USB Mechanical Switch?

[Jim Thompson]

I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.

Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
the head-set when not in use?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

[mike]

On 9/18/2012 7:15 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
> I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
> calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>
> Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
> the head-set when not in use?
>
> ...Jim Thompson

short extension cable will save the hub.
or cut the cable and insert a switch
Or look around in the sound configuration to see if it lets
you use different i/o for calls and not calls.

[Jim Thompson]

On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:15:29 -0700, Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

>I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
>calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>
>Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
>the head-set when not in use?
>
> ...Jim Thompson

Something like this...

http://tinyurl.com/8emrh85

I guess just cut the headset cable and insert in-line, in a teensy
plastic box ?:-)

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:34:47 -0700, Jim Thompson

<To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

>On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:15:29 -0700, Jim Thompson
><To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>
>>I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
>>calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>>
>>Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
>>the head-set when not in use?
>>
>> ...Jim Thompson
>
>Something like this...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/8emrh85
>
>I guess just cut the headset cable and insert in-line, in a teensy
>plastic box ?:-)
>
> ...Jim Thompson

Or this...

http://tinyurl.com/8bvcx34

[Don Kuenz]

Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@on-my-web-site.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:15:29 -0700, Jim Thompson
> <To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>
>>I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
>>calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>>
>>Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
>>the head-set when not in use?
>>
>> ...Jim Thompson
>
> Something like this...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/8emrh85
>
> I guess just cut the headset cable and insert in-line, in a teensy
> plastic box ?:-)

Surely you know better than to do that? Mechanically toggling one of
the data lines (pins 2 & 3) supposedly works.

--
Don Kuenz

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:02:52 -0500, Don Kuenz <gar...@crcomp.net>
wrote:

Are you forgetting I have a headset attached? I want the switch
equivalent of unplugging the headset.

Adding electronics seems quite superfluous for a headset. For a
harddrive, sure, signal intent, so you don't scramble data.

[Jamie]

Jim Thompson wrote:

> I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
> calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>
> Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
> the head-set when not in use?
>
> ...Jim Thompson

You got to be kidding me? right?

Jamie

[Don Kuenz]

Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@on-my-web-site.com> wrote:

> Are you forgetting I have a headset attached? I want the switch
> equivalent of unplugging the headset.

OK, so you need to make/break audio and not USB? That may be a hard
nut to crack. Newer PCs seem to sense when an audio connection changes.
One way of doing that is to use a phone jack similar to symbol D in
this schematic:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Phone_jack_symbols.png

The tip breaks/makes a switch as the plug is inserted/removed. When
plug is removed the tip signal lines(s) get(s) connected to an unknown
"black box" circuit.

--
Don Kuenz

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:03:44 -0500, Don Kuenz <gar...@crcomp.net>
wrote:

>Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@on-my-web-site.com> wrote:
>
>> Are you forgetting I have a headset attached? I want the switch
>> equivalent of unplugging the headset.
>
>OK, so you need to make/break audio and not USB? That may be a hard
>nut to crack.

Unplugging the USB connector seems to work. So why wouldn't a switch?

>Newer PCs seem to sense when an audio connection changes.
>One way of doing that is to use a phone jack similar to symbol D in
>this schematic:
>
>http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Phone_jack_symbols.png
>
>The tip breaks/makes a switch as the plug is inserted/removed. When
>plug is removed the tip signal lines(s) get(s) connected to an unknown
>"black box" circuit.

[Don Kuenz]

Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@on-my-web-site.com> wrote:

> Unplugging the USB connector seems to work. So why wouldn't a switch?

The outer two pins of a USB connector carry VCC and ground while the
inner two pins carry a differential pair. Put a switch on either line
of the differential pair.

--
Don Kuenz

[spamtrap1888]

On Sep 19, 8:47 am, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...@On-My-

Web-Site.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:34:47 -0700, Jim Thompson
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
> >On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:15:29 -0700, Jim Thompson
> ><To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>
> >>I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
> >>calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>
> >>Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
> >>the head-set when not in use?
>
> >>                                        ...Jim Thompson
>
> >Something like this...
>
> >          http://tinyurl.com/8emrh85
>
> >I guess just cut the headset cable and insert in-line, in a teensy
> >plastic box ?:-)
>
> >                                        ...Jim Thompson
>
> Or this...
>
>            http://tinyurl.com/8bvcx34
>

DIP switches don't have to be designed for a large number of
operations. And, I find them annoying to use.

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:30:47 -0500, Don Kuenz <gar...@crcomp.net>
wrote:

I ordered this...

http://tinyurl.com/cvvheq2

I'll just leave one output open.

[Martin Riddle]

"Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote
in message news:23mk5858d3g1c30rn...@4ax.com...

> On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:30:47 -0500, Don Kuenz <gar...@crcomp.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@on-my-web-site.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>> Unplugging the USB connector seems to work. So why wouldn't a
>>> switch?
>>
>>The outer two pins of a USB connector carry VCC and ground while the
>>inner two pins carry a differential pair. Put a switch on either line
>>of the differential pair.
>
> I ordered this...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/cvvheq2
>
> I'll just leave one output open.
>
> ...Jim Thompson

Here's one on steroids!
<http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e2d2/>

Cheers

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:42:09 -0500, flipper <fli...@fish.net> wrote:

>On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:43:07 -0700, Jim Thompson
><To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:30:47 -0500, Don Kuenz <gar...@crcomp.net>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@on-my-web-site.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Unplugging the USB connector seems to work. So why wouldn't a switch?
>>>
>>>The outer two pins of a USB connector carry VCC and ground while the
>>>inner two pins carry a differential pair. Put a switch on either line
>>>of the differential pair.
>>
>>I ordered this...
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/cvvheq2
>>
>>I'll just leave one output open.
>>
>> ...Jim Thompson
>

>How does this solve your problem?

