If only every video could be filmed this well. It'a almost always in focus, pointing at relevant components, WITH audible audio. Nice work. Even a soundtrack.
This is best edited hardware hack documentation video i have ever seen. Great work on that. I especially liked the romantic soldering scene. The hack itself is also pretty cool.
I think this can work as an optical flow sensor for arduino for example, which helps in stabilizing an object (e.g. hovering copter). It may serve the purpose of a motion sensor as well.
You're pretty much right. One possible application I found was to use it for low-budget optical interferometry, that is, to detect minute vibrations or even temperature shifts by placing the sensor between interfering laser beams (or more like, a single laser beam interfering with itself). I had to pack up my things for an abrupt cross-country move before I could get it working reliably and never documented it, so if that's interesting to you, maybe it IS your turn.
10 FPS is a hardware limit or a bottleneck caused by the Arduino/PC interface? I feel like my screen pointer tracks my hand movements much faster than at 10 Hz
I think this is because you read the memory of the chip, while normally the chip tells the microprocessor in the mouse the movements only... He is saying something like that, just before he explains the pins.
The Avago data sheet for that sensor chip says it operates at 1500 frames per second. It would operate at that rate in a mouse in which the sensor chip is translating images into motion. When you want to read the images off the chip you are constrained by the speed of the sensor chip's serial interface. Reading images that way is just for diagnostic purposes.
I thought something surreal was about to happen when the Twin Peaks soldering montage got going. I think it added something to the general quirky vibe of the editing and presentation.
I think we could use it for some apparatus that does some scanning work. May be someone needs to make some small scale production line and check if products has been made correctly.
You are NOT, - "Done with this", - you didn't try any different "Lenses", for the mouse. You may find that you can get quite a clear image using a different lens, at different focal lengths, ... drill out the original lens and try others from different devices....... It's all learning with some fun thrown in, ... it only requires "a little effort", on your part...... . .
First of all, Conor looks more like Generation Z. Second of all, I really hope you have mistaken Millennials for Generation Z, otherwise your comment was silly. Third of all, us Millennials are the best generation ever!!1!1!
@Joe Duke Haha, they definitely are losers, your generation raped the future to have a better life. Now they are walking into world where they are are less well off than you. Congratulations, you let greed win, and the rest of us will end up paying. But it doesn't matter, you're obviously a nut job, just look at your uploaded videos. Somebody's got some issues...
if you could detect how much to the left or right someting moves you could use it to control a motor and find a specific position. that could be really useful
@nws15 You may be able to write a driver for certain mice to dump the image, but I doubt it could be done with matlab. The optical data is buried pretty deeply in the mouse hardware.
I can think of a good use for this, a weatherproof switch/direction control for a robot or outdoor interface in an RF intense environment. Of course finger skin doesn't work well with red so the LED would need to be changed. Impressive! What did you use to bring up the image? I'm a PIC head, so... Oh and if you want better music for you video (yank) I can score your stuff for free/fun/advice lol
That's a cool hack. I've been working on an embedded project that requires a colour digital camera, but upon trolling adafruit and sparkfun, there are currently no cheap camera modules (complete with frame grabbers) available for hobbyists - not that it's a hobby project, but the prototype for what I'm building has to start somewhere. I haven't considered looking into single chip colour cameras or image sensors. So, this really simplifies things :D.
There's a USB serial driver that's part of the arduino software. Aside from that, all source code can be found at the link in the description. It's in java (for Processing) and straight C (for Arduino).
the tracking firmware in that mouse when refocused to infinity can give direct axis steering outputs to make a drone lock on and home in on a target...without an arduino. its a fun project to try. surprised more uses for these sensors are not posted.
Seems a perfect candidate for experiments with machine vision. Even sewing machines use this technology for speed control. Could be applied to woodcarving, automobile detailing, package printing, even robots.
To be honest, I don't know that much about developing for the ipod/ipad/iphone. But I would hazard a guess that it would be difficult to write drivers for your own custom hardware, just from what I've heard about app development for those platforms. Sorry if the video is getting anyone's hopes up, it was intended more as a dead-pan joke than anything else. :)
actually this is not useless at all. doesn't sounds like failure imho :D it's just the optics of the camera - the focus range is very short and they just meant to be like that (remember they're mouse). Good job on the video!
I always used the same brand of wire strippers myself, until they flew out my mouth and hit the wall. Now I have proper wire strippers but you will never guess the brand when I tell you.
