Logitech unified keyboard and mouse via nRF24L device!?
Peter Jakacki
Posts: 10,193
in Propeller 1
Talking about standalone systems always brings me around to keyboards and mice and the difficulty with interfacing them since PS/2 is getting harder and harder to find. Although I use the PS/2 protocol that some devices support I haven't used the old style PS/2 connectors for many years now and prefer to use the standard USB socket for direct connection rather than the passive and therefore redundant PS/2 "adaptor".
But that got me to thinking about implementing HID USB or even programming a small chip to support HID USB back to serial or I2C rather than PS/2 perhaps. Anyway, thinking some more I tried to find if Logitech unifying receiver chips were available even and it seems that they use Nordic nRF24L01+ chips + SOC.
So on the off chance that I can hack the protocol I will hookup the nRF24L to the Prop and interact with the device via Tachyon. Nothing might come of it but if I do make it work it would be a wonderful way to interface modern keyboards and mice and even combos such as the K400r which I also use.
Here's a link to some stuff on hackaday.
But that got me to thinking about implementing HID USB or even programming a small chip to support HID USB back to serial or I2C rather than PS/2 perhaps. Anyway, thinking some more I tried to find if Logitech unifying receiver chips were available even and it seems that they use Nordic nRF24L01+ chips + SOC.
So on the off chance that I can hack the protocol I will hookup the nRF24L to the Prop and interact with the device via Tachyon. Nothing might come of it but if I do make it work it would be a wonderful way to interface modern keyboards and mice and even combos such as the K400r which I also use.
Here's a link to some stuff on hackaday.
Comments
I see Digikey stock PS/2 keyboards with some from Adafruit.
Adafriut also have have this, that appears to the Host as a BT Kbd, has contacts in, and also 9600 Baud Serial In.
1535 : BLUETOOTH HID KEYBOARD CNTRLLR $19.95
It does mention 2 way Serial here
https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-bluefruit-ez-key-diy-bluetooth-hid-keyboard/sending-keys-via-serial
but not clear on what data can come from host ?
There are cheaper nRF24L01+ modules, but it is less clear if they can pair with any keyboard.
Jim
In actual fact I have some Logitech devices that are missing their receiver so I can reuse them once I get this to work.
I like using this type too, especially as a remote for my Linux PC I use as a TV media centre.
Peter, that would be great if you could get it to work with the Prop. I have several PS/2 keyboards that I've picked up at garage sales, but it is getting harder to find them.
Did you ever get this working?
Jim
When i sit down to play with it again (soon), sniffing the airwaves, I will also try other devices too such as Microsoft as well as generic $5 brands etc.
Here is a reference on the use of NRF devices that may or may not be useful in your quest:
http://www.airspayce.com/mikem/arduino/RadioHead/index.html This is a library for packet communication with that “A” MCU but it may offer some helpful info.
Jim