The headset is plugged in, but not active. Press the button, they go
active. No grappling to get it plugged in, button on edge of desk.

[Jim Thompson]

I already have a "plugable" brand 7-port (powered).

I've spent the week unsnarling cables. Ended up with nearly a bushel
basket of un-needed cables :-)

I guess that's what happens over the years as you just ADD things on
;-)

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:05:30 -0500, flipper <fli...@fish.net> wrote:

>On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:15:29 -0700, Jim Thompson
><To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>
>>I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
>>calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>>
>>Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
>>the head-set when not in use?
>>
>> ...Jim Thompson
>

>Maybe I'm missing something in the problem description but seems to me
>you can just leave them both plugged in all the time. Set the PC
>Speakers as your 'default' sound device in Windows so it operates
>'normally'. Then tell Skype to use the headset and, in the third
>option, ring 'all devices' so that comes out the speakers too in case
>you're not wearing the headset when a call comes in.

This particular box drops speakers and outputs to a headset anytime it
senses the headset., which is just fine with me... I use the headset
for YouTubing when the wife is still asleep.

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:47:54 -0500, flipper <fli...@fish.net> wrote:

>On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:21:13 -0500, flipper <fli...@fish.net> wrote:
>

>>On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:11:42 -0500, flipper <fli...@fish.net> wrote:
>>
>>>On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:28:29 -0700, Jim Thompson

>>><To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:05:30 -0500, flipper <fli...@fish.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:15:29 -0700, Jim Thompson
>>>>><To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
>>>>>>calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
>>>>>>the head-set when not in use?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ...Jim Thompson
>>>>>
>>>>>Maybe I'm missing something in the problem description but seems to me
>>>>>you can just leave them both plugged in all the time. Set the PC
>>>>>Speakers as your 'default' sound device in Windows so it operates
>>>>>'normally'. Then tell Skype to use the headset and, in the third
>>>>>option, ring 'all devices' so that comes out the speakers too in case
>>>>>you're not wearing the headset when a call comes in.
>>>>
>>>>This particular box drops speakers and outputs to a headset anytime it
>>>>senses the headset., which is just fine with me... I use the headset
>>>>for YouTubing when the wife is still asleep.
>>>

>>>OOOooh, now I get it.
>>>
>>>>
>>>> ...Jim Thompson
>>
>>Follow up. Here's a little hotkey program to switch between the two so
>>you could just leave it plugged in.
>>
>>http://blog.contriving.net/2009/05/04/a-hotkey-to-switch-between-headphones-and-speakers-soundswitch/
>
>Here's a sys tray icon version (Windows 7 only)
>
>http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1656534

I had a "soundswitch" program on the old machine... a nuisance trying
to apply it, when all I want is to grab the headset and answer the
call by punching the switch.

[Jasen Betts]

On 2012-09-19, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
> I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
> calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>
> Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
> the head-set when not in use?

ideally you want the power-supply contacts to close before the data
contacts but usb enumeration is fairly slow so an ordinary 3p2t switch
would probably work.

But as others have mentioned this is really a software configuration problem
(unless you have too few sockets to leave everything connected all the time)

--
⚂⚃ 100% natural

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---

[Jasen Betts]

On 2012-09-20, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-Th...@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

> This particular box drops speakers and outputs to a headset anytime it
> senses the headset., which is just fine with me... I use the headset
> for YouTubing when the wife is still asleep.

I've got an analogue headset plugged into a Y adaptor that it shares
with the speakers, when I want "less noise" I just turn the speakers off.

[Owen Roberts]

Jim:

USB Cable Color Code:

Red = VCC
Wht = DATA 1
GRN = DATA 2
BLK = Ground

Break VCC, switch there.


The PC might, in rare cases, get annoyed. The USB widget is supposed
to initialize the PC port for device type and current draw. If the
laptop type PC sees your widget as a current draw with no talk, it can
power down the port. I have used a few that do, but most do not.

Steve

[David Eather]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:15:29 +1000, Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-Th...@on-my-web-site.com> wrote:

> I'm going to wear out my USB hub plugging in my head-set for Skype
> calls, then unplugging to return to PC speakers.
>
> Does there exist a simple mechanic switch I could toggle to disconnect
> the head-set when not in use?
>

> ...Jim Thompson

Jim,

you just need a standard DPDT switch to switch the data lines.
--
Using Opera's revolutionary email client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

[Jim Thompson]

On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:03:44 -0500, Don Kuenz <gar...@crcomp.net>
wrote:

Did it this way...

http://www.analog-innovations.com/SED/USB_ManualSwitch_Plugable.jpg

Hard to see, but there's a pushbutton on top (the white dots between
connectors). With only one PC plugged into the output side, the LED
only lights when the headset is active.

Now to neaten up the desk, then go buy some Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
;-)