Database Users

USB data input use on a non USB Host smartphone

Hy everyone,
First of all, thanks for this great forum which never fails to impress me.
I have a question which some of you might help answering: I'm wondering if it's possible to use the mini-usb port of my smartphone to get some data input.
Let me explain myself a bit more: I know that smartphones (HTC Touch for me) aren't USB hosts. However, the data connexions are still present.
Here's what I'd like to do: even though the smartphone can't control another peripheral, I'd like that external peripheral to send data to the smartphone, and the smartphone to use that data to control the screen. That would give an alternative way of controlling the screen.
The input would come from another touch surface, so my guess is that using the data to control the screen shouldn't be much of a problem.
So? Any idea if it's possible? What kind of platform/language would be nice to do that? C#?
(I have JAVA development experience, but I'm quite a newbie as far as Win Mobile devs are concerned. I'm willing to learn though
I think I searched this forum (and others) quite extensively before posting. If by any chance I missed a related post, I'd be glad to know about it

No ideas? Anyone?

Last up before I stop...

prob. not
i dont think that is technically possible. i think one has to be the host, and that host provides power. so to power the input device(im thinking keyboard) it would need the smartphone/ppc to be a host....
but i have no clue in this area...maybe someone could prove me wrong?

Hey, thanks for your answer.
The powering issues could be overcomed by cutting the cables and giving power from an external power source (I think several people have tried doing it, I need to find the links again). By the way, the peripheral itself is plugged on 110V, so there's plenty of available power
I'm not seeking here to "control" the device, just to aquire the signal it's sending... Does that seem feasible, or does the peripheral need to be somehow "activated" by a Host before sending anything?

Well, in order to get data, the host must ask the slave each time it needs some. Other things must be done by the host, like usb enumeration. That means there has to be a host or it won't work, unless you use usb on-the-go, but I do not know many devices that support it.

according to the qualcomm website, the msm chipsets support otg

USB host

Does any know if is possibile to connect a pen USB to HD2?
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

leo usb host (sponsored by google) gives THIS xda thread from feb last year,
(not very easily, is the actual answer)

i wanna bring this up again. would it be possible to port the usb host kernel patch from the nexus one or desire hd to the hd2 kernel?

+1 bump, i would be interested in this as well. The wiki states current kernel is the problem
http://htc-linux.org/wiki/index.php?title=Leo/Status
Code:
USB
Android Debug (ADB) works
Normal USB Ethernet works with patch from mobile-linux-discuss Mailing List - see Contact
USB Host is broken in current kernel (due to battery driver detection not working). see mailing list Contact
but i'm not sure which branch it refers to, .32 should have no problem with this. Should be portable from the N1, since it's the same SoC. We would also need an app for switching between Host and Slave mode

+1 for this feature, would love to copy the camera HQ snaps and upload to flickr while on the move. ALso keeping a backup pendrive with songs/videos will be wonderful too. The possibilities are actually endless

USB OTG / Host thread bump
I would like to bump the thread.
I recall USB host funcionality was successfully implemented to ubuntu distros kernel...
It was ported to android distros with loosing the USB gadjet funcionality (desire and nexus)
... but now there is a new light...
It is fully working on SGS2! this means no more: "android is not built for this"
are there any kernel devs interested in USB OTG for leo?
Is there anyone familiar how it's done in SGS2 kernel and android build so that it just works?

I thought it was the case that Leo does not supply any power to the USB port = tough to power devices :-(
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

smeddy said:
I thought it was the case that Leo does not supply any power to the USB port = tough to power devices :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Available information says it does not.
Possibly there are some microp commands to trigger some power when OTG is supposed to be active...
After all, power could be injected from an external source (this is how it works under linux distros: Ubuntu on Leo, Debian) so i think this would be the smallest problem

Today I saw that DFT has made the USB host working on WM6.5, so it is only a software limitation , and it is in the current kernel.
I've used an USBHost mode onmy DHD (with a patched kernel for USB host). Actually it can''t provide enough power to other devices, but with some power injection cable the Mass Storage works fine.
Also i saw in the EVO forum a guy who ported a DirectLink Display Drivers, so this will give us a TV-Out option.
So is there anyone working for solution?

