Getting started with creating USB devices

[alexgeek]

I'd like to get into making my own usb components like controllers with buttons and sensors but I'm not sure where to start and the cost of the whole operation. Could someone give me an insight/few links to get me started?

[InfestedDemon]

Why not just take apart existing USB devices and learn how they are connected .etc - Ryan

[wkeenan]

there are a few tiny ARM based USB dongles you can play with. http://www.gumstix.com/products.html
They tend to have both USB host and device capability (e.g. appear as a device to a PC or can have USB devices plugin into them, e.g. pendrives.)
The core ARM chips often have alot of IO options (TWI (cameras, GPS), GPIO (buttons) )that you can connect to, have look at the gumstick expansion boards. (e.g. the 'breakout' )

[alexgeek]

Why not just take apart existing USB devices and learn how they are connected .etc - Ryan

Because i want to program the firmware etc. I've taken apart wifi adpaters and flash memory sticks in the past but not really learn anything as I didnt know what I was looking at. The gumstix site seems to be only for the gumstix computers.. I want to make devices for windows. Any more suggestions? thanks :)

[GW02]

I'd start by doing some development from the software end of things - write some low level code or drivers or something for existing USB controllers with sensors. That should give you a good idea of what you'll need when you work on the hardware end.

[alexgeek]

Thats sounds like a good idea.. but I don't even know where to start with that :/

[mlk]

look for arduino on the internets

though I think the usb connection is mostly for uploading code to the microcontroller

[MTsoul]

Get a book on the USB spec. Then get a book on Windows / Linux / Mac OS X / your OS drivers development. Then code it.

[TheCanadian]

don't drink ;) (http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=303572)

[Jeff Wheeler]

look for arduino on the internets

though I think the usb connection is mostly for uploading code to the microcontroller

I second the Arduino (http://arduino.cc) suggestion. It actually is treated as a serial device, but can use the USB port (it just simplifies access to USB so it can be treated as a serial port).

With that, the Arduino can communicate with an onboard serial library, and the computer can talk back using a serial library (there is one available for most every language around). It’s pretty fun to learn about, too.

[hl]

I third the Arduino suggestion.