Author Topic: Optical Sensor  (Read 2710 times)

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Offline jabberwockyTopic starter

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Optical Sensor
« on: November 02, 2007, 02:28:52 PM »
I was thinking of using the sensors and wheels inside my old computer mouse as a encoder for measuring distance on a future robot.

However, i forgot to realize that my mouse is of the optical kind.


So my question is, Has anyone used the optics from a typical optical mouse and managed to use it for measuring distance on a robot?
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Offline bulkhead

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Re: Optical Sensor
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2007, 04:54:46 PM »
You don't have to take apart the mouse but can actually receive the info directly from the mouse connector if it isn't USB.  I did this for a sumobot and it worked, but the mouse's sensor needs to be at a set height above the ground. 
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paulstreats

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Re: Optical Sensor
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2007, 05:16:21 PM »
i was thinking about using one instead of an encoder wheel once (i didnt bother with it eventually).

i thought that the optical mouse base needs to be in contact or very close contact with the floor which can cause some problems, i decided that if i ever do use one then i would remove the board and sensors from 2 mice and have the sensors close to and pointing at the wheels, if you calibrate your software correctly, they will work just like regular encoders only more technological.

also there are the 2 buttons to be salvaged for bump sensors and usually a scroll wheel
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Offline Steve Joblin

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Re: Optical Sensor
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2007, 06:48:15 PM »
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