Making an infrared LED light pen (for Wiimote Whiteboard)

[Mitsuegable]

wow! We just had this idea.... It's a small world...

[friendsonearth]

need a resistor for led for longer use

[Jin175]

lot cheaper to buy on amazon. amazon only cost 20 dollars

[dying2l]

Any idea where to start to learn how to reprogramming the wii?

[oOKoolKOo]

you make it look so easy

[MrAdeelah]

@mohsinali the wiimote has a built in IR camera

[mohsinali776]

That's nice can anyone tell me how is it working on computer.i didn't get it.there is a IR receiver inside the monitor or something else????

[XaiPhyrrr]

is There Any Programme Needed Before You Can Use This Pen?.. Or Just Directly Use This Pen On Your Computer?...

[HiDefAKAMrWichi]

My I.T teacher wants us to do this as an assignment :)

[kenmoore]

@HiDefAKAMrWichi That rocks! Enjoy it, let me know if I can help you overcome any snags.

[HiDefAKAMrWichi]

@kenmoore I think there might be just one... I have'nt checked stores yet but I live in South Africa so I don't know If we would have the exact same IR-LED pens here...

[Watsonegger]

@HiDefAKAMrWichi we just did this as an assignment for gr.12 physics class

[HiDefAKAMrWichi]

@Watsonegger Cool :) Hope it goes well...

[goddamnboy1]

can i just buy one from you

[kleindamv]

MY CAPSLOCK BUTTON IS BROKEN

[kenmoore]

@imkindaDasH NO, YOU CAN GET IR LEDS MANY PLACES -- I RECOMMEND THE TSAL6400 FROM VISHAY(DOT)COM

;)

[imkindaDasH]

IS RADIO SHACK THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GET IR LED? (sorry for caps)

[dperry25]

Can't I just use a remote control for this?

[kenmoore]

@dperry25 give that a try, let me know how it goes

[dperry25]

@kenmoore It didn't work too well lol. I made a pen but I'm having trouble calibrating it. I got the LED from the remote control, its working, I just cant get it calibrated. Its for a school project. Would it work better under Windows XP, as my laptop has windows 7?

[kenmoore]

@dperry25 The operating system shouldn't make a difference on calibration... not sure what to suggest (other than searching Google for discussion of the same problem you're encountering). Good luck!

[dperry25]

@kenmoore Thanks, I will do some looking around!

[DDracee]

no resistors?

[desertsoul02]

how much power does a led use?

1 Watt?

[CaptCrewSock]

You sort of remind me of the HR guy from the office when they cut to him talking directly to the camera.

[XX2466]

Thanks not a lot of videos helped (and there complicated)me but this ones really great THNX.:)

[2E1FUE]

Fantastic stuff :) the switch make the LED work :) kool stuff going to make one for sure :)

[wzpan]

The best tutorial for us to learn how to make a LED pen. Thank you!

[Mildcat5076]

I might be missing something but where did the wires to solder come from? Did they come from the battery holders? Or bought separately and not mentioned?

[kenmoore]

@Mildcat5076 Good catch - I purchased the wire separately and neglected to mention that. I forget what gauge it was, but I'm sure you can find something appropriate at RadioShack.

[SpitRhyma]

Yes the only IR they had at RS was "IR LED emitter and detector" -- what does the detector do?

[rhysvanhouten746]

@SpitRhyma lets look at a TV as an example,

your TV remote sends out IR light to the TV. thats the emitter. whats on the TV however, sees the IR. THATS the detector. or, wiimote = receiver, Sensor bar = emitter

[SpitRhyma]

Hey I went to Radio Shack to buy a IR Led and it came with 2 leds...1 blue and 1 white. Why?

[kenmoore]

@SpitRhyma Sounds like you bought an IR LED and a receiver combo package.

[v3dDotRu]

Thanks for video!

[Nickman462]

@tangkag879 just use electrical tape. Thats the way i did mine and it works fine except sometimes the wire shifts and i lose the connection.

