DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF WRIST-TILT BASED PC CURSOR CONTROL USING ACCELEROMETER

International Journal of Computer Science, Engineering and Applications (IJCSEA) Vol.3, No.4, August 2013
DOI : 10.5121/ijcsea.2013.3407 67
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF WRIST-TILT
BASED PC CURSOR CONTROL USING
ACCELEROMETER
Ankush Nayyar 1
,Hemant Lenka 2
1, 2
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
nayyar272@gmail.com
hemant_lenka@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Human computer Interfacing apparatus is key part in modern electronics period. Motion recognition can
be well introduced in present day computers to play games. In this work simple inertial navigation sensor
like accelerometer can be use to get Dynamic or Static acceleration profile of movement to move cursor of
mouse or even rotate 3-D object. In this paper a human computer interfaces system is presented, which will
be able to act as an enhanced version of one of the most common interfacing system, which is computer
mouse. In this research work, an alternative to interact with computer, for those who do not want to use
conventional HCI (human computer interface) or not able to use conventional human computer interface
and this achieved by using a sensor accelerometer mount on human wrist or anywhere in human body.
Accelerometer device use to detect the position in x, y direction caused by movement of device mount on the
wrist, as referred from acceleration of gravity (1g=9.8m/s2). Accelerometer is connected with
PIC16F877A for analog to digital conversion and PIC16F877A are connected with LCD for displaying the
co-ordinates(x, y) in which the accelerometer move and it further connected with ZigBee transmitter which
is used to transmit the wireless signal to ZigBee receiver. ZigBee receiver receives the signal from
transmitting end and transferred to PC through MAX232 serial communication. In PC an application for
cursor control in response to accelerometer movement is developed.
KEYWORDS
Accelerometer, PIC Microcontroller, ZigBee Protocol
1. INTRODUCTION
The core aim behind the project is to be able to sense the movement of a user hand and use it to
control the movement of mouse on screen, which is very useful for gaming and for bodily
challenged persons. For sensing hand movement an accelerometer device is used. The need of
this research work is to investigate the possibility of creating a wireless mouse that could be used
by anyone, anywhere, without having a flat surface to move it and also without holding mouse in
hand, for this reason, a device accelerometer used to detect its own orientation and ZigBee used
to transmit or receiving data wirelessly so that there would not need to be any wires connection,
which limit the range and comfort.
Accelerometer is a device that senses the tilt in any direction (x,y,z) and the output of device is
usually analog. This output is proportional to the rate of acceleration vary and acceleration are
directly proportional to the rate at which device velocity change and velocity are speed and
direction, so there is change in speed and direction there is acceleration. If there is force act on a
body or object there is change in speed or direction and if the force is zero then the velocity of

