HID 1.11

6/27/01

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Device Class Definition

for Human Interface

Devices (HID)

Firmware Specification—5/27/01

Version 1.11

Please send comments via electronic mail to:

hidcomments@usb.org

6/27/01

Contents

iii

1. Preface ........................................................................................................ vii

1.1 Intellectual Property Disclaimer ............................................................ vii

1.2 Contributors........................................................................................... vii

1.3 Scope of this Revision .......................................................................... viii

1.4 Revision History................................................................................... viii

1.5 Document Conventions .......................................................................... ix

2. Introduction .................................................................................................. 1

2.1 Scope ....................................................................................................... 1

2.2 Purpose .................................................................................................... 2

2.3 Related Documents ................................................................................. 3

3. Management Overview ................................................................................ 4

4. Functional Characteristics ............................................................................ 7

4.1 The HID Class ......................................................................................... 7

4.2 Subclass ................................................................................................... 8

4.3 Protocols. ................................................................................................. 9

4.4 Interfaces ............................................................................................... 10

4.5 Device Limitations ................................................................................ 11

5. Operational Model ...................................................................................... 12

5.1 Device Descriptor Structure .................................................................. 12

5.2 Report Descriptors ................................................................................ 14

5.3 Generic Item Format ............................................................................. 14

5.4 Item Parser ............................................................................................ 15

5.5 Usages ................................................................................................... 17

5.6 Reports .................................................................................................. 17

5.7 Strings ................................................................................................... 18

5.8 Format of Multibyte Numeric Values ................................................... 19

5.9 Orientation ............................................................................................ 20

5.10 Null Values........................................................................................ 20

6. Descriptors. ................................................................................................. 21

6.1 Standard Descriptors ............................................................................. 21

6.2 Class-Specific Descriptors .................................................................... 21

6.2.1 HID Descriptor .............................................................................. 22

6.2.2 Report Descriptor .......................................................................... 23

6.2.2.1 Items Types and Tags ............................................................ 26

6.2.2.2 Short Items ............................................................................ 26

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iv Contents

6.2.2.3 Long items ............................................................................. 27

6.2.2.4 Main Items ............................................................................ 28

6.2.2.5 Input, Output, and Feature Items ........................................... 29

6.2.2.6 Collection, End Collection Items .......................................... 33

6.2.2.7 Global Items .......................................................................... 35

6.2.2.8 Local Items ............................................................................ 39

6.2.2.9 Padding .................................................................................. 42

6.2.3 Physical Descriptors ...................................................................... 43

7. Requests ..................................................................................................... 48

7.1 Standard Requests ................................................................................. 48

7.1.1 Get_Descriptor Request ................................................................ 49

7.1.2 Set_Descriptor Request ................................................................. 50

7.2 Class-Specific Requests ........................................................................ 50

7.2.1 Get_Report Request ...................................................................... 51

7.2.2 Set_Report Request ....................................................................... 52

7.2.3 Get_Idle Request ........................................................................... 52

7.2.4 Set_Idle Request ............................................................................ 52

7.2.5 Get_Protocol Request .................................................................... 54

7.2.6 Set_Protocol Request .................................................................... 54

8. Report Protocol........................................................................................... 55

8.1 Report Types ......................................................................................... 55

8.2 Report Format for Standard Items ......................................................... 55

8.3 Report Format for Array Items. ............................................................. 56

8.4 Report Constraints ................................................................................. 57

8.5 Report Example ..................................................................................... 57

Appendix A: Usage Tags ...................................................................................... 59

Appendix B: Boot Interface Descriptors .............................................................. 59

B.1 Protocol 1 (Keyboard) ............................................................................... 59

B.2 Protocol 2 (Mouse) .................................................................................... 61

Appendix C: Keyboard Implementation ............................................................... 62

Appendix D: Example Report Descriptors ........................................................... 64

D.1 Example Joystick Descriptor .................................................................... 64

Appendix E: Example USB Descriptors for HID Class Devices .......................... 66

E.1 Device Descriptor ...................................................................................... 66

E.2 Configuration Descriptor ........................................................................... 67

E.3 Interface Descriptor (Keyboard)................................................................ 67

E.4 HID Descriptor (Keyboard). ...................................................................... 68

E.5 Endpoint Descriptor (Keyboard) ............................................................... 68

E.6 Report Descriptor (Keyboard) ................................................................... 69

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E.8 HID Descriptor (Mouse) ........................................................................... 70

E.9 Endpoint Descriptor (Mouse) .................................................................... 70

E.10 Report Descriptor (Mouse) ...................................................................... 71

E.11 String Descriptors .................................................................................... 72

Appendix F: Legacy Keyboard Implementation ................................................... 73

F.1 Purpose ...................................................................................................... 73

F.2 Management Overview .............................................................................. 73

F.3 Boot Keyboard Requirements.................................................................... 74

F.4 Keyboard: Non-USB Aware System Design Requirements ...................... 75

F.5 Keyboard: Using the Keyboard Boot Protocol .......................................... 75

Appendix G: HID Request Support Requirements ............................................... 78

Appendix H: Glossary Definitions ........................................................................ 79

Contents

E.7 Interface Descriptor (Mouse) .................................................................... 70

vii

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Preface

1.1

Intellectual Property Disclaimer

THIS SPECIFICATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER

INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR

PURPOSE, OR ANY WARRANTY OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF ANY PROPOSAL,

SPECIFICATION, OR SAMPLE.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT OF USB IMPLEMENTERS FORUM’S RIGHTS, USB

IMPLEMENTERS FORUM HEREBY GRANTS A LICENSE UNDER COPYRIGHT TO REPRODUCE

THIS SPECIFICATION FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY (E.G., ONLY WITHIN THE COMPANY OR

ORGANIZATION THAT PROPERLY DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THE

SPECIFICATION FROM USB IMPLEMENTERS FORUM, OR FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, ONLY FOR

USE BY THAT INDIVIDUAL). THIS SPECIFICATION MAY NOT BE REPUBLISHED

EXTERNALLY OR OTHERWISE TO THE PUBLIC.

IT IS CONTEMPLATED THAT MANY IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THIS SPECIFICATION (E.G., IN A

PRODUCT) DO NOT REQUIRE A LICENSE TO USE THIS SPECIFICATION UNDER COPYRIGHT.

FOR CLARITY, HOWEVER, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT OF USB IMPLEMENTERS FORUM’S

RIGHTS, USB IMPLEMENTERS FORUM HEREBY GRANTS A LICENSE UNDER COPYRIGHT TO

USE THIS SPECIFICATION AS REASONABLY NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS

SPECIFICATION (E.G., IN A PRODUCT).

NO OTHER LICENSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY ESTOPPEL OR OTHERWISE, TO ANY PATENT

OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IS GRANTED OR INTENDED HEREBY.

USB IMPLEMENTERS FORUM AND THE AUTHORS OF THIS SPECIFICATION DISCLAIM ALL

LIABILITY, INCLUDING LIABILITY FOR INFRINGEMENT OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS,

RELATING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION IN THIS SPECIFICATION. AUTHORS OF

THIS SPECIFICATION ALSO DO NOT WARRANT OR REPRESENT THAT SUCH

IMPLEMENTATION(S) WILL NOT INFRINGE SUCH RIGHTS.

All product names are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective owners.

1.2

Contributors

While many people contributed to this document, only one contributor is listed

from each organization.

Company Contact

Alps Mike Bergman

Cybernet Tom Peurach

DEC Tom Schmidt

Intel Steve McGowan

Key Tronic Corporation Jodi Crowe

LCS/Telegraphics Robert Dezmelyk

Logitech Remy Zimmermann

Microsoft Corporation Mike Van Flandern

NCR Bob Nathan

Sun Microsystems Mike Davis

ThrustMaster Joe Rayhawk

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viii Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

1.3

Scope of this Revision

This version 1.11 release incorporates all review requests approved at it’s release

date that apply to the USB Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices

(HID Specification).

1.4

Revision History

Version

Release date

Description

1.11

6/27/01

1.11 Release.

Incorporated HID review requests: 39, 53, 60, 61, and

62.

1.1

4/7/99

1.1 Release.

Incorporated HID review requests: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,

23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 35 and 52.

Removed Usage Table sections. These can be found in

the Universal Serial Bus HID Usage Tables document.

1.0

1/30/96

1.0 Release.

Preface

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1.5

Document Conventions

This specification uses the following typographic conventions

Example of convention Description

Get_Report, Report Words in bold with initial letter capitalized

indicate elements with special meaning

such as requests, descriptors, descriptor

sets, classes, or subclasses.

Data, Non-Data Proper-cased words are used to distinguish

types or categories of things. For example

Data and Non-Data type Main items.

BValue Italicized letters or words indicate

placeholders for information supplied by

the developer.

bValue, bcdName, wOther Placeholder prefixes such as ‘b’, ‘bcd’, and

‘w’ are used to denote placeholder type. For

example:

b bits or bytes; dependent on context

bcd binary-coded decimal

bm bitmap

d descriptor

i index

w word

[bValue] Items inside square brackets are optional.

... Ellipses in syntax, code, or samples indicate

‘and so on...’ where additional optional

items may be included (defined by the

developer).

{this (0) | that (1)} Braces and a vertical bar indicate a choice

between two or more items or associated

values.

Collection

End Collection

This font is used for code, pseudo-code, and

samples.

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See Also

For more information on terms and terminology, see Appendix H: Glossary

Definitions. The rest of this document assumes you have read and

understood the terminology defined in the glossary.

See Also

The USB Specification is recommended pre-reading for understanding the

content of this document. See Section 2.3: Related Documents.

Introduction

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a communications architecture that gives a personal

computer (PC) the ability to interconnect a variety of devices using a simple four-

wire cable. The USB is actually a two-wire serial communication link that runs at

either 1.5 or 12 megabits per second (mbs). USB protocols can configure devices

at startup or when they are plugged in at run time. These devices are broken into

various device classes. Each device class defines the common behavior and

protocols for devices that serve similar functions. Some examples of USB device

classes are shown in the following table:

Device Class Example Device

Display Monitor

Communication Modem

Audio Speakers

Mass storage Hard drive

Human interface Data glove

2.1

Scope

This document describes the Human Interface Device (HID) class for use with

Universal Serial Bus (USB). Concepts from the USB Specification are used but

not explained in this document.

The HID class consists primarily of devices that are used by humans to control

the operation of computer systems. Typical examples of HID class devices

include:



Keyboards and pointing devices—for example, standard mouse devices,

trackballs, and joysticks.



Front-panel controls—for example: knobs, switches, buttons, and sliders.



Controls that might be found on devices such as telephones, VCR remote

controls, games or simulation devices—for example: data gloves, throttles,

steering wheels, and rudder pedals.

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See Also

For more conceptual information, see the USB Specification, Chapter 9,

“USB Device Framework..” See Section 2.3: Related Documents.



Devices that may not require human interaction but provide data in a similar

format to HID class devices—for example, bar-code readers, thermometers, or

voltmeters.

Many typical HID class devices include indicators, specialized displays, audio

feedback, and force or tactile feedback. Therefore, the HID class definition

includes support for various types of output directed to the end user.

Note Force feedback devices requiring real time interaction are covered in a

separate document titled “USB Physical Interface Device (PID) Class.”

2.2

Purpose

This document is intended to supplement the USB Specification and provide HID

manufacturers with the information necessary to build USB-compatible devices. It

also specifies how the HID class driver should extract data from USB devices.

The primary and underlying goals of the HID class definition are to:



Be as compact as possible to save device data space.



Allow the software application to skip unknown information.



Be extensible and robust.



Support nesting and collections.



Be self-describing to allow generic software applications.

Introduction

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2.3

See Also

The Audio Class Specification defines audio device transport requirements

in greater detail. See Section 2.3: Related Documents.

Functional Characteristics

This section describes the functional characteristics of the HID:



Class



Subclass



Interfaces

4.1

The HID Class

USB devices are segmented into device classes that:



Have similar data transport requirements.



Share a single class driver.

For example, Audio class devices require isochronous data pipes. HID class

devices have different (and much simpler) transport requirements. The transport

requirements for HID class devices are identified in this document.

Note USB devices with data requirements outside the range of defined classes

must provide their own class specifications and drivers as defined by the USB

Specification. See Section 2.3: Related Documents.

A USB device may be a single class type or it may be composed of multiple

classes. For example, a telephone hand set might use features of the HID, Audio,

and Telephony classes. This is possible because the class is specified in the

Interface descriptor and not the Device descriptor. This is discussed further in

Section 5.1: Device Descriptor Structure.

The USB Core Specification defines the HID class code. The bInterfaceClass

member of an Interface descriptor is always 3 for HID class devices.

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See Also

Boot Report descriptors are listed in Appendix B: Boot Interface

Descriptors. For HID subclass and protocol codes, see Appendix E:

Example USB Descriptors for HID Class Devices.

4.2

Subclass

During the early development of the HID specification, subclasses were intended

to be used to identify the specific protocols of different types of HID class

devices. While this mirrors the model currently in use by the industry (all devices

use protocols defined by similar popular devices), it quickly became apparent that

this approach was too restrictive. That is, devices would need to fit into narrowly

defined subclasses and would not be able to provide any functionality beyond that

supported by the subclass.

The HID committee agreed on the improbability that subclass protocols for all

possible (and yet to be conceived) devices could be defined. In addition, many

known devices seemed to straddle multiple classifications—for example,

keyboards with locators, or locators that provided keystrokes. Consequently, the

HID class does not use subclasses to define most protocols. Instead, a HID class

device identifies its data protocol and the type of data provided within its Report

descriptor.

The Report descriptor is loaded and parsed by the HID class driver as soon as the

device is detected. Protocols for existing and new devices are created by mixing

data types within the Report descriptor.

Note Because the parser for the Report descriptor represents a significant

amount of code, a simpler method is needed to identify the device protocol for

devices requiring BIOS support (Boot Devices). HID class devices use the

Subclass part to indicate devices that support a predefined protocol for either

mouse devices or keyboards (that is, the device can be used as a Boot Device).

The boot protocol can be extended to include additional data not recognized by

the BIOS, or the device may support a second preferred protocol for use by the

HID class driver.

The bInterfaceSubClass member declares whether a device supports a boot

interface, otherwise it is 0.

Subclass Codes

Subclass Code Description

No Subclass

Boot Interface Subclass

2 - 255 Reserved

Functional Characteristics

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4.3

Protocols

A variety of protocols are supported HID devices. The bInterfaceProtocol

member of an Interface descriptor only has meaning if the bInterfaceSubClass

member declares that the device supports a boot interface, otherwise it is 0.