[L8nightproductions]

Why Not two soldering irons?Lol.

[tangkag879]

i have all of it but can i use other markers?

and i dont have soldering iron

[bulletkidinca]

Thanks :)

[tangkag879]

will lazer work instead of this pls answer i cannot do this bcuz not stocks only markers

[tangkag879]

@tangkag879 and battery

[kenmoore]

@tangkag879 Nope, I've tried experiments with a red laser pointer and it doesn't work (unless you point the laser pointer directly at the Wiimote, which isn't really what you want). If it were an infrared laser it would probably work, but I don't know if those are common.

[UlfilasUk]

@kenmoore If you use an invisible IR laser you can blind people! Not a good idea... You need a Vishay 6400 Led - check out the wiimote project website

[xfilesj]

you have the best video of how to make infrared LED light pen

Thank You keep up the good work

[TheRandeep195]

Can you tell me what type of screen are you drawing or writing on.

[kenmoore]

It's not a special screen, just a basic flatscreen LCD. It's hard to tell on the video but the pen isn't actually touching the screen, just close to it.

[donutmaniac4]

thank you for this it will rely help me especially with the list! good job very clear and precise

[ic707]

Best tutorial I've seen. Clear and concise, good job.

[nineofspades97]

can you use AA 1.5 volt batteries?

[kenmoore]

Sure, I just used N-size batteries because they are short enough to (nearly) fit within the body of the pen.

[kenmoore]

@astrosfan3333 "two 1.5 volt N-size batteries"

[astrosfan3333]

could you be more specific with what kind of batteries

[aullaralaluna]

3:37 that face jajaja

[kenmoore]

Laugh all you want, that face has earned me millions of dollars.

[hughtub]

@aullaralaluna What do you mean that face? He looks like a totally normal person!

[theKBman13]

It can be made much cheaper then showes...

But stil: nice vid!

[kenmoore]

How would you make it cheaper?... do tell!

[theKBman13]

Well, I used this:

for the IR LED and the Switch you simply use a well-performing (old) tv-remote,

you don't have to buy a marker pen, because I am very sure you can get one from your friends or even teachers

(that's how I've done it...)

[xRKOxR2D2x]

thanx now i can use wii whiteboard

(once i MAKE IT)

[MrModMe]

wouldn't it be easier to just have an push button on off where the cap is? That way you wouldnt have to waste your time always trying to push the button, yes the battery would die faster but really... one LED on a AAA battery(I think thats what I saw you use) is going to last you a very long time.

Just my input for a different idea.

Great video by the way, I might have to build one myself.

[kenmoore]

You mean when you press the screen the pressure makes the LED come on? (I'd worry about marking up the screen surface). Give it a try - I'd love to see your own variation!

[Psoewish]

@kenmoore Sounds like it would work well if you had a hard surface .. so like a CRT or a cover for a flatscreen. But does indeed sound like a bad idea otherwise.

[29zain]

u r da besstttttttttttttttttttttttttt­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THHHAAAAANNNNNXXXX

[lkrmd]

Can you send me one??? I have tried so hard to build it!!!

[spymasterwade]

is that pic at the begining suposed to be from harold and the purple cran bevouse thats what it looked like

also i wanted to say that it would be cool to make a glove with the ir light at the tip of your index finger and have the switch on the left side of your index finger so you could push it with your thumb i just thought that would be cool

[kenmoore]

Good eye, yes its Harold! (one of my favorite kids' books). I did try creating a version where the LED is on the finger and you can control the mouse from a distance without having to touch the screen. It was surprisingly hard to control - I can understand why such an "air mouse" hasn't become popular, it's not because it can't be done, just that it's a lame and frustrating experience.

[spymasterwade]

i so want that cran lol

[MattgerrardTV]

can u maybe send me one i cant find the marker. ill pay for whatever it cost

[kenmoore]

Yes, I have two spares and I'll send you one. What's your address? (reply directly to me, not on this board)

[DJTime0]

is it possible to use a slide switch? (for constant contact and not press always the buttom?)

