What is a HID?
HID stands for Human Interface Device. This is a term used to describe certain types of PC peripheral, usually connected via USB. Windows and Mac OS support a number of "native" HID devices using in-built drivers. 

The U-HID board appears as the following HID devices on the PC:
Keyboard
Gamepad (including analog and digital controls)
Mouse
LED outputs 

The way in which the board emulates natively-supported devices means it requires no special drivers or host software, with the exception of LED output control. 

The board has 50 connections which can be configured to any of these HID device types providing a truly universal interface. For example, you can connect pushbuttons to generate keyboard keystrokes, trackballs to act as a mouse, pedals to act as analog game controller joysticks, or hundreds of other device types. 

The PC will see all the devices as something it recognises, so all standard applications will work.

Harness Options:
Modular 8-Way Harness
This consists of 9 wires, (8 inputs plus ground) and plugs onto any of the sections of the U-HID connector. It is keyed to avoid incorrect connection. 
The harness is 900mm long (39 in) and has connectors at both ends. It can be cut in half to give two open-ended wiring harnesses, then the appropriate connector fitted for the switch or other device.

U-HID Harness Type 2
Harness for U-Trak Trackball and SpinTrak Spinner plus spare positions


U-HID Config Utility:
U HID U Config Configuration Utility


U-HID FEATURES:
USB 2.0 interface 
50 connections arranged in an open pin-header format allowing multiple varieties of standard connector to be used. 

Connections can be assigned as: 
Keyboard key
Gamepad Button
Gamepad analog axis with or without auto-calibration and center dead-zone.
Mouse button (including double-click)
Quadrature Mouse Pair. X or Y axis. Normal or reverse direction.
Quadrature left/right button presses.
PC-controlled LED output using special software
PC Num/Scroll/Caps lock LEDs
U-HID locally-controlled LED output based on the state of any switch.
5 Volt output (30ma max)
Ground 

No special drivers or application changes needed except for PC-controlled LEDs which has an API with code examples.
Simple open pin-header connectors allow use of separate or composite modular wiring harnesses.
U-Config configuration utility allows the connections to be configured for each device type, and keycodes and other attributes set.
Switches handled by super-fast logic using an individual de-bounce state counter for each input giving ultimate performance for gaming applications.
No key ghosting or blocking ever.
Advanced keycode/button programming with in-built shift feature. Includes macro capability
12-bit analog axis support
Configuration utiity interacts real-time with the board and all settings stored instantly in Flash ROM on the board.
Single Mini-USB connector for PC (or MAC) connection. No separate power needed
50 Truly independent inputs allow all switches to be commoned to ground. No matrix or diodes
Modular 8-way + ground harnesses available.
Extended switch harnesses available.
ESD protected inputs. Vital for high-footfall public applications.
All settings stored in Flash ROM and retained after power-off.
Configuration can be changed on-the-fly using a command-line. The board can assume a completely different layout instantly.
Simple-to-use PC Configuration application.
Up to 8 boards can be connected. All are configured using the same U-Config utility. 

Advanced Features: 
Key and Button functions can have one primary and one secondary code assignment.
Secondary assignments are invoked by first activating a “U-HID Shift” connection.
Any connection can be assigned as a shift. 
Unique separately-programmable “button down” and “button up” events allow use of all types of normally-closed, normally-open, or active high/low controls. 
“Button down” and “button up” can be separately assigned as primary or secondary codes. 
Controls can be assigned as “normal” or “pulse”. 
Toggle (push on-push off) and flip-flop modes available.
Programmable analog offset and scale factor for all analog axes.
X and Y axes can be configured with adjustable center dead-zone and auto-calibration.
Extended macro capability.
User-upgradeable firmware for future enhancements and customizations. 

Examples of control types which can be connected: 
Pushbuttons
Switch-type joysticks
Toggle switches
Toggle switches with integral LED (does not require a second connection for the LED)
Momentary pushbuttons with integral LED (LED can be controlled without any host application, or can be host-controlled)
LEDs associated with a switch. (LED can be controlled without any host application)
LED indicators driven by a PC application.
Other devices can be controlled either directly or via an external high-current driver
Analog joysticks
Incremental Rotary encoders (Spinners).
Low-resolution rotary encoders (360 degree volume control type)
12-way or N-way rotary switches used as encoders (requires simple diode circuit)
Trackballs
Pots
Optical steering wheels
Pot-type steering wheels
Pot-type throttle pedals
Analog Voltage sources (0-5 volts).
TTL logic signals. 

Control counts which can be configured: 
Total 50 connection pins.
Max 8 analog axes on 50 possible pins (Windows limitation)
Max 32 Gamepad buttons on 50 possible pins (Windows limitation)
Max 8 Quadrature mouse devices on 16 possible pins out of the 50. 
Max 3 Quadrature mouse axes (X, Y and Z, Windows limitation)
Max 50 keyboard keys on 50 possible pins.
Max 16 LEDs in any combination of PC or U-HID controlled. (USB 500 mA current limitation).
Max 50 low-current output drivers.