Leo usb host development
Although I have not much experience in kernel development I will put all my efforts on figuring out a solution on this issue.
I have a question to ported Host mode to your DHD.
I have heard that when host mode is implemented to the kernel, one must sacrifice USB gadget (on this kernel only). Did you try ADB or multimount to connect to pc?
Host mode was successfully implemented into linux distro kernel and I may be wrong but I recall Dan1j3l mentioned somewhere that he was able to port the Sven Killig's host mode to Leo android kernel as well.
Besides, in the 2.6.37 kernel (CM) for Leo developent tree there are all of the files included, but the problem is that the kernel does not boot yet :/

ogonzuhnina said:
Although I have not much experience in kernel development I will put all my efforts on figuring out a solution on this issue.
I have a question to ported Host mode to your DHD.
I have heard that when host mode is implemented to the kernel, one must sacrifice USB gadget (on this kernel only). Did you try ADB or multimount to connect to pc?
Host mode was successfully implemented into linux distro kernel and I may be wrong but I recall Dan1j3l mentioned somewhere that he was able to port the Sven Killig's host mode to Leo android kernel as well.
Besides, in the 2.6.37 kernel (CM) for Leo developent tree there are all of the files included, but the problem is that the kernel does not boot yet :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since there are many (including myself) who are interested in this, maybe we should open a thread for DEVs (tag it with [DEV]) to see who can help with this. Hope that you will be successful with this.

separate [DEV] thread
sure, why not.
One thing I would suggest though
As i hate endless talks in threads (making them hard to get condenced info on the subject) maybe it would make sense to have a pair of threads: one with babbling, second with pure technical info and conclusions.
in case of my progress I am at the stage of reading, pulling trees, setting up environments, reading, reading, reading...
since there is a number of trees with host included I am planning to setup some sort of code visualisation tools to look for similarities and system solutions - will try to implement it further into our Leo kernel
... dont know where it will lead me, but with a little luck...

Just a little update (for those interested)
I managed to succesfully compile and boot a kernel with host patch roughly integrated.
I did not test if the host features worked or not, but at least the process is somehow working, and the source code is not totally messed up.
The symptoms observed within android are USB connection not recognized and no charging (effect of usb gadget functions being cut off; battery/charging driver dependent on usb connection state).
It is obvious that the way is still long, but at least there is some minor progress
I am not going to give up...yet
Whish me luck ;-)
(It's time to setup some gear and read lots more...)
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App

Thanks for your efforts I am definitely following this closely. Having USB Host would up the usability of this device hundred folds!!!!!
All the best!!!!!!!
ogonzuhnina said:
Just a little update (for those interested)
I managed to succesfully compile and boot a kernel with host patch roughly integrated.
I did not test if the host features worked or not, but at least the process is somehow working, and the source code is not totally messed up.
The symptoms observed within android are USB connection not recognized and no charging (effect of usb gadget functions being cut off; battery/charging driver dependent on usb connection state).
It is obvious that the way is still long, but at least there is some minor progress
I am not going to give up...yet
Whish me luck ;-)
(It's time to setup some gear and read lots more...)
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

no major updates yet :/
for anyone following...
Sorry for not giving any major update.
I did setup all required hardware, tested, but (as suspected) it didn't work yet.
I had to suspend host related activities due to uni stuff.
I expect to close my remaining issues within a week and get back to getting this bastard to work
cheers

ogonzuhnina said:
for anyone following...
Sorry for not giving any major update.
I did setup all required hardware, tested, but (as suspected) it didn't work yet.
I had to suspend host related activities due to uni stuff.
I expect to close my remaining issues within a week and get back to getting this bastard to work
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you have one person here faithfully following the progress All the best!

ogonzuhnina said:
for anyone following...
Sorry for not giving any major update.
I did setup all required hardware, tested, but (as suspected) it didn't work yet.
I had to suspend host related activities due to uni stuff.
I expect to close my remaining issues within a week and get back to getting this bastard to work
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, how are things coming along? I, for one, am very interested to see the results of your experimentation

