bt conn
The FLipMouse is usually connected via a Micro-USB cable. In some cases it might be useful to connect devices via Bluetooth. Thus, a smartphone, tablet or other BT-enabled device can be used with the FlipMouse - it is even possible to switch between the USB and the BT-connected device "on the fly". The Bluetooth connection is not included in the "off-the-shelf" construction kit sold at hackerspaceshop.com, because this would add additional costs. This page describes how to build the Bluetooth add-on module and which parts are needed for the build.
We developed a Bluetooth module for the FlipMouse based upon an ESP32 wroom chip and some additional electronic components. This module is so small that it fits inside the FlipMouse enclosure (both versions: acrylic housing or 3D-printed housing). The SMD parts are soldered to a PCB which holds a connector on the back side. This connector fits the 10-pin connector on the FlipMouse "motherboard".
The PCB for the Add-On module was made with KiCad. The KiCad design files, the bill of material (BOM) and assembly instructions can be found here.
The software of the BT-Add-on module must be programmed ("flashed") into the ESP32 chip before the module is ready to use. The software is located in a seperate Github repository: ESP32_mouse_keyboard. Follow the setup instructions for the Espressif toolchain and the build instructions which are described in the Readme section of this repository. For flashing the firmware, a USB-to-UART converter (e.g an FTDI converter cable) is needed. Alternatively, an ESP32 programming adpater can be used to flash the firmware into the chip before the ESP32 is soldered to the PCB.
After the BT-Module has been attached to the FlipMouse, a Pairing sequence with a host device must be initiated. For this, put your host device in pairing mode (e.g. in the Bluetooth settings of your PC, smartphone or tablet), and press (and hold) the small black button of the FlipMouse for about 5 seconds, until you hear a long tone. Now, a BT device "FLIPMOUSE" should be visible in the bluetooth settings of your host device an pairing should work without a passphrase. In the FlipMouse settings manager (Tab: General), the BT-connection can be activated exclusively or in parallel with the USB HID connection.
If you need the bluetooth add-on module but can't make it yourself, you can contact us via the AsTeRICS Foundation homepage. Although we cannot guarantee delivery or manufacturing times, we might find a possible solution to make BT-addon modules upon special request.
- Adafruit Bluefruit EZ-KEY HID module
- Female header 2x5 (2.54mm/100mil spacing)
- Perfboard: 35x27mm / 1378x1063mil (2.54mm/100mil spacing)
- Some thin wires
- Additional power source (eg. USB Powerbank)
- Solder the female header as shown in picture 1
- Solder wires to following pins of the header (the upper left is pin 1, the lower left is pin 2 on the main PCB): 7 (Teensy Serial3 RX), 8 (Teensy Serial3 TX), 9 (Vin), 10 (GND) Please use about 5cm wire for each pin and solder only ONE side
- Put the wires through holes in the perfboard nearby the soldered pin
- Solder the Bluetooth module, and connect following pins: "G" -> pin 10 (GND) "RX" -> pin 8 (Teensy TX) "TX" -> pin 7 (Teensy RX) "Vin" -> pin 9 (Vin)
- Mount the addon board and re-assemble the FLipMouse (Picture 3 & 4)
No additional software is necessary. The FLipMouse firmware provides all necessary functions to provide a Bluetooth connection. The host device (PC, tablet, phone,...) does not need additional software, if Bluetooth is working.
The pair process of the addon is equal to the pairing process of the Bluefruit EZKEY-HID module. Press the pair button on the Bluetooth module for 5 seconds to start the pair process. If there is any prompt for a pairing password, please use 1234.
Full documentation of the Bluetooth module is available here: Adafruit Bluefruit EZ-KEY HID