Protocol Codes

Protocol Code Description

None

Keyboard

Mouse

- 255 Reserved

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See Also

For details about the Control pipe, see the USB Specification. See Section

2.3: Related Documents.

4.4

Interfaces

A HID class device communicates with the HID class driver using either the

Control (default) pipe or an Interrupt pipe.

The Control pipe is used for:



Receiving and responding to requests for USB control and class data.



Transmitting data when polled by the HID class driver (using the Get_Report

request).



Receiving data from the host.

The Interrupt pipe are used for:



Receiving asynchronous (unrequested) data from the device.



Transmitting low latency data to the device.

The Interrupt Out pipe is optional. If a device declares an Interrupt Out endpoint

then Output reports are transmitted by the host to the device through the Interrupt

Out endpoint. If no Interrupt Out endpoint is declared then Output reports are

transmitted to a device through the Control endpoint, using Set_Report(Output)

requests.

Note Endpoint 0 is a Control pipe always present in USB devices. Therefore,

only the Interrupt In pipe is described for the Interface descriptor using an

Endpoint descriptor. In fact, several Interface descriptors may share Endpoint 0.

An Interrupt Out pipe is optional and requires an additional Endpoint descriptor

if declared.

Pipe Description Required

Control (Endpoint 0) USB control, class request codes, and Y

polled data (Message data).

Interrupt In Data in, that is, data from device (Stream Y

data).

Interrupt Out Data out, that is, data to the device (Stream N

data).

Functional Characteristics

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4.5

Device Limitations

This specification applies to both high-speed and low-speed HID class devices.

Each type of device possesses various limitations, as defined in Chapter 5 of the

Universal Serial Bus Specification.

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Operational Model

This section outlines the basic operational model of a HID class device.

Flowchart elements represent tables of information with the firmware.

5.1

Device Descriptor Structure

At the topmost level, a descriptor includes two tables of information referred to as

the Device descriptor and the String descriptor. A standard USB Device

descriptor specifies the Product ID and other information about the device. For

example, Device descriptor fields primarily include:



Class



Subclass



Vendor



Product



Version

For HID class devices, the:



Class type is not defined at the Device descriptor level. The class type for a

HID class device is defined by the Interface descriptor.

Operational Model

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See Also

The HID class driver identifies the exact type of device and features by

examining additional class-specific descriptors. For more information, see

Section 6.2: Class-Specific Descriptors. For methods of descriptor retrieval,

see Section 7: Requests



Subclass field is used to identify Boot Devices.

Note The bDeviceClass and bDeviceSubClass fields in the Device Descriptor

should not be used to identify a device as belonging to the HID class. Instead use

the bInterfaceClass and bInterfaceSubClass fields in the Interface descriptor.

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5.2

Report Descriptors

Preceding descriptors are illustrated by flowchart items that represent tables of

information. Each table of information can be thought of as a block of data.

Instead of a block of data, Report descriptors are composed of pieces of

information. Each piece of information is called an Item.

5.3

Generic Item Format

An item is piece of information about the device. All items have a one-byte prefix

that contains the item tag, item type, and item size.

An item may include optional item data. The size of the data portion of an item is

determined by its fundamental type. There are two basic types of items: short

items and long items. If the item is a short item, its optional data size may be 0, 1,

2, or 4 bytes. If the item is a long item, its bSize value is always 2. The following

example illustrates possible values within the 1-byte prefix for a long item.

Operational Model

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5.4

Item Parser

The HID class driver contains a parser used to analyze items found in the Report

descriptor. The parser extracts information from the descriptor in a linear fashion.

The parser collects the state of each known item as it walks through the

descriptor, and stores them in an item state table. The item state table contains the

state of individual items.

From the parser’s point of view, a HID class device looks like the following

figure:

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See Also

For details, see Section 8: Report Protocol.

When some items are encountered, the contents of the item state table are moved.

These items include all Main, Push, and Pop items.



When a Main item is found, a new report structure is allocated and initialized

with the current item state table. All Local items are then removed from the

item state table, but Global items remain. In this way, Global items set the

default value for subsequent new Main items. A device with several similar

controls—for example, six axes—would need to define the Global items only

once prior to the first Main item.

Note Main items are associated with a collection by the order in which they

are declared. A new collection starts when the parser reaches a Collection

item. The item parser associates with a collection all Main items defined

between the Collection item and the next End Collection item.



When a Push item is encountered, the item state table is copied and placed on

a stack for later retrieval.



When a Pop item is found, the item state table is replaced with the top table

from the stack. For example:

Unit (Meter), Unit Exponent (-3), Push, Unit Exponent (0)

When the parser reaches a Push item, it places the items defining units of

millimeters (10

-3

meters) on the stack. The next item changes the item state

table to units of meters (10

meters).

The parser is required to parse through the whole Report descriptor to find all

Main items. This is necessary in order to analyze reports sent by the device.

Operational Model

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See Also

For an example, see Appendix E. 10: Report Descriptor (Mouse).

5.5

Usages

Usages are part of the Report descriptor and supply an application developer with

information about what a control is actually measuring. In addition, a Usage tag

indicates the vendor’s suggested use for a specific control or group of controls.

While Report descriptors describe the format of the data—for example, three 8-

bit fields—a Usage tag defines what should be done with the data—for example,

x, y, and z input. This feature allows a vendor to ensure that the user sees

consistent function assignments to controls across applications.

A Report descriptor can have multiple Usage tags. There is a one-to-one

correspondence between usages and controls, one usage control defined in the

descriptor. An array indicates that each field of a Report descriptor represents

several physical controls. Each control may have attributes such as a usage

assigned to it. For example, an array of four buttons could have a unique Usage

tag for each button.

A Usage is interpreted as a 32 bit unsigned value where the high order 16 bits

defines the Usage Page and the low order 16 bits defines a Usage ID. Usage IDs

are used to select individual Usage on a Usage Page.

5.6

Reports

Using USB terminology, a device may send or receive a transaction every USB

frame (1 millisecond). A transaction may be made up of multiple packets (token,

data, handshake) but is limited in size to 8 bytes for low-speed devices and 64

bytes for high-speed devices. A transfer is one or more transactions creating a set

of data that is meaningful to the device—for example, Input, Output, and

Feature reports. In this document, a transfer is synonymous with a report.

Most devices generate reports, or transfers, by returning a structure in which each

data field is sequentially represented. However, some devices may have multiple

report structures on a single endpoint, each representing only a few data fields.

For example, a keyboard with an integrated pointing device could independently

report “key press” data and “pointing” data over the same endpoint. Report ID

items are used to indicate which data fields are represented in each report

structure. A Report ID item tag assigns a 1-byte identification prefix to each

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See Also

For details, see Appendix E: Example USB Descriptors for HID Class

Devices.

report transfer. If no Report ID item tags are present in the Report descriptor, it

can be assumed that only one Input, Output, and Feature report structure exists

and together they represent all of the device’s data.

Note Only Input reports are sent via the Interrupt In pipe. Feature and

Output reports must be initiated by the host via the Control pipe or an optional

Interrupt Out pipe.

If a device has multiple report structures, all data transfers start with a 1-byte

identifier prefix that indicates which report structure applies to the transfer. This

allows the class driver to distinguish incoming pointer data from keyboard data by

examining the transfer prefix.

5.7

Strings

A collection or data field can have a particular label (string index) associated with

it. Strings are optional.

The Usage tag of an item is not necessarily the same as a string associated with

the Main item. However, strings may be useful when a vendor-defined usage is

required. The String descriptor contains a list of text strings for the device.

Operational Model

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5.8

Format of Multibyte Numeric Values

Multibyte numeric values in reports are represented in little-endian format, with

the least significant byte at the lowest address. The Logical Minimum and Logical

Maximum values identify the range of values that will be found in a report. If

Logical Minimum and Logical Maximum are both positive values then a sign bit

is unnecessary in the report field and the contents of a field can be assumed to be

an unsigned value. Otherwise, all integer values are signed values represented in

2’s complement format. Floating point values are not allowed.

The least significant bit in a value is stored in bit 0, the next more significant in

bit 1 and so on up to the size of the value. The following example illustrates bit

Byte 3 Byte 2 Byte 1 Byte 0

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Default Value 0

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

(MSb)

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

(LSb) (MSb) (LSb)

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

(MSb) (LSb)

Button 1

Button 2

Button 3

Y Axis: 12 - Bits X Axis: 12 - Bits Report ID

representation of a long integer value.

Byte Bits

0 0-7

1 8-15

2 16-23

3 24-31

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

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5.9

Orientation

HID class devices are encouraged, where possible, to use a right-handed

coordinate system. If a user is facing a device, report values should increase as

controls are moved from left to right (X), from far to near (Y) and from high to

low (Z).

Controls reporting binary data should use the convention 0 = off, or False, and 1 =

on, or True. Examples of such controls are keys, buttons, power switches, and

device proximity sensors.

5.10

Null Values

HID class devices support the ability to ignore selected fields in a report at run-

time. This is accomplished by declaring bit field in a report that is capable of

containing a range of values larger than those actually generated by the control. If

the host or the device receives an out-of-range value then the current value for the

respective control will not be modified.

A hardware developer must carefully evaluate the controls in an individual report

to determine how an application on the host will use them. If there are any

situations in which an application will not modify a particular field every time the

report is sent to the device, then the field should provide a Null value. With Null

values, the host can initialize all fields in a report that it does not wish to modify

to their null (out-of-range) value and set the fields that it wishes to modify to valid

(in-range) values.

If an 8-bit field is declared and the range of valid values is 0 to 0x7F then any

value between 0x80 and 0xFF will be considered out of range and ignored when

received. The initialization of null values in a report is much easier if they are all

the same.

NOTE: It is highly recommended that 0 be included in the set of Null values so

that report buffers can simply be set to zero to establish the “don’t care” state for

all fields.

Descriptors

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See Also

For details about these descriptors as defined for a HID class device, see

Appendix E: Example USB Descriptors for HID Class Devices. For

general information about standard USB descriptors, see Chapter 9 of the

USB Specification, “USB Device Framework.”

Descriptors

6.1

Standard Descriptors

The HID class device class uses the following standard USB descriptors:



Device



Configuration



Interface



Endpoint



String

6.2

Class-Specific Descriptors

Each device class includes one or more class-specific descriptors. These

descriptors differ from standard USB descriptors. A HID class device uses the

following class-specific descriptors:



HID



Report



Physical

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Description

6.2.1 HID Descriptor

The HID descriptor identifies the length and type of subordinate descriptors for a

device.

Parts Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description

Remarks

bLength 0/1 Numeric expression that is the total size of the

HID descriptor.

bDescriptorType 1/1 Constant name specifying type of HID

descriptor.

bcdHID 2/2 Numeric expression identifying the HID Class

Specification release.

bCountryCode 4/1 Numeric expression identifying country code of

the localized hardware.

bNumDescriptors 5/1 Numeric expression specifying the number of

class descriptors (always at least one i.e. Report

descriptor.)

bDescriptorType 6/1 Constant name identifying type of class

descriptor. See Section 7.1.2: Set_Descriptor

Request for a table of class descriptor constants.

wDescriptorLength 7/2 Numeric expression that is the total size of the

Report descriptor.

[bDescriptorType]... 9/1 Constant name specifying type of optional

descriptor.

[wDescriptorLength]... 10/2 Numeric expression that is the total size of the

optional descriptor.



If an optional descriptor is specified, a corresponding length entry must also be

specified.



Multiple optional descriptors and associated lengths may be specified up to

offset (3*n)+6 and (3*n)+7 respectively.



The value bNumDescriptors identifies the number of additional class specific

descriptors present. This number must be at least one (1) as a Report

descriptor will always be present. The remainder of the HID descriptor has the

length and type of each additional class descriptor.



The value bCountryCode identifies which country the hardware is localized

for. Most hardware is not localized and thus this value would be zero (0).

However, keyboards may use the field to indicate the language of the key caps.

Devices are not required to place a value other than zero in this field, but some

operating environments may require this information. The following table

specifies the valid country codes.

Descriptors

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Code (decimal)

Country

Code (decimal)

Country

Not Supported

Netherlands/Dutch

Arabic

Norwegian

Belgian

Persian (Farsi)

Canadian-Bilingual

Poland

Canadian-French

Portuguese

Czech Republic

Russia

Danish

Slovakia

Finnish

Spanish

French

Swedish

German

Swiss/French

Greek

Swiss/German

Hebrew

Switzerland

Hungary

Taiwan

International (ISO)

Turkish-Q

Italian

Japan (Katakana)

Korean

Yugoslavia

Latin American

Turkish-F

36-255

Reserved

6.2.2 Report Descriptor

The Report descriptor is unlike other descriptors in that it is not simply a table of

values. The length and content of a Report descriptor vary depending on the

number of data fields required for the device’s report or reports. The Report

descriptor is made up of items that provide information about the device. The first

part of an item contains three fields: item type, item tag, and item size. Together

these fields identify the kind of information the item provides.

There are three item types: Main, Global, and Local. There are five Main item

tags currently defined:



Input item tag: Refers to the data from one or more similar controls on a

device. For example, variable data such as reading the position of a single axis

or a group of levers or array data such as one or more push buttons or

switches.



Output item tag: Refers to the data to one or more similar controls on a device

such as setting the position of a single axis or a group of levers (variable data).

Or, it can represent data to one or more LEDs (array data).



Feature item tag: Describes device input and output not intended for

consumption by the end user —for example, a software feature or Control

Panel toggle.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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

Collection item tag: A meaningful grouping of Input, Output, and Feature

items—for example, mouse, keyboard, joystick, and pointer.



End Collection item tag: A terminating item used to specify the end of a

collection of items.

The Report descriptor provides a description of the data provided by each control

in a device. Each Main item tag (Input, Output, or Feature) identifies the size of

the data returned by a particular control, and identifies whether the data is

absolute or relative, and other pertinent information. Preceding Local and Global

items define the minimum and maximum data values, and so forth. A Report

descriptor is the complete set of all items for a device. By looking at a Report

descriptor alone, an application knows how to handle incoming data, as well as

what the data could be used for.

