Author Topic: Reinstalling Wiimote every time & Writing appearing as dots (Read 5062 times)

eureka345 · **on:** October 25, 2008, 12:48:36 PM

I am having two issues with my wiimote whiteboard set up and am hoping others have had the same issues and been able to solve them.

1) Every time I close down my computer, and open it up again, I am needing to reinstall my wiimote as a bluetooth device before it will work with Smoothboard. This isn't a huge deal, but is an inconvenience.

2) When I first got the set up working, I could write just fine using OneNote or the like. Now, however, despite the set up being exactly the same, my writing appears as "dotted" as if the IR pen is not constantly emitting a signal. I am assuming this is a pen issue, but am wondering if there are other factors? I tried closing all lights and blinds, but it did not solve the problem. I am projecting onto a regular roll down projection screen. I could never get it to work on my physical whiteboard, due to glare I am assuming. The pens I am using are the ones from http://penteractive.us/. I have two pens, same problem with both. Tried changing batteries and that didn't solve it either.

benpaddlejones · **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2008, 07:08:46 PM

eureka345

Quote from: eureka345 on October 25, 2008, 12:48:36 PM

I am having two issues with my wiimote whiteboard set up and am hoping others have had the same issues and been able to solve them.

I'm afraid you are alone on these one's

Quote from: eureka345 on October 25, 2008, 12:48:36 PM

1) Every time I close down my computer, and open it up again, I am needing to reinstall my wiimote as a bluetooth device before it will work with Smoothboard. This isn't a huge deal, but is an inconvenience.

Try:
1. Disable all your protection software/firewalls/tea timers etc.
2. Turn off 'System Restore'
3. Connect Wiimote
4. Restart computer
5. Connect Wiimote
6. Restart computer
7. Enable all your protection software & system restore
8. restart computer

Quote from: eureka345 on October 25, 2008, 12:48:36 PM

2) When I first got the set up working, I could write just fine using OneNote or the like. Now, however, despite the set up being exactly the same, my writing appears as "dotted" as if the IR pen is not constantly emitting a signal. I am assuming this is a pen issue, but am wondering if there are other factors? I tried closing all lights and blinds, but it did not solve the problem. I am projecting onto a regular roll down projection screen. I could never get it to work on my physical whiteboard, due to glare I am assuming. The pens I am using are the ones from http://penteractive.us/. I have two pens, same problem with both. Tried changing batteries and that didn't solve it either.

Try turning the pen around so it faces the wiimote, see if the wiimote detects tracks the IR-Pen better. It sounds like a pen problem, you shouldn't have any problems on a Whiteboard or a projector screen. I sugest you contact the seller.

benpaddlejones

jmitchell · **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2008, 09:10:47 PM

Hello eureka345,

Feel free to PM me if you need to or contact me through my website. I will help as best as able. Dots do start showing once the batteries are weakened but new batteries should take of that. If you have a battery tester or multimeter you can check to see how much juice is left in them.

Wiimote position has a LOT to do with how any pen is read. Get the wiimote as close as possible to the screen and still be able to calibrate and make sure the angle is about 45 degrees from center of screen.

If all else fails, I will work with you to make sure your pens are okie-dokie.

eureka345 · **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2008, 11:23:49 AM

Thanks for your suggestions.. I'll give them a try at school tomorrow and report back

eureka345 · **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2008, 08:39:36 AM

I haven't had the chance to try out your solution for the first problem yet; however, I have experimented a LOT with the second.

I have tried every possible position for the wiimote in my classroom, as well as using a secondary wiimote. Things have improved greatly, but no matter what I do, tracking on the "far" side of the screen (relative to where the wiimote currently tracking is positioned) is "dotty". So then with the wiimote set up on the opposite side of the screen, I thought this would solve things. Well, it does, but because my body physically blocks one remote or the other at all times, I'm still in a bit of a bind.

Next step is to try to mount my wiimotes from the ceiling and hope I can resolve the issue of my body blocking the signal.

Does anyone know if there are pictures anywhere of how people have their physical set ups in their classrooms?

jmitchell · **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2008, 09:25:46 AM

Easy solution - put in a third battery. I guarantee that will solve it. Why you ask? Because now all my pens have 3 batteries and the strength of the ir emission is much better.

Placing a second wiimote on the other side of the projector at about the same position would lead to better tracking as well.

Now you're cooking with gas as my grandma used to say.

Davo · **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2008, 02:30:18 AM

Hi Eureka345

Check out the picture of a ceiling mount on our site.
Off to the side approx 30 - 40 degrees and about 250mm
above the height of the projected image. Be careful of
the influence of sunlight too.

Regards
Dave
www.3pinteract.co.nz

Wiimote Project