[kenmoore]

Yep, a slide switch would work, though for a task like drawing it's probably easier to use the momentary switch. Depends on the application.

[Juanabee2132]

Ken-

I made two pens this weekend with your design. They work great. The only problem I had was when screwing the holder into the tip of the pen. Basically, while twisting the wires stayed in one place causing the leads of my IR bulb to become HORRIBLY twisted. I took my pen apart and separated the leads and re-saudered. This is all MY fault, but I just wanted to throw the heads up out there! Thanks Ken. Awesome vid.

[ruki009]

Awsome maann..Great work..I am developing hand writing syystem using Wii remote..this reaaly was helpfull

[kosovoboooy]

where can I get IR LEDs

[benekwon]

open up an old remote from a TV or so...

[ElS0mbra]

also, my LED doesnt reflect well, it only works if i point the LED directly at the wiimote, even after I scuffed it. thoughts?

[ElS0mbra]

i used 2 AAA and a resistor, but the wiimote only tracked it at a distance of about 5in. think i shoud get rid of the resistor and maybe switch to 1 AA?

[210junior640661]

is there any way to make a momentary switch

[gbrooks71]

We did not have a battery holder so we soldered directly to the battery and the battery got REALLY hot...do you have any suggesestions if we can't find a battery holder?

[kenmoore]

Um, yeah, probably not a good idea to solder directly to a battery! You can order battery holders on Radio Shack's website -- the waiting sucks I know, but it shouldn't take more than a week to arrive in the mail. Good luck!

[davidjeffers28227]

how do you power it? I use 2 AA but it doesnt give off enough IR light to reflect back to the wii mote. do you think it ir my IR led thats the problem?

[kenmoore]

Well, 2 AA batteries = 3 volts which may blow your LED... make sure you have the right voltage to match your LED specs, mine only require 1.5 volts. Also, be sure to scuff up the edge of the LED with sandpaper to diffuse the light otherwise you won't get a good read on the LED unless you point it right at the Wiimote.

[boooosh2007]

nice presentation. Thanks!

[bsol07]

um what wavelength ir leds?

[mrjutsumaster]

totally made it. it was fun for my first soddering ever but my wiimote won't connect to my computer with my bluetooth. i don't understand it. like it can read it in the "let these devices connect to your bluetooth" but when i go to add a device it says it can't find anything.

[DarkMatter43]

whats a wiimote "whiteboard"?

[UltraHaxor]

A program made by Johnny Lee that allows users to connect a wii remote to their computer with bluetooth, so it can pick up infrared signals and manipulate the mouse on a computer screen or on any other surface.

[taylordanetriplett]

great vid man. i just got to get me a bluetooth adapter.

[SenoreQueso]

Hi there.

I tried making my own pen, not using this guide however. I just winged it on the spot. I'm having some trouble connecting the wires from the batteries and button to the LED. I tried twisting them together, and I've also tried soldering them. No luck. Any recommendations? It may just be my soldering gun (my brother burned the entire tip off) but I don't know for sure. I didn't get any LED holders, would that be my problem?

[bsol07]

um are the wires stripped? is there a short anywhere in the circuit? do you even know what a circuit is?

[SenoreQueso]

Uhm... yes? No there's no shorts? Did you even read the comment? I'm having trouble connecting them, and keeping them connected. I was wondering if the poster of the video had any recommendations...

[bsol07]

do you know how to solder properly? how exactly do you define "trouble" connecting wires? are you checking with a multimeter and finding the connection is bad or is the circuit just not working? sry if im sounding condescending just trying to help with the little info you gave

[v01dad3pt]

inspired by this series on IR pens. I purchased a couple of light pens at the local gas station. why the gas station has light pens is not so important.

The thing is that they were produced by a manufacturing process and yet still had physical irregulerities that would inhibit them being used in an efficient way as part of an HCI rig.