36 Trackball Header

Configuring the KE-USB36

Appendix A -

Specifications

Appendix B - Operating Tips

Appendix C - KE-USB36 Read/Write from the Command Line

Appendix D - Board ID

Accessories

Custom KE-USB36 Options

4

5

6

7

8

9

13

14

15

16

17

18

Introduction to the KE-USB36

The KE-USB36 Keyboard Encoder is a product designed to
interface switches or keypads to your computer’s USB port. The
KE-USB36 appears as both a keyboard and a mouse to your
computer system. The header inputs on the KE-USB36 may be
programmed to emulate any key from a standard keyboard. In
addition, any of the inputs may be programmed to emulate the
Left, Middle, and Right mouse buttons.

The KE-USB36 features a trackball interface port which allows
connection of the optical signals from a trackball to the unit. The
signals received on this port are converted into mouse movement
on the PC.

Note that you
are not required
to use both
interfaces on
the KE-USB36.
If you wish to
use the device
as a keyboard
interface only,
do not attach
to the trackball
i n t e r f a c e
connector. If
using the device as a trackball only, do not program any inputs
on the KE-USB36 input header as keyboard keys (you may still
program inputs as Left, Middle, and Right mouse buttons).

The KE-USB36 uses standard drivers for its functions. When using
the unit for the first time on your PC, you will be prompted to load
USB drivers for the device. Choose the default drivers that are
already present in your operating system.

USB Port

Trackball Input Header

Status

LED

Interface

36 Input Header

Accessories

We offer several accessories to connect to your KE-USB36.

breakout board. This product connects

Connection to the Computer

The KE-USB36 attaches to your computer’s
USB port. Use a standard A-B Male/Male
type USB connecting cable from the KE­USB36 to the USB port on the computer.
The KE-USB36 may be connected directly
to the USB port on the PC or through a
compliant USB Hub.

Connect the type “B” end of the USB cable
into the KE-USB36 and the type “A” end
into the PC or HUB USB connector.

The KE-USB36 may be connected to the computer with power
on or off. If “hot plugged,” the unit will generally take several
seconds to become fully
active on your system.

Note: The first time you
use the KE-USB36 with
a particular PC, you will
be prompted to load the
appropriate drivers for the
device. Follow the default
selections to load the
standard drivers for the KE­USB36.

The KE-USB36 is powered directly from the USB port, so no
external power is required.

The KE-USB36 is compatible with operating systems which offer
full support for USB devices compliant to USB 1.0 specifications.
Consult the operating system manufacturer for information on
device compatibility and downloads.

Figure 2 - Connection of

the USB cable to PC

Figure 3 - Connection of the USB cable to

KE-USB36

516

Interfacing to the KE-USB36 Input Header

The KE-USB36 features a 2x20 header for interface to your input
devices. The input header is arranged with grounds on the end
pins of the header, and the 36 inputs between them. The board
is labeled near each header pin, designating the input number
that the pin represents. Each of the pins may be programmed to
emulate any key on a standard PC keyboard as well as the Left,
Middle, and Right mouse buttons.

Inputs on the KE-USB36 header are activated by shorting them
to one of the
provided logic
grounds on the
header. When
activated, the
input will report the keystroke that it has been programmed to
emulate. If held active, the keystroke will repeat (if programmed
to repeat), based on the repeat rates and delays set within the
operating system.

The inputs are intended to handle mechanical switch inputs and
are debounced for that purpose. Logic drivers may be attached
to the inputs as well, provided they are an active low, logic level
signal. Refer to the Appendix A on specifications for the timing of
logic signals. Never attach any external power to the Inputs.

The KE-USB36 input header is a dual row header with .100”
spaced pins. This format is suitable for many readily available
connectors on the market, including a typical IDE hard drive cable.
Since all the inputs require the same logic ground reference, you
may “daisy chain” the ground to all of your switches. We also
offer a breakout board (our part number IOX36) for interface to
the KE-USB36. This interface board attaches to the KE-USB36
header through an IDE cable (provided with the IOX36). See
the accessories page of this manual for details on the IOX36.
Appendix B demonstrates connection techniques for switches on

Figure 4 - The KE-USB36 Input Header

a Trackball. Use the controls for either the X or Y axis for the
Spinner, according to the axis on which the Spinner movement is
to appear.

In order to accommodate the various brands of Trackballs, the
KE-USB36 provides check boxes to reverse the Left-Right and Up-
Down movements of the Trackball. If you find that one or both
directions of your cursor movement from the Trackball are reversed,
check the appropriate box in the configuration program.

The KE-USB36 uses the standard USB keyboard buffer length
which allows for up to six keys being reported “ON” at the same
time. This limitation only pertains to KE-USB36 inputs that are
programmed with the repeat selection enabled. Use of the Left and
Right Shift, Left and Right Alt, Left and Right Control, and Windows
GUI keys, can be used in addition to the six key limitation.

The KE-USB36 has the option of repeating an input that is held
on. If the input is selected to repeat, that input will count toward
the six key limit. Keys that are set to not produce a repeat will not
be subject to the 6 key limitation, provided there are no more
than 5 repeated keys currently active. Note that inputs defined as
mouse buttons do not figure into the six key limit.

Inputs on the KE-USB36 which emulate a multiple key sequence,
such as Shift+F1, will automatically have repeat disabled.

Appendix C:
KE-USB36 Read/Write from the Command Line

In addition to the KEUSB36.EXE configuration program, the CD
supplied with the KE-USB36 contains two command line programs
for reading from and writing to the KE-USB36 device. For details,
see the README.TXT file included on the CD.