I have seen all the keyboard pranks out there.... (which is my goal, to prank a co-worker)
Pranks are pretty common here, so being 'discrete' would help keep things going for longer. (as he searches the back of his machine..etc)
That being said.. all the 'keyboard' pranks.. involve using a secondary USB device (micro-controller) connected to the machine. (which for me, would probably be easily detected)
We have talked to our network and tech support guys (and have their blessing, and even gave us a duplicate of the original USB keyboard to use in this project)
Is there a way to add the micro to the Keyboard (inside the case of course)... tapping the same USB power/data lines..etc..??
I'm envisioning a device that is in between the keyboard and PC...... acting as a passive device until either a timed interval happens or maybe even adding some bluetooth HC-05 device to 'trigger' things to happen from our phones..etc.
I dont need any help on adding/using the bluetooth HC-05 or anything.. my main focus/concern is the micro >> keyboard connection. (if possible)
Are keyboards just matrix keys inside? can I allow the data to be sent from the keyboard through the micro, over the PC?
If possible, I am not clear on the wiring? (even if its a bit more on the difficult side)..
If this is possible.. can we 'sniff' the text? So maybe whenever his name is found.. it is replaced with some other text? or maybe just re-map keys? (swapping spacebar with backspace or something?)
I'll start with just asking about connecting a USB keyboard to an Arduino Micro/Leo or something that is capable of emulating a USB/MOUSE..
thanks!
-xl
Connecting Arduino to keyboard
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- Franklin97355
- Posts: 23940
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:33 pm
- xl97
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:51 pm
Re: Connecting Arduino to keyboard
Thanks for the reply..franklin97355 wrote:https://learn.adafruit.com/pro-trinket- ... e/overview might be a start.
but I'm not seeing anything related to connecting a keyboard to the Arduino/Micro/Leo/Trinket aspect??
I do -not- want to just plug in a 3rd party USB device (along side of the current keyboard)..
I am hoping/wanting to embed the device INSIDE the keyboard console, and then only have the 1 x USB wire coming from it.
Looking for discussion on how to connect a USB keyboard to the micro-controller.... so it can be passive (and allow whatever text the user types to be passed normally (or even passed through the micro, as is)...
I do not want to make my own secondary 1/2 button keyboard..etc..
Is what I'm after not possible?
Lets start with basic keyboard discussion?
Are the key matrixed? How does it get passed along to the PC?
Can the micro-controller detect/parse/sniff this data?
(would be nice to detect any time he types his name and replace with "Mr. Smelly" or something!) LOL
thanks!
- xl97
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:51 pm
Re: Connecting Arduino to keyboard
ok... so after some searching...
I found this:
this is what I want to do:
http://hunt.net.nz/users/darran/weblog/ ... rough.html
and I found this as a small/mini USB Host shield:
http://www.circuitsathome.com/products- ... o-pro-mini
I know I wont be able to use the Sparkfun Pro-mini I bought.. so I'll probably have to buy an Arduino (Leo) Micro or the Pro-Micro.......correct?
)https://www.adafruit.com/products/1315) (full sized)
or
(https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12640 ... aQodGFQAtA)
even if it is not directly 'stackable' (the USB HOst shield).. it is small.. and will help when I need to secure things INSIDE the keyboard casing.
my question/concern here is the:
Pro-Micro = +5v
USB Host Mini = +3.3v
USB Port = +5v.
will this work?
The keyboard will need to plug into the USB Host mini shield... compatible?.. If the Host Shield is running at +3.3v?
the shield connects to the Pro/Micro,,, which is at +5v though? do I just power it from a +3.3v pin then? (what about communication though? )
feedback/thoughts appreciated.
update: looks like ther is a Pro-Micro that runs @ +3.3v/8Mhz as well: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12587
would this be better to use with the USB Host mini shield? Has vRegulator on it.... so tapping the +5v USB line should be fine..?
thanks!
-xl
I found this:
this is what I want to do:
http://hunt.net.nz/users/darran/weblog/ ... rough.html
and I found this as a small/mini USB Host shield:
http://www.circuitsathome.com/products- ... o-pro-mini
I know I wont be able to use the Sparkfun Pro-mini I bought.. so I'll probably have to buy an Arduino (Leo) Micro or the Pro-Micro.......correct?
)https://www.adafruit.com/products/1315) (full sized)
or
(https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12640 ... aQodGFQAtA)
even if it is not directly 'stackable' (the USB HOst shield).. it is small.. and will help when I need to secure things INSIDE the keyboard casing.
my question/concern here is the:
Pro-Micro = +5v
USB Host Mini = +3.3v
USB Port = +5v.
will this work?
The keyboard will need to plug into the USB Host mini shield... compatible?.. If the Host Shield is running at +3.3v?
the shield connects to the Pro/Micro,,, which is at +5v though? do I just power it from a +3.3v pin then? (what about communication though? )
feedback/thoughts appreciated.
update: looks like ther is a Pro-Micro that runs @ +3.3v/8Mhz as well: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12587
would this be better to use with the USB Host mini shield? Has vRegulator on it.... so tapping the +5v USB line should be fine..?
thanks!
-xl
- xl97
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:51 pm
Re: Connecting Arduino to keyboard
bump..
anyone out there done this before.. and can tell me if my selected hardware will work as intended?
Franklin? You still here? :)
anyone out there done this before.. and can tell me if my selected hardware will work as intended?
Franklin? You still here? :)
- Franklin97355
- Posts: 23940
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:33 pm
Re: Connecting Arduino to keyboard
Still here but I have no new ideas. Sorry.Franklin? You still here? :)
- xl97
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:51 pm
Re: Connecting Arduino to keyboard
ahh.. ok..
it looks as if I have to use a
+3.3v Pro-Micro
+3.3v USB Host Mini Shield....
but then this leave the VBUS still needing a +5v source for the +5v keyboard/device..
http://www.circuitsathome.com/usb-host- ... are-manual
Under the POWER OPTIONS section/paragraph...
looks like he is using a Boost Converter to get +5v to the VBUS?
Do I need the same? or can I tap the USB +5v power line to power the VBUS? (or is this more than just a power voltage.. this is logic level voltage?)
it looks as if I have to use a
+3.3v Pro-Micro
+3.3v USB Host Mini Shield....
but then this leave the VBUS still needing a +5v source for the +5v keyboard/device..
http://www.circuitsathome.com/usb-host- ... are-manual
Under the POWER OPTIONS section/paragraph...
looks like he is using a Boost Converter to get +5v to the VBUS?
Do I need the same? or can I tap the USB +5v power line to power the VBUS? (or is this more than just a power voltage.. this is logic level voltage?)
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.