My USB IR sensor bar adventure! - Overclock.net

blade19 · 03-25-07

Okay - so first off, you've all seen the hacks for the wiimote, since it utilizes bluetooth, being able to be used as a controller, mouse, pointer, you name it on a computer instead of just the wii. If not, just google it or check youtube.

Anyway, so I have a private beta release of a java library to communicate between the comp and wiimotes, and I am pumped! I have big plans, but hehe you don't get to know them yet...

Right, so in essence the wiimote uses IR (infrared) sensing to pinpoint its location at any given point in space, enabling it for use as a mouse or other pointing type device . On the wii, there is a sensor bar attached which serves as the IR source for the wiimote (The sensor bar is just IR output; all of the calculations and position tracking, etc. occur inside the wiimote itself). This sensor bar has 10 IR LEDs, 5 at each side, set a fixed distance apart from each other. The bar itself has a power connector that is proprietary to the wii, so here lies the heart of my project:

I am going to be making a USB-powered version of the IR Sensor Bar that comes included with the Nintendo Wii in order to enable easier IR position sensing for the wiimote (until now i've been testing by holding a lighter out in front of the wii - pretty inaccurate and an overall hazardous situation

So here are the components that I have acquired:

-20x 80 Degree viewing angle IR 5mm LEDs (Ebay, ~5USD)
-Perfboard (RadioShack, ~2USD)
-2x Slide Switches (RadioShack, ~2USD)
-USB extender cable (My misc. drawer, ~0USD