Fun Hack! I always thought the mouse imager might be handy for a surface-visible auto-hover for tiny aircraft and little helicopters. On further investigation, turns out it's very true. I can remember having this thought the first time I saw a SUN Micro Sparc optical mouse, but at the time wasn't game to waste one to prove the point. Also insert any other "deflect-the-controls-in-proportion-to-the-image-changing" application here.
Just because something has changed because of where it's used and by whom does not make it incorrect. In fact, there is no incorrect way of saying any word; only correct one(s), so long as they are understood.
Please add captions (English and universal translation) Seems like a good video but I cannot hear. You moved your website, but did not update your links
hi i was thinking of a DIY project with the optical mouse. i was planning to use the camera of the optical mouse to take images of a finger placed on top of it and correlating the resulting spectral information to measure say, heartbeat or even blood sugar concentration through digital image processing. i think this is possible since the infrared light can penetrate the tissue thereby images captured can be used to determine the analyte of interest
Earlier that day I gave a presentation to a bunch of college faculty about how to format images for powerpoint. To help them remember I gave away freebies emblazoned with the most common projector resolution and then revealed my new mnemonic fashion line.
I should point out that you have shone that it can be done. And when I can get my dirty little hands on my own Arduino (I am wiring on the shipping) I have another project to play with, thanks.
this is great project!! you can use it as optical ruler decoding camera but need to find a micro leaner encode tape of some sort since there is no cheaper microscopic camera anyway
FIre Walk With Me is a great instrumental. Kinda funny you started soldering when it started playing, it reminded me of the opening to Twin Peaks where the machine is sharpening the saw blade! Great timing. Too bad that camera cant be used for distance.
I almost did this myself for a project where we had to sense the motion of a truck at slow speed along a road. We couldn't get the optics to work well enough. I still have the mouse. Actually I raided the IT junk box for dozens of 'em.
Why are you stuck with the little plastic lens, which focuses at about 1mm (the distance of the surface it normally tracks)? Surely you could use some other lens, for example from a camera, that will focus an image onto the surface of the chip? It would be very interesting to see what it makes of an actual picture.
@iBlackwind Are you asking if it's possible to write a driver for the iPad that lets it pull data from an optical mouse camera? Good god, I have no idea. Doesn't the iPad already have a perfectly good camera (that actually focuses beyond 2mm?)
anyway, i think the resolution is too low. however, if try to look at it the backside of the mouse is already a perfect platform for infrared spectroscopy.. thanks
+Matt J. It was most likely an acrylic lens, but there are tiny thick glass lenses that could be used. Also, you are correct that a second lens would increase focal length.
how you are getting the visual output onto your computer, i check your link you had mentioned but it had moved on, ..........so can you tell me what software you used to see display
The main thing I intend to do is a panoramic image, ie capture all 40x40 pixels or whatever is the size in a straight line and then photoshop them together.
ok man , got the point here, but one little advice ... don't do that anymore ,,,striping wires with the teeth ,did the same as was younger and got teeth damage . Ok , so for the project itself, that sensor has to be put on a carriage with X /Y axes to get some usage , some like a scanner or slow scan fingerprint. I do electronics since i was 6 old , and glad to see that ppl are still homebrewing .
That is a cool project but if any of you want it for a rc car or anything like that you mite need something that has more fps to keep track of that your doing.
I thought most common projector rez = 800x600... Still the cheap laptops people used to use almost exclusively to run their presentations through them were typically set to 1024x768 for about the past 10+ years. Just tell em to stick with 4:3 til widescreen is more popular (then 16:10 for widest compatibilty from 16:9 down to 4:3), & make onscreen elements "large enough to read from the back of the room on a 70" screen or the 3rd row on a 50". Even on a 1080p proj & PC too small = too small.
So now I understand how some 240p videos on TH-cam are made.
hhhhhh good one
just picturing all those sex tapes were made with homeboy swinging a mouse around.
@@Leftysmoker Ball mouse
there is some 144p too
Мысли читаешь ) you read my thoughts
If only every video could be filmed this well. It'a almost always in focus, pointing at relevant components, WITH audible audio. Nice work.
Even a soundtrack.
The music sounded like you were having a romantic date with the mouse lol.
