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Edit: What I'm looking for is some kind of library which could be used with an arduino to read the HID protocol output from the Data+ and Data- cables of the USB.

========== If I cut the cable of a usb keyboard, plug in power and ground can I use the clk and data wires to read keystrokes into the Arduino? If so any pointers to libraries and schematics?

Simple I instructions? The "for dummies" version?

EDIT

Following some of the suggestions below I found this:

https://github.com/julianschuler/USBKeyboard

Which looks like what I want to do, basically hook up the lines into the arduinio and read from the keyboard using the HID protocol in this library.

EDIT 2

That doesn't do what I want. Does anyone know how this could be accomplished?

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  • From what device do you want to read keystrokes? from an USB keyboard? – chrisl Apr 12 at 17:35
  • yes from the keyboard. – Rick Dearman Apr 12 at 18:27
  • I think you can do this using an USB Host shield. – chrisl Apr 12 at 18:36
  • Which looks like what I want to do ... no it isn't ... read it again – jsotola Apr 12 at 20:26
  • If it is possible to make an AVR bit-bang the USB protocol as a device, it may also be possible as a host. Have you tried to find such a library or project? – the busybee Apr 15 at 9:01
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USB doesn't have data and clock lines. It has a pair of data lines with inverted polarity (D+ and D-). The USB protocol is considerably more complex than you seem to imagine.

However there is a caveat: some keyboards have the ability to work in IBM PS/2 mode. For this you will need a USB to PS/2 adaptor (pictured below) and then use the PS2Keyboard.h library. Your mileage may vary, though, as not all keyboards will work.

enter image description here

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  • Any place I can get information on this protocol? I don't want the adapter, I want to plug in the cables directly and manipulate the data. – Rick Dearman Apr 12 at 18:28
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    I think you don't actually need the adapter. It should just connect the pins of the USB jack to the pins of the PS/2 plug. So you could just directly connect the lines to the Arduino. A very short google search gave some promising results – chrisl Apr 12 at 18:38
  • These adapters only work if the USB keyboard has a dual controller which understands the PS2 protocol as well as the HID USB protocol. (Most modern keyboards don't) I don't have one of those, and I am looking for a library or method for directly interfacing the HID protocol with an Arduino. – Rick Dearman Apr 14 at 22:01
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    Then you will need to invest in a usb host shield. – Majenko♦ Apr 14 at 22:18

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