Newbie needing help, please. How to make a basic USB input button

[Juggernaut1]

Hi,

I hope that this is the correct place to make this post.

I would like to build a simple one button USB input for my computer.

I would like it to function as follows:
1. when the button is pressed it sends the computer a continuous/repeating signal (like holding down a button on the keyboard).
2. when the button is not pressed there is no signal at all.

I am completely new to this field.

I am hoping someone can provide me with a laundry list of all of the hardware components that I would need, as well as some basic instructions on how to accomplish my goal.

I would also like to know what software, if any, I will need to make windows xp recognize and interface with the button.

I appreciate any help that I can get.

Thanks!
Juggernaut

[HaRuMaN]

What will this button do?  Knowing that might make it easier to help you.

[jerryjanis]

You could take apart a USB keyboard (the one I'm typing on right now was $2) and do a simple 1-button keyboard hack.  It sounds like that would provide the exact signal you are looking for, unless you need something that is not an actual keyboard key.

[Juggernaut1]

What will this button do?

[IntruderAlert]

maybe hack a sewing machine switch?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41248&item=8198926774

you could hack one of the buttons on a USB mouse's board to it i guess

[Juggernaut1]

maybe hack a sewing machine switch?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41248&item=8198926774

you could hack one of the buttons on a USB mouse's board to it i guess

Hi,

That is an interesting idea, but I do want it to be more like a traditional arcade button, just big enough to use comfortably with the foot if desired.

Anyway, the exact button is not so important, what is more important is that I learn how to connect it to a USB connector to do the function I want.  Do you know how I can learn to do this?  I need to know all the parts I would need and some basic instructions on how to assemble it.

Thanks!
Juggernaut

[IntruderAlert]

if you only need one button the smallest/cheapest thing I can think of is a mouse circuit board hack
You'd just take the Mouse apart and solder two wires onto the two contacts for one of the Mouse buttons and connect the other end of the 2 wires to the switch

[SirPoonga]

hack a cheap usb gamepad.

[SirPoonga]

maybe hack a sewing machine switch?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41248&item=8198926774

you could hack one of the buttons on a USB mouse's board to it i guess

Sewing machines use pots, but not like you couldn't put a switch in it.
Also, you can find used sustain pedals for electric keyboards (musical).  Those are foot pedals that plug into the back of a keyboard.

[IntruderAlert]

or if he wants it more arcadey looking maybe one of those giant pushbuttons

[IntruderAlert]

How about these pedals?
http://www.conntrol.com/shopping/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=1&cat=Foot+Switches

[NY_in_TX]

http://www.stealthswitch.com/index.asp


they just had these on woot.com for $25. says it'll launch any app you want and is customizable.


maybe it'll work for what you need.  not sure what your trying to do, but good luck.

ny

[IntruderAlert]

that's just not right
http://www.stealthswitch.com/demo.asp

[NY_in_TX]

it's funny though! 

their motto should be "for the alt-tab challenged"

that's just not right
http://www.stealthswitch.com/demo.asp

[88mph]

Neato!  Reminds me of the 'Boss Key' that they used to have on the old Sierra games like Space Quest and King's Quest.. If you hit the boss key, a generic monochrome spreadsheet or graph would come up on the screen.  Great for gaming at work without getting busted. 

Of course, I was about 10 when I was playing those games, so I didn't have a boss back then..

-88mph
 

[IntruderAlert]

i'm guessing you won't have a boss for long if you use one of those

[Juggernaut1]

http://www.stealthswitch.com/index.asp


they just had these on woot.com for $25. says it'll launch any app you want and is customizable.


maybe it'll work for what you need.

[richms]

I would prefer that it was not just a gutted keyboard (as my wife will get upset if it does not have pretty clean look to it), but rather be a larger button that is more the size of something like what a dentist uses when he uses his foot operated drill, but could just be the standard size of an arcade-type button(hehe...what an example!).

