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This program allows you to use the Wii Remote (Wiimote) to turn any surface into a Low-Cost Interactive Whiteboard. It is based on Johnny Lee’s original WiimoteWhiteboard program that is written in C# and available for Windows only. My program uses Java to allow for (some) platform-independence. I also provide a Mac-only version since I’m a Mac user and this is, up to my knowledge, currently the only such program for the Mac. For Windows only, Boon Jin has enhanced Johnny’s software and created the shareware program Smoothboard. There is also a SourceForge project that provides other implementations, but it is not getting much attention.
Check out the video and the other cool projects at Johnny Lee’s page if you have no idea what I’m talking about 
.
Features in a nutshell
- Open source
- Runs on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux
- Simple User Interface available in English, Estonian, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene, and Spanish
- Camera Monitor and Calibration Details for better Wiimote placement
- Auto-connects up to 2 Wiimotes