Jam Tart its from the Twin Peaks soundtrack :)
Hahahaha.... mouse love
@@glamdrag Mousa Palmer
Most epic 4-cable-soldering EVER
Hi Mike, everything ok?
It would be cool of you did this with a modern mouse
Yes
This is best edited hardware hack documentation video i have ever seen. Great work on that. I especially liked the romantic soldering scene.
The hack itself is also pretty cool.
Could it be used as as a motion sensor...say to light an led when a hot wheel car crosses the finish line?
I think this can work as an optical flow sensor for arduino for example, which helps in stabilizing an object (e.g. hovering copter). It may serve the purpose of a motion sensor as well.
gyro would work better + soo much suppoet will be there from fellow enthusiasts
The dramatic slowmo at 3:00 absolutely destroyed me. 🤣🤣🤣
Did you film this video using one of those ? 2010 lolz.
+Luc4s. :)
You're pretty much right. One possible application I found was to use it for low-budget optical interferometry, that is, to detect minute vibrations or even temperature shifts by placing the sensor between interfering laser beams (or more like, a single laser beam interfering with itself). I had to pack up my things for an abrupt cross-country move before I could get it working reliably and never documented it, so if that's interesting to you, maybe it IS your turn.
The music choice and the slow motion is hilarious!
80's love song while "mating" wires and components...
10 FPS is a hardware limit or a bottleneck caused by the Arduino/PC interface? I feel like my screen pointer tracks my hand movements much faster than at 10 Hz
I think this is because you read the memory of the chip, while normally the chip tells the microprocessor in the mouse the movements only... He is saying something like that, just before he explains the pins.
It Is because of the image processing right?
The Avago data sheet for that sensor chip says it operates at 1500 frames per second. It would operate at that rate in a mouse in which the sensor chip is translating images into motion. When you want to read the images off the chip you are constrained by the speed of the sensor chip's serial interface. Reading images that way is just for diagnostic purposes.
I thought something surreal was about to happen when the Twin Peaks soldering montage got going. I think it added something to the general quirky vibe of the editing and presentation.
thank you for the Twin Peaks soundtrack. brings back memories :)
I think we could use it for some apparatus that does some scanning work. May be someone needs to make some small scale production line and check if products has been made correctly.
After watching your video, I had a flashback into the past when I watching TH-cam videos was so beneficial.
You are NOT, - "Done with this", - you didn't try any different "Lenses", for the mouse.
You may find that you can get quite a clear image using a different lens, at different focal lengths, ... drill out the original lens and try others from different devices.......
It's all learning with some fun thrown in, ... it only requires "a little effort", on your part......
.
.
First of all, Conor looks more like Generation Z.
Second of all, I really hope you have mistaken Millennials for Generation Z, otherwise your comment was silly.
Third of all, us Millennials are the best generation ever!!1!1!
@Joe Duke Haha, they definitely are losers, your generation raped the future to have a better life. Now they are walking into world where they are are less well off than you. Congratulations, you let greed win, and the rest of us will end up paying. But it doesn't matter, you're obviously a nut job, just look at your uploaded videos. Somebody's got some issues...
@Joe Duke well, who messed up the Millenials? Was it maybe..bad parenting?
Almost 15 years forward - this is now widely used on drones as opflow sensor for position hold :)
Using my mouse as a web cam in my next Zoom meeting
if you could detect how much to the left or right someting moves you could use it to control a motor and find a specific position. that could be really useful
One of the best videos I’ve ever watched
"I'm done with this"
Great video
Hey Conor great video. I like your method of wirestripping :O) I can't remember how many times I've done that myself.
@nws15
You may be able to write a driver for certain mice to dump the image, but I doubt it could be done with matlab. The optical data is buried pretty deeply in the mouse hardware.
I can think of a good use for this, a weatherproof switch/direction control for a robot or outdoor interface in an RF intense environment. Of course finger skin doesn't work well with red so the LED would need to be changed. Impressive! What did you use to bring up the image? I'm a PIC head, so... Oh and if you want better music for you video (yank) I can score your stuff for free/fun/advice lol
Conor, can you use this same concept for recycling old cellphone cameras?
@@jubmeca y de las grandes
Still useful in 2020 Thanx!!
That's a cool hack. I've been working on an embedded project that requires a colour digital camera, but upon trolling adafruit and sparkfun, there are currently no cheap camera modules (complete with frame grabbers) available for hobbyists - not that it's a hobby project, but the prototype for what I'm building has to start somewhere. I haven't considered looking into single chip colour cameras or image sensors. So, this really simplifies things :D.
