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Explains how to enter command mode via button or shortcut, and general usage.
Details command syntax, available commands like 'syntax', 'show', 'save', 'exit', and 'device clear'.
Covers commands for key mapping ('map') and setting up macros ('macro').
Details commands for setting up periodic key events ('timer') and grouping settings ('layer').
The Handheld Scientific Bluetooth Adapter for Keyboards and Mice, Model: BT-600 (Firmware 6.0.x), is a versatile device designed to transform USB keyboards and mice into Bluetooth-enabled peripherals, offering advanced customization and bridging capabilities. Its primary function is to convert a standard USB keyboard or mouse into a Bluetooth device, allowing for wireless connectivity with a wide range of hosts. Additionally, it can act as a USB-to-USB bridge, enabling the use of its advanced features, such as key mapping and layers, even when connected via USB. The adapter also facilitates seamless switching between Bluetooth and USB modes.
Key operational features include comprehensive key mapping, allowing users to reassign any key to another key, mouse movement, or a macro. This enables advanced customization, such as converting a QWERTY keyboard to Dvorak or Colemak layouts with a simple command. The device supports up to four timers, which can be configured to periodically send a key, mouse movement, or macro, useful for preventing Bluetooth connections from timing out or hosts from entering sleep mode. Macros, defined as sequences of keys and/or mouse movements, can be used in conjunction with key mappings or timers. Layers allow users to group sets of settings (mappings, timers, and macros) and switch between them quickly using shortcuts. A "repeat" function enables a key to toggle on/off for generating fast successions of keystrokes, which is particularly useful in gaming scenarios.
The adapter is compatible with a broad spectrum of hosts, including macOS, iOS (iPad & iPhone), Android tablets/smartphones, and all versions of Windows and Linux that support Bluetooth 4.x or higher. It works with various USB keyboards, including those with built-in hubs, though additional devices connected to a keyboard's hub are not officially supported. Most media keys on keyboards, such as Volume +/-, Mute, Play/Stop, Previous/Next, Browser, Calculator, Home, Help, Search, and Sleep, are supported. Programmable keys (e.g., G1, G2 on Logitech keyboards) will function if configured as standard keys. Many keyboard-emulating USB devices, such as keypads, foot pedals, bar code readers, magnetic strip readers, and PS2 to USB adapters, are also compatible if they appear as keyboards to the operating system. Most 2.4G wireless dongles, like Logitech Unifying Adapters, are also supported. The device features keycode-free pairing, simplifying the connection process, though caution is advised for security concerns to ensure pairing with the intended host.
The device incorporates a 0.96-inch TFT color display that provides useful information, including Bluetooth and USB connectivity status, enablement, connection, and activation. It also displays USB information such as voltage and cumulated power consumption. Navigation is managed via a dedicated navigation button, which switches between different screens. The mode button offers three functions based on press duration: a short press can be configured to switch between USB and Bluetooth or send a key/macro; pressing and holding for 2 seconds enters command mode; and pressing and holding for 10 seconds resets all settings to factory default.
For USB-USB bridging, when the adapter's USB male port is plugged into a laptop, it appears as a composite keyboard/mouse device. If activated, keystrokes or mouse movements from the connected keyboard/mouse are output to this port, allowing the host computer to benefit from the adapter's advanced features like key mapping and layers, which are typically unavailable in most keyboards.
To initiate pairing, the adapter advertises its presence for the first 30 seconds after power-on if not connected to a host. Users should turn on the adapter (with or without a keyboard), search for Bluetooth devices on the host (the adapter's name is ADAPTER_nnnn, where nnnn are the last 4 digits of its MAC address), select it, and click "pair." No pairing code is required. Upon successful pairing, the adapter connects to the host, and its status is displayed on the screen. Pairing is a one-time process; subsequent power-ons will automatically connect to the paired host if available. To pair with a different host, the adapter must first be unpaired from the current one. Erasing paired devices from the adapter itself (using the device clear command) is not sufficient to erase the bonding; the adapter must also be unpaired from the host. If a new host is paired without unpairing the old one, and both are present, the adapter will connect randomly to either.
The command mode is used for configuring adapter features. To enter command mode, the adapter must be paired with a host. Any text display app (e.g., Notes, Notepad, Word, browser input) can be used. Users must ensure that text typed on the connected keyboard appears in the app. Command mode can be entered by pressing and holding the mode button for approximately 2 seconds, which will emit a specific text string. Alternatively, the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Insert can be used. This 3-key combination is similar to Ctrl+Alt+Del but uses Insert instead of Del. This shortcut can be disabled in settings if it conflicts with other applications. If garbled characters appear upon entering command mode, the operating system's language setting should be English. To exit command mode, press the mode button again or type exit in the command line. In command mode, keystrokes are interpreted as commands.
Commands are case-insensitive and terminated by Return or Enter, similar to a Linux terminal. Typing help or ? provides a list of commands, and help command offers specific command assistance. The keyboard must be in an English layout for correct text generation. Most features like key mappings, timers, and layers are disabled in command mode; users must exit command mode to see their effects. The command syntax is straightforward, using curly brackets {} for required values and square brackets [] for optional arguments. For example, dvorak|colemak means dvorak or colemak without substitution.
Available commands include syntax (displays command syntax), show (displays adapter information, TFT screen settings, throttle interval, and interface status), save (saves changes to persist across restarts), exit (exits command mode), device clear (clears paired devices in the adapter, requiring host unpairing as well), reboot [hard] (restarts adapter, with an optional hard argument for factory reset), key name (prints a list of key names), set (sets system parameters like usb enabled|disabled, bt enabled|disabled, bt name {name}, time throttle {n} for keystroke delay, and ctrlaltins enabled|disabled), timer (sets up periodic key sending, with timer list, timer {n} period {m}, and timer {n} key {key}), map (manages key mappings, with map add {source_key} {dst_key}, map add dvorak|colemak, map del {key}, map del all, and map names), macro (displays and sets up macros, with macro list and macro edit {n}), layer (groups settings for quick switching), and repeat (toggles fast keystroke succession).
For maintenance, pressing and holding the mode button for more than 10 seconds (ignoring the command mode entry after 2 seconds) will eventually turn off the device. Upon the next reboot, all configurations will be restored to factory defaults. The reset hard command achieves the same effect. Further detailed information and examples are available in the full manual, which can be downloaded from the product page. Customer feedback and suggestions are welcomed via email.
General| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth |
|---|---|
| Model | BT-600 |
| Category | Adapter |
| Brand | Handheld Scientific |
| Interface | Bluetooth |
| Compatibility | Various devices with Bluetooth support |
| Power Supply | Battery Powered |
