Are you tired of being restricted by the limitations of your Bluetooth keyboard? Have you ever wanted to use your keyboard to access your computer’s BIOS or use it with devices that only support USB keyboards? If so, we have a solution for you! With the Bluetooth to HID package and a Raspberry Pi Zero W, you can transform your regular Bluetooth keyboard into a versatile and flexible HID (Human Interface Device) that communicates through a USB port. Let’s dive into the details and explore how this setup works.
### Simplifying the Setup
Setting up your Raspberry Pi Zero W as a Bluetooth keyboard dongle may sound complicated, but fear not! We have simplified the process for you. All you need to do is follow these steps:
1. Prepare your Raspberry Pi Zero W using the Raspberry Pi Imager, ensuring the correct Wi-Fi settings and SSH are enabled.
2. Connect to your Raspberry Pi Zero W via SSH and update the system using the command `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y`.
3. Clone the Bluetooth to HID repository onto your Raspberry Pi Zero W.
4. Pair your Bluetooth keyboard with the Raspberry Pi using the `bluetoothctl` command. Follow the step-by-step instructions, and don’t forget to note down the keyboard’s MAC address.
5. Test the software by running `$ sudo bluetooth_2_hid.py -t -d` on your Raspberry Pi. This command will check if the software can read the Bluetooth keyboard inputs and translate them to HID commands. If the test is successful, proceed to the next step; otherwise, review and repeat steps 1-4.
6. To automate the setup process at startup, run `sudo install.sh`. This script will install all the necessary components and end with a reboot.
### Known Bugs and Future Enhancements
While the Bluetooth to HID package offers a seamless Bluetooth keyboard dongle solution, it’s essential to be aware of a known bug. If the Bluetooth keyboard enters energy-saving mode, it will be no longer detected by the Raspberry Pi, causing the script to crash. The input device `/dev/input/event0` will become unavailable. We recommend keeping this in mind and considering a fix or workaround for this issue.
There are also some future enhancements that you can explore once you successfully set up your Raspberry Pi Zero W as a HID proxy for your Bluetooth keyboard. Two significant improvements include:
1. Setting Raspbian as read-only: This precautionary step protects the SD card from corruption when powering off the Raspberry Pi. Since we won’t be shutting down the Pi properly, but rather cutting off its power when shutting down the PC, there is a risk of damaging the system if it’s in the middle of writing a file.
2. Addressing startup delays: By default, during the Raspberry Pi configuration, SSH and Wi-Fi network connection services take around 12 seconds to start. This delay could prevent you from accessing your computer’s BIOS since it’s unlikely that the system will be ready to execute the Bluetooth-to-HID script. Finding a way to reduce or eliminate this delay would enhance the overall user experience.
### Acknowledgments and Licensing
This Bluetooth to HID project builds upon the ideas and code logic originally developed by Mike Redrobe. We would like to thank Mike for his contributions and providing the foundation for this exciting project. Additional code clarifications were provided by Alle Beiträge von Tobi, and we would like to express our gratitude for their insights. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge Ondřej Hruška for his comprehensive list of HID codes, which proved invaluable in the development process.
The Bluetooth to HID package is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. You can find the detailed license information and the source code on the repository’s page.
### Conclusion
With the Bluetooth to HID package and a Raspberry Pi Zero W, you can unlock the true potential of your Bluetooth keyboard. Say goodbye to limitations and hello to flexibility and adaptability. Whether you need to access your computer’s BIOS or connect your keyboard to devices that only support USB inputs, this solution has got you covered. Now, it’s time to unleash your creativity and start exploring the countless possibilities that this setup offers.
Stay tuned for future updates and enhancements, as we continue to improve the Bluetooth to HID package. Your feedback and contributions are invaluable, so if you encounter any issues or have suggestions for additional features, please let us know. Together, we can revolutionize the way we interact with our devices!
Happy hacking!
Leave a Reply