Introduction: Ring With Mouse Buttons & Wheel

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The device is HID mouse controller with 4 buttons. There are: left mouse click, right mouse click, wheel up and wheel down as buttons. Connected to PC by Bluetooth. The controller is working as a ring on the hand. Is designed as left and right execution. 

The device is based on the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 microcontroller, it has its own battery power supply. The battery is of course charged when the USB cable is connected. Charging is indicated by a green LED. Magnetic cable can be used.

In my case, the device was created to improve immersion in VR during virtual flights in DCS World. Used together with Leap Motion (a VR hand tracker) and The Fingers software, it eliminates the need for a mouse in the cockpit and allows hands/fingers to operate the buttons.

You need basic soldering skills, microcontroller programming (limited to copying files), and 3D printing to make it.

Supplies

  1. 2x Microcontroller Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840
  2. 8x tactile switch 6x6x4,3mm
  3. 3D-printed Left Ring
  4. 3D-printed Right Ring
  5. 2x Lipo battery 50mAh (21x8x3,6mm)
  6. 2x slider switch 9x3,5x3,5mm


In order to use Rings for my purpose, it is necessary to have the Leap Motion LM-010 device and The Fingers program installed. Leap Motion required software. To attach Leap Motion to the VR goggles I created printable components.

Step 1: Ring and Buttons Assembly

Assemble the buttons first. It is better to straighten the legs of tactile switches before folding them. Solder in the marked places. Use the wires to prepare the connections to the microcontroller. It is enough to lead the wires outside the Ring without insulation, for ~4mm. The exception is the GND cable for Right Ring, which must be ~25mm.

Step 2: Microcontroller, Battery and Slider Switch Soldering

Solder the components according to the diagram before assembly with Ring.

Step 3: Ring and Microcontroller Assemby

Solder microcontroller with Ring in marked places. Slider switch can be assembled by pushing in to the holes 3 legs. The holes in the Ring are tight enough for the Slider to hold steady.

Step 4: Microcontroller Programming

Programming according to the GitHub instruction.

It's a matter to copy files to the microcontroller drive. There is no need to use any specific software or write code.

Step 5: Connect to PC

Device is visible for Bluetooth connection.