scroll wheel mechanics/electronics

[Voltaic]

hey, i dont know if anyone in here is familiar with the actual
mechanics/electronics in the little scroll wheel in mice, but i want to
make one to use as a volume control for a little custom stereo thing im
putting together. at the very least i need to know what the infrared
detectors are called, and how to look them up at digikey or something.
they appear to be simply 2 IR detectors next to each other that sense when
the spokes of the "wheel" in the mouse pass in front of them.
additionally, they are labeled on this specific PCB as "dual 1", dual2,
etc. they appear to be the same components that allow a ball mouse to
detect the ball rolling, except in that the ball (obviously) needs 2 axes
to be tracked. anyway, any help is always greatly appreciated.

-Sam

 

[tim kettring]

Voltaic ,

It is definitely worth the time to figure-out how to control a sterio
volume with a digital mouse ( IR internal ) . Yes it CAN be done , but
it is just not worth it . If you want a fancy audio-control , try a
digital-input potentiometer chip instead of a mechanical
potentiometer...but alot of MFGs already do that !

Good luck with the amp , I am sure it is way more servicable than the
99% junk ( very-expensive custom IC chip units ) that are being
Manufactured these days !!!

tim CET, tech 30yr

Voltaic <voltaic@ou.edu> wrote in message news:<Xns93E11259C4D12Voltaic@68.12.19.6>...

hey, i dont know if anyone in here is familiar with the actual
mechanics/electronics in the little scroll wheel in mice, but i want to
make one to use as a volume control for a little custom stereo thing im
putting together. at the very least i need to know what the infrared
detectors are called, and how to look them up at digikey or something.
they appear to be simply 2 IR detectors next to each other that sense when
the spokes of the "wheel" in the mouse pass in front of them.
additionally, they are labeled on this specific PCB as "dual 1", dual2,
etc. they appear to be the same components that allow a ball mouse to
detect the ball rolling, except in that the ball (obviously) needs 2 axes
to be tracked. anyway, any help is always greatly appreciated.

-Sam