Arduino HID Ultrasonic Volume Control (Media Controller)

Hello, welcome my friends! As we know, we use keyboards for a variety of tasks, but there are some keys that we use more frequently than others, particularly those for media control and adjusting brightness. However, there are times when we’re deeply focused on important work and don’t want to keep reaching for the keyboard to adjust the volume or skip a track. That’s where a custom, hands-free solution comes in handy!

I decided to create a media control system using the Arduino Pro Micro. This compact microcontroller is perfect for the job because it has built-in HID (Human Interface Device) capabilities, meaning it can easily function as a keyboard, mouse, or even a media controller without needing any extra software. Just plug it into your computer, and it’s ready to go!

To make this project even more intuitive and user-friendly, I integrated an ultrasonic sensor to detect hand gestures. By simply moving your hand closer or further away from the sensor, you can adjust the volume up or down, making it incredibly easy to control your media without even touching the keyboard. The sensor has a range of up to 60 centimetres, which allows for smooth and responsive control. Watch my complete video for this project here.

But I didn’t stop there! I also added touch-sensitive TP223 sensors for additional controls like skipping to the next track, going back to the previous one, and even muting or pausing the music with just a tap. These capacitive sensors are highly sensitive and work seamlessly with the Arduino Pro Micro.

To add a visual element, I incorporated a 16-bit Neopixel ring that provides beautiful light animations whenever you interact with the controls. For instance, when you skip to the next track, the ring lights up with a colourful rotating animation, making the experience even more engaging.

Finally, I included a 4-digit 7-segment TM1637 display to show the current volume level in real-time. This ensures you always know exactly how loud your music is without having to guess.

Overall, this project combines practicality with a touch of creativity, transforming a regular media control setup into an interactive and hands-free experience. Whether you’re deep into work or just lounging around, this Arduino-based media controller makes managing your audio a breeze!

Component Needed

Arduino Pro Micro: This is suitable for HID applications and its key features.

Ultrasonic Sensor: Describe how ultrasonic sensors works, their role in the project, and why you chose this specific model.

TP223 Touch Sensor: Explain how capacitive touch sensors function and their benefits in creating touch-based controls.

Neopixel Ring: Discuss the visual feedback provided by the Neopixel ring and how it enhances the user.

Other Components: Mention any resistors, wires, breadboard, or additional tools you used.

Here is a Circuit Diagram Provided with detailed instructions on how to connect each component, including wiring diagrams. You can test it on your breadboard or directly solder it to plane PCB board.

Offer Advice to carefully solder and avoid common mistakes, and ensuring stable connections.

Here is the code you can save or Copy from here:- ElecoTecoz

You can adjust the pin as per your board pins or if you want to build any type of PCB by own.

Testing your Arduino Pro Micro-based HID media control project is a crucial step to ensure everything works as intended. Begin by verifying each component individually. Start with the ultrasonic sensor by checking if it accurately detects the distance of your hand. You can use a simple serial monitor output to display the distance readings, ensuring they match your expectations within the 0-60 cm range. If the sensor readings fluctuate wildly, consider adding a slight delay or using a moving average filter to stabilize the output.

Next, test the TP223 touch sensors by confirming that each sensor triggers the intended media control action (e.g., Play/Pause, Next, Previous, Mute) without delay or false triggers. If a sensor is unresponsive, double-check the wiring and ensure the sensitivity is correctly adjusted.

Once the sensors are working, move on to testing the HID functionality. Ensure that the Arduino correctly sends media control commands to your computer. Use a simple test code to increase and decrease the volume, and check if it responds smoothly and accurately. If the volume control is too sensitive or not responsive enough, you may need to adjust the mapping of sensor readings to volume levels or introduce a small delay between commands to avoid overwhelming the system.

After the basic functions are working, test the Neopixel ring to ensure it provides the correct visual feedback. If the colours are off or the animations are not smooth, review your code for any timing issues or incorrect settings in the Neopixel library.

Finally, run the entire system together and observe its performance. Look for any delays, incorrect outputs, or unexpected behaviour. Debugging may involve tweaking sensor sensitivity, adjusting code logic, or improving power supply stability to ensure a smooth and reliable user experience.

Creating your own HID media control system with Arduino Pro Micro is more than just a technical project—it's a step towards a more personalized, efficient workspace. This project not only solves a common problem but also gives you the satisfaction of crafting a tool tailored to your needs. The flexibility to control your media with simple hand gestures or a tap adds a layer of convenience that’s hard to match with standard devices. Plus, the vibrant Neopixel feedback adds a bit of flair, making your setup as visually engaging as it is functional. Dive into this project, and transform how you interact with your media!