Hagstrom KE-USBMX20 User Manual

KE-USBMX20

Matrix Keypad Interface

User Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction to the KE-USBMX20 1

Computer Connection 2

Interfacing to the KE-USBMX20 Header 3

Status Feedback LED 4

The KE-USBMX20.EXE Program 4

The Program Screen 5

File Menu Selections 7

Sample KE-USBMX20 Confi guration 9

KE-USBMX20 Confi guration with FN key 16

Error Messages 20

KE-USBMX20 Operating Tips 22

Appendix A: Specifi cations 23

Appendix B: Command Line Loader 24

Accessories 24

Thank you for purchasing the

HAGSTROM ELECTRONICS, INC.

KE-USBMX20. 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 KE-USBMX20.

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
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-USBMX20 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]

1

Introduction to the KE-USBMX20

Our KE-USBMX20 Keyboard Encoder is a product designed to interface
Matrix Keypads, Membrane Switches, and/or other contact closures
to the computer’s USB port. Devices connected to the KE-USBMX20
Input header produce keystrokes that appear to the PC as if they were
entered from a standard USB keyboard. The KE-USBMX20 can scan
any matrix up to a 5 x 4 arrangement.

The KE-USBMX20 is programmable by the user. This programmability
feature allows the configuration of the matrix row and column pins as
well as the selection of the keystrokes that will be sent to the PC for
each matrix position. The user’s configuration is stored in non-volatile
memory so that the information is retained on the unit even after
power is turned off. Responses to each key can be programmed as a
single keystroke or a macro sequence of keystrokes.

The KE-USBMX20 Input Header

The 9 pin header provides 9 signals that can be programmed to scan
any size matrix up to 5 x 4. Any of the Input pins may be designated as
either a Column or a Row. The KE-USBMX20 configures its scanning to
the keypad, allowing the direct 1:1 connection to the header of many
“off the shelf” keypads without any cabling.

Power Requirements and Hardware

The KE-USBMX20 requires no external power source. It is powered
directly from the USB port on the PC. One micro-B to A Type USB cable
is provided with the unit.

Supported Devices

All devices with a standard USB port will work with the KE-USBMX20.
The KE-USBMX20.EXE configuration program is for Windows based
systems, but once programmed, the KE-USBMX20 may be moved to
another platform that supports a standard USB keyboard.

Default Settings

The KE-USBMX20 is programmed and shipped with a default 5x4
matrix configuration. This default configuration can be changed or
modified at any time by the user with the KE-USBMX20.exe program.

Operating Voltage
Operating Current
Operating Temp.
PC Interface
Input Debounce Time
KE-USBMX20 Header

Mating Header
(on keypad)

ESD Input Protection
Max Switch Resistance

.80”

Computer Connection

There is a micro B type USB connector located on the side of the
KE-USBMX20. Connection to this port can be made with power
on as the KE-USBMX20 supports “Hot Plug” operation as a USB
device as well as a boot keyboard device.

Plug the USB Micro Type B side of the USB cable to the KE­USBMX20 port. Plug the Type A side of the USB cable to the
computer’s USB port or to a USB Hub port.

Up to four KE-USBMX20 units may be used on the same computer
and programmed through the supplied load program.

Micro Type B to KE-USBMX20

Type A USB to KE-USBMX20

Interfacing to the KE-USBMX20 Header

The header on the KE-USBMX20 consists of 9 configurable pins.
The pins are designated as “1” through “9”.

Use the supplied KE-USBMX20.EXE program to configure the
header 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 defined 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.

Keypads with male headers can be directly plugged onto the KE­USBMX20 connector. KE-USBMX20 pins can be configured to
be either Rows or Columns to allow for this direct attachment.

*Note: Keypads with male pins may be connected directly. For

membrane keypads with female headers, adapters may be used
to directly connect from the pigtail to the KE-USBMX20 header.
(See Accessories on page 20)

322

View of the 9 pin female
header pin designations as
seen from the bottom of the
KE-USBMX20

The KE-USBMX20 header
connects directly to the
keypad header. Secure with
the adhesive pad included
or with your own fastening
system.

