https://github.com/jandelgado/usb-spinner
An USB spinner game controller using an Arduino Micro Pro.
https://github.com/jandelgado/usb-spinner
arcade arduino game-controller paddle spinner usb
Last synced: about 1 year ago
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An USB spinner game controller using an Arduino Micro Pro.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/jandelgado/usb-spinner
- Owner: jandelgado
- License: mit
- Created: 2020-12-23T00:14:20.000Z (over 5 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2020-12-23T00:20:48.000Z (over 5 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-03-30T04:41:27.218Z (about 1 year ago)
- Topics: arcade, arduino, game-controller, paddle, spinner, usb
- Language: C++
- Homepage:
- Size: 2.23 MB
- Stars: 4
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 1
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Let's build an USB spinner controller
A spinner is a game controller with a wheel and buttons, where the wheel is
typically used to control the movement of the player object. In contrast to the
similar [paddle
controller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddle_%28game_controller%29), a
spinner uses typically a [rotary
encoder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_encoder), reporting relative
positions, instead of a potentiometer, which delivers absolute values.
* [Parts](#parts)
* [Build and Run](#build-and-run)
* [Circuit](#circuit)
* [The case](#the-case)
* [Firmware](#firmware)
* [Dependencies](#dependencies)
* [Run it](#run-it)
* [Unbricking an Arduino Pro Micro](#unbricking-an-arduino-pro-micro)
* [See also](#see-also)
* [Todo](#todo)
* [Author and License](#author-and-license)
This spinner controller uses an Arduino Pro Micro and announces itself as an
USB mouse when connected to a host. No additional drivers are needed, runs on
Linux, Mac and Windows. The Arduino Pro Micro was chosen because of his ability
to act as an USB device out of the box.
## Parts
* Rotary encoder LPD3806 600BM
* 2 SANWA OBS-30 buttons
* Arduino Pro Micro operating at 5V
* USB cable
* 3D-printed case and parts
* screws for the encoder (M3x15) and the case
## Build and Run
### Circuit
The circuit is very simple. Encoder and buttons are directly connected to the
Arduino Pro Micro. I did not use additional capacitors on the encoder, since
these cause problems on fast movements.
### The case
The case is [3D-printed](https://github.com/jandelgado/geeetech-i3-a-pro). I
used this model https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3273180 from Thingiverse.
To attach the rotary encoder to the case, I printed [another part](case/) (had
no time to modify the original model): 
Finally, the knob of this https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1667604 model
is used.
This is after everything is connected and wired up:
### Firmware
This project uses [platformio](https://platformio.org) (but should also compile with
the Arduino IDE without problems). The firmware is located in the
[firmware](firmware/) directory.
* To build the firmware run `make`
* To flash the firmware run `make upload`
#### Dependencies
* https://github.com/arduino-libraries/Mouse
* https://github.com/madleech/Button
* https://github.com/PaulStoffregen/Encoder
### Run it
After the pro micro is flashed, it should announce itself as an USB mouse
device (Linux example):
```
[ 7007.507696] input: SparkFun SparkFun Pro Micro as
/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-2/1-2:1.2/0003:1B4F:9206.000C/input/input34
[ 7007.508133] hid-generic 0003:1B4F:9206.000C: input,hidraw2: USB HID v1.01
Mouse [SparkFun SparkFun Pro Micro] on usb-0000:00:14.0-2/input2
```
Moving the paddle should move the mouse cursor horizontally on the screen. The
buttons are mapped to the left and right mouse button.
## Unbricking an Arduino Pro Micro
In case you bricked your Pro Micro, follow these instructions to re-animate
the boot loader again: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/pro-micro--fio-v3-hookup-guide/all#ts-revive
## See also
* https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/language/functions/usb/mouse/
* https://www.instructables.com/Atari-Like-USB-Paddle-Using-Arduino-Leonardo/
* https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1667604
* https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3745009
## Todo
[ ] make configurable at runtime (e.g. Sensitivity, orientation)
## Author and License
(C) Copyright 2020 by Jan Delgado. License: MIT.