An innovative maker has designed a fully functional wireless mouse in the form of a ring, offering a unique alternative to traditional mice. Instead of physical buttons, this device utilizes proximity sensors for left and right clicks, enabling a touch-free interaction method. The compact design is achieved using repurposed components from a previous wireless mouse project, housed in a custom 3D-printed shell.
The mouse ring is powered by an ATmega32U4 microcontroller, integrated into the Atto Development Board. It features an STM’s proximity sensor for detecting finger movements and an MX8650 Wireless Optical Mouse Sensor for tracking motion. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery with a built-in charging circuit and includes a tiny power switch for efficient power management.
Initial tests revealed slow response times for proximity-based clicks. To improve responsiveness, the developer optimized data transmission speed, disabled unnecessary serial communication, and adjusted the proximity sensor’s threshold for faster detection.
While these optimizations improved general usability, the device still experienced latency issues in gaming applications. However, for productivity tasks, the wireless mouse ring performed reasonably well. The Wireless Mouse Ring demonstrates an innovative approach to wearable input devices, showcasing the potential for gesture-based interactions. With further hardware refinements and improved responsiveness, it might evolve into a viable alternative for compact and ergonomic mouse control.