“Error saving file”

This error message is shown if the KE-USBMX20.EXE program
attempts to save a file that 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 file 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 configuration to a file or to the
KE-USBMX20. Check the matrix configuration and eliminate
redudant pin letters. The error message will give the letter of the
duplicate pin.
(Example: “Error: Pin 5 is used for multiple scan lines”)

The KE-USBMX20.EXE Program

The KE-USBMX20 unit is shipped with a CD ROM containing the
KE-USBMX20.EXE utility program which is used for configuring

the unit. Configuration parameters include the defining of the
pins used as Rows and Columns, and the keystroke or keystrokes
generated by the activation of a key within the matrix.

Getting Started

To begin using the KE-USBMX20, follow the steps listed below.

1. Attach the KE-USBMX20 to the computer as described

on page 2 under the section “Computer Connections”.

2. Insert the CD and save the contents 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 configuration program by selecting the program
file KE-USBMX20.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 Feedback LED

The KE-USBMX20 features a status LED on the side for user
feedback. When this light is Red, the unit has power but has not
been initialized by the system. Once initialized and scanning, the
LED will be Blue. When a key is detected as active, the LED will
light Green momentarily.

Status LED

The Program Screen

The main program screen displays the configuration settings for
the KE-USBMX20. A list of these settings and a description of
how they pertain to the KE-USBMX20 setup are listed below.

*Note: The number of Rows plus the number of Columns

cannot exceed the total number of 9 pins. For example, 5 Rows
+ 4 Columns = 9 pins.

Number of Rows: The number of Rows are selected from
the drop down list. This may be any value from 1 to 8.

Number of Columns: The number of Columns are selected
from the drop down list. This may be any value from 1 to 8.

Row/Column Pins: The current row and column definitions
are shown in the upper right how they are being used on the
header. The view is looking down from the top of the KE­USBMX20 box.

5

Column Pin Assignments: Column pin assignments are
selected from the corresponding drop down list across the top
of the matrix. Each column must have a header pin assigned to
it. Specify any pin “1” through “9” as a column.

Row Pin Assignments: Row pin assignments are selected
from the corresponding drop down list. Each row must have a
pin assigned to it. Specify any pin “1” through “9” as a row.

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

If a conflict is detected during the matrix definition, it is indicated
in the header row/column assignment image in the upper right at
the pin position(s) being used for multiple definitions.

Single Key at a Time: This option will lock out additional
key activations once a key has been detected. No new key
responses will be generated until all keys have been released if
this option is checked in the configuration.

Filter Ghost Keys: Select this option to have the KE­USBMX20 filter out “ghost” conditions within the matrix.
Virtually any matrix has the potential for a “ghost” condition.
This condition occurs when 3 or more keys are active at the
same time and share a row and multiple columns, or a column
and multiple rows. The simple way to explain this condition is
to look at a 2 column by 2 row matrix. When 3 of any of the
keys are held, the result is that all 4 switches appear electrically
activated due to feedback of columns through the rows.

2 Column by 2 Row Matrix

When 3 switches pressed, all

4 electrically appear to be on.

If uncertain of this option, it is recommended that it be
selected.

6

The above matrix shows the keystrokes sent when keys are pressed and the
FN key is not active.

(Hold the right mouse button down while left clicking the FN key to toggle between the two matrix tables)

The matrix below shows the keystrokes sent in the same matrix when the FN
key is held active.

File Menu Selections

These selections are accessed by clicking on “File” in the upper
left corner of the main program screen. This list provides several
options that include creating and saving file configurations
as well as reading and writing the configuration to the KE­USBMX20. A list of these options along with descriptions of how
they pertain to the KE-USBMX20 setup are listed below. When a
configuration is created on the screen, it must be written to the
KE-USBMX20 to become active on the unit.

7

New: Creates a new configuration file by either clicking on

“New” with the mouse or by pressing Ctrl+N on the keyboard.
This option will also return the program screen to the default
settings.