There's a USB serial driver that's part of the arduino software. Aside from that, all source code can be found at the link in the description. It's in java (for Processing) and straight C (for Arduino).
This is hilarious that you used that music. Well done.
the tracking firmware in that mouse when refocused to infinity can give direct axis steering outputs to make a drone lock on and home in on a target...without an arduino. its a fun project to try. surprised more uses for these sensors are not posted.
Can we use old mobile ccd or cmos camera sensor with arduino ??????
The modified camera might be used to read text from a flat surface (maybe) or note light on/off situations in a stealthy way.
Seems a perfect candidate for experiments with machine vision. Even sewing machines use this technology for speed control. Could be applied to woodcarving, automobile detailing, package printing, even robots.
Immediately subbed for twin peaks theme.
Great stuff.Where can get more references about this?
Nice. Love the Twin Peaks homage.
To be honest, I don't know that much about developing for the ipod/ipad/iphone. But I would hazard a guess that it would be difficult to write drivers for your own custom hardware, just from what I've heard about app development for those platforms.
Sorry if the video is getting anyone's hopes up, it was intended more as a dead-pan joke than anything else. :)
Conor, cool vid. What kind of vice is that you're using? Where did you get it?
It's a Portable Vacuum Base 360 Degree Swivel Vise from my local big box home improvement store.
actually this is not useless at all. doesn't sounds like failure imho :D
it's just the optics of the camera - the focus range is very short and they just meant to be like that (remember they're mouse).
Good job on the video!
hey, thanks for posting this! love the twin peaks sound track too!
Love your wire strippers. I use the same kind frequently.
+juistian case me too, before Iordered a proper one and it's worth the money
I always used the same brand of wire strippers myself, until they flew out my mouth and hit the wall. Now I have proper wire strippers but you will never guess the brand when I tell you.
05:39 when you're trying to sound like a bad ass for the first time in your life...
Fun Hack! I always thought the mouse imager might be handy for a surface-visible auto-hover for tiny aircraft and little helicopters. On further investigation, turns out it's very true. I can remember having this thought the first time I saw a SUN Micro Sparc optical mouse, but at the time wasn't game to waste one to prove the point.
Also insert any other "deflect-the-controls-in-proportion-to-the-image-changing" application here.
the twin peaks song made this awesome!
Just because something has changed because of where it's used and by whom does not make it incorrect. In fact, there is no incorrect way of saying any word; only correct one(s), so long as they are understood.
This has amazing applications! I have had to come back to this video to remind myself of the idea i had. Thanks for your video!
generally good. did get a really good understanding of how optical mouse works. no wonder it wont work on glass surfaces
Please add captions (English and universal translation) Seems like a good video but I cannot hear. You moved your website, but did not update your links
hi i was thinking of a DIY project with the optical mouse. i was planning to use the camera of the optical mouse to take images of a finger placed on top of it and correlating the resulting spectral information to measure say, heartbeat or even blood sugar concentration through digital image processing. i think this is possible since the infrared light can penetrate the tissue thereby images captured can be used to determine the analyte of interest
Earlier that day I gave a presentation to a bunch of college faculty about how to format images for powerpoint. To help them remember I gave away freebies emblazoned with the most common projector resolution and then revealed my new mnemonic fashion line.
I should point out that you have shone that it can be done.
And when I can get my dirty little hands on my own Arduino (I am wiring on the shipping) I have another project to play with, thanks.
mouse could be used for near scale movement detection - if a person invading some debarasses is close to the door
as I undestand
this is great project!!
you can use it as optical ruler decoding camera
but need to find a micro leaner encode tape of some sort
since there is no cheaper microscopic camera anyway
+佳明鄭 hi that is a cool thought! can explain how we can do this?
most easy one would be using black-to-white gradient as target
+佳明鄭 i understood the setup.I meant how to interpret the signal ? how to process the image ?
+susmith cs you just add pixels up and divide them
And you got the position value
No need for interrupt
Nice project.Please can You tell me what camera did use for recording?cheers
interesting video and concept, my first impression is how could I use this in my CNC, optical sensor, something to remember
FIre Walk With Me is a great instrumental. Kinda funny you started soldering when it started playing, it reminded me of the opening to Twin Peaks where the machine is sharpening the saw blade! Great timing. Too bad that camera cant be used for distance.
