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Applications for utilizing the Wiimote on the PC
I looked at a few applications that make use of the Wiimote. These .Net applications use the managed code API for the Wiimote. More information can be found here.
This application tests the connectivity and functionality of the Wiimote with the PC.
This application integrates a scripting a language that allows one to write scripts to access Wiimote functionality. GlovePIE allows one to open a provided Wiimote script library or write your own script. The script below allows one to use the Wiimote as a mouse on the PC. This is a very cool application.
The GlovePIE application was used to maneuver around the 3D model I created. It takes a bit of getting used to, but is cool rotating and moving the model by tilting and turning the Wiimote.
The Wiimote Whiteboard application uses the Wiimote's Infrared camera to read the position of the infrared beam that is reflected on the screen. I created the simple drawing below with the IR pen using MS Paint. Calibration was a little touchy on my 22" LCD monitor, but worked well on the 12" laptop display. The screenshot below is off of the 22" LCD. The computer was running Vista.
Positioning of the Wiimote is very important in order to get good results. I used widApp to help align the Wiimote for optimal calibration.
If the Wiimote is placed under the monitor, one could actually write in the air with the IR Pen a fair distance from the monitor and the Wiimote will relate the coordinates back to the computer. This is the opposite of the screenshot above where the Wiimote is looking for a relection of the IR dot pn the screen. In this scenario, the dot is being read directly from the pen. Calibration was a little tricky, but as long as you keep the button depressed and draw a line in the air between caibration points, the Wiimote whiteboard app will calibrate. It was easier drawing than trying to write close to the screen without blocking the Wiimote's view with my hand as in the previous example.
Conclusion:
The Wiimote is an amazing little device that brings a new world of modding fun to the PC. The Wiimote can be had for under $40 and provides many abilities that would take multiple separate devices.
Reader Projects Submissions (IR Pen designs from readers)
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