One or more fields of data from controls are defined by a Main item and further

described by the preceding Global and Local items. Local items only describe the

data fields defined by the next Main item. Global items become the default

attributes for all subsequent data fields in that descriptor. For example, consider

the following (details omitted for brevity):

Report Size (3)

Report Count (2)

Input

Report Size (8)

Input

Output

The item parser interprets the Report descriptor items above and creates the

following reports (the LSB is on the left):

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A Report descriptor may contain several Main items. A Report descriptor must

include each of the following items to describe a control’s data (all other items are

optional):



Input (Output or Feature)



Usage



Usage Page



Logical Minimum



Logical Maximum



Report Size



Report Count

The following is a coding sample of items being used to define a 3-button mouse.

In this case, Main items are preceded by Global items like Usage, Report Count

or Report Size (each line is a new item).

Usage Page (Generic Desktop), ;Use the Generic Desktop Usage Page

Usage (Mouse),

Collection (Application), ;Start Mouse collection

Usage (Pointer),

Collection (Physical), ;Start Pointer collection

Usage Page (Buttons)

Usage Minimum (1),

Usage Maximum (3),

Logical Minimum (0),

Logical Maximum (1), ;Fields return values from 0 to 1

Report Count (3),

Report Size (1), ;Create three 1 bit fields (button 1, 2, & 3)

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute), ;Add fields to the input report.

Report Count (1),

Report Size (5), ;Create 5 bit constant field

Input (Constant), ;Add field to the input report

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (X),

Usage (Y),

Logical Minimum (-127),

Logical Maximum (127), ;Fields return values from -127 to 127

Report Size (8),

Report Count (2), ;Create two 8 bit fields (X & Y position)

Input (Data, Variable, Relative), ;Add fields to the input report

End Collection, ;Close Pointer collection

End Collection ;Close Mouse collection

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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See Also

For overview information, see Section 5.3: Generic Item Format.

6.2.2.1 Items Types and Tags

All items contain a 1-byte prefix which denotes the basic type of the item. The

HID class defines two basic formats for items:



Short items: 1 – 5 bytes total length; used for the most commonly occurring

items. A short item typically contains 1 or 0 bytes of optional data.



Long items: 3 – 258 bytes in length; used for items that require larger data

structures for parts.

Note This specification defines only items that use the short format.

The two item formats should not be confused with types of items such as Main,

Global, and Local.

Description

Parts

Remarks

6.2.2.2 Short Items

The short item format packs the item size, type, and tag into the first byte. The

first byte may be followed by 0, 1, 2, or 4 optional data bytes depending on the

size of the data.

Part Description

bSize Numeric expression specifying size of data:

0 = 0 bytes

1 = 1 byte

2 = 2 bytes

3 = 4 bytes

bType Numeric expression identifying type of item where:

0 = Main

1 = Global

2 = Local

3 = Reserved

bTag Numeric expression specifying the function of the item.

[data] Optional data.



A short item tag doesn’t have an explicit value for bSize associated with it.

Instead, the value of the item data part determines the size of the item. That is,

if the item data can be represented in one byte, then the data part can be

specified as 1 byte, although this is not required.

Descriptors

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Description

Parts



If a large data item is expected, it can still be abbreviated if all of its high-order

bits are zero. For example, a 32-bit part in which bytes 1, 2, and 3 are all 0 can

be abbreviated as a single byte.



There are three categories of short item tags: Main, Global, and Local. The

item type (bType) specifies the tag category and consequently the item’s

behavior.

6.2.2.3 Long items

Like the short item format, the long item format packs the item size, type, and tag

into the first byte. The long item format uses a special item tag value to indicate

that it is a long item. The long item size and long item tag are each 8-bit

quantities. The item data may contain up to 255 bytes of data.

Part Description

bSize Numeric expression specifying total size of item where size is 10 (2

bytes); denotes item type as long.

bType Numeric expression identifying type of item where

3 = Reserved

bTag Numeric expression specifying the function of the item; always 1111.

[bDataSize] Size of long item data.

[bLongItemTag] Long item tag.

[data] Optional data items.

Important No long item tags are defined in this document. These tags are

reserved for future use. Tags xF0–xFF are vendor defined.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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Description

6.2.2.4 Main Items

Main items are used to either define or group certain types of data fields within a

Report descriptor. There are two types of Main items: data and non-data. Data-

type Main items are used to create a field within a report and include Input,

Output, and Feature. Other items do not create fields and are subsequently

referred to as non-data Main items.

Parts

Main item tag

One-Byte

Prefix (nn

represents

size value)

Valid Data

Input

1000 00 nn

Bit 0

Bit 1

Bit 2

Bit 3

Bit 4

Bit 5

Bit 6

Bit 7

Bit 8

Bit 31-9

{Data (0) | Constant (1)}

{Array (0) | Variable (1)}

{Absolute (0) | Relative (1)}

{No Wrap (0) | Wrap (1)}

{Linear (0) | Non Linear (1)}

{Preferred State (0) | No Preferred (1)}

{No Null position (0) | Null state(1)}

Reserved (0)

{Bit Field (0) | Buffered Bytes (1)}

Reserved (0)

Output

1001 00 nn

Bit 0

Bit 1

Bit 2

Bit 3

Bit 4

Bit 5

Bit 6

Bit 7

Bit 8

Bit 31-9

{Data (0) | Constant (1)}

{Array (0) | Variable (1)}

{Absolute (0) | Relative (1)}

{No Wrap (0) | Wrap (1)}

{Linear (0) | Non Linear (1)}

{Preferred State (0) | No Preferred (1)}

{No Null position (0) | Null state(1)}

{Non Volatile (0) | Volatile (1)}

{Bit Field (0) | Buffered Bytes (1)}

Reserved (0)

Feature

1011 00 nn

Bit 0

Bit 1

Bit 2

Bit 3

Bit 4

Bit 5

Bit 6

Bit 7

Bit 8

Bit 31-9

{Data (0) | Constant (1)}

{Array (0) | Variable (1)}

{Absolute (0) | Relative (1)}

{No Wrap (0) | Wrap (1)}

{Linear (0) | Non Linear (1)}

{Preferred State (0) | No Preferred (1)}

{No Null position (0) | Null state(1)}

{Non Volatile (0) | Volatile (1)}

{Bit Field (0) | Buffered Bytes (1)}

Reserved (0)

Collection

1010 00 nn

0x00

0x01

0x02

0x03

0x04

0x05

0x06

0x07-0x7F

0x80-0xFF

Physical (group of axes)

Application (mouse, keyboard)

Logical (interrelated data)

Report

Named Array

Usage Switch

Usage Modifier

Reserved

Vendor-defined

End Collection

1100 00 nn

Not applicable.

Closes an item collection.

Descriptors

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Main item tag

One-Byte

Prefix (nn

represents

size value) Valid Data

Reserved 1101 00 nn to

1111 00 nn

Not applicable. Reserved for future items.

Remarks

Description



The default data value for all Main items is zero (0).



An Input item could have a data size of zero (0) bytes. In this case the value of

each data bit for the item can be assumed to be zero. This is functionally

identical to using a item tag that specifies a 4-byte data item followed by four

zero bytes.

6.2.2.5 Input, Output, and Feature Items

Input, Output, and Feature items are used to create data fields within a report.



An Input item describes information about the data provided by one or more

physical controls. An application can use this information to interpret the data

provided by the device. All data fields defined in a single item share an

identical data format.



The Output item is used to define an output data field in a report. This item is

similar to an Input item except it describes data sent to the device—for

example, LED states.



Feature items describe device configuration information that can be sent to

the device.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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Parts Bit Part Value Description

Data |

Constant

Array |

Variable

Absolute |

Relative

0 | 1 Indicates whether the item is data or a constant

value. Data indicates the item is defining report

fields that contain modifiable device data. Constant

indicates the item is a static read-only field in a

report and cannot be modified (written) by the

host.

0 | 1 Indicates whether the item creates variable or array

data fields in reports. In variable fields, each field

represents data from a physical control. The

number of bits reserved for each field is

determined by preceding Report Size/Report Count

items. For example, a bank of eight on/off switches

could be reported in 1 byte declared by a variable

Input item where each bit represents one switch, on

(1)

or off (0) (Report Size = 1, Report Count = 8).

Alternatively, a variable Input item could add 1

report byte used to represent the state of four three-

position buttons, where the state of each button is

represented by two bits (Report Size = 2, Report

Count = 4). Or 1 byte from a variable Input item

could represent the x position of a joystick (Report

Size = 8, Report Count = 1).

An array provides an alternate means for

describing the data returned from a group of

buttons. Arrays are more efficient, if less flexible

than variable items. Rather than returning a single

bit for each button in the group, an array returns an

index in each field that corresponds to the pressed

button (like keyboard scan codes). An out-of range

value in and array field is considered no controls

asserted. Buttons or keys in an array that are

simultaneously pressed need to be reported in

multiple fields. Therefore, the number of fields in

an array input item (Report Count) dictates the

maximum number of simultaneous controls that

can be reported. A keyboard could report up to

three simultaneous keys using an array with three

8-bit fields (Report Size = 8, Report Count = 3).

Logical Minimum specifies the lowest index value

returned by the array and Logical Maximum

specifies the largest. The number of elements in the

array can be deduced by examining the difference

between Logical Minimum and Logical Maximum

(number of elements = Logical Maximum -

Logical Minimum + 1).

0 | 1 Indicates whether the data is absolute (based on a

fixed origin) or relative (indicating the change in

value from the last report). Mouse devices usually

provide relative data, while tablets usually provide

absolute data.

Descriptors

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Bit Part Value Description

No Wrap |

Wrap

Linear |

Nonlinear

Preferred

State | No

Preferred

No Null

Position |

Null State

0 | 1 Indicates whether the data “rolls over” when

reaching either the extreme high or low value. For

example, a dial that can spin freely 360 degrees

might output values from 0 to 10. If Wrap is

indicated, the next value reported after passing the

10 position in the increasing direction would be 0.

0 | 1 Indicates whether the raw data from the device has

been processed in some way, and no longer

represents a linear relationship between what is

measured and the data that is reported.

Acceleration curves and joystick dead zones are

examples of this kind of data. Sensitivity settings

would affect the Units item, but the data would still

be linear.

0 | 1 Indicates whether the control has a preferred state

to which it will return when the user is not

physically interacting with the control. Push

buttons (as opposed to toggle buttons) and self-

centering joysticks are examples.

0 | 1 Indicates whether the control has a state in which it

is not sending meaningful data. One possible use of

the null state is for controls that require the user to

physically interact with the control in order for it to

report useful data. For example, some joysticks

have a multidirectional switch (a hat switch).

When a hat switch is not being pressed it is in a

null state. When in a null state, the control will

report a value outside of the specified Logical

Minimum and Logical Maximum (the most

negative value, such as -128 for an 8-bit value).

Non-

volatile |

Volatile

Reserved

0 | 1

Indicates whether the Feature or Output control's

value should be changed by the host or not.

Volatile output can change with or without host

interaction. To avoid synchronization problems,

volatile controls should be relative whenever

possible. If volatile output is absolute, when

issuing a Set Report (Output), request set the value

of any control you don't want to change to a value

outside of the specified Logical Minimum and

Logical Maximum (the most negative value, such

as -128 for an 8-bit value). Invalid output to a

control is ignored by the device.

Data bit 7 is undefined for input items and is

reserved for future use.

Bit Field |

Buffered

Bytes

0 | 1 Indicates that the control emits a fixed-size stream

of bytes. The contents of the data field are

determined by the application. The contents of the

buffer are not interpreted as a single numeric

quantity. Report data defined by a Buffered Bytes

item must be aligned on an 8-bit boundary. The

data from a bar code reader is an example.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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Bit

Part

Value

Description

9 - 31

Reserved

Reserved for future use.

Remarks



If the Input item is an array, only the Data/Constant, Variable/Array and

Absolute/Relative attributes apply.



The number of data fields in an item can be determined by examining the

Report Size and Report Count values. For example an item with a Report

Size of 8 bits and a Report Count of 3 has three 8-bit data fields.



The value returned by an Array item is an index so it is recommended that:

1) An Array field returns a 0 value when no controls in the array are asserted.

2) The Logical Minimum equals 1.

3) The Logical Maximum equal the number of elements in the array.



Input items define input reports accessible via the Control pipe with a

Get_Report (Input) request.



Input type reports are also sent at the polling rate via the Interrupt In pipe.



The Data | Constant, Variable | Array, Absolute | Relative, Nonlinear,

Wrap, and Null State data for an Output item are identical to those data for

an Input item.



Output items make Output reports accessible via the Control pipe with a

Set_Report (Output) command.



Output type reports can optionally be sent via an Interrupt Out pipe.

While similar in function, Output and Feature items differ in the following

ways:



Feature items define configuration options for the device and are usually

set by a control panel application. Because they affect the behavior of a

device (for example, button repeat rate, reset origin, and so forth), Feature

items are not usually visible to software applications. Conversely, Output

items represent device output to the user (for example, LEDs, audio, tactile

feedback, and so forth). Software applications are likely to set device

Output items.



Feature items may be attributes of other items. For example, an Origin

Reset Feature may apply to one or more position Input items. Like Output

items, Feature items make up Feature Reports accessible via the Control

pipe with the Get_Report (Feature) and Set_Report (Feature) requests.

Descriptors

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Description

Parts

6.2.2.6 Collection, End Collection Items

A Collection item identifies a relationship between two or more data (Input,

Output, or Feature.) For example, a mouse could be described as a collection of

two to four data (x, y, button 1, button 2). While the Collection item opens a

collection of data, the End Collection item closes a collection.

Type of

collection Value Description

Physical 0x00 A physical collection is used for a set of data items that represent

data points collected at one geometric point. This is useful for

sensing devices which may need to associate sets of measured or

sensed data with a single point. It does not indicate that a set of

data values comes from one device, such as a keyboard. In the

case of device which reports the position of multiple sensors,

physical collections are used to show which data comes from

each separate sensor.

Application 0x01 A group of Main items that might be familiar to applications. It

could also be used to identify item groups serving different

purposes in a single device. Common examples are a keyboard or

mouse. A keyboard with an integrated pointing device could be

defined as two different application collections. Data reports are

usually (but not necessarily) associated with application

collections (at least one report ID per application).

Logical 0x02 A logical collection is used when a set of data items form a

composite data structure. An example of this is the association

between a data buffer and a byte count of the data. The

collection establishes the link between the count and the buffer.

Report 0x03 Defines a logical collection that wraps all the fields in a report. A

unique report ID will be contained in this collection. An

application can easily determine whether a device supports a

certain function. Note that any valid Report ID value can be

declared for a Report collection.

