Summary of Arduino Esplora Joystick Mouse
This project demonstrates how to use the Arduino Esplora's joystick as a computer mouse. By reading joystick positions and button presses with the Esplora's built-in functions, the sketch controls cursor movement and clicking on the computer. The Esplora communicates with the computer via USB, appearing as a mouse through the Mouse library. If control is lost, a method to disable the mouse functionality by uploading a safe sketch is provided. The project requires no additional hardware besides the Arduino Esplora itself.
Parts used in the Arduino Esplora Joystick Mouse:
- Arduino Esplora
- USB cable
This sketch shows you how to read information from the Esplora’s joystick and use it to control the movement of the cursor on your computer. You’re making your Esplora into a mouse!
This sketch will take over the mouse movement of your computer. If you lose control of your cursor do the following :
- unplug the Esplora
- open the EsploraBlink sketch in the Arduino software
- hold the Esplora’s reset button down while plugging it back in to your computer
- while continuing to hold the reset button, click “Upload” in the Arduino software
- when you see the message “Done compiling” in the Arduino IDE, release the reset button
This will stop your Esplora from controlling your cursor while you upload a sketch that doesn’t take control of the mouse.
Circuit
Only your Arduino Esplora is needed for this example. Connect the Esplora to your computer with a USB cable and open the Arduino’s Serial Monitor.
Joystick on the Esplora
Code
To send data to your computer, you need to open a serial connection. Use Serial.begin() to open a serial port at 9600 baud on the Esplora.
To start communication as a mouse, call Mouse.begin(). This makes the Esplora appear as a mouse to your computer.
To read the position of the joystick, call Esplora.readJoystickX() and Esplora.readJoystickY(), saving the values in variables. This gives you values between -512 and 512 for each axis. When the joystick is centered, the X and Y axes will report 0.
The joystick also acts as a switch when pressed. To read the button, call Esplora.readJoystickSwitch(). This will give you a value of 1 when pressed, and 0 when it is not.
Hardware Required
- Arduino Esplora
For more detail: Arduino Esplora Joystick Mouse
