Help with creating hardware keyboard

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Hi everyone. I'm an Engineer and I graduated back in 2007. Since then, I've been a Systems Engineer working software and I'm fairly clueless in modern hardware development. I'd like to start playing around with android hardware creations. My first desire is to make a keyboard. I want it to be as simple as possible, to work through the usb and include a pass through so as to allow charging and other peripherals, and to have it's own power source that would be charged while charging the phone.

I'm not worrying about the casing/buttons/manufacturing right now, I just wand to get the hardware working. Anyone have any suggestions for getting started? I've found a few of the development boards through the android developer site, but the look like a bit of overkill for my needs. I do have experience with PIC microprocessors and so the pic one doesn't look bad.

Basically, what would you recommend and what resources should I be looking at to make this happen?

Can't comment on specifics regarding the keyboard, but I've programmed a lot on PICs and recently moved to an Arduino, which I've found much quicker to develop with. I can't post a link as I'm < posts, but google "Android Open Accessory Development Kit".

With cheap keyboards selling for under $5 I don't really see the point.
If you wanted to do some custom USB HID device, that's a bit different.
There are some things already to support this easily: http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=13

If your goal is just to make a wired docking station,
I'd just use a back-powering hub and an off-the-shelf USB keyboard.

It has been done, look up "Motorola lapdock" and "USB otg android" and "USB host android".

Sent from my MB855 using xda premium

honestly, the whole "making a keyboard" thing is just so I can get going understanding hardware development and USB access. I've got some ideas for accessories I'd prefer not to discuss, but I still want to learn the tools I need to do this.

Consequently, I'm looking for a way to learn to interface a simple hardware accessory with an android system. I'll probably need software and hardware.

so no more replys?

If you are just looking to experiment with creating USB hardware, the ATTINYs have V-USB, a software implementation of a USB stack. It should be fine for playing around with simple HID stuff. Some PICs have USB support too, but this V-USB will run on some of the cheapest attinys, if cost is a concern.

Google "HIDKeys - a USB Keyboard" for a a simple USB HID keyboard project which you can base your own code off of.

thanks