Named

Array

Usage

Switch

0x04 A named array is a logical collection contains an array of selector

usages. For a given function the set of selectors used by similar

devices may vary. The naming of fields is common practice when

documenting hardware registers. To determine whether a device

supports a particular function like Status, an application might

have to query for several known Status selector usages before it

could determine whether the device supported Status. The Named

Array usages allows the Array field that contains the selectors to

be named, thus the application only needs to query for the Status

usage to determine that a device supports status information.

0x05 A Usage Switch is a logical collection that modifies the meaning

of the usages that it contains. This collection type indicates to an

application that the usages found in this collection must be

special cased. For instance, rather than declaring a usage on the

LED page for every possible function, an Indicator usage can be

applied to a Usage Switch collection and the standard usages

defined in that collection can now be identified as indicators for a

function rather than the function itself. Note that this collection

type is not used for the labeling Ordinal collections, a Logical

collection type is used for that.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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Type of

collection Value Description

Usage

Modifier

0x06 Modifies the meaning of the usage attached to the encompassing

collection. A usage typically defines a single operating mode for

a control. The usage modifier allows the operating mode of a

control to be extended. For instance, an LED is typically on or

off. For particular states a device may want a generic method of

blinking or choosing the color of a standard LED. Attaching the

LED usage to a Usage Modifier collection will indicate to an

application that the usage supports a new operating mode.

Reserved 0x07 -

0x7F

0x80 -

0xFF

Reserved for future use.

Vendor-defined.

Remarks



All Main items between the Collection item and the End Collection item are

included in the collection. Collections may contain other nested collections.



Collection items do not generate data. However, a Usage item tag must be

associated with any collection (such as a mouse or throttle). Collection items

may be nested, and they are always optional, except for the top-level

application collection.

• If an unknown Vendor-defined collection type is encountered, then an

application must ignore all main items declared in that collection. Note that

global items declared in that collection will effect the state table.

• If an unknown usage is attached to a known collection type then the contents

of that collection should be ignored. Note that global items declared in that

collection will effect the state table.

• String and Physical indices, as well as delimiters may be associated with

collections.

Descriptors

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Description

Parts

6.2.2.7 Global Items

Global items describe rather than define data from a control. A new Main item

assumes the characteristics of the item state table. Global items can change the

state table. As a result Global item tags apply to all subsequently defined items

unless overridden by another Global item.

One-Byte

Prefix (nn

represents

Global item tag size value) Description

Usage Page 0000 01 nn Unsigned integer specifying the current Usage

Page. Since a usage are 32 bit values, Usage

Page items can be used to conserve space in a

report descriptor by setting the high order 16 bits

of a subsequent usages. Any usage that follows

which is defines 16 bits or less is interpreted as a

Usage ID and concatenated with the Usage Page

to form a 32 bit Usage.

Logical Minimum 0001 01 nn Extent value in logical units. This is the

minimum value that a variable or array item will

report. For example, a mouse reporting x

position values from 0 to 128 would have a

Logical Minimum of 0 and a Logical Maximum

of 128.

Logical Maximum 0010 01 nn Extent value in logical units. This is the

maximum value that a variable or array item will

report.

Physical Minimum 0011 01 nn Minimum value for the physical extent of a

variable item. This represents the Logical

Minimum with units applied to it.

Physical Maximum 0100 01 nn Maximum value for the physical extent of a

variable item.

Unit Exponent 0101 01 nn Value of the unit exponent in base 10. See the

table later in this section for more information.

Unit 0110 01 nn Unit values.

Report Size 0111 01 nn Unsigned integer specifying the size of the report

fields in bits. This allows the parser to build an

item map for the report handler to use. For more

information, see Section 8: Report Protocol.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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Global item tag

One-Byte

Prefix (nn

represents

size value) Description

Report ID 1000 01 nn Unsigned value that specifies the Report ID. If a

Report ID tag is used anywhere in Report

descriptor, all data reports for the device are

preceded by a single byte ID field. All items

succeeding the first Report ID tag but preceding

a second Report ID tag are included in a report

prefixed by a 1-byte ID. All items succeeding the

second but preceding a third Report ID tag are

included in a second report prefixed by a second

ID, and so on.

This Report ID value indicates the prefix added

to a particular report. For example, a Report

descriptor could define a 3-byte report with a

Report ID of 01. This device would generate a

4-byte data report in which the first byte is 01.

The device may also generate other reports, each

with a unique ID. This allows the host to

distinguish different types of reports arriving

over a single interrupt in pipe. And allows the

device to distinguish different types of reports

arriving over a single interrupt out pipe. Report

ID zero is reserved and should not be used.

Report Count 1001 01 nn Unsigned integer specifying the number of data

fields for the item; determines how many fields

are included in the report for this particular item

(and consequently how many bits are added to

the report).

Push 1010 01 nn Places a copy of the global item state table on

the stack.

Pop 1011 01 nn Replaces the item state table with the top

structure from the stack.

Reserved 1100 01 nn to

1111 01 nn

Range reserved for future use.

Remarks

•



While Logical Minimum and Logical Maximum (extents) bound the values

returned by a device, Physical Minimum and Physical Maximum give

meaning to those bounds by allowing the report value to be offset and scaled.

For example, a thermometer might have logical extents of 0 and 999 but

physical extents of 32 and 212 degrees.The resolution can be determined

with the following algorithm:

See Also

For a list of Usage Page tags, see the HID Usage Table document.

Descriptors

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if ((Physical Maximum == UNDEFINED)

|| (Physical Minimum == UNDEFINED)

|| ((Physical Maximum == 0) && (Physical Minimum == 0)))

{

Physical Maximum = Logical Maximum;

Physical Minimum = Logical Minimum;

}

If (Unit Exponent == UNDEFINED)

Unit Exponent = 0;

Resolution = (Logical Maximum – Logical Minimum) /

((Physical Maximum – Physical Minimum) *

(10

Unit Exponent

))

When linearly parsing a report descriptor, the global state values of Unit

Exponent, Physical Minimum and Physical Maximum are considered to be in

an “UNDEFINED” state until they are declared.

For example, a 400-dpi mouse might have the items shown in the following

table.

Item

Value

Logical Minimum

-127

Logical Maximum

127

Physical Minimum

-3175

Physical Maximum

3175

Unit Exponent

-4

Unit

Inches

Therefore, the formula for calculating resolution must be:

Resolution = (127-(-127)) / ((3175-(-3175)) * 10

-4

) = 400 counts per inch



The Unit item qualifies values as described in the following table.

Nibble

System

0x0

0x1

0x2

0x3

0x4

Exponent

System

None

SI Linear

SI Rotation

English

Linear

English

Rotation

Length

None

Centimeter

Radians

Inch

Degrees

Mass

None

Gram

Slug

Time

None

Seconds

Temperature

None

Kelvin

Fahrenheit

Current

None

Ampere

Luminous

intensity

None

Candela

Reserved

None

Note For System part, codes 0x5 to 0xE are Reserved; code 0xF is vendor-

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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defined.



If both the Logical Minimum and Logical Maximum extents are defined as

positive values (0 or greater) then the report field can be assumed to be an

unsigned value. Otherwise, all integer values are signed values represented in

2’s complement format.



Until Physical Minimum and Physical Maximum are declared in a report

descriptor they are assumed by the HID parser to be equal to Logical

Minimum and Logical Maximum, respectively. After declaring them to so

that they can applied to a (Input, Output or Feature) main item they continue to

effect all subsequent main items. If both the Physical Minimum and Physical

Maximum extents are equal to 0 then they will revert to their default

interpretation.



Codes and exponents not shown in the preceding table:

Code

Exponent

0x5

0x6

0x7

0x8

-8

0x9

-7

0xA

-6

0xB

-5

0xC

-4

0xD

-3

0xE

-2

0xF

-1



Most complex units can be derived from the basic units of length, mass, time,

temperature, current and luminous intensity. For example energy (joules) can

be represented as:

joule =[mass(grams)][length(centimeters)

][time(seconds)

-2

]

The Unit exponent would be 7 because a joule is composed of kilograms (1 kg

equals 10

grams) and meters. For example, consider the following.

Nibble

Part

Value

Time

-2

Mass

Length

System



The parts of some common units are shown in the following table.

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Unit Nibbles

5 (i) 4 () 3 (t) 2 (m) 1 (l) 0 (sys) Code

Distance (cm)

x0011

Mass (g)

x0101

Time (s)

x1001

Velocity (cm/s)

-1

xF011

Momentum

-1

xF111

Acceleration

-2

xE011

Force

-2

xE111

Energy

-2

xE121

Angular Acceleration

-2

xE012

Voltage

-1

-3

x00F0D121



In the case of an array, Report Count determines the maximum number of

controls that may be included in the report and consequently the number of

keys or buttons that may simultaneously be pressed as well as the size of each

element. For example, an array supporting up to three simultaneous key

presses, where each field is 1 byte, would look like this:

...

Report Size (8),

Report Count(3),

...

In the case of a variable item, the Report Count specifies how many controls

are included in the report. For example, eight buttons could look like this:

...

Report Size (1),

Report Count (8),

...



If Report IDs are used, then a Report ID must be declared prior to the first

Input, Output, or Feature main item declaration in a report descriptor.



The same Report ID value can be encountered more than once in a report

descriptor. Subsequently declared Input, Output, or Feature main items will be

found in the respective ID/Type (Input, Output, or Feature) report.

Description

6.2.2.8 Local Items

Local item tags define characteristics of controls. These items do not carry over to

the next Main item. If a Main item defines more than one control, it may be

preceded by several similar Local item tags. For example, an Input item may

have several Usage tags associated with it, one for each control.

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Parts

Tag

One-Byte

Prefix (nn

represents

size value) Description

Usage 0000 10 nn Usage index for an item usage; represents a

suggested usage for the item or collection. In the

case where an item represents multiple controls, a

Usage tag may suggest a usage for every variable

or element in an array.

Usage Minimum 0001 10 nn Defines the starting usage associated with an array

or bitmap.

Usage Maximum 0010 10 nn Defines the ending usage associated with an array

or bitmap.

Designator Index 0011 10 nn Determines the body part used for a control. Index

points to a designator in the Physical descriptor.

Designator

Minimum

Designator

Maximum

0100 10 nn Defines the index of the starting designator

associated with an array or bitmap.

0101 10 nn Defines the index of the ending designator

associated with an array or bitmap.

String Index 0111 10 nn String index for a String descriptor; allows a string

to be associated with a particular item or control.

String Minimum 1000 10 nn Specifies the first string index when assigning a

group of sequential strings to controls in an array

or bitmap.

String Maximum 1001 10 nn Specifies the last string index when assigning a

group of sequential strings to controls in an array

or bitmap.

Delimiter 1010 10 nn Defines the beginning or end of a set of local items

(1 = open set, 0 = close set).

Reserved 1010 10 nn to

1111 10 nn

Reserved.

Remarks



While Local items do not carry over to the next Main item, they may apply to

more than one control within a single item. For example, if an Input item

defining five controls is preceded by three Usage tags, the three usages would

be assigned sequentially to the first three controls, and the third usage would

also be assigned to the fourth and fifth controls. If an item has no controls

(Report Count = 0), the Local item tags apply to the Main item (usually a

collection item).



To assign unique usages to every control in a single Main item, simply specify

each Usage tag sequentially (or use Usage Minimum or Usage Maximum).



All Local items are unsigned integers.

Note It is important that Usage be used properly. While very specific usages

exist (landing gear, bicycle wheel, and so on) those usages are intended to

identify devices that have very specific applications. A joystick with generic

buttons should never assign an application-specific usage to any button.

Instead, it should assign a generic usage such as “Button.” However, an

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exercise bicycle or the cockpit of a flight simulator may want to narrowly

define the function of each of its data sources.



It is also important to remember that Usage items convey information about

the intended use for the data and may not correspond to what is actually being

measured. For example, a joystick would have an X and Y Usage associated

with its axis data (and not Usages Rx and Ry.)



Because button bitmaps and arrays can represent multiple buttons or switches

with a single item, it may be useful to assign multiple usages to a Main item.

Usage Minimum specifies the usage to be associated with the first

unassociated control in the array or bitmap. Usage Maximum specifies the

end of the range of usage values to be associated with item elements. The

following example illustrates how this could be used for a 105-key keyboard.

Tag Result

Report Count (1) One field will be added to the report.

Report size (8) The size of the newly added field is 1

byte (8 bits).

Logical Minimum (0) Defines 0 as the lowest possible return

value.

Logical Maximum (101) Defines 101 as the highest possible return

value and sets the range from 0 to 101.

Usage Page (0x07) Selects keyboard usage page.

Usage Minimum (0x00) Assigns first of 101-key usages.

Usage Maximum (0x65) Assigns last of 101-key usages.

Input: (Data, Array, Absolute) Creates and adds a 1-byte array to the

input report.



If a Usage Minimum is declared as and extended usage then the associated

Usage Maximum must also be declared as an extended usage.



Interpretation of Usage, Usage Minimum or Usage Maximum items vary as a

function of the item’s bSize field. If the bSize field = 3 then the item is

interpreted as a 32 bit unsigned value where the high order 16 bits defines the

Usage Page and the low order 16 bits defines the Usage ID. 32 bit usage items

that define both the Usage Page and Usage ID are often referred to as

“Extended” Usages.

If the bSize field = 1 or 2 then the Usage is interpreted as an unsigned value

that selects a Usage ID on the currently defined Usage Page. When the parser

encounters a main item it concatenates the last declared Usage Page with a

Usage to form a complete usage value. Extended usages can be used to

override the currently defined Usage Page for individual usages.



See Also

For a list of Usage parts, see Appendix A: Usage Tags.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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

Two or more alternative usages may be associated with a control by simply

bracketing them with Delimiter items. Delimiters allow aliases to be defined

for a control so that an application can access it in more than one way. The

usages that form a delimited set are organized in order of preference, where

the first usage declared is the most preferred usage for the control.

HID parsers must handle Delimiters however, the support for the alternative

usages that they define is optional. Usages other than the first (most

preferred) usage defined may not be made accessible by system software.



Delimiters cannot be used when defining usages that apply to Application

Collections or Array items.

6.2.2.9 Padding

Reports can be padded to byte-align fields by declaring the appropriately sized

main item and not declaring a usage for the main item.

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6.2.3 Physical Descriptors

A Physical Descriptor is a data structure that provides information about the

specific part or parts of the human body that are activating a control or controls.

For example, a physical descriptor might indicate that the right hand thumb is

used to activate button 5. An application can use this information to assign

functionality to the controls of a device.

