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A USB HID Component for C#

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22 Mar 2007CPOL1 min read 1.9M   68.5K   240   339
A component to communicate with a USB HID device

Introduction

This article is about a USB HID component which enables you to communicate with HID devices over USB. There is no default component available for USB at this moment, and this component should provide you with a good starting point when writing your own USB HID enabled applications.

This article provides a sample application as well as the component itself.

Background

The component is based on various sources. A good start for USB in C# is this website. Also the book USB COMPLETE (third edition) by Jan Axelson is a must read for anyone wishing to incorporate USB HID into her/his application.

The component is developed during a project at the Avans Hogeschool in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.

Using the Code

In the provided sample application, there is a good demonstration on how to include the component. Moreover, the use of the component is very well demonstrated. The only thing that must be done in your own application is implementing the events.

You'll also have to override the following functions in your form, so that your program is USB aware. In the property box, you'll have to provide a vendor and product id of your USB device in order to detect the correct device.

C#
protected override void OnHandleCreated(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnHandleCreated(e);
usb.RegisterHandle(Handle);
}
protected override void WndProc(ref Messagea m)
{
usb.ParseMessages(ref m);
base.WndProc(ref m); // pass message on to base form
}

Points of Interest

A mouse is always in use by Windows, and cannot be captured by your own application. This also applies to HID devices in use by other applications.

History

  • 22nd March, 2007: First version, currently in development

Updates will be posted if there is a need for them.

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


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Comments and Discussions

 
Questionhow to send input on in-endpoint? Pin
jeffery c7-May-14 17:11
jeffery c7-May-14 17:11 
QuestionHow catch event from ConsoleApplication? Pin
Member 1062141925-Feb-14 4:08
Member 1062141925-Feb-14 4:08 
QuestionHow to connect USB HID device which doesn't have Product ID and Manufacture ID Pin
avisatna2-Feb-14 21:10
avisatna2-Feb-14 21:10 
GeneralMy vote of 3 Pin
Mic8-Aug-13 13:45
Mic8-Aug-13 13:45 
QuestionUsbLibrary in WPF application Pin
hassan azizi4-Aug-13 20:01
hassan azizi4-Aug-13 20:01 
AnswerRe: UsbLibrary in WPF application Pin
candude11-Apr-14 5:14
candude11-Apr-14 5:14 
QuestionLocking the USB Barcode Scanner Input Pin
Pasan Eeriyagama2-Jun-13 19:29
Pasan Eeriyagama2-Jun-13 19:29 
QuestionUsbLibrary.UsbHidPort Pin
kainraz27-May-13 7:57
kainraz27-May-13 7:57 
Could not find type 'UsbLibrary.UsbHidPort'. Please make sure that the assembly that contains this type is referenced. If this type is a part of your development project, make sure that the project has been successfully built using settings for your current platform or Any CPU.

I get that error when i try to run the code.. what could be happening? Confused | :confused:
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
Wolf_124-Apr-13 19:50
Wolf_124-Apr-13 19:50 
Questionuse your application can't send data to HID device,how to solve? Pin
xuyunhai16-Apr-13 21:58
xuyunhai16-Apr-13 21:58 
AnswerRe: use your application can't send data to HID device,how to solve? Pin
Member 1070322423-Sep-14 23:16
Member 1070322423-Sep-14 23:16 
QuestionDoes anybody know how to disconnect from the SpecifiedDevice? Pin
MozgC20-Jan-13 3:39
MozgC20-Jan-13 3:39 
AnswerRe: Does anybody know how to disconnect from the SpecifiedDevice? Pin
CZY200410-Apr-13 18:45
CZY200410-Apr-13 18:45 
Questionproblem with reference in usb hid component for c hsrp . what is the possible solution of this kind of warning. plz help Pin
sefat_23571121-Dec-12 9:52
sefat_23571121-Dec-12 9:52 
QuestionDataRecievedEventHandler Pin
Member 967835411-Dec-12 22:33
Member 967835411-Dec-12 22:33 
Questionmore than a device with same vid&pid? Pin
minkiaprof2-Nov-12 7:00
minkiaprof2-Nov-12 7:00 
QuestionC# - How to get the FriendlyName from USB Serial Port? Pin
silvio pontes29-Aug-12 18:24
silvio pontes29-Aug-12 18:24 
QuestionUse the component twice Pin
beattiet999-Aug-12 17:57
beattiet999-Aug-12 17:57 
AnswerRe: Use the component twice Pin
beattiet999-Aug-12 19:02
beattiet999-Aug-12 19:02 
QuestionI can not receive the responce from the device Pin
innaw1-Jun-12 11:02
innaw1-Jun-12 11:02 
GeneralRe: I can not receive the responce from the device Pin
Vladimir N.20-Jul-12 0:34
Vladimir N.20-Jul-12 0:34 
GeneralRe: I can not receive the responce from the device Pin
arpizt14-Aug-12 16:24
arpizt14-Aug-12 16:24 
GeneralRe: I can not receive the responce from the device Pin
Vladimir N.14-Aug-12 16:54
Vladimir N.14-Aug-12 16:54 
QuestionWhy is myPSP_DEVICE_INTERFACE_DETAIL_DATA.cbSize set to 5 Pin
__John_16-May-12 4:03
__John_16-May-12 4:03 
Questionusing HID to invoke SendInput key press events Pin
murmand30-Apr-12 3:48
murmand30-Apr-12 3:48 

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