Overview
Most computers require a mouse to navigate the user interface. In this project, you'll learn how you can build a mouse that connects via Bluetooth BLE and converts accelerometer readings to mouse cursor movements.
The project is built around the Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Sense. It has BLE connectivity and a lot of onboard sensors. Its accelerometer is used for sending movement data that is converted to move your mouse cursor around the screen.
Right-clicks are sent with the onboard button. Scrolling is done by covering the proximity sensor and tilting the Feather nRF52840 Sense up or down depending on the direction that you want to scroll.
The 3D printed case features cut-outs on the top so that you can access the button and proximity sensor while keeping your board protected.
Parts from Adafruit used to build this project.
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CircuitPython on Feather Sense
CircuitPython is a derivative of MicroPython designed to simplify experimentation and education on low-cost microcontrollers. It makes it easier than ever to get prototyping by requiring no upfront desktop software downloads. Simply copy and edit files on the CIRCUITPY drive to iterate.
The following instructions will show you how to install CircuitPython. If you've already installed CircuitPython but are looking to update it or reinstall it, the same steps work for that as well!
Click the link above to download the latest UF2 file.
Download and save it to your desktop (or wherever is handy).
Plug your Feather Sense into your computer using a known-good USB cable.
A lot of people end up using charge-only USB cables and it is very frustrating! So make sure you have a USB cable you know is good for data sync.
Double-click the Reset button next to the USB connector on your board, and you will see the NeoPixel RGB LED turn green (identified by the arrow in the image). If it turns red, check the USB cable, try another USB port, etc. Note: The little red LED next to the USB connector will pulse red. That's ok!
If double-clicking doesn't work the first time, try again. Sometimes it can take a few tries to get the rhythm right!
You will see a new disk drive appear called FTHRSNSBOOT.
Drag the adafruit_circuitpython_etc.uf2 file to FTHRSNSBOOT.
The LED will flash. Then, the FTHRSNSBOOT drive will disappear and a new disk drive called CIRCUITPY will appear.
That's it, you're done! :)
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Code the BLE Gesture Mouse
Once you've finished setting up your Feather nRF52840 Sense with CircuitPython, you can access the code and necessary libraries by downloading the Project Bundle.
To do this, click on the Download Project Bundle button in the window below. It will download as a zipped folder.
# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Liz Clark for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
import time
import board
import digitalio
import simpleio
import adafruit_lsm6ds.lsm6ds33
import adafruit_apds9960.apds9960
from adafruit_hid.mouse import Mouse
import adafruit_ble
from adafruit_ble.advertising import Advertisement
from adafruit_ble.advertising.standard import ProvideServicesAdvertisement
from adafruit_ble.services.standard.hid import HIDService
from adafruit_ble.services.standard.device_info import DeviceInfoService
# setup I2C
i2c = board.I2C() # uses board.SCL and board.SDA
# i2c = board.STEMMA_I2C() # For using the built-in STEMMA QT connector on a microcontroller
# setup accelerometer
lsm6ds33 = adafruit_lsm6ds.lsm6ds33.LSM6DS33(i2c)
# setup proximity sensor
apds9960 = adafruit_apds9960.apds9960.APDS9960(i2c)
# enable proximity sensor
apds9960.enable_proximity = True
# setup for onboard button
click = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.SWITCH)
click.direction = digitalio.Direction.INPUT
click.pull = digitalio.Pull.UP
# rounding algorhythm used for mouse movement
# as used in the HID mouse CircuitPython example
mouse_min = -9
mouse_max = 9
step = (mouse_max - mouse_min) / 20.0