Note Physical Descriptors are entirely optional. They add complexity and offer

very little in return for most devices. However, some devices, particularly those

with a large number of identical controls (for example, buttons) will find that

Physical Descriptors help different applications assign functionality to these

controls in a more consistent manner. Skip the following section if you do not

plan on supporting Physical Descriptors.

Similar Physical Descriptors are grouped into sets. Designator Index items

contained in the Report descriptor map items (or controls) to a specific Physical

descriptor contained in a Physical Descriptor set (hereafter referred to

generically as a descriptor set).

Each descriptor set consists of a short header followed by one or more Physical

Descriptors. The header defines the Bias (whether the descriptor set is targeted at

a right or left-handed user) and the Preference of the set. For a particular Bias, a

vendor can define alternate Physical Descriptors (for example, a right-handed

user may be able to hold a device in more than one way, therefore remapping the

fingers that touch the individual items).

Each Physical Descriptor consists of the following three fields:



Designator: identifies the actual body part that effects an item—for example,

the hand.



Qualifier: further defines the designator—for example, right or left hand.



Effort: value quantifying the effort the user must employ to effect the item.

If multiple items identify the same Designator/Qualifier combination, the Effort

value can be used to resolve the assignment of functions. An Effort value of 0

would be used to define the button a finger rests on when the hand is in the “at

rest” position, that is, virtually no effort is required by the user to activate the

button. Effort values increment as the finger has to stretch to reach a control.

The only time two or more controls will have identical

Designator/Qualifier/Effort combinations is because they are physically

connected together. A long skinny key cap with ‘+’ at one end and ‘-’ at the other

is a good example of this. If it is implemented electrically as two discrete push-

buttons, it is possible to have both pressed at the same time even though they are

both under the same key cap. If the vendor decided that for this product, pressing

the ‘+’ and ‘-’ buttons simultaneously was valid then they would be described as

two discrete push-buttons with identical Physical Descriptors. However, if the

key cap was labeled “Volume” and pressing both buttons at the same time had no

meaning, then a vendor would probably choose to describe the buttons as a single

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item with three valid states: off, more volume (+), and less volume (-). In this case

only one Physical Descriptor would be needed.

Consider a joystick that has two buttons (A and B) on the left side of the base and

a trigger button on the front of the stick that is logically ORed with Button A. The

joystick base is most often held in the left hand while the stick is manipulated

with the right. So, the first descriptor set would designate Button A as:

Index Finger, Right, Effort 0

Similarly, button B would be designated as:

Thumb, Left, Effort 0

If the joystick was placed on a table top and the left hand was used to control both

buttons on the base then another descriptor set could identify an alternate mapping

for Button A of:

Middle Finger, Left, Effort 0

Button B would be designated as:

Index Finger, Left, Effort 0

Important Designator tags are optional and may be provided for all, some, or

none of a device’s items or elements.

Descriptor set 0 is a special descriptor set that specifies the number of additional

descriptor sets, and also the number of Physical Descriptors in each set.

Part

Offset/Size (Bytes)

Description

bNumber

0/1

Numeric expression specifying the number of

Physical Descriptor sets. Do not include Physical

Descriptor 0 itself in this number.

bLength

1/2

Numeric expression identifying the length of each

Physical descriptor.

Upon receiving a Get_Descriptor request from the host, a HID class device will

return the descriptor set specified in the request wValue low byte. A descriptor set

consists of a header followed by one or more Physical Descriptors.

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The HID class device uses the following format for its Physical descriptor.

Part

Offset/Size (Bytes)

Description

bPhysicalInfo

0/1

Bits specifying physical information:

7..5 Bias

4..0 Preference

0 = Most preferred

dPhysical

1/2

Physical descriptor data, index 1.

dPhysical

3/2

Physical descriptor data, index 2.

dPhysical

(n*2)-1/2

Physical descriptor data, index n.

Remarks



The Bias field indicates which hand the descriptor set is characterizing. This

may not apply to some devices.

Bias Value Description

Not applicable

Right hand

Left hand

Both hands

Either hand

Reserved

Note A device that only fits in the right hand will not return descriptor sets

with a left-handed Bias.



The Preference field indicates whether the descriptor set contains preferred or

alternative designator information. A vendor will define the Preference value

of 0 for the most preferred or most typical set of physical information. Higher

Preference values indicate less preferred descriptor sets.



Physical Descriptors within a descriptor set are referenced by Designator

Index items in the Report descriptor.



A Physical Descriptor has the following parts:

Part

Offset/Size (Bytes)

Description

bDesignator

0/1

Designator value; indicates which part of the

body affects the item

bFlags

1/1

Bits specifying flags:

7..5 Qualifier

4..0 Effort

Designator Value

Description

None

Hand

Eyeball

Eyebrow

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Designator Value Description

Eyelid

Ear

Nose

Mouth

Upper lip

Lower lip

0A Jaw

0B Neck

0C Upper arm

0D Elbow

0E Forearm

0F Wrist

Palm

Thumb

Index finger

Middle finger

Ring finger

Little finger

Head

Shoulder

Hip

Waist

1A Thigh

1B Knee

1C Calf

1D Ankle

1E Foot

1F Heel

Ball of foot

Big toe

Second toe

Third toe

Fourth toe

Little toe

Brow

Cheek

28-FF Reserved



The Qualifier field indicates which hand (or half of the body) the designator is

defining. This may not apply to for some devices.

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Qualifier Value Description

Not applicable

Right

Left

Both

Either

Center

Reserved



The Effort field indicates how easy it is for a user to access the control. A

value of 0 identifies that the user can affect the control quickly and easily. As

the value increases, it becomes more difficult or takes longer for the user to

affect the control.

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See Also

For details, see Chapter 9 of the USB Specification, “USB Device Class

Framework.”

Requests

7.1

Standard Requests

The HID class uses the standard request Get_Descriptor as described in the USB

Specification. When a Get_Descriptor(Configuration) request is issued, it

returns the Configuration descriptor, all Interface descriptors, all Endpoint

descriptors, and the HID descriptor for each interface. It shall not return the

String descriptor, HID Report descriptor or any of the optional HID class

descriptors. The HID descriptor shall be interleaved between the Interface and

Endpoint descriptors for HID Interfaces. That is, the order shall be:

Configuration descriptor

Interface descriptor (specifying HID Class)

HID descriptor (associated with above Interface)

Endpoint descriptor (for HID Interrupt In Endpoint)

Optional Endpoint descriptor (for HID Interrupt Out Endpoint)

Note Get_Descriptor can be used to retrieve standard, class, and vendor

specific descriptors, depending on the setting of the Descriptor Type field.

Remarks

The following table defines the Descriptor Type (the high byte of wValue in the

Get_Descriptor request).

Part Description

Descriptor Type Bits specifying characteristics of Descriptor Type:

7 Reserved (should always be 0)

6..5 Type

0 = Standard

1 = Class

2 = Vendor

3 = Reserved

4..0 Descriptor

See the standard class or vendor Descriptor Types table.

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Description

Parts

The following defines valid types of Class descriptors.

Value Class Descriptor Types

0x21 HID

0x22 Report

0x23 Physical descriptor

0x24 - 0x2F Reserved

7.1.1 Get_Descriptor Request

The Get_Descriptor request returns a descriptor for the device.

Part Standard USB Descriptor HID Class Descriptor

bmRequestType 100 xxxxx 10000001

bRequest GET_DESCRIPTOR (0x06) GET_DESCRIPTOR (0x06)

wValue Descriptor Type and

Descriptor Index

Descriptor Type and

Descriptor Index

Remarks

wIndex 0 (zero) or Language ID Interface Number

wLength Descriptor Length Descriptor Length

Data Descriptor Descriptor



For standard USB descriptors, bits 0-4 of bmRequestType indicate whether the

requested descriptor is associated with the device, interface, endpoint, or other.



The wValue field specifies the Descriptor Type in the high byte and the

Descriptor Index in the low byte.



The low byte is the Descriptor Index used to specify the set for Physical

Descriptors, and is reset to zero for other HID class descriptors.



If a HID class descriptor is being requested then the wIndex field indicates

the number of the HID Interface. If a standard descriptor is being requested

then the wIndex field specifies the Language ID for string descriptors, and

is reset to zero for other standard descriptors.



Requesting Physical Descriptor set 0 returns a special descriptor

identifying the number of descriptor sets and their sizes.



A Get_Descriptor request with the Physical Index equal to 1 will request

the first Physical Descriptor set. A device could possibly have alternate

uses for its items. These can be enumerated by issuing subsequent

Get_Descriptor requests while incrementing the Descriptor Index. A

device will return the last descriptor set to requests with an index greater

than the last number defined in the HID descriptor.

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Description

Parts

7.1.2 Set_Descriptor Request

The Set_Descriptor request lets the host change descriptors in the devices.

Support of this request is optional.

Part Standard USB Descriptor HID Class Descriptor

bmRequestType 00000000 00000001

bRequest SET_DESCRIPTOR (0x07) SET_DESCRIPTOR (0x07)

wValue Descriptor Type (high) and

Descriptor Index (low)

Descriptor Type and

Descriptor Index

wIndex 0 (zero) or Language ID Interface

wLength Descriptor Length Descriptor Length

Data Descriptor Descriptor

Description

Parts

7.2

Class-Specific Requests

Class-specific requests allow the host to inquire about the capabilities and state of

a device and to set the state of output and feature items. These transactions are

done over the Default pipe and therefore follow the format of Default pipe

requests as defined in the USB Specification.

Part Offset/Size (Bytes) Description

bmRequestType 0/1 Bits specifying characteristics of request.

Valid values are 10100001 or 00100001

only based on the following description:

7 Data transfer direction

0 = Host to device

1 = Device to host

6..5 Type

1 = Class

4..0 Recipient

1 = Interface

bRequest

1/1

A specific request.

wValue

2/2

Numeric expression specifying word-size

field (varies according to request.)

wIndex

4/2

Index or offset specifying word-size field

(varies according to request.)

wLength

6/2

Numeric expressions specifying number of

bytes to transfer in the data phase.

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Remarks

Description

Parts

Remarks

The following table defines valid values of bRequest.

Value Description

0x01 GET_REPORT

0x02 GET_IDLE

0x03 GET_PROTOCOL

0x04-0x08 Reserved

0x09 SET_REPORT

0x0A SET_IDLE

0x0B SET_PROTOCOL

This request is mandatory and must be supported by all devices.

This request is required only for boot devices.

7.2.1 Get_Report Request

The Get_Report request allows the host to receive a report via the Control pipe.

Part Description

bmRequestType 10100001

bRequest GET_REPORT

wValue Report Type and Report ID

wIndex Interface

wLength Report Length

Data Report



The wValue field specifies the Report Type in the high byte and the Report

ID in the low byte. Set Report ID to 0 (zero) if Report IDs are not used.

Report Type is specified as follows:

Value Report Type

Input

Output

Feature

04-FF Reserved



This request is useful at initialization time for absolute items and for

determining the state of feature items. This request is not intended to be used

for polling the device state on a regular basis.



The Interrupt In pipe should be used for recurring Input reports. The Input

report reply has the same format as the reports from Interrupt pipe.



An Interrupt Out pipe may optionally be used for low latency Output

reports. Output reports over the Interrupt Out pipe have a format that is

identical to output reports that are sent over the Control pipe, if an Interrupt

Out endpoint is not declared.

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Description

Parts

Remarks

Description

Parts

Remarks

Description

Parts

7.2.2 Set_Report Request

The Set_Report request allows the host to send a report to the device, possibly

setting the state of input, output, or feature controls.

Part Description

bmRequestType 00100001

bRequest SET_REPORT

wValue Report Type and Report ID

wIndex Interface

wLength Report Length

Data Report



The meaning of the request fields for the Set_Report request is the same as for

the Get_Report request, however the data direction is reversed and the Report

Data is sent from host to device.



A device might choose to ignore input Set_Report requests as meaningless.

Alternatively these reports could be used to reset the origin of a control (that

is, current position should report zero). The effect of sent reports will also

depend on whether the recipient controls are absolute or relative.

7.2.3 Get_Idle Request

The Get_Idle request reads the current idle rate for a particular Input report (see:

Set_Idle request).

Part Description

bmRequestType 10100001

bRequest GET_IDLE

wValue 0 (zero) and Report ID

wIndex Interface

wLength 1 (one)

Data Idle rate

For the meaning of the request fields, refer to Section 7.2.4: Set_Idle Request.

7.2.4 Set_Idle Request

The Set_Idle request silences a particular report on the Interrupt In pipe until a

new event occurs or the specified amount of time passes.

Part Description

bmRequestType 00100001

bRequest SET_IDLE

wValue Duration and Report ID

wIndex Interface

wLength 0 (zero)

Data Not applicable

Requests

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Remarks

This request is used to limit the reporting frequency of an interrupt in endpoint.

Specifically, this request causes the endpoint to NAK any polls on an interrupt in

endpoint while its current report remains unchanged. In the absence of a change,

polling will continue to be NAKed for a given time-based duration. This request

has the following parts.

Part Description

Duration When the upper byte of wValue is 0 (zero), the duration is indefinite.

The endpoint will inhibit reporting forever, only reporting when a

change is detected in the report data.

When the upper byte of wValue is non-zero, then a fixed duration is

used. The duration will be linearly related to the value of the upper byte,

with the LSB being weighted as 4 milliseconds. This provides a range of

values from 0.004 to 1.020 seconds, with a 4 millisecond resolution. If

the duration is less than the device polling rate, then reports are

generated at the polling rate.

If the given time duration elapses with no change in report data, then a

single report will be generated by the endpoint and report inhibition will

begin anew using the previous duration.

Report ID If the lower byte of wValue is zero, then the idle rate applies to all input

reports generated by the device. When the lower byte of wValue is non-

zero, then the idle rate only applies to the Report ID specified by the

value of the lower byte.

Accuracy This time duration shall have an accuracy of +/-(10% + 2 milliseconds)

Latency A new request will be executed as if it were issued immediately after the

last report, if the new request is received at least 4 milliseconds before

the end of the currently executing period. If the new request is received

within 4 milliseconds of the end of the current period, then the new

request will have no effect until after the report.

If the current period has gone past the newly proscribed time duration,

then a report will be generated immediately.