The circuitboard in most keyboards is very small, and just under where the LEDs are located, the rest of the keyboard is a flexable membrane you can throw away (once you have traced it out)

Put that in a nice box with a 6.5mm headphone plug on it, and you can get a pedel from a music shop that would normally connect to a synth for reverb or whatever (Check it is just a contact closure in it)

If you want multiple keys to be pressed, then put more then one socket on the pretty box you put the keyboard guts in, with each one wired across different pins which the membrane connected to

[Juggernaut1]

Hi,

It would most likely work for my needs, but I am trying to learn how to make one for myself.

Is there any place I can go to learn what parts I need to build one myself?
Is there any place that could give me step by step directions on how to put it together and how to get the computer to recognize it?

I don't mean to be a nudge, but this is a project I am trying to work on.  If this is not the appropriate place to get the info, please let me know.

Thanks!
Juggernaut

[forbiddenlyrics]

It seems to me like you are making this project too complicated. If you want to make a new USB device you will have to get a USB controller chip and then develop some custom circuity. Although the extra circuity won't be that complicated you will be able to get the same exact result for waay less money and waay less hassle if you just hack an exsisting USB device. I guess if you are hell bent on doing it the hard way you might want to check out the book "USB complete".

[Juggernaut1]

Hi,

Well, if it works out, I would like to be able to sell what I make to other people, so I was trying to avoid selling someone else's stuff to them.

Don't they make simplified boards what have a pre-programmed USB controller built right on them?  All I think I would need is one with a USB output and a place to wire some inputs from the button.
If it could be as simple as wiring the 3 components together then that would not be too diffucult and would be worth my effort.
If it were much more complicated than that, then I would agree that it is probably not worth the hassle.  I suppose that is why I am trying to figure out exactly what would need to be done - so I can figure out if it is worth it or not.

I'll see if I can find the book you recommend, but I was hoping for an "abridged" set of directions.

Thanks!
Juggernaut

[forbiddenlyrics]

Don't they make simplified boards what have a pre-programmed USB controller built right on them?

[Juggernaut1]

Hi,

Do you have any good sites to recommend for buying an inexpensive USB keyboard controller?

Thanks,
Juggernaut

[SpamMe]

Here's an inexensive toggle on/toggle off foot switch you could easily hack to a keyboard (or keyboard encoder).

http://mcm.newark.com/NewarkWebCommerce/mcm/en_US/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=555-3105&N=4
[edit] oh... right

[Juggernaut1]

Hi,

I think you forgot the link?

Could you please provide the url?

Thanks!
Juggernaut

[MinerAl]

Go find an original iMac one button mouse and take out the ball. 

[pointdablame]

The easiest way to accomplish this has already been stated.  Disassemble a mouse, run 2 wires from a button contact, and run it to a switch.  You are done.

If you are looking to sell it, you will need to do as stated and create your own USB device... which is way too much work for a one button interface IMHO.  If you are looking to sell these to people, you had better be able to sell them for under $5 or $10 or so because beyond that, it is not worth it.  A person can but an interface from GGG for $20, and have 32 possible inputs instead of just one and have exactly what you want to accomplish... as well as a lot more versatility.

You can find keyboard encoders at http://www.ultimarc.com or http://www.groovygamegear.com

[krick]

Isn't someone selling a device now that is basically a pre-made USB controller hack?  I think that would be more in line with what this guy is looking for instead of a keyboard encoder.  Well, except for the repeating input part, but I think that can be accomplished with a 555 timer or something.

Granted, this would be overkill because there'd be tons of unused inputs.

[Kremmit]

A single switch would work with a TOKN16, they may not be the best for MAME, but for a single switch they'd be fine, and they sell on ebay dirt cheap.

But I get the feeling this guy wants to build his own USB section, not buy or hack an interface.  I don't think he cares about the button so much, or about getting it working, as learning how to build a USB interface from the ground up.  Sorry, guy, I can't help you with how to do it, but at least I know what you want.