def steps(axis):
return round((axis - mouse_min) / step)
# time.monotonic() variable
clock = 0
# variable for distance for proximity scrolling
distance = 245
# setup for HID and BLE
hid = HIDService()
device_info = DeviceInfoService(software_revision=adafruit_ble.__version__,
manufacturer="Adafruit Industries")
advertisement = ProvideServicesAdvertisement(hid)
advertisement.appearance = 961
scan_response = Advertisement()
scan_response.complete_name = "CircuitPython HID"
ble = adafruit_ble.BLERadio()
if not ble.connected:
print("advertising")
ble.start_advertising(advertisement, scan_response)
else:
print("already connected")
print(ble.connections)
# setup for mouse
mouse = Mouse(hid.devices)
while True:
while not ble.connected:
pass
while ble.connected:
# sets x and y values for accelerometer x and y values
# x and y are swapped for orientation of feather
y, x, z = lsm6ds33.acceleration
# map range of horizontal movement to mouse x movement
horizontal_mov = simpleio.map_range(steps(x), 1.0, 20.0, -15.0, 15.0)
# map range of vertical movement to mouse y movement
vertical_mov = simpleio.map_range(steps(y), 20.0, 1.0, -15.0, 15.0)
# map range of mouse y movement to scrolling
scroll_dir = simpleio.map_range(vertical_mov, -15.0, 15.0, 3.0, -3.0)
# if onboard button is pressed, sends left mouse click
if not click.value:
mouse.click(Mouse.LEFT_BUTTON)
time.sleep(0.2)
# if the proximity sensor is covered
# scroll the mouse
if apds9960.proximity > distance:
mouse.move(wheel=int(scroll_dir))
# otherwise move mouse cursor in x and y directions
else:
mouse.move(x=int(horizontal_mov))
mouse.move(y=int(vertical_mov))
# debugging print for x and y values
# time.monotonic() is used so that the
# code is not delayed with time.sleep
if (clock + 2) < time.monotonic():
print("x", steps(x))
print("y", steps(y))
clock = time.monotonic()
ble.start_advertising(advertisement)
After downloading the Project Bundle, plug your Feather nRF52840 Sense into the computer's USB port. You should see a new flash drive appear in the computer's File Explorer or Finder (depending on your operating system) called CIRCUITPY. Unzip the folder and copy the following items to the Feather nRF52840 Sense's CIRCUITPY drive.
- lib folder
- code.py
Your Feather nRF52840 Sense CIRCUITPY drive should look like this after copying the lib folder and the code.py file.
The Feather nRF52840 Sense is able to use the onboard accelerometer's x and y position data to move your computer's mouse around the screen. The lsm6ds33 is setup at the beginning of the code.
# setup accelerometer lsm6ds33 = adafruit_lsm6ds.lsm6ds33.LSM6DS33(i2c)
In the loop, x and y are setup to hold the value of the lsm6ds33's coordinates.
The map_range() function from the simpleio library is used to convert the accelerometer data to usable mouse movement data for both vertical and horizontal movement. The degree of motion from the accelerometer also affects the speed of the mouse's cursor movements.
Additionally, map_range() is used for scrolling, converting the mapped vertical movement of the mouse to scrolling direction and speed.
while ble.connected:
# sets x and y values for accelerometer x and y values
# x and y are swapped for orientation of feather
y, x, z = lsm6ds33.acceleration
# map range of horizontal movement to mouse x movement
horizontal_mov = simpleio.map_range(steps(x), 1.0, 20.0, -15.0, 15.0)
# map range of vertical movement to mouse y movement
vertical_mov = simpleio.map_range(steps(y), 20.0, 1.0, -15.0, 15.0)
# map range of mouse y movement to scrolling
scroll_dir = simpleio.map_range(vertical_mov, -15.0, 15.0, 3.0, -3.0)
Left-clicks are sent with the Feather nRF52840 Sense's onboard button.
# if onboard button is pressed, sends left mouse click
if not click.value:
mouse.click(Mouse.LEFT_BUTTON)
time.sleep(0.2)
Scrolling is done by covering the APDS9960 proximity sensor and tilting the Feather Sense up or down. If the proximity sensor is covered, then mouse.move(wheel=int(scroll_dir)) is sent. Otherwise, the mouse's cursor will move freely around the screen.