why wont devs help u?
erlern said:
Hey, how are things coming along? I, for one, am very interested to see the results of your experimentation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 here too but i cant understand y devs are helping him with getting usb working especially with so many brilliant devs on here!!
---------- Post added at 07:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 PM ----------
maddoc1007 said:
+1 here too but i cant understand y devs are not helping him with getting usb working especially with so many brilliant devs on here!![/really meant y devs are not elping him me bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hi guys,
Thanks for the support.
Unfortunately I had no time to move anywhere forwards due to tough times at work :/
Comming week is (hopefuly) the last one, as next weekend I am planning to be a master in engineering
To explain the other devs:
the host capabilities of our android device seams a minor benefit, esspecially in comparison to 2.6.35 or .37 ongoing developments.
Let them do these serious stuff and left these /fairly/ simple ports to greenhorns
cheers

ogonzuhnina said:
Hi guys,
Thanks for the support.
Unfortunately I had no time to move anywhere forwards due to tough times at work :/
Comming week is (hopefuly) the last one, as next weekend I am planning to be a master in engineering
To explain the other devs:
the host capabilities of our android device seams a minor benefit, esspecially in comparison to 2.6.35 or .37 ongoing developments.
Let them do these serious stuff and left these /fairly/ simple ports to greenhorns
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for updating us Take your time then... you are starting your Masters or you are graduating?
Btw, I believe that the devs are not 'helping' because they do not know about this thread in the Q&A... would be nice if you can start a thread with a [DEV] tag. That would really get their attention. Just my 2 cents. I could gladly come up with one if you don't have the time.
Thanks.

USB Host Support?

I am sure this has been asked before but does anybody know of a rom that has USB host support. I am trying to run an app for my camera and it requires this to work.

I'm on the same boat, trying to buy that application, but i have looked all over the internet but no definitive answer, looks like the droid incredible has the function, I wonder why they EVO would not, I think we are going to have to take a chance, if it works, great!! If it doesn't, we'll be out $15.

Its not the rom that gives the phone host support, its the kernal and many other factors that make it work. I don't think its going to ever be possible on the evo.

It will be a very cold day in a normally hot place before you see USB host. I tried, and it's not that the hardware won't support it, just no dev interest.

OTG Support

While i was thinking is it possible to make OTG work on Touch Pro 2?
Any Software or ROM or Kernel updates will do?

You mean like USB Host Mode?
I don't think anyone looked into it. Android or WinMo...

arrrghhh said:
You mean like USB Host Mode?
I don't think anyone looked into it. Android or WinMo...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah , that is whats making me ask it, it would be awesome if that Hapenned., by the way is it Possible?

nikhil.pgm said:
Yeah , that is whats making me ask it, it would be awesome if that Hapenned., by the way is it Possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(Almost) anything is possible with enough time and determination...
Has it been done already? Not to my knowledge.

'Theoretically' you should be able to get this working. Like Arrrghhh said, anything is possible. I did get a usb otg cable for the rhodium (well, not FOR the rhodium, but 'theoretically' it should work) and found that this function is supported in the specs for our processor chip.
There are drivers and a pretty good source of information here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=480899
I never advanced past the point of realizing that while our phone 'probably' has the hardware to receive input from usb devices it cannot provide them with power to function. You seem to need to use an externally powered usb hub for those drivers to do you any good, and there really isn't anything On-The-Go about carrying around a usb hub and its power adapter! So it was at that point that I gave up. But, there is probably all the information you need in the thread I posted above to get you started.
Please post your findings if you have success/failure

Caldair said:
'Theoretically' you should be able to get this working. Like Arrrghhh said, anything is possible. I did get a usb otg cable for the rhodium (well, not FOR the rhodium, but 'theoretically' it should work) and found that this function is supported in the specs for our processor chip.
There are drivers and a pretty good source of information here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=480899
I never advanced past the point of realizing that while our phone 'probably' has the hardware to receive input from usb devices it cannot provide them with power to function. You seem to need to use an externally powered usb hub for those drivers to do you any good, and there really isn't anything On-The-Go about carrying around a usb hub and its power adapter! So it was at that point that I gave up. But, there is probably all the information you need in the thread I posted above to get you started.
Please post your findings if you have success/failure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely i would, leme work on that!

does the Froyo Build support OTG?
nikhil.pgm said:
Surely i would, leme work on that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1250199&highlight=7
its said that OTG isnt working in the Build
So does Android generally support OTG without any software support?
Can i get OTG support by just running in Android? ICS or CM or GB or Froyo?
[i m working on the Win6.5 OTG, ordered Host cable, waiting for it to arrive..]