If the interrupt in endpoint is servicing multiple reports, then the Set_Idle request

may be used to affect only the rate at which duplicate reports are generated for the

specified Report ID. For example, a device with two input reports could specify

an idle rate of 20 milliseconds for report ID 1 and 500 milliseconds for report ID

The recommended default idle rate (rate when the device is initialized) is 500

milliseconds for keyboards (delay before first repeat rate) and infinity for

joysticks and mice.

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Description

Parts

Remarks

Description

Parts

Remarks

7.2.5 Get_Protocol Request

The Get_Protocol request reads which protocol is currently active (either the boot

protocol or the report protocol.)

Part Description

bmRequestType 10100001

bRequest GET_PROTOCOL

wValue 0 (zero)

wIndex Interface

wLength 1 (one)

Data 0 = Boot Protocol

1 = Report Protocol

This request is supported by devices in the Boot subclass. The wValue field

dictates which protocol should be used.

7.2.6 Set_Protocol Request

The Set_Protocol switches between the boot protocol and the report protocol (or

vice versa).

Part Description

bmRequestType 00100001

bRequest SET_PROTOCOL

wValue 0 = Boot Protocol

1 = Report Protocol

wIndex Interface

wLength 0 (zero)

Data Not Applicable

This request is supported by devices in the boot subclass. The wValue field

dictates which protocol should be used.

When initialized, all devices default to report protocol. However the host should

not make any assumptions about the device’s state and should set the desired

protocol whenever initializing a device.

Report Protocol

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Report Protocol

8.1

Report Types

Reports contain data from one or more items. Data transfers are sent from the

device to the host through the Interrupt In pipe in the form of reports. Reports

may also be requested (polled) and sent through the Control pipe or sent through

an optional Interrupt Out pipe. A report contains the state of all the items

(Input, Output or Feature) belonging to a particular Report ID. The software

application is responsible for extracting the individual items from the report based

on the Report descriptor.

All of the items’ values are packed on bit boundaries in the report (no byte or

nibble alignment). However, items reporting Null or constant values may be used

to byte-align values, or the Report Size may be made larger than needed for some

fields simply to extend them to a byte boundary.

The bit length of an item’s data is obtained through the Report descriptor

(Report Size * Report Count). Item data is ordered just as items are ordered in

the Report descriptor. If a Report ID tag was used in the Report descriptor, all

reports include a single byte ID prefix. If the Report ID tag was not used, all

values are returned in a single report and a prefix ID is not included in that report.

8.2

Report Format for Standard Items

The report format is composed of an 8-bit report identifier followed by the data

belonging to this report.

Report ID

The Report ID field is 8 bits in length. If no Report ID tags are used in the

Report descriptor, there is only one report and the Report ID field is omitted.

Report Data

The data fields are variable-length fields that report the state of an item.

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See Also

For a list of standard keyboard key codes, see Appendix A: Usage Tags.

8.3

Report Format for Array Items

Each button in an array reports an assigned number called an array index. This

can be translated into a keycode by looking up the array elements Usage Page and

Usage. When any button transitions between open and closed, the entire list of

indices for buttons currently closed in the array is transmitted to the host.

Since only one array element can be reported in each array field, modifier keys

should be reported as bitmap data (a group of 1-bit variable fields). For example,

keys such as CTRL, SHIFT, ALT, and GUI keys make up the 8 bit modifier byte in a

standard keyboard report. Although these usage codes are defined in the Usage

Table as E0–E7, the usage is not sent as array data. The modifier byte is defined

as follows.

Bit Key

LEFT CTRL

LEFT SHIFT

LEFT ALT

LEFT GUI

RIGHT CTRL

RIGHT SHIFT

RIGHT ALT

RIGHT GUI

The following example shows the reports generated by a user typing

ALT+CTRL+DEL, using a bitmap for the modifiers and a single array for all other

keys.

Transition

Modifier Byte

Array Byte

LEFT ALT down

00000100

RIGHT CTRL down

00010100

DEL down

00010100

DEL up

00010100

RIGHT CTRL up

00000100

LEFT ALT up

00000000

If there are multiple reports for this device, each report would be preceded by its

unique Report ID.

Report Protocol

6/277/00:

If a set of keys or buttons cannot be mutually exclusive, they must be represented

either as a bitmap or as multiple arrays. For example, function keys on a 101-key

keyboard are sometimes used as modifier keys—for example, F1 A. In this case, at

least two array fields should be reported in an array item, i.e. Report Count (2).

8.4

Report Constraints

The following constraints apply to reports and to the report handler:



An item field cannot span more than 4 bytes in a report. For example, a 32-bit

item must start on a byte boundary to satisfy this condition.



Only one report is allowed in a single USB transfer.



A report might span one or more USB transactions. For example, an

application that has 10-byte reports will span at least two USB transactions in

a low-speed device.



All reports except the longest which exceed wMaxPacketSize for the endpoint

must terminate with a short packet. The longest report does not require a short

packet terminator.



Each top level collection must be an application collection and reports may not

span more than one top level collection.



If there are multiple reports in a top level collection then all reports, except the

longest, must terminate with a short packet.



A report is always byte-aligned. If required, reports are padded with bits (0)

until the next byte boundary is reached.

8.5

Report Example

The following Report descriptor defines an item with an Input report.

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (Mouse),

Collection (Application),

Usage (Pointer),

Collection (Physical),

Report ID (0A), ;Make changes to report 0A

Usage (X), Usage (Y),

Logical Minimum (-127), ;Report data values range from -127

Logical Maximum (127), ;to 127

Report Size (8), Report Count (2),

Input (Data, Variable, Relative), ;Add 2 bytes of position data (X & Y) to report 0A

Logical Minimum (0), ;Report data values range from -127

Logical Maximum (1), ;to 127

Report Count (3), Report Size (1),

Usage Page (Button Page),

Usage Minimum (1),

Usage Maximum (3),

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

6/27/00:

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute), ;Add 2 bits (Button 1, 2 & 3) to report 0A

Report Size (5),

Input (Constant), ;Add 5 bits padding to byte align the report 0A

End Collection,

End Collection

The Input report structure for the above device would look as follows.

The following table uses a keyboard with an integrated pointing device to

demonstrate how to use two reports for a device with just one interface:

Item Usages Report ID

Collection (Application)

Report ID (00)

Input (Variable, Absolute)

Output (Variable, Absolute)

Input (Array, Absolute)

End Collection

Collection (Application)

Report ID (01)

Collection (Physical)

Input (Variable, Relative)

Input (Variable, Absolute)

End Collection

Keyboard

Modifier keys 00

LEDs 00

Main keys 00

Mouse

Pointer

X, Y 01

Button 01

Note Only Input, Output, and Feature items (not Collection items) present

data in a report. This example demonstrates multiple reports, however this

interface would not be acceptable for a Boot Device (use separate interfaces for

keyboards and mouse devices).

Appendix A: Usage Tags

6/277/00:

Appendix A: Usage Tags

See the Universal Serial Bus HID Usage Tables document for a complete list of

Usage Pages and Usage Tags, including key codes for keyboards.

Appendix B: Boot Interface

Descriptors

The HID Subclass 1 defines two descriptors for Boot Devices. Devices may

append additional data to these boot reports, but the first 8 bytes of keyboard

reports and the first 3 bytes of mouse reports must conform to the format defined

by the Boot Report descriptor in order for the data to be correctly interpreted by

the BIOS. The report may not exceed 8 bytes in length. The BIOS will ignore any

extensions to reports. These descriptors describe reports that the BIOS expects to

see. However, since the BIOS does not actually read the Report descriptors, these

descriptors do not have to be hard-coded into the device if an alternative report

descriptor is provided. Instead, descriptors that describe the device reports in a

USB-aware operating system should be included (these may or may not be the

same). When the HID class driver is loaded, it will issue a Change Protocol,

changing from the boot protocol to the report protocol after reading the boot

interface’s Report descriptor.

B.1

Protocol 1 (Keyboard)

The following represents a Report descriptor for a boot interface for a keyboard.

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (Keyboard),

Collection (Application),

Report Size (1),

Report Count (8),

Usage Page (Key Codes),

Usage Minimum (224),

Usage Maximum (231),

Logical Minimum (0),

Logical Maximum (1),

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute), ;Modifier byte

Report Count (1),

Report Size (8),

Input (Constant), ;Reserved byte

Report Count (5),

Report Size (1),

Usage Page (LEDs),

Usage Minimum (1),

Usage Maximum (5),

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

6/27/00:

Output (Data, Variable, Absolute), ;LED report

Report Count (1),

Report Size (3),

Output (Constant), ;LED report padding

Report Count (6),

Report Size (8),

Logical Minimum (0),

Logical Maximum(255),

Usage Page (Key Codes),

Usage Minimum (0),

Usage Maximum (255),

Input (Data, Array),

End Collection

The following table represents the keyboard input report (8 bytes).

Byte Description

Modifier keys

Reserved

Keycode 1

Keycode 2

Keycode 3

Keycode 4

Keycode 5

Keycode 6

Note Byte 1 of this report is a constant. This byte is reserved for OEM use. The

BIOS should ignore this field if it is not used. Returning zeros in unused fields is

recommended.

The following table represents the keyboard output report (1 byte).

Bit Description

NUM LOCK

CAPS LOCK

SCROLL LOCK

COMPOSE

KANA

to 7 CONSTANT

Note The LEDs are absolute output items. This means that the state of each LED

must be included in output reports (0 = off, 1 = on). Relative items would permit

reports that affect only selected controls (0 = no change, 1= change).

6/277/00:

Appendix B: Boot Interface

Descriptors 61

B.2

Protocol 2 (Mouse)

The following illustration represents a Report descriptor for a boot interface for a

mouse.

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (Mouse),

Collection (Application),

Usage (Pointer),

Collection (Physical),

Report Count (3),

Report Size (1),

Usage Page (Buttons),

Usage Minimum (1),

Usage Maximum (3),

Logical Minimum (0),

Logical Maximum (1),

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute),

Report Count (1),

Report Size (5),

Input (Constant),

Report Size (8),

Report Count (2),

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (X),

Usage (Y),

Logical Minimum (-127),

Logical Maximum (127),

Input (Data, Variable, Relative),

End Collection,

End Collection

Byte

Bits

Description

Button 1

Button 2

Button 3

4 to 7

Device-specific

0 to 7

X displacement

0 to 7

Y displacement

3 to n

0 to 7

Device specific (optional)

6/27/00:

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

Appendix C: Keyboard

Implementation

The following are the design requirements for USB keyboards:



Non-modifier keys must be reported in Input (Array, Absolute) items. Reports

must contain a list of keys currently pressed and not make/break codes

(relative data).



The keyboard must support the Idle request.



The keyboard must send data reports at the Idle rate or when receiving a

Get_Report request, even when there are no new key events.



The keyboard must report a phantom state indexing Usage(ErrorRollOver) in

all array fields whenever the number of keys pressed exceeds the Report

Count. The limit is six non-modifier keys when using the keyboard descriptor

in Appendix B. Additionally, a keyboard may report the phantom condition

when an invalid or unrecognizable combination of keys is pressed.



The order of keycodes in array fields has no significance. Order determination

is done by the host software comparing the contents of the previous report to

the current report. If two or more keys are reported in one report, their order is

indeterminate. Keyboards may buffer events that would have otherwise

resulted in multiple event in a single report.



“Repeat Rate” and “Delay Before First Repeat” are implemented by the host

and not in the keyboard (this means the BIOS in legacy mode). The host may

use the device report rate and the number of reports to determine how long a

key is being held down. Alternatively, the host may use its own clock or the

idle request for the timing of these features.



Synchronization between LED states and CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, SCROLL LOCK,

COMPOSE, and KANA events is maintained by the host and NOT the keyboard. If

using the keyboard descriptor in Appendix B, LED states are set by sending a

5-bit absolute report to the keyboard via a Set_Report(Output) request.



For Boot Keyboards, the reported index for a given key must be the same

value as the key usage for that key. This is required because the BIOS will not

read the Report descriptor. It is recommended (but not required) that non-

legacy protocols also try to maintain a one-to-one correspondence between

indices and Usage Tags where possible.

Appendix C: Keyboard Implementation

6/277/00:



Boot Keyboards must support the boot protocol and the Set_Protocol request.

Boot Keyboards may support an alternative protocol (specified in the Report

descriptor) for use in USB-aware operating environments.

Key Event

Modifier

Byte

Array

Comment

None

00000000B

00H

RALT down

01000000

None

01000000

Report current key

state even when no

new key events.

A down

01000000

X down

01000000

B down

01000000

Report order is

arbitrary and does

not reflect order of

events.

Q down

01000000

Phantom state.

Four Array keys

pressed. Modifiers

still reported.

A up

01000000

B and Q up

01000000

Multiple events in

one report. Event

order is

indeterminate.

None

01000000

RALT up

00000000

X up

00000000

Note This example uses a 4-byte report so that the phantom condition can be

more easily demonstrated. Most keyboards should have 8 or more bytes in their

reports.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

6/27/00:

Appendix D: Example Report

Descriptors

The following are example descriptors for common devices. These examples are

provided only to assist in understanding this specification and are not intended as

definitive solutions.

D.1 Example Joystick Descriptor

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (Joystick),

Collection (Application),

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (Pointer),

Collection (Physical),

Logical Minimum (-127),

Logical Maximum (127),

Report Size (8),

Report Count (2),

Push,

Usage (X),

Usage (Y),

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute),

Usage (Hat switch),

Logical Minimum (0),

Logical Maximum (3),

Physical Minimum 0),

Physical Maximum (270),

Unit (Degrees),

Report Count (1),

Report Size (4),

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute, Null State),

Logical Minimum (0),

Logical Maximum (1),

Report Count (2),

Report Size (1),

Usage Page (Buttons),

Usage Minimum (Button 1),

Usage Maximum (Button 2),

Unit (None),

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute)

End Collection,

Usage Minimum (Button 3),

Usage Minimum (Button 4),

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute),

Pop,

Usage (Throttle),

Report Count (1),

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute),

End Collection

Appendix D: Example Report Descriptors

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Byte

Bits

Description

0 to 7

X position

0 to 7

Y position

0 to 3

Hat switch

Button 1

Button 2

Button 3

Button 4

0 to 7

Throttle

Note While the hat switch item only requires 3 bits, it is allocated 4 bits in the

report. This conveniently byte-aligns the remainder of the report.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

6/27/00:

Appendix E: Example USB

Descriptors for HID Class Devices

This appendix contains a sample set of descriptors for an imaginary product.

Caution This sample is intended for use as an instructional tool. Do NOT copy

this information verbatim— even if building a similar device. It is important to

understand the function of every field in every descriptor and why each value was

chosen.