# if the proximity sensor is covered
# scroll the mouse
if apds9960.proximity > distance:
mouse.move(wheel=int(scroll_dir))
# otherwise move mouse cursor in x and y directions
else:
mouse.move(x=int(horizontal_mov))
mouse.move(y=int(vertical_mov))
The value that triggers scrolling can be adjusted with the distance variable if you need to increase or decrease sensitivity.
# variable for distance for proximity scrolling distance = 245
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3D Printing
CAD Parts List
STL files for 3D printing are oriented to print "as-is" on FDM style machines. Parts are designed to 3D print without any support material. Original design source may be downloaded using the links below.
- blemouse-top-cover.stl
- blemouse-case.stl
CAD Assembly
The Feather nRF52840 Sense is secured to the case with 4x M2.5 x 10mm screws and hex nuts. The slide switch press fits into the built-in holder. The battery is placed next to the Feather. The top cover snap fits over the case with access to the proximity sense and a button actuator for the on-board user switch.
Slicing Parts
No supports are required. Slice with setting for PLA material.
The parts were sliced using CURA using the slice settings below.
- PLA filament 220c extruder
- 0.2 layer height
- 10% gyroid infill
- 60mm/s print speed
- 60c heated bed
Design Source Files
The project assembly was designed in Fusion 360. This can be downloaded in different formats like STEP, STL and more. Electronic components like Adafruit's board, displays, connectors and more can be downloaded from the Adafruit CAD parts GitHub Repo.
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Wiring Switch
Wire for Switch
Use a piece of ribbon cable to connect the switch to the Feather. A 2-wire piece will connect to the Enable and Ground pins.
Wire Length: 9cm (3.5in)
Tinning Wire
Using wire stripper, remove a bit of insulation for the tips of each wire. Add a bit of solder to the exposed wire. This will help to prevent the strands of wire from fraying.
Use a pair of helping third hands to hold the wire in place while soldering.
Solder Wire
Cut one of the three leads from the slide. Either the far left or right but not the middle! Trim the remaining leads short, about half the original length.
Add a bit of solder to the leads of the slide switch. This will make it easier to attach the wires.
Solder the 2-wire ribbon cable to the leads on the slide switch.
Solder Switch to Feather
Add a bit of solder to the Enable and Ground pins on the bottom of the Feather.
Solder the wires to the Enable and Ground pins on the Feather.
Use helping third hands to keep the board in place while soldering.
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Assembly
Screws for Case
Use the following hardware to secure the Feather to the case.
- 4x M2.5 x 10mm screws
- 4x M2.5 hex nuts
Install Hardware
Start by inserting an M2.5 screw through one of the mounting holes on the bottom of the case.
Secure Feather
While holding the screw in place, install the Feather into the case with the USB port facing the cut out. Line up the mounting holes and fit the screw through the mounting hole.
Insert and fasten hex nuts to the screw to secure the Feather to the case. Repeat for the remaining mounting holes.
Install Switch
Insert the slide switch into the built-in holder with the actuator fitting through the hole. Fit the body of the slide switch at an angle and firmly press fit down into place.
Switch Actuator
The actuator from the switch should be accessible through the side of the case. The built-in holder keeps the slide switch in place and prevents it from being pressed all the way into the case.
Connect Battery
Plug in the power cable from the 400mAh battery to the JST connector on the Feather.
Install Battery
Fit the battery into the case and place it right above the slide switch holder. Optionally use mounting tack or double-sided tape to keep the battery secured in place.
Install Cover
Orient the top cover with the case. The top cover features a built-in actuator for the User Switch on the Feather. The hole allows accessible to the proximity sensor.
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BLE Pairing
BLE Pairing – MacOS
To pair the CircuitPython device to macOS, open the System Preferences app. Click on the Bluetooth icon.
In the bottom of the list of BLE devices, click on the CIRCUITPY device. Click the connect button to pair.
To disconnect or remove the BLE device, click on the X icon next to the label.
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