nikhil.pgm said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1250199&highlight=7
its said that OTG isnt working in the Build
So does Android generally support OTG without any software support?
Can i get OTG support by just running in Android? ICS or CM or GB or Froyo?
[i m working on the Win6.5 OTG, ordered Host cable, waiting for it to arrive..]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That thread isn't talking about host mode, that thread is talking about transferring files via USB mass storage mode....
At any rate, I'm pretty sure the software simply supports it. Getting the hardware to talk properly is the hard part (again, as far as I understand it...)

arrrghhh said:
That thread isn't talking about host mode, that thread is talking about transferring files via USB mass storage mode....
At any rate, I'm pretty sure the software simply supports it. Getting the hardware to talk properly is the hard part (again, as far as I understand it...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got the Female cable, but it never took the flash drive, dont know why? Tried Zeno's Drivers and Also Leo's too but its not working out, does it require an external power supply?
any one got it working ever?

nikhil.pgm said:
i got the Female cable, but it never took the flash drive, dont know why? Tried Zeno's Drivers and Also Leo's too but its not working out, does it require an external power supply?
any one got it working ever?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one ever got it working, I thought I made that perfectly clear...
I'm not sure what you need, again there's probably quite a bit of legwork that you'll need to do in order for it to talk on our devices. I don't think you can just "use" the LEO drivers in this case - however, adapting them might be a good place to start.

nikhil.pgm said:
i got the Female cable, but it never took the flash drive, dont know why? Tried Zeno's Drivers and Also Leo's too but its not working out, does it require an external power supply?
any one got it working ever?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I read somewhere that the TP2 can not provide power. You had to use a powered usb hub + device to have a chance at getting it working.
The downside being that you had all this stuff to haul around if you wanted to use an OTG cable.

[Q] Galaxy Note 4 - 7" / Will root allow USB host?

Hi everyone, I bought the SM-T230NU while on holiday and just tried to use it with a USB to mirco-USB adapter, only to realize this tablet doesn't allow USB host !
I'miss a little pissed and after scanning through the XDA forum I'm still not certain whether the root will allow me to enable this function, could someone let me know if they've found a solution to this ?
I would just like to be able to read USB flash drives directly off of the the tablet, nothing complicated, I can'tell believe Samsung would forget this function on the 7" version but include it on the 8"!

DeLime said:
Hi everyone, I bought the SM-T230NU while on holidaya and just tried to use it with a USB to mirco-USB adapter, only to realize this tablet doesn't allow USB host !
I'miss a little posses and after scanning through the XDA forum I'm still not certain whether the root will allow me to enable this function, could someone let me know if they've found a solution to this ?
I would just like to be able to read USB flash drives directly off of the the tablet, nothing complicated, I can'tell believe Samsung would forget this function on the 7" version but include it on the 8"!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just became a xda user, so just trying to help out by replying...
You've probably seen this thread by now, but lists details of how to detect USB host support.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1493325
I don't think root will give access to USB OTG if it doesn't support this feature out-of-the-box.
It sounds like a kernel customization functionality which is not a simple solution that you are looking for.

In a round about way....
Persistent Root will allow custom recovery> will allow flash-able ROMS> Will allow custom kernals> Will allow OTG.
tab4 7 currently has the first two but no source for the second two. So currently, no OTG support.
I just purchased one (yesterday) due to size constraints, and its the cheapest(only) 7" tablet I could find that was less than 111mm wide. But my application that limits the size also requires OTG. So here's hoping that the most excellent and smart peoples of XDA can pull through for us.

Flashable ROMS for SM-T230NU ? are you talking of the flashable Stock Roms available on this Sub or some other custom Rom I'm not aware of yet?

No, it seems that the poor tab 4 7" has both a root and custom recovery, but alas, no flash-able roms or custom kernels. And I've all but given up hope that there will ever be any forward progress on this device. Seems that when knowledgeable (in this area) people find out the hardware in the 7" they just return it for the 8". I have a space limitation that very specifically necessitated the use of the tab 4 7" so I bought it and used it in the hopes that there will be development for it in the future. Doesn't look like there is hope that will ever happen. Mostly I just need OTG + Charging ability.
Maybe when prices get low enough for the 7" I will just buy one and send it to a well known developer to see if he can do anything with it. Still, even then, if there's no way to do anything with it...