68
object is constant and acceleration become zero. In this research an accelerometer are use to
sense the tilt in two direction (x,y) and there co-ordinates are display on LCD using PIC
controller programming in embedded c. ZigBee tans-receiver are used to transmit and receive the
signal over air.PIC microcontroller are also used to convert the analog signal to digital receiving
from accelerometer through inbuilt ADC.TTL to RS232 line driver (max232) are used for
interfacing microcontroller with PC because microcontroller is TTL compatible and pc is CMOS
compatible. This is a simple low cost; low power inertial sensor based mouse with wireless
capability will offer ease of use. It can be use in Gesture Recognition.
2. RELATED WORK
The focal aim of this project is to present the basic needs for physically challenged people like
food, water and medicine and to control the electrical devices like Fan, bulb by using switch
buttons and also for controlling wheel chair by using MEMS technology (micro electro
mechanical sensor), which is an extremely sensitive sensor capable of detecting the tilt. This
device is convenient and this system operation is entirely driven by wireless technology. Client
can wear the MEMS to his finger and can control it by tilting up, down, left and right side
respectively. This system is also makes use of Microcontroller like LPC2148.This project also
makes use of switches which are operate by physically challenged persons to control the electrical
appliances like fan, bulb and some other devices Using AT89S52 Microcontroller and wireless
technology like ZigBee.[1]
This paper presents an accelerometer-based digital pen designed for handwritten digit and gesture
trajectory recognition applications. This pen consists of a 3-axial accelerometer, a
microcontroller, and an RF wireless transmission module for sensing and collecting accelerations
of handwriting. The investigational consequences have successfully validated the success of the
trajectory detection algorithm for handwritten digit and gesture recognition using the proposed
product. [2]
In this research work a health monitoring of human physiological signals such as temperature
and pulse using ZigBee is formed in this work, by this device the temperature and pulse of
humans can be observe from a distant location, and some abnormalities can be easily indicated
via SMS .The measurements obtain from the temperature sensor and heart beat sensor are send to
the PC through ZigBee module. The PC collects the information and also sends SMS, to the
indicated mobile number through a GSM module. [3]
Numerous responsibilities that are perform on the computer use of both a keyboard on the mouse
and a lot of people find it frustrating and painful to have to switch back and forth between them.
This proposed work is a great solution for this. The only two major changes to the mouse since its
beginning and these changes will be more buttons, and interface changes (PS/2, USB, and
Wireless) but the interface method are not changed. The touch pad mouse as well as the stick
mouse have been proposed for a laptop, but have not gained momentum outside of laptops and
many laptop users usually carry a USB mouse with the laptop. The proposed accelerometer based
mouse can be treated as the new times input tool. This proposed device is extra accepted in its
feel and provides the user with better ease of use. [4]
3. BLOCK DIAGRAM
This block diagram consist two module transmitting and receiving shown in figure1. In this
project a wireless human computer interfaces for controlling the computer mouse cursor is
developed. Transmitting module divided in different unit, power supply unit, microcontroller unit,
LCD (16*2) display unit, accelerometer and transmitting unit and receiving part is an integration
of power supply, receiving unit, MAX 232, DB9 connecter.

69
Figure 1. Block diagram of transmitting unit.
Figure 2. Block diagram of receiving unit
In transmitting part accelerometer can be used to get the movement of user wrist to move cursor
of mouse or Gyroscope to even rotate 3-D object. Accelerometer sensor are used measures the
level of accelerometer where it is mounted this enable us to measure tilt of a platform with
respect to earth axis, and then analog output of accelerometer in x,y plane is applied to
microcontroller(PIC16f877A), which is used to control the display on LCD and also connected
with ZigBee transmitter. Microcontroller is energized by 5V power supply. LCD is used to
display co-ordinate in which the cursor movement takes place and the ZigBee transmitter are used
to transmit the signal to receiver module which receive the signal send by transmitter and then
this signal is applied to MAX232. MAX232 is used while interfacing microcontroller with PC to
verify the Baud rate and changes the voltage level because microcontroller is TTL friendly,
whereas PC is CMOS friendly. MAX232 connect the microcontroller and PC through female
DB9 pin. In PC an application is developed which is use to operate the mouse in response to the
accelerometer tilt.
3.1 Accelerometer:
In this research accelerometer 1156 is used. Accelerometer sensor used to measure static (earth
gravity) or dynamic acceleration in all three axis shows in Figure 3. And Figure 4. Accelerometer
sensor dealings with level of acceleration where it is mounted, this make possible to determine
acceleration or deceleration of objects or tilt of a stage with respected to earth gravity.
Accelerometer Sensor provides zero G output which detects linear free fall. Acceleration is a
vector quantity which has the direction and measured in meters per second. Gravitational
acceleration produced on all objects on earth due to earth gravity and therefore by monitoring the
axis of object it is easy to find the level of tilt. Accelerometer interfacing to microcontroller unit
just needs to give supply (+5v and Gnd) to the sensor and then it gives analog signals from pin X,
Y and Z corresponds to its orientation with respect to Earth. At zero gravity the output of axis (x,
y, z) is 1.65V, and output of accelerometer on sensitivity range 1.5g is 800mV/g and on
sensitivity range 6g is 200mV/g.
ZIGBEE
RECEVIER
MAX232 PC
POWER
SUPPLY 5V
POWER SUPPLY 5V
ZIGBEE
TANSMITTER
PIC16F877A
16*2 LCD
ACCELEROMETER

