Using TV Remote as a Cordless Mouse for the Computer

The main objective of this project is to design a microcontroller based system to control a computer mouse with an IR remote. To achieve the task we have used a TV remote, a microcontroller, an IR receiver. For interfacing the system with PC, we have selected USB interfacing. This circuit is simple and easy to understand. We have tried to make the project user-friendly as much as we can. It is well-suited in almost all PC with operating systems like Windows Vista, Microsoft® Windows XP, and Windows 7. This article discusses a cordless mouse for the PC using TV remote.

Using TV Remote as a Cordless Mouse for the Computer

The hardware and software requirement of this project mainly include 8051 series microcontroller, TV remote, IR sensor, a level shifter, resistors, LED, capacitors, diodes, transformer, crystal, voltage regulator, Keil compiler, and languages: embedded c or assembly.

TV Remote as a Cordless Mouse for the PC Block Diagram

Microcontroller

It is a smaller computer; it has on-chip RAM, ROM, I/O ports. The features of this AT89S51/52 microcontroller include the following.

• Compatible with MCS®-51 Products
• 8K Bytes of In-System Programmable (ISP) Flash Memory
• Endurance: 10,000 Write/Erase Cycles
• 4.0V to 5.5V Operating Range
• Fully Static Operation: 0 Hz to 33 MHz
• 256 x 8-bit Internal RAM
• 32 Programmable I/O Lines
• Three 16-bit Timer/Counters
• Eight Interrupt Sources
• Full Duplex UART Serial Channel
• Interrupt Recovery from Power-down Mode
• Watchdog Timer
• Dual Data Pointer

AT89S51 Microcontroller

MAX 232

• The MAX232 is an integrated circuit that converts signals from an RS-232serial port to signals suitable for use in TTL compatible digital logic circuits.
• The MAX232 is a dual driver/receiver and typically converts the RX, TX, CTS and RTS signals.
• When a MAX232 IC receives a TTL level to convert, it changes a TTL Logic 0 to between +3 and +15V, and changes TTL Logic 1 to between -3 to -15V, and vice versa for converting from RS232 to TTL.

MAX232

DB9 Connector

The DB9 (originally DE-9) connector is an analog 9-pin plug of the D-Sub miniature connector family (D-Sub or Sub-D).

DB9 Connector

TSOP 1738 Receiver Pin Diagram

• It’s a standard IR remote control receiver, and it supports all major transmission codes
• Pin1 – Connected to Ground
• Pin2 – Connected to Vcc
• Pin3 – Output Pin
• In Between 1st Pin and 2nd Pin, we have to connect one Capacitor
• TSOP 1738 Receives 14-bit of data

TSOP 1738 Receiver

Features

• Photodetector and preamplifier in one package
• Internal filter for PCM frequency
• TTL and CMOS compatibility
• Output active low
• Low power consumption
• High immunity against ambient light
• Continuous data transmission possible (up to 2400 bps)
• Suitable burst length .10 cycles/burst

Working Principle of TV Remote as a Cordless Mouse for the Computer

The proposed system uses a TV remote as a battery-operated mouse for the computer. A usual PC or laptop uses a mouse to function and manage all its applications. As a personal computer mouse is connected to the system, one has to be seated near the PC to work on it.

Using TV Remote as a Cordless Mouse for the Computer

This becomes very tedious when the PC is used for presentation purposes. A typical TV remote sends coded infrared information that is read by an IR sensor which is interfaced to an 8051 family microcontroller. This information which is received by the microcontroller that is sends to the COM-port of a PC through a level shifter IC. This IR code is usually RC5 code as followed by some makers. Software termed PC remote is employed on the PC that identifies data received from the microcontroller through the COM-port and executes the required operation.

Selected numbers on the TV remote are employed to make up-down, right-left pointer movement. Features like right click and left click of the mouse can also be executed with of the TV remote.

Further this project can be improved by employing an RF technology or Bluetooth to overcome the fixed line of view communication disadvantages of the infrared type.

From the above information finally, we can conclude that using this proposed system, there is no need for any connection between the mouse and PC. Here we can control the PC using TV remote. This project is mostly based on the SIRC protocol using IR sensors. By employing this project we can do various computer functions using TV remote.