The sample device is a low-speed 105-key keyboard with an integrated pointing

device. This device could be built using just one interface. However, two are used

in this example so the device can support the boot protocol. As a result there are

two Interface, Endpoint, HID and Report descriptors for this device.

E.1

Device Descriptor

Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description Sample Value

bLength 0/1 Numeric expression specifying the size of this

descriptor.

0x12

bDescriptorType 1/1 Device descriptor type (assigned by USB). 0x01

bcdUSB 2/2 USB HID Specification Release 1.0. 0x100

bDeviceClass 4/1 Class code (assigned by USB). Note that the HID class

is defined in the Interface descriptor.

bDeviceSubClass 5/1 Subclass code (assigned by USB). These codes are

qualified by the value of the bDeviceClass field.

bDeviceProtocol 6/1 Protocol code. These codes are qualified by the value

of the bDeviceSubClass field.

bMaxPacketSize0 7/1 Maximum packet size for endpoint zero (only 8, 16,

32, or 64 are valid).

idVendor 8/2 Vendor ID (assigned by USB). For this example we’ll

use 0xFFFF.

0x00

0x08

0xFFFF

idProduct 10/2 Product ID (assigned by manufacturer). 0x0001

bcdDevice 12/2 Device release number (assigned by manufacturer). 0x0100

iManufacturer 14/1 Index of String descriptor describing manufacturer. 0x04

iProduct 15/1 Index of string descriptor describing product. 0x0E

iSerialNumber 16/1 Index of String descriptor describing the device’s

serial number.

0x30

bNumConfigurations 17/1 Number of possible configurations. 0x01

Appendix E: Example USB Descriptors for HID Class Devices

6/277/00:

E.2

Configuration Descriptor

Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description Sample Value

bLength 0/1 Size of this descriptor in bytes. 0x09

bDescriptorType 1/1 Configuration (assigned by USB). 0x02

wTotalLength 2/2 Total length of data returned for this configuration.

Includes the combined length of all returned descriptors

(configuration, interface, endpoint, and HID) returned

for this configuration. This value includes the HID

descriptor but none of the other HID class descriptors

(report or designator).

0x003B

bNumInterfaces 4/1 Number of interfaces supported by this configuration. 0x02

bConfigurationValue 5/1 Value to use as an argument to Set Configuration to

select this configuration.

iConfiguration 6/1 Index of string descriptor describing this configuration.

In this case there is none.

bmAttributes 7/1 Configuration characteristics

7 Bus Powered

6 Self Powered

5 Remote Wakeup

4..0 Reserved (reset to 0)

MaxPower 8/1 Maximum power consumption of USB device from bus

in this specific configuration when the device is fully

operational. Expressed in 2 mA units—for example, 50

= 100 mA. The number chosen for this example is

arbitrary.

E.3

Interface Descriptor (Keyboard)

0x01

0x00

10100000B

0x32

Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description Sample Value

bLength 0/1 Size of this descriptor in bytes. 0x09

bDescriptorType 1/1 Interface descriptor type (assigned by USB). 0x04

bInterfaceNumber 2/1 Number of interface. Zero-based value identifying the

index in the array of concurrent interfaces supported by

this configuration.

bAlternateSetting 3/1 Value used to select alternate setting for the interface

identified in the prior field.

bNumEndpoints 4/1 Number of endpoints used by this interface (excluding

endpoint zero). If this value is zero, this interface only

uses endpoint zero.

0x00

0x01

bInterfaceClass 5/1 Class code (HID code assigned by USB). 0x03

bInterfaceSubClass 6/1 Subclass code.

No subclass

Boot Interface subclass

0x01

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

6/27/00:

Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description Sample Value

bInterfaceProtocol 7/1 Protocol code.

None

Keyboard

Mouse

0x01

iInterface 8/1 Index of string descriptor describing this interface. 0x00

E.4

HID Descriptor (Keyboard)

Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description Sample Value

bLength 0/1 Size of this descriptor in bytes. 0x09

bDescriptorType 1/1 HID descriptor type (assigned by USB). 0x21

bcdHID 2/2 HID Class Specification release number in binary-

coded decimal—for example, 2.10 is 0x210).

0x101

bCountryCode 4/1 Hardware target country. 0x00

bNumDescriptors 5/1 Number of HID class descriptors to follow. 0x01

bDescriptorType 6/1 Report descriptor type. 0x22

wDescriptorLength 7/2 Total length of Report descriptor. 0x3F

E.5

Endpoint Descriptor (Keyboard)

Part

Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description

Sample Value

bLength

0/1

Size of this descriptor in bytes.

0x07

bDescriptorType

1/1

Endpoint descriptor type (assigned by USB).

0x05

bEndpointAddress

2/1

The address of the endpoint on the USB device

described by this descriptor. The address is encoded as

follows:

10000001B

Bit 0..3 The endpoint number

Bit 4..6 Reserved, reset to zero

Bit 7 Direction, ignored for

Control endpoints:

0 - OUT endpoint

1 - IN endpoint

bmAttributes 3/1 This field describes the endpoint’s attributes when it is

configured using the bConfigurationValue.

Bit 0..1 Transfer type:

Control

Isochronous

Bulk

Interrupt

All other bits are reserved.

00000011B

Appendix E: Example USB Descriptors for HID Class Devices

6/277/00:

Part

Offset/Size Description

(Bytes)

Sample Value

wMaxPacketSize

4/2 Maximum packet size this endpoint is capable of

sending or receiving when this configuration is

selected.

0x0008

For interrupt endpoints, this value is used to reserve the

bus time in the schedule, required for the per frame data

payloads. Smaller data payloads may be sent, but will

terminate the transfer and thus require intervention to

restart.

bInterval

6/1 Interval for polling endpoint for data transfers.

Expressed in milliseconds.

0x0A

E.6 Report Descriptor (Keyboard)

Item

Value (Hex)

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

05 01

Usage (Keyboard),

Collection (Application),

Usage Page (Key Codes);

Usage Minimum (224),

Usage Maximum (231),

Logical Minimum (0),

09 06

A1 01

05 07

19 E0

29 E7

15 00

Logical Maximum (1),

25 01

Report Size (1),

75 01

Report Count (8),

95 08

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute), ;Modifier byte

81 02

Report Count (1),

95 01

Report Size (8),

75 08

Input (Constant), ;Reserved byte

81 01

Report Count (5),

95 05

Report Size (1),

75 01

Usage Page (Page# for LEDs),

05 08

Usage Minimum (1),

19 01

Usage Maximum (5),

29 05

Output (Data, Variable, Absolute), ;LED report

91 02

Report Count (1),

95 01

Report Size (3),

75 03

Output (Constant), ;LED report padding

91 01

Report Count (6),

95 06

Report Size (8),

75 08

Logical Minimum (0),

15 00

Logical Maximum(101),

25 65

Usage Page (Key Codes),

05 07

Usage Minimum (0),

19 00

Usage Maximum (101),

29 65

Input (Data, Array), ;Key arrays (6 bytes)

End Collection

81 00

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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E.7

Interface Descriptor (Mouse)

Part

Offset/Size (Bytes)

Description

Sample Value

bLength

0/1

Size of this descriptor in bytes.

0x09

bDescriptorType

1/1

Interface descriptor type (assigned by USB).

0x04

bInterfaceNumber

2/1

Number of interface.

0x01

bAlternateSetting

3/1

Value used to select alternate setting.

0x00

bNumEndpoints

4/1

Number of endpoints.

0x01

bInterfaceClass

5/1

Class code (HID code assigned by USB).

0x03

bInterfaceSubClass

6/1

1 = Boot Interface subclass.

0x01

bInterfaceProtocol

7/1

2 = Mouse.

0x02

iInterface

8/1

Index of string descriptor.

0x00

E.8

HID Descriptor (Mouse)

Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description Sample Value

bLength 0/1 Size of this descriptor in bytes. 0x09

bDescriptorType 1/1 HID descriptor type (assigned by USB). 0x21

bcdHID 2/2 HID Class Specification release number. 0x101

bCountryCode 4/1 Hardware target country. 0x00

bNumDescriptors 5/1 Number of HID class descriptors to follow. 0x01

bDescriptorType 6/1 Report descriptor type. 0x22

wItemLength 7/2 Total length of Report descriptor. 0x32

E.9

Endpoint Descriptor (Mouse)

Part Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description Sample Value

bLength 0/1 Size of this descriptor in bytes. 0x07

bDescriptorType 1/1 Endpoint descriptor type (assigned by USB). 0x05

bEndpointAddress 2/1 The address of the endpoint. 10000010B

bmAttributes 3/1 This field describes the endpoint’s attributes. 00000011B

wMaxPacketSize 4/2 Maximum packet size. 0x0008

bInterval 6/1 Interval for polling endpoint for data transfers. 0x0A

Appendix E: Example USB Descriptors for HID Class Devices

6/277/00:

E.10 Report Descriptor (Mouse)

Item

Value (Hex)

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

05 01

Usage (Mouse),

09 02

Collection (Application),

A1 01

Usage (Pointer),

09 01

Collection (Physical),

A1 00

Usage Page (Buttons),

05 09

Usage Minimum (01),

19 01

Usage Maximun (03),

29 03

Logical Minimum (0),

15 00

Logical Maximum (1),

25 01

Report Count (3),

95 03

Report Size (1),

75 01

Input (Data, Variable, Absolute), ;3 button bits

81 02

Report Count (1),

95 01

Report Size (5),

75 05

Input (Constant), ;5 bit padding

81 01

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

05 01

Usage (X),

09 30

Usage (Y),

09 31

Logical Minimum (-127),

15 81

Logical Maximum (127),

25 7F

Report Size (8),

75 08

Report Count (2),

95 02

Input (Data, Variable, Relative), ;2 position bytes (X & Y)

81 06

End Collection,

End Collection

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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E.11 String Descriptors

Part

Offset/Size

(Bytes)

Description

Sample Value

bLength

00/01

Length of String descriptor in bytes.

0x04

bDescriptorType

01/01

Descriptor Type = String

0x03

bString

02/02

Array of LangID codes (in this case the 2-byte

code for English).

0x0009

bLength

04/01

Length of String descriptor.

0x0A

bDescriptorType

05/01

Descriptor Type = String

0x03

bString

06/08

Manufacturer

ACME

bLength

14/01

Length of String descriptor.

0x22

bDescriptorType

15/01

Descriptor Type = String

0x03

bString

16/32

Product Locator Keyboard

Locator

Keyboard

bLength

48/01

Length of String descriptor.

0x0E

bDescriptorType

49/01

Descriptor Type = String

0x03

bString

50/12

Device Serial Number

ABC123

Note In this example, offset is used for the string index because the offset is

always a small number (less than 256). Alternatively, each string could be given a

sequential string index (0, 1, 2, 3...). Both implementations are functionally

equivalent as long as the device responds appropriately to a string request.

Appendix F: Legacy Keyboard Implementation

6/277/00:

Appendix F: Legacy Keyboard

Implementation

The boot and legacy protocols for keyboards in USB allow a system which is not

USB-aware (such as PC BIOS or IEEE 1275 boot firmware) to support a USB

HID class keyboard without fully supporting all required elements of USB. The

Boot/Legacy Protocol does not limit keyboards to this behavior. Instead, it is

anticipated that keyboards will support full HID-compatible item-based protocols

, as well as boot and legacy protocols.

F.1

Purpose

This specification provides information to guide keyboard designers in making a

USB Boot/Legacy keyboard. It provides information for developers of the system

ROM so that they can use such a keyboard without fully parsing the HID Report

descriptor. The motivation is that while the full HID class capability is

enormously rich and complex, it is not feasible to implement the required HID

class adjustable device driver in ROM. But, operator input may still be required

for either boot or legacy support.

F.2

Management Overview

The HID Class specification provides for the implementation of self-describing

input devices. A device’s HID descriptors, including the Report descriptor,

contain enough information for the operating system to understand the report

protocol the device uses to send events like key presses.

Most USB devices will run with the support of some USB-aware operating

system. The operating system can afford this level of complexity. In most

systems, the ROM-based boot system cannot.

However, the ROM-based boot system usually requires some keyboard support to

allow for system configuration, debugging, and other functions. Examples include

the BIOS in PC-AT systems, and IEEE 1275 boot firmware in workstations. PC-

AT systems running DOS have an additional problem, in that the BIOS must

provide full keyboard support for DOS legacy applications required for system

setup.

It is therefore necessary for the system to take keyboard input before the operating

system loads. It soon follows that mouse support may also be necessary. To make

this easier for the ROM developer, the HID specification defines a keyboard boot

protocol and a mouse boot protocol. Since these protocols are predefined, the

system can take the 8-byte packets and decode them directly. The boot system

does not need to parse the Report descriptors to understand the packet.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

6/27/00:

F.3

Boot Keyboard Requirements

In order to be a USB Boot Keyboard, a keyboard should meet the following

requirements:



The Boot Keyboard shall report keys in the format described in Appendix B of

the HID Class specification.



The Boot Keyboard shall support the Set_Idle request.



The Boot Keyboard shall send data reports when the interrupt in pipe is polled,

even when there are no new key events. The Set_Idle request shall override

this behavior as described in the HID Class specification.



The Boot Keyboard shall report “Keyboard ErrorRollOver” in all array fields

when the number of non-modifier keys pressed exceeds the Report Count. The

limit is six non-modifier keys for a Boot Keyboard.



The Boot Keyboard shall report “Keyboard ErrorRollOver” in all array fields

when combination of keys pressed cannot be accurately determined by the

device, such as ghost key or rollover errors.



The Boot Keyboard shall not maintain CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, SCROLL LOCK,

COMPOSE, or KANA LED states without explicit Set_Report (Output) requests

from the system.



The Boot Keyboard shall support all usage codes of a standard 84-key

keyboard. (See: Appendix A.3)



The Boot Keyboard shall support the Set_Protocol request.



The Boot Keyboard shall, upon reset, return to the non- boot protocol which is

described in its Report descriptor. That is, the Report descriptor for a Boot

Keyboard does not necessarily match the boot protocol. The Report descriptor

for a Boot Keyboard is the non-boot protocol descriptor.