70
Figure 3. Dynamic Acceleration Movement
Figure 4. Static Acceleration Movemenet
3.2 Transmitting and receiving unit (ZigBee)
In Tx and Rx units ST1197 Serial Interface IC for RF Transceiver based on CC1100/CC2500 is
used. ST1197 Serial Interface IC supports any RF based modules/transceiver which is based on
Texas Instrument’s Chipcon ICs like CC1100 (433 MHz) and CC2500 (2.4 GHZ). This will
provides a easy UART interface for transmission and reception of serial data at the rate 9600 bps
(baud per second). This can be used for applications where two way wireless data transmission
are needed. Communication protocol is controlled itself and completely transparent to user
interface. The IC can be embedded to this current design so that wireless communication can be
set up easily. This IC works in half-duplex mode that is either in transmitting or receiving but not
both at same time. After every transmission, IC switched back to receiving mode automatically.
The LED indicates whether IC is currently receiving or transmitting data. The data checked for

71
CRC error if any. The IC has 64 bytes of buffer for arriving data. while you power on the unit, the
TX LED will blink representing that initialization is complete and detect the Chipcon based
transceiver. If LED remains continuous on then the problem could be related to connection
between IC and RF Module. RF Trans-receiver with 2.4 GHz frequency and 30 meters range
model 3478 is used with ST1197. In a usual system, this type of trans-receiver will be used with
a microcontroller. It provides wide hardware support for packet handling, data buffering, burst
transmissions. RF Module and ST1197 are working below at 3V level.
Figure 5. Shows internal schematic of ZigBee
Baud Rate Setting
BAUD1 and BAUD2 pins of ST1197 serial interface IC are used for baud rate setting. These pins
are default HIGH if it is left unconnected. During power up mode these pin status is read only and
any changes to these pin during operation will have no effect. Baud rate setting for ST1197 IC
shown in Table 1. [5]
BAUD 1 BAUD 2 MODE
HIGH HIGH 9600bps
LOW HIGH 4800bps
HIGH LOW 38400bps
LOW LOW 19200bps
Table 1. Baud Rate Setting
Frequency Channel Setting
FREQ1 and FREQ2 pins will be default high if it is left unconnected. These pins are in read only
status during power up. The purpose of Setting Frequency Channel is that it can be used to have
multiple sets of operating at same time but without any interfering. The pair having similar
Channel setting will be capable to communicate with each other. Channel setting shown in Table
2. [5]

72
FREQ 1 FREQ 2 MODE
HIGH HIGH Channel 1
LOW HIGH Channel 2
HIGH LOW Channel 3
LOW LOW Channel 4
Table 2. Frequency Channel Setting
4. SOFTWARE METHODOLOGY
Figure 6. Shows the software methodology of the co-ordinates displays on LCD screen for this
mikro c software are used and programming is done in embedded c. As shown Figure 6. First of
all check for tilt detection if there is no tilt in accelerometer then mouse cursor is in initial
position and LCD display the name of project if there is tilt in accelerometer then the output of
accelerometer axis is send to microcontroller where an embedded c code is burn in
microcontroller for co-ordinate display on LCD screen. After that accelerometer tilt position
given to ZigBee transmitter, ZigBee transmitter transmit the signal wirelessly, which is received
by ZigBee receiver and given to PC using MAX232 serial communication and DB9 female cable
are used to connect with PC. In PC side an application to control cursor of mouse in answer to the
tilt pose of accelerometer are designed by using visual basic programming.

