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Author Topic: Tracking IR Ink-painted object  (Read 33910 times)

Offline madbat87

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on: January 20, 2009, 10:42:34 AM
Hi everybody,
I was wondering if the WiiMote's IR Cam can recognize an object, like a ball, painted with an IR-ink pen...

Thanks in advance!


Offline Wiweeyum

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Reply #1 on: January 21, 2009, 04:08:07 AM
If the object was reflecting IR light, then yes it would be visible to the camera. It would not be able to recognize any detail, but would register the object as a blob of light.

An example can be seen here in this video. The IR array is shining down onto the table top and the puck reflects the light back up to the camera. See right at 1:00 in this video and he quickly explains the concept.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNEjtVUxyX4[/youtube]

It's also the same concept as the finger tracking in Johnny's video here.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0awjPUkBXOU[/youtube]


Does that help?


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Offline madbat87

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Reply #2 on: January 21, 2009, 05:00:01 AM
Very helpful, thanks!
I have in mind to realize a table football robot: instead of using a high-fps camera and opencv for tracking the ball, which is very expensive in money and in time, I want to use the wiimote...

So, I was wondering which is the best way to track the ball:
1. Paint the ball with something reflecting the ir light of a led array
2. Install inside the ball some very small ir leds alimented by very small battery, so the wiimote will track the light emitted by the ball itself!

But I have some questions:
(For point 1.) Is the ir-ink, in your opinion, the best way to cover the ball or there's something better?
(For point 2.) Do you think the ir light of leds inside a ball can pass through a <5 millimeters wall (the ball face)?
I read in a Johnny's post that the wiimote ir camera can track at up to 100 Hz, has anyone a confirm of this?

Many thanks!


Offline Wiweeyum

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Reply #3 on: January 21, 2009, 05:57:26 PM
I guess it really depends on what you're going to be using it for. What kinda of ball will you be using? What exactly do you mean by IR-ink?


~"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."~
- EF Schumacher

Offline madbat87

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Reply #4 on: January 22, 2009, 04:23:09 AM
The ball is like the one you can see in this image:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Baby_foot_artlibre_jnl.jpg

For ir-ink pen I mean one like this:
http://www.maxmax.com/aXRayIRInks.asp

My goal is to achieve something like this:
http://foospmp.myl.dk/?page_id=52


Offline Wiweeyum

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Reply #5 on: January 22, 2009, 07:03:13 AM
Now that's cool!

I have no idea if the IR ink will be visible by the wiimote, but it's definitely worth a try I guess. My only concern is that it wouldn't be bright enough... then again, if you had the table well lit, then the IR ink would reflect more light. I can only suggest trying it.

You'd have to have some seriously bright LEDs to emminate light through a solid wall like that of a foosball, I would think. There again, I have no actual proof, only conjecture. I would try it anyway and see how it works out.

I was absolutely fascinated by the robot playing airhockey, so I'm likewise very excited for you to make some progress on this current project of yours. I think doing some research with different IR inks and lighting amounts would be very helpful to plenty of people here on this site.


~"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."~
- EF Schumacher

Offline madbat87

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Reply #6 on: January 22, 2009, 07:53:05 AM
I'm happy you appreciate my project!  ;D

Within a few days I hope I'll able to try the 2nd way, testing some ir leds inside the ball...

For the 1st way there is one problem: the only seller of ir-ink pen I found is in USA, but since I'm from italy they will charge me a lot of money only for shipping (more than 60$)...  >:( , so I'm looking for an european seller, or other cheaper sellers.

I think I will also need some stepper motors to control the player bars, and I hope they won't cost too much money for my pockets!  :D

Anyway I'll post any IR and wiimote related progress!


Offline unitedworld

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Reply #7 on: July 13, 2010, 03:56:03 AM
I appreciate the effort.


Offline kakucis

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Reply #8 on: August 11, 2010, 08:07:25 AM
Quote from: madbat87 on January 22, 2009, 07:53:05 AM
I'm happy you appreciate my project!  ;D

Within a few days I hope I'll able to try the 2nd way, testing some ir leds inside the ball...

For the 1st way there is one problem: the only seller of ir-ink pen I found is in USA, but since I'm from italy they will charge me a lot of money only for shipping (more than 60$)...  >:( , so I'm looking for an european seller, or other cheaper sellers.

I think I will also need some stepper motors to control the player bars, and I hope they won't cost too much money for my pockets!  :D

Anyway I'll post any IR and wiimote related progress!

You have done really amazing job!
Hope to see more innovative things form your side!

See my best acne products and provillus website!

Offline Brookskennedy

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Reply #9 on: March 14, 2011, 10:26:13 PM
Quote from: madbat87 on January 20, 2009, 10:42:34 AM
Hi everybody,
I was wondering if the WiiMote's IR Cam can recognize an object, like a ball, painted with an IR-ink pen...

Thanks in advance!



I was wondering which is the best way to track the ball:
1. Paint the ball with something reflecting the ir light of a led array
2. Install inside the ball some very small ir leds alimented by very small battery, so the wiimote will track the light emitted by the ball itself!


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