Not only very interesting stuff, very good music too!
Thank you!
so this method works with every optical mouse with any sensor inside or is there a certain type to do the job?thanks.
I almost did this myself for a project where we had to sense the motion of a truck at slow speed along a road. We couldn't get the optics to work well enough. I still have the mouse. Actually I raided the IT junk box for dozens of 'em.
Are you going to update the description to fix the link?
Why are you stuck with the little plastic lens, which focuses at about 1mm (the distance of the surface it normally tracks)? Surely you could use some other lens, for example from a camera, that will focus an image onto the surface of the chip? It would be very interesting to see what it makes of an actual picture.
@iBlackwind Are you asking if it's possible to write a driver for the iPad that lets it pull data from an optical mouse camera? Good god, I have no idea. Doesn't the iPad already have a perfectly good camera (that actually focuses beyond 2mm?)
@HazakyProductions Theme from twin peaks.
How about using a lens from a disposable camera and using the mouse as a barcode scanner?
can we take 5 optical mice and turn them into an Arduino based Guitar Hero/Rock Band player?
JUST LIKE A PATIENT IN EMERGENCY ROOM WHILE SOLDERING THE WIRE LOL,,,KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
could this be used to control the flow of filament extruded at the hot end of a 3D printer..
anyway, i think the resolution is too low. however, if try to look at it the backside of the mouse is already a perfect platform for infrared spectroscopy.. thanks
you could use it for interpreting written text.
Suppose you printed a 2-dimensional De Bruijin sequence and used it as a mouse pad. You could use it as an absolute pointing device.
Thanks Conor! I learned what i needed to know
If you add another lens in front of the mouse you can have focus on different distance
+Matt J. It was most likely an acrylic lens, but there are tiny thick glass lenses that could be used. Also, you are correct that a second lens would increase focal length.
One could further research diffeent lenses instead. Also, I can see it being used in line follower robots.
I wondering if it's sensitive to Color?
If yes can we use this sensor to make Arduino based optical Spectrum Analyser using Diffraction Grading.
use it as a cheap biometric reader for finger prints?
I like the slowmo of you eating isolation. I personally like the red ones better (strawberry), but pineapple is fine too!
this was helpful thank you
how you are getting the visual output onto your computer, i check your link you had mentioned but it had moved on, ..........so can you tell me what software you used to see display
how did you make soldering into a movie moment?
Would you provide a link to the code? I'm not seeing it on the old or new site. Thanks for the video.
So theoretical you could build a crude scanner by mounting it to an XY Plattform and capturing every piece
The main thing I intend to do is a panoramic image, ie capture all 40x40 pixels or whatever is the size in a straight line and then photoshop them together.
ok man , got the point here, but one little advice ... don't do that anymore ,,,striping wires with the teeth ,did the same as was younger and got teeth damage .
Ok , so for the project itself, that sensor has to be put on a carriage with X /Y axes to get some usage , some like a scanner or slow scan fingerprint.
I do electronics since i was 6 old , and glad to see that ppl are still homebrewing .
can this be used as a line tracking sensor for a robot
Yes
Than would I be able to get a cheap webcam and turn it into a high quality mouse if i reverse this process?
i think you can use that as a linear encoder that can move on both the x-y axis
That is a cool project but if any of you want it for a rc car or anything like that you mite need something that has more fps to keep track of that your doing.
Love the twin peaks sound track :D
Why is it one mouse, and two mice. But not one house, and two hice?
So is it possible to write a driver for a camera module for the ipad?
I thought most common projector rez = 800x600...
Still the cheap laptops people used to use almost exclusively to run their presentations through them were typically set to 1024x768 for about the past 10+ years.
Just tell em to stick with 4:3 til widescreen is more popular (then 16:10 for widest compatibilty from 16:9 down to 4:3), & make onscreen elements "large enough to read from the back of the room on a 70" screen or the 3rd row on a 50".
Even on a 1080p proj & PC too small = too small.
Can you show us the circuit and the code please ?
Why do I get the feeling that you might be a drummer in a math rock band?
But what if you use a camera from an old phone as a mouse sensor?
what white wire is that? Conor Peterson
have you tried the same with a newer PAN101?
dude, u nailed it bro👌👌
Shiii ... whats the music playin while soldering? I remember this song from when i was a little kid. I need the name of that! :