On receipt of a Get_Descriptor request with wValue set to

CONFIGURATION, the keyboard shall return the Configuration descriptor,

all Interface descriptors, all Endpoint descriptors, and the HID descriptor. It

shall not return the HID Report descriptor. The HID descriptor shall be

interleaved with the Interface and Endpoint descriptors; that is, the order

shall be:

Configuration descriptor (other Interface, Endpoint, and Vendor

Specific descriptors if required)

Interface descriptor (with Subclass and Protocol specifying Boot

Keyboard)

HID descriptor (associated with this Interface)

Endpoint descriptor (HID Interrupt In Endpoint)

(other Interface, Endpoint, and Vendor Specific

descriptors if required)

Appendix F: Legacy Keyboard Implementation

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F.4

Keyboard: Non-USB Aware System

Design Requirements

Following are the requirements for a BIOS, IEEE 1275 boot firmware, or other

non-USB aware system to use a USB boot protocol keyboard:



The system shall make no assumptions about the order of key presses from the

order of keys within a single report. The order of key codes in array fields has

no significance. Order determination is done by the host software comparing

the contents of the previous report to the current report. If two or more keys

are reported in one report, their order is indeterminate. Keyboards may buffer

events that would have otherwise resulted in multiple events in a single report.



The system shall implement typematic repeat rate and delay. The Boot

Keyboard has no capability to implement typematic repeat rate and delay. The

system may use the device report rate and the number of reports to determine

how long a key is being held down. Alternatively, the system may use its own

clock or the Set_Idle request for the timing of these features.



The system shall maintain synchronization between LED states the Caps Lock,

Num Lock, or Scroll Lock events. The system sets LED states by sending a 5-

bit absolute report to the keyboard via a Set_Report (specifying Output

report) request.



The system shall issue a Set_Protocol request to the keyboard after

configuring the keyboard device.



The system shall disregard the value of the second byte in the 8-byte keyboard

data packet. This byte is available for system-specific extensions; however,

there is no guarantee that any use of the second byte will be portable to a non-

specific system. It is therefore likely to be limited to use as a notebook

keyboard feature extension, where the keyboard is specific to the system and

cannot be moved to a generic platform.

F.5

Keyboard: Using the Keyboard Boot

Protocol

This section explains some of the detail behind the requirements listed in

Appendix G.4.

To use the boot protocol, the system should do the following:



Select a Configuration which includes a bInterfaceSubClass of 1, “Boot

Interface Subclass,” and a bInterfaceProtocol of 1, “Keyboard”.



Do a Set_Protocol to ensure the device is in boot mode. By default, the device

comes up in non-boot mode (must read the Report descriptor to know the

protocol), so this step allows the system to put the device into the predefined

boot protocol mode.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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

On receipt of an 8-byte report on the Interrupt In endpoint, the system must

look at the modifier key bits (Byte 0, bits 7–0) to determine if any of the SHIFT,

CTRL, ALT, or GUI keys has changed state since the last report. The system

must also look at the six keycode bytes to see if any of the non-modifier keys

has changed state since the last report.



If a non-modifier key has changed state, the system must translate the keycode

sent in the Report to a system-recognized key event.



This remapping can be accomplished through a look-up table. The keycode is

actually an index, but for the system developer the distinction does not matter.

The value sent in the boot key report is identical to the value in the Usage

Index. For example, if the report contains the following then by looking up the

Usage Index in the Key Usage Table, the 04h is the A key, the 3Ah is the F1

key, and the 5Dh is the numeric keypad 5 key.

Byte

Value

Byte 0

00000000b

Byte 1

00000000b

Byte 2

04h

Byte 3

3Ah

Byte 4

5Dh

Byte 5

00h

Byte 6

00h

Byte 7

00h

Important It must be stressed that this is a carefully arranged exception to

the rule that Usages are not sent in a HID report. In the Boot Keyboard case,

the keycode table has been written specifically so that the Usage is equal to the

Logical Index which is reported.

Note: The keypad example below needs to be fixed before the 1.0 document

can be finalized.

For example, assume a certain 17-key keypad does not use the boot protocol.

Therefore, it may not declare itself to be a Boot Keyboard. It might supply the

following Report descriptor, an example of a non-boot 17-key numeric

keypad:

Usage Page (Generic Desktop),

Usage (Keyboard),

Report Count (0),

Collection (Application),

Usage Page(Key Codes),

Usage(0), ; key null

Usage Minimum(53h),

Usage Maximum(63h),

Logical Minimum (0),

Logical Maximum (17),

Appendix F: Legacy Keyboard Implementation

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Report Size (8),

Report Count (3)

Input (Data, Array),

End Collection

The Usages come from the same Key Code Usage Page, but because the

Logical Minimum, Logical Maximum, Usage Minimum and Usage Maximum

values are different, the bytes in the report no longer line up with the Usages

in the Key Code Usage Page. To indicate that the keypad ‘5’ is down in this

example, the report from this device would be as follows.

Byte Value

0 0Bh

1 00h

2 00h

The 0Bh is the index into the list of Usages declared by the above descriptor.

The list of declared Usages starts with 53h, which is the Usage for “Keypad

Num Lock and Clear”. The eleventh element in this list is “Keypad 5”, so the

report includes an entry with 0Bh.

This two step de-referencing is necessary for a non-boot device. In the general

case, the Usages required may not start at 1, may not be a continuous list, and

may use two or more Usage Pages.

However, the boot protocol was designed both to be compatible with the HID

Report descriptor parts, and to eliminate the two-step de-referencing for this

special case. The operating system should read the HID Report descriptor for

the device protocol. The ROM-based system may use the boot protocol after

issuing the Set_Protocol request.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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Appendix G: HID Request Support

Requirements

The following table enumerates the requests that need to be supported by

various types of HID class devices.

Device type

Get Report

Set Report

Get Idle

Set Idle

Get Protocol

Set Protocol

Boot Mouse

Required

Optional

Required

Non-Boot Mouse

Required

Optional

Boot Keyboard

Required

Optional

Required

Non-Boot Keyboard

Required

Optional

Required

Optional

Other Device

Required

Optional

If a device declares an Output report then support for SetReport(Output) request is

required. If an Ouput report is defined, declaration of an Interrupt Out endpoint is

optional, however operating systems that do not support HID Interrupt Out endpoints

will route all Output reports through the control endpoint using a SetReport(Output)

request.

Appendix H: Glossary Definitions

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Appendix H: Glossary Definitions

This appendix defines terms used throughout this document. For additional terms

that pertain to the USB, see Chapter 2, “Terms and Abbreviations,” in the USB

Specification.

Array

A series of data fields each containing an index that corresponds to an activated

control. Banks of buttons or keys are reported in array items.

Boot Device

A device which can be used by host system firmware to assist in system

configuration prior to the loading of operating system software. A non-boot

device does not need to be functional until the operating system has loaded.

Button bitmap

A series of 1-bit fields, each representing the on/off state of a button. Buttons can

be reported in either an array or a button bitmap.

Class

A USB device is organized into classifications such as HID, audio, or other-based

on the device’s features, supported requests, and data protocol.

Collection

A collection is a meaningful grouping of Input, Output, and Feature items—for

example, mouse, keyboard, joystick, and pointer. A pointer Collection contains

items for x and y position data and button data. The Collection and End

Collection items are used to delineate collections.

Control

A sink or source of a data field—for example, an LED is a sink or destination for

data. A button is an example of a source of data.

Control pipe

The default pipe used for bi-directional communication of data as well as for

device requests.

Data phase

Part of a device’s response to a request.

Descriptor

Information about a USB device is stored in segments of its ROM (read-only

memory). These segments are called descriptors.

Device class

A method of organizing common functions and protocols for devices that serve

similar functions—for example, communication, audio, display, and so on.

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Device descriptor

Packet of information that describes the device—for example, the vendor, product

ID, firmware version, and so on.

Endpoint descriptor

Standard USB descriptor describing the type and capabilities of a USB

communication channel, or pipe.

Feature control

Feature controls affect the behavior of the device or report the state of the device.

Unlike input or output data, feature data is intended for use by device

configuration utilities and not applications. For example, the value for the repeat

rate of a particular key could be a feature control. HID feature controls are

unrelated to features discussed in Chapter 9 of the USB Specification.

Feature item

Adds data fields to a Feature report.

Field

A discrete section of data within a report.

Frame

The smallest unit of time on the Universal Serial Bus (USB); equal to 1

millisecond.

HID (Human Interface Device)

Acronym specifying either a specific class of devices or the type of device known

as Human Interface Devices (HID) or HID class devices—for example, a data

glove. In this document, “HID class” is synonymous with a device of type: human

interface.

HID class

The classification of USB devices associated with human interface devices (HID).

HID class device

A device of type: human interface and classified as such.

HID descriptor

Information about a USB device is stored in segments of its ROM (read-only

memory). These segments are called descriptors.

Host

A computer with a USB port, as opposed to a device plugged into it.

Hub

A USB device containing one or more USB ports.

Appendix H: Glossary Definitions

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Idle rate

The frequency at which a device reports data when no new events have occurred.

Most devices only report new events and therefore default to an idle rate of

infinity. Keyboards may use the idle rate for auto repeating keys.

Input item

Adds one or more data fields to an input report. Input controls are a source of data

intended for applications—for example, x and y data.

Interface descriptor

The class field of this descriptor defines this device as a HID class device.

Interrupt In pipe

The pipe used to transfer unrequested data from the device to the host.

Interrupt Out pipe

The pipe used to transfer low latency data from the host to the device.

Item

A component of A Report descriptor that represents a piece of information about

the device. The first part of an item, called the item tag, identifies the kind of

information an item provides. Also, referred to generically as Report items.

Included are three categories of items: Main, Global, and Local. Each type of

item is defined by its tag. Also referred to as Main item tag, Global item tag, and

Local item tag.

Item parser

The part of the HID class driver that reads and interprets the items in the Report

descriptor.

Logical units

The value the device returns for Logical Minimum and Logical Maximum. See

Physical units.

LSB

Least Significant Byte

Main item

An item that adds fields to a report. For example, Input, Output, and Feature

items are all data.

Message pipe

Another name for the Control pipe.

NAK

The value returned when a request has been sent to the device and the device is

not prepared to respond.

Nibble

A half of a byte; 4 bits.

Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID) Version 1.11

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Non-USB aware

An operating system, program loader, or boot subsystem which does not support

USB per the core and device class specifications. Examples include PC-AT BIOS

and IEEE 1275 boot firmware.

Null

No value, or zero, depending upon context.

Output item

Adds one or more data fields to an output report. Output controls are a destination

for data from applications—for example, LEDs.

Packets

A USB unit of information: Multiple packets make up a transaction, multiple

transactions make up a transfer report.

Part

Document convention used to define bit attributes.

Physical Descriptor

Determines which body part is used for a control or collection. Each Physical

descriptor consists of the following three fields: Designator, Qualifier and

Effort.

Physical units

The logical value with a unit parameter applied to it. See Logical units.

Pipes

Pipes are different ways of transmitting data between a driver and a device. There

are different types of pipes depending on the type of encoding or requesting that

you want to do. For example, all devices have Control pipe by default. The

Control pipe is used for message-type data. A device may have one or more

Interrupt pipes. An Interrupt In pipe is used for stream-type data from the

device and an optional Interrupt Out pipe may be used for low latency data to

the device. Other types of pipes include Bulk and Isochronous. These two types

of pipes are not used by HID class devices and are therefore not defined for use

within this specification.

Protocol

A report structure other than the structure defined by the report descriptor.

Protocols are used by keyboards and mice to insure BIOS support.

Report

A data structure returned by the device to the host (or vice versa). Some devices

may have multiple report structures, each representing only a few items. For

example, a keyboard with an integrated pointing device could report key data

independently of pointing data on the same endpoint.

Report descriptor

Specifies fields of data transferred between a device and a driver.

Appendix H: Glossary Definitions

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Set

A group of descriptors—for example, a descriptor set.

Stream pipe

Isochronous pipe used to transmit data.

String descriptor

A table of text used by one or more descriptors.

Tag

Part of a Report descriptor that supplies information about the item, such as its

usage.

Terminating items

An item within a descriptor. For example, Push, Pop, and Item are terminating

items. When the item parser within the HID class driver locates a terminating

item, the contents of the item state table are moved.

Transaction

A device may send or receive a transaction every USB frame (1 millisecond). A

transaction may be made up of multiple packets (token, data, handshake) but is

limited in size to 8 bytes for low-speed devices and 64 bytes for high-speed

devices.

Transfer

One or more transactions creating a set of data that is meaningful to the device—

for example, Input, Output, and Feature reports. In this document, a transfer is

synonymous with a report.

Unknown Usage

Unknown usages can be standard HID usages that an application predates or

vendor defined usages not recognized by a generic application.

Usage

What items are actually measuring as well as the vendor’s suggested use for

specific items.

USB Boot Device

Device is USB HID “Boot/Legacy” compliant and Reports its ability to use the

boot protocol, or report format, defined in the HID class specification for input

devices such as keyboards or mouse devices.

Variable

A data field containing a ranged value for a specific control. Any control

reporting more than on/off needs to use a variable item.

Vendor

Device manufacturer.

Index

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Index

Actions, terminating items 16

Arrays

defined 80

modifier bytes 56

Report Count behavior 39

report format for items 56

Bias 43, 45

Bitmap data 56

Body parts, physical descriptor parts 45

Boot interface descriptors 59

Boot protocol 74, 76, 79

Boot subclass 54

Button bitmaps, defined 80

Button bitmaps, defined\\ USB_H10.DOC-

1287 80

Class, defined 80

Class-specific requests 50

Collection items

described 33

parser behavior 16

tags 24

Collection, defined 80

Configuration descriptors 67

Contributing companies vii

Control pipes 10, 80

Controls, defined 80

Conventions, document ix

Country codes 22

Data fields in reports 29

Data items, defined 82

Data phase, defined 80

Default pipes 50

Descriptor sets 83

Descriptor sets\\ 4

Descriptors

boot interface 59

class-specific 21

configuration, sample 67

defined 80

device 4, 66

endpoint 68

examples

for common devices 64

for HID class devices 66

for joystick 64

HID 22, 68, 81

interface (keyboard) 67

Mouse 70

Physical [begin] 43

Physical [end] 44

Report 4, 14, 23, 70

standard 21

String 5

structure 12

Design requirements, USB keyboards 62

Designator Qualifier 43

Designator sets, Bias field 45

Designator tags 44

Device class, defined 80

Device descriptors 4, 66, 81

Devices

classes (table) 1

common, example descriptors 64

descriptors See Descriptors

force feedback 2

HID, examples 1

limitations 11

orientation 20

reports 17, 18

USB devices See USB devices

Disclaimer, intellectual property vii

Documentation

conventions ix

purpose 2