73
Figure 6. Flow Chart for cursor control
5. RESULT
Accelerometer device used to detect the static or dynamic change in position. If there is some tilt
in accelerometer then cursor position changes in response to that tilt and position of x,y co-
ordinate and position of mouse cursor on computer screen that is left, right, up, down direction
are shown on LCD shown in Figure 7. and Figure 8.
Figure 7. Shows the Direction and Co-ordinates of Cursor
Figure 8. Shows the Direction and Co-ordinates of Cursor
6. CONCLUSION
This design is used to control computer mouse cursor for this an accelerometer sensor is used.
The advantages of using an accelerometer approach intended for control using laryngeal

74
vibrations, compared to supplementary sensor, is that the user has only control over an apparatus
or device. Surroundings noise is not recorded and consequently it does not interfere with a user
controlling an instrument or device.
The scope this project is that we can increase the communication speed between transmitter and
receiver and also the mouse movement convert in 3D environment using z axis. This project is
also useful for gaming and for monitoring disable people.
REFERENCES
[1] B. Ramana Reddy, J. V. Sharma, “Movement based and Voice enabled Device Switching for basic
needs of Physically Challenged Persons” International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), India
Online ISSN: 2319‐7064, Volume 2 Issue 3, March 2013
[2] Jeen-Shing Wang, and Fang-Chen Chuang .An Accelerometer-Based Digital Pen With a Trajectory
Recognition Algorithm for Handwritten Digit and Gesture Recognition IEEE Transactions on
Industrial Electronics VOL. 59, NO. 7, JULY 2012.
[3] S.Josephine Selvarani, Online Health Monitoring System Using Zigbee, “ International Journal on
Computer Science and Engineering (IJCSE)” ISSN : 0975-3397 Vol. 3 No. 4 Apr 2011
[4] Manav Kataria, Vinu Bhaskar, Abhishek Sharma, Mizan Abraha “ACCELEROMETER MOUSE”
(2011, 04). Air Mouse. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 04, 2011.
[5] www.sunrom.com
[6] Tiexiang Wen; Lei Wang; Jia Gu; Bangyu Huang, "A 3-D Acceleration-Based Control Algorithm for
Interactive Gaming Using a Head-Worn Wireless Device," Bioinformatics and Biomedical
Engineering , 2009. ICBBE 2009. 3rd International Conference on , vol., no., pp.1,3, 11-13 June 2009
[7] Piedrahita,; Andres, Giovanny; Guayacundo,; Marcela, Diana, "Evaluation of Accelerometers as
Inertial Navigation System for Mobile Robots," Robotics Symposium, 2006. LARS '06. IEEE 3rd
Latin American , vol., no., pp.84,90, 26-27 Oct. 2006
[8] Lombardi, A.; Ferri, M.; Rescio, G.; Grassi, M.; Malcovati, P., "Wearable wireless accelerometer
with embedded fall-detection logic for multi-sensor ambient assisted living applications," Sensors,
2009 IEEE , vol., no., pp.1967,1970, 25-28 Oct. 2009
[9] Sa-kwang Song; Jaewon Jang,; Soojun Park, "A Phone for Human Activity Recognition Using
Triaxial Acceleration Sensor," Consumer Electronics, 2008. ICCE 2008. Digest of Technical Papers.
International Conference on , vol., no., pp.1,2, 9-13 Jan. 2008
AUTHORS
Short Biography
Ankush Nayyar received his B.Tech. Degree in ECE from IGCE, Punjab Technical
University, India, in 2010. He is currently pursuing the M.Tech. Degree at the Centre for
development of advanced computing mohali, India, with a research topic “Design and
Development of Wrist-Tilt Based PC Cursor Control Using Accelerometer.”
Hemanta kumar Lenka(Engineer). He did his Degree in Electronics and Communication
Engineering (A.M.I.E). He did his MTECH in IT (From Rajasthan Deemed University
on July 2005). His area of interest is AutoCAD Auto lisp programming and
Customisation.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF WRIST-TILT BASED PC CURSOR CONTROL USING ACCELEROMETER

More Related Content

What's hot (18)

Similar to DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF WRIST-TILT BASED PC CURSOR CONTROL USING ACCELEROMETER (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF WRIST-TILT BASED PC CURSOR CONTROL USING ACCELEROMETER