Hi!
I'm thinking of trying out a new spinner project. This is supposed to be a low-cost/no-cost project.
Everyone can find a optical mouse laying around which they are not using. How about "inverting" the use of the mouse. Have the mouse stationary, and move the mousepad instead? F.ex. using a harddrive plate (works well as a fly-wheel) from a harddrive, and mount the mouse so that the optical sensor is hitting the outermost part of the harddrive plate? In theory the mouse would move a bit up or down when doing this (because it's a disc rotating), is that a problem? Is it possible to restrict the mouse to only go perfectly right or left? Anyways, 90% or more of the movement will be sideways.
This is just an idea I'm throwing out there. I need some opinions.
A "mouse" which will be perfect for this project is the
finger mouse from dealextreme