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Infrared Laser Pointer

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Dusk

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Greetings,

I wish to build an infrared laser pointer to be used with the Wiimote Whiteboard application. I want it to be able to emit a reasonably small infrared dot from about 3 to 4 meters onto a matte surface that can be picked up by the infrared camera in the Wiimote.

Being new to working with lasers I'm not sure how to go about this.

First of all, I want to know if it's possible to use an IR laser from an everyday object like a CD or DVD player/burner to fulfill this purpose.

Second, I want to know how to do this SAFELY. I've seen many videos about making IR laser pointers that are able to burn things at short ranges. If possible I'd like to avoid this kind of functionality.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.
 





hugo999999

hugo999999

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we need more information on how the wiimote whiteboard application works/picks up the IR. the controllers also dont have a 'infrared camera' but an LDR (light dependent resistor) of some form. it is possible to get an IR laser from a cd player, but yes this would be unnecessarily dangerous as the laser would be invisible even though low powered and you wouldn't notice damage till its too late.

EDIT: do you mean to use the laser pointer instead of the controller?
 
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Dusk

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The Wiimote Whiteboard is an application that allows you to connect the Wiimote to a PC via a bluetooth connection and along with an IR light source like an IR LED (or I'm hoping an IR dot on a screen from an IR laser pointer) is able to simulate touch-screen functionality.

YouTube - Low-Cost Multi-touch Whiteboard using the Wiimote

All I'm hoping to do is instead of having an IR LED at the screen I'd point the IR laser at the screen and the Wiimote would pick up that dot instead.

I don't mean to use the laser pointer in place of the remote. The Wiimote is to be used in the same manner as shown in the video.

I'd like to say safety comes first but in this case it's more important to me to make it functional first. Safe usage can be enforced.
 
hugo999999

hugo999999

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yes this could possibly work, plus you would not need an extremely focused or high powered laser either for this application
 
millirad

millirad

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^ I think he's talking about an unfiltered low-powered greenie, which obviously leaks IR. However without an LPM, there would be no idea how much it would be putting out. So an LPM is needed as well.
 
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tuzvihar

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In my understanding the green DPSS uses an IR diode to pump the crystals, and if you have an not IR filtered laser, the remaining IR could be detected by the Wii. Plus benefit, that you also see, where you point with the laser. But I might be wrong, it's just an idea.
 
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tuzvihar

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millirad said:
^ I think he's talking about an unfiltered low-powered greenie, which obviously leaks IR. However without an LPM, there would be no idea how much it would be putting out. So an LPM is needed as well.
Click to expand...

Based on the video and explanation, the guy uses a single IR led for the Wii to pick up form 1-2m distance. I don't think he will need any high power for that, several mW of IR could do the trick.

Probably DJNY could cherry pick one for him: http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/532nm-keychains-star-cap-closed-time-56250.html
 
Cyparagon

Cyparagon

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millirad said:
...unfiltered low-powered greenie, which obviously leaks IR.
Click to expand...

Yes, but when a device "leaks," the stuff that's leaking generally does not contribute to the function. DPSS lasers are no exception - the leaking IR does not form much of a beam. It's more like a spotlight which offers little if any precision.
 
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Dusk

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Not seeing the dot IS the point.

Another point is that, as much as possible, I'd like to make it from scratch. That's why I asked if I could use the laser from a CD player or something similar.
Just buying one takes half the fun out of the idea.
 
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Dusk

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What kind of voltage would you put through a laser like one taken from a CD player?
On that same not, what is the operating current?

I managed to find an broken CD player, and I don't want to destroy the laser diode for fear of not being able to find another one any time soon.
 
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HaloBlu

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A cd player uses 780nm which (while classified as IR) can still be slightly visible as deep red to most people. Aixiz has a low power 5mW 980nm module. I would ask them what divergence (beam spread) it has first tho. Sounds like your particularly looking for invisible correct?

A constant current driver would really be best as your power source.
Though some youtube videos show direct battery power that can kill the laser diode especially if your looking to use a low power laser for safety.

I understand wiimote can see most (any?) bright light with its filter removed. Might be useful to test it out with a cheap red pointer before building a IR one.

I hope you share your progress with us. :D
 
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Dusk

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I've already seen it work with a red laser pointer, at the moment I'm just trying to get a beam from a laser we got from a CD player.

I found her some specs:
http://www.rohm.com/products/databook/ld/pdf/rld78mpa1.pdf

I'm going to attempt to put 45mA and 1.9V through it from a 5.6V power source, Using a 82 ohm resistor to drop down the voltage.
Can anyone verify this?
I'm not going to destroy the laser am I?
 
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