hi

I would like to make a button, that functions like the left click button of a mouse, and hooks up to a computer through USB...

ideally, if it could be wireless that would be awesome

but I can't even figure out what I need to make the wired version of it... I've tried googling this but can't find anything, does anyone know what compenents I would need to make this happen, what kind of IC takes in a click and sends it USB... or how does a computer even recognize that a mouse is plugged into its USB port?

any help would be much appreciated,
much thanks!

 

Hello,

If you want to communicate by USB, you will need to understand how it works:
http://www.networktechinc.com/usb-prots.html

A lot of general information on USB can be found here:
http://www.usb.org/home

Information on the mouse itself can be found here:
http://www.educypedia.be/computer/pchardwareports.htm
Unfortunately most examples are for PS/2.

Bertus

 

You could always go with a microcontroller with build in USB. PIC has quite a few. You can also buy the pic32 starter USB board that has a mouse demo on it. Its like $50 or you can grab em on ebay for $25

 

Thanks! that's kinda along the lines I was thinking, some kind of microcontroller project, do you know what requirements I'd need from the microcontroller? or would pretty much any of them work as long as they had a USB connector?

 

You will have to provide the actual USB connector in your final circuit. The microcontroller just supports the USB connection type.

On the Pic32 starter kit you can explore some of PICs microcontrollers, using leds, buttons and a USB port to get to know a microcontroller!

 

These are back in stock at Mouser for $4.30: http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/msp-exp430g2.html