Wiimote Project

Hardware Support => IR Pens => Topic started by: Iceman1979 on March 02, 2008, 11:00:18 PM

Title: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Iceman1979 on March 02, 2008, 11:00:18 PM: Ok,

here is what I came up with for an IR pen. I found this pen at walmart. It was an led flashlight pen and I thought it would make a good IR Pen.

At first I just replaced the led with an IR led but that was not going to work as the pen was designed with a plastic lense in the tip to focus the light from the LED.

The second issue was the push button at the end of the pen made it hard to operate as a whiteboard pen. The pen needed a button on the side and I wanted one like a laser pointer has.

After some thought I came up with the idea to drill a hole in the side of the pen and mount a tact switch with a rubber push button to actuate it.

Here is a picture of the finished product.
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: dice on March 03, 2008, 09:49:05 AM: looks very nice, clean and looks like it would work well.

which LED did you use?

Dice :)
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Iceman1979 on March 03, 2008, 03:30:50 PM: I'm using the TSAL6200 from mouser.com. So far so good.

I did some tests on my screen and it seemed to work good. The big test is tomorrow when I bring in the Wii remote and set it up in the conference room with the pc and projector.

Fingers Crossed...
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: dice on March 04, 2008, 08:48:08 AM: cool, let us know how it turns out

Dice :)
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Iceman1979 on March 08, 2008, 01:49:44 PM: So I got to do some testing finally and was not happy with the results but that was due to limitations in where we could place t he wiimote.

Friday I breought a camera tripod to work with me and when everyone had left for the day I went to the conference room to do some more trials. I could not believe how well it worked. The lines were definately alot smoother and the overall experiance was great. I ended up spending at least 20-30 minutes just messing around with paint.

I can see now this will be a viable option for us in the IT department. My next step is going to be to find a drawing program, one that has drwaing with a whiteboard in mind as well as easy ways to save the workspace.

I'm sorry I didn't have my camera with me or I would have taken some pictures.

Thanks
John.
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: taitrt on March 09, 2008, 10:01:28 AM: It's not a cheap option, but Microsoft OneNote is probably the best whiteboard program out there. It has all kinds of pen options, drawing options, the notebook/folder capabilities are incredible, and saving is automatic.
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Iceman1979 on March 09, 2008, 07:10:41 PM: Thanks for the reply. I glanced at OneNote but I have not really looked at it hard yet. I will do that now that you suggested it. If its a good option I might be able to get the company to swing for it since i'm providing the whiteboard.

Thanks agian.
John
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: kharen on March 10, 2008, 07:41:29 AM: Hi instead of OneNote which is big and slow, try Jarnel. Its free and open source. Also it will work on any OS. So that should keep the boss very happy
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Iceman1979 on March 10, 2008, 09:24:41 AM: Cool, Thanks for that. I'll look into jarnal for sure. Can't beat free :)
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: joelz on March 12, 2008, 12:09:49 PM: Which tact switch did you order from mouser.com?

Also, did you need any extra resistor or batter holder?

I'm putting together a purchase order for my school, so item numbers would be great. I have little electronics experience.

Thanks.
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Iceman1979 on March 12, 2008, 08:00:37 PM: Here ya go...

Tact Switch
Mouser #: 653-B3F-1000
Mfr. #: B3F-1000
Desc.: Switches - Mechanical Keyswitches/Tactile 6X6 FLAT 4.3mm BTN

LED
Mouser #: 782-TSAL6200
Mfr. #: TSAL6200
Desc.: Infrared Emitting Diodes 17 Degree 40mW

I have an order in for some rubber rods from McMaster Carr to try my hand at making some push buttons. I'll update here when they arrive and I find out if I ordered the right material lol.

No special battery holder, I tried to use the existing components of the pen to make it work. It was my first attempt and there are alot of thigs I would do differently the second time around.

I have a friend that wants me to make him one. I will take pictures of the process so I can create a guide for making the pen.

Thanks
John
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: chelentano on April 25, 2008, 12:41:26 PM: Quote from: Iceman1979 on March 10, 2008, 09:24:41 AM
Cool, Thanks for that. I'll look into jarnal for sure. Can't beat free :)

sorry but I cant find the site of Jarnel. I tried in Google for a long time...
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: lsuwest on April 25, 2008, 02:05:06 PM: Quote from: chelentano on April 25, 2008, 12:41:26 PM
Quote from: Iceman1979 on March 10, 2008, 09:24:41 AM
Cool, Thanks for that. I'll look into jarnal for sure. Can't beat free :)

sorry but I cant find the site of Jarnel. I tried in Google for a long time...

I also saw this and started looking for it. Never found it listed on Google, but it was the second search item result at Ask.Com. Here is the site:

http://www.dklevine.com/general/software/tc1000/jarnal.htm (http://www.dklevine.com/general/software/tc1000/jarnal.htm)
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Kurtangletn on April 25, 2008, 05:12:14 PM: Hey, just outta curiosity what area was the LED Pen at walmart?
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: UndCon on April 26, 2008, 02:13:34 AM: This is a really nice looking IRpen
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: frdmboss on April 27, 2008, 08:41:37 AM: Quote from: Kurtangletn on April 25, 2008, 05:12:14 PM
Hey, just outta curiosity what area was the LED Pen at walmart?

I found them in the camping section.
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: Kurtangletn on April 27, 2008, 04:01:34 PM: Thanks, didn't actually look there. I'll have a look later tonight.
Title: Re: My IR Pen finally complete
Post by: frdmboss on May 01, 2008, 07:13:46 PM: How exactly do you wire the button into the pen?