Wiimote Project

Hi there,

I tried the binaries of Johnny Lee as well as Smoothboard (which is really nice, if you ignore those annoying pop-ups). But I have a problem with getting the wiimote to work efficiently.

Somewhere I read that a utilization between 50% and 100% (even if unlikely) is suggested. However, I never get above 40-45%. Mostly even less. Therefore tracking isn't very good, as you can imagine.

I placed the wiimote nearer and nearer to the screen (a TV set for testing purposes). In the end, the wiimote was about one metre away from the screen. And still I got only 47%. So, I am wondering, what should I do? Hold the wiimote 5 cm in front of the screen, wall, or whatever?! Then the whole thing would be pointless, wouldn't it?

Perhaps you have a suggestion, what I am doing wrong.

Best regards

Martin

Thanks for your reply. But how far is the distance between your wii remote and your screen (what size has that screen or projection?)?

Hi,
The 'rule of thumb' for wiimote placement is approximately twice as far back as the projected image is high. This placement fairly accurately takes account of the wiimote's natural field of view. It shouldn't make any difference whether the wiimote is in front of, alongside, or behind the projector.
If you are getting 40+% tracking then you are fine and the system will work well. The SmoothBoard software is the best for Windows by far, and if you have problems at 40% tracking with it installed, then I would suspect either your pen is weak, you have a dodgy wiimote, or possibly there is some infrared light interference.
Dave
3P Interact Ltd

Thanks so very much for your help. I may not exactly know, what is wrong right now, but I was just too puzzled how close I have to put that remote to the screen.

I keep you posted, if anything comes up concerning these problems.

Hi Martin,

In Smoothboard, you can use the calibration guide to see how to adjust the Wiimote to get the optimum viewing.
About 40% should be fine.

At what angle are you placing the Wiimote?

I noticed that you are using a TV set. From my experience, using a large glass/reflective LCD screen or even CRT screen may reduce the sensitivity of the detection of the IR pen.

For this screens, I will recommend to place the Wiimote at a more acute angle towards the screen so that the Wiimote will be able to capture the side of the IR pen when clicked. This will cause a reduction of the tracking utilization but because of the smaller size of the screen (compared to a large projected screen), the effectiveness of the setup should be sufficient.

You should also check your IR pen to ensure that the emitted infrared is bright enough to be detected. To do so, you can check with your mobile phone camera.

Like what Dave have mentioned, there is a possibility that there are some infrared light interference.
At the bottom of the main window of Smoothboard you will be able to see the number of IR dots detected. If the IR pen is not activate, you should not find any detected IR dots.

Regards
Boon Jin

Quote from: boonjin on July 09, 2009, 06:17:22 AM

Hi Martin,

In Smoothboard, you can use the calibration guide to see how to adjust the Wiimote to get the optimum viewing.
About 40% should be fine.

Okay, then I feel a little bit releaved. Most sources say you have to get between 50% and 75%. But if you say, 40% it is, then I am fine with it.

Quote from: boonjin on July 09, 2009, 06:17:22 AM

At what angle are you placing the Wiimote?

I pointed the wiimote directly at right angle towards the TV set. However, I have no idea how to do this with a real presentation, using a projector. As you can imagine, in that context I cannot place the wiimote 1.5 metres in front of a wall.

Quote from: boonjin on July 09, 2009, 06:17:22 AM

I noticed that you are using a TV set. From my experience, using a large glass/reflective LCD screen or even CRT screen may reduce the sensitivity of the detection of the IR pen.

For this screens, I will recommend to place the Wiimote at a more acute angle towards the screen so that the Wiimote will be able to capture the side of the IR pen when clicked. This will cause a reduction of the tracking utilization but because of the smaller size of the screen (compared to a large projected screen), the effectiveness of the setup should be sufficient.

I will give it a try.

Quote from: boonjin on July 09, 2009, 06:17:22 AM

You should also check your IR pen to ensure that the emitted infrared is bright enough to be detected. To do so, you can check with your mobile phone camera.

I have checked that already. Everything seems to be fine with the IR pen.

Best regards

Martin

PS: Off-topic: I send you an email, too. Is there a way to toggle the floating toolbar with the second wiimote?

Hi Martin,

I have already replied immediately when you sent it.
From admin at smoothboard.net.

Maybe it was filtered by your mail server.

Regards,
Boon Jin