Need new backend for BLE under Windows

[LeeChunHei]

I am using the python wrapper of this library, pyhidapi
when I check the product_string of the Bluetooth HID device, it returns None.
I noticed that in windows this library is using HidD_GetProductString to get the name of the HID device.
So I asked in Microsoft community and they replied this function will not work on BLE device but will work on the classic Bluetooth.
However, it still not working after I change to use Bluetooth classic HID device.
Therefore, I would like to ask if anyone successfully gets the Bluetooth classic HID Device product string with Windows10 before.
Or I just messed up with some other stuff.

[Youw]

I think this may be relevant to you:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/65970214/where-does-bluetooth-and-other-devices-get-its-information-from#comment116656875_65970214

The other thing that comes to my mind: is your device a Mouse-/Keyboard-like device? In other words - does hid_open_path falls-back to no read/write access (open_device(path, FALSE)) ?

[LeeChunHei]

The other thing that comes to my mind: is your device a Mouse-/Keyboard-like device? In other words - does hid_open_path falls-back to no read/write access (open_device(path, FALSE)) ?

My device is not the mouse-/keyboard-like device, I set the report descriptor to a custom report, and when I try to read write the device, the python program did not warn me with no read/write access.

I think this may be relevant to you:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/65970214/where-does-bluetooth-and-other-devices-get-its-information-from#comment116656875_65970214

This one is interesting, did the question mean that the product name can be seen like this

But showing generic name in hid device like this

Then HidD_GetProductString is provided in Win32API instead of WinRT?
And it is possible that in that question, a BLE device is used which the Microsoft guy replied HidD_GetProductString not supported.

Right now what I'm scared about is I did something wrong on the device side, so it would be better if anyone can test with their classic Bluetooth HID device.

[Youw]

To verify your device, you could try using macOS version of the library (you'd need mac of course) or hidraw backend on Linux.
Just to isolate is it Windows-specific or not.

[LeeChunHei]

To verify your device, you could try using macOS version of the library (you'd need mac of course) or hidraw backend on Linux.
Just to isolate is it Windows-specific or not.

What I'm scared of is I did something wrong for what Windows required. I had tested with Linux before and it can even get the product name of the BLE device. So my problem is really Windows specific

[DJm00n]

Just checked DualShock4 controller connected via Bluetooth and can confirm that it is working:

Interface Path:  \\?\HID#{00001124-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb}_VID&0002054c_PID&09cc#8&149c8f5&0&0000#{4d1e55b2-f16f-11cf-88cb-001111000030}
HidD_GetManufacturerString: Sony Interactive Entertainment
HidD_GetProductString: Wireless Controller
HidD_GetSerialNumberString: dcaf687546af
HidD_GetAttributes: VendorID: 0x054c, ProductID: 0x09cc, VersionNumber: 0x0000

Also checked Xbox Series Controller Model 1914 connected via Bluetooth LE: only HidD_GetAttributes is working fine with that controller.

Interface Path: \\?\HID#{00001812-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb}&Dev&VID_5e&PID_0b13&REV_0505&987a14b7e3a7&IG_00#9&55c66e1&0&0000#{4d1e55b2-f16f-11cf-88cb-001111000030}
HidD_GetManufacturerString: returns empty buffer
HidD_GetProductString: returns empty buffer
HidD_GetSerialNumberString: returns empty buffer
HidD_GetAttributes: VendorID: 0x045e, ProductID: 0x0b13, VersionNumber: 0x0505

Tests are done on Windows 10 Version 1909.

This is how it is seen in Windows "Bluetooth & other devices" screen:

Here is control panel screenshot:

Here is joy.cpl:

Seems there is impossible to get "Xbox Wireless Controller XXXXXX" string for Bluetooth LE device via HID API. Also Bluetooth LE APIs are not exposed via classic IOCTLs and only usable via Windows.Devices.Bluetooth.GenericAttributeProfile WinRT API. See https://github.com/microsoft/Windows-universal-samples/tree/master/Samples/BluetoothLE/cppwinrt for example code.

[Youw]

This looks like a potential alternative backend for Windows:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.devices.humaninterfacedevice?view=winrt-20348

I woundner if it works with BluetoothLE devices properly, i.e. so we could use Windows.Devices.HumanInterfaceDevice instead of Windows.Devices.Bluetooth.

[LeeChunHei]

This looks like a potential alternative backend for Windows:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.devices.humaninterfacedevice?view=winrt-20348

I woundner if it works with BluetoothLE devices properly, i.e. so we could use Windows.Devices.HumanInterfaceDevice instead of Windows.Devices.Bluetooth.

I tried this yesterday when I try to build an hidapi version with winrt API
Somehow I can't find how to use it to perform the action of hid_read
And I can't use winrt API only for windows version hidapi, as we are missing winrt API to get the serial number and manufacturer string

So right now I'm trying to build a version that uses winrt API to get the product string if the HidD_GetProductString return a null pointer

[Youw]

I can't find how to use it to perform the action of hid_read

That is GetInputReportAsync()

missing winrt API to get the serial number and manufacturer string

I believe that should be possible using Windows.Devices. API

[LeeChunHei]

That is GetInputReportAsync()

I think this function is related to hid_get_input_report instead of hid_read?

I believe that should be possible using Windows.Devices. API

Then I'm not quite sure, as I am using the Windows.Devices.Enumerate.DeviceInformation API
And I not quite understand how the Windows.Device API works

[Youw]

That is GetInputReportAsync()

I think this function is related to hid_get_input_report instead of hid_read?

hid_read reads any input report from async queue, reports that device sends asyncronously (interrupt pipe).

get_input_report(report_id, ...) gets a report with specific report ID from the device on demand.

Functionally, GetInputReportAsync(UInt16) matches hid_get_input_report, and GetInputReportAsync() - hid_read.

I am using the Windows.Devices.Enumerate.DeviceInformation API

Yeap, this looks right.

[LeeChunHei]

That is GetInputReportAsync()

I think this function is related to hid_get_input_report instead of hid_read?

hid_read reads any input report from async queue, reports that device sends asyncronously (interrupt pipe).

get_input_report(report_id, ...) gets a report with specific report ID from the device on demand.

Functionally, GetInputReportAsync(UInt16) matches hid_get_input_report, and GetInputReportAsync() - hid_read.

I see

I am using the Windows.Devices.Enumerate.DeviceInformation API

Yeap, this looks right.

Well, this API didn't provide serial number string and manufacturer name.

[Youw]

Well, this API didn't provide serial number string and manufacturer name.

Have you tried to print all of Windows.Devices.Enumerate.DeviceInformation.Properties ?

[LeeChunHei]

Well, this API didn't provide serial number string and manufacturer name.

Have you tried to print all of Windows.Devices.Enumerate.DeviceInformation.Properties ?

Yes, somehow it only got these 8 keys
System.Devices.ContainerId
System.Devices.InterfaceClassGuid
System.Devices.DeviceInstanceId
System.Devices.InterfaceEnabled
System.Devices.GlyphIcon
System.Devices.IsDefault
System.Devices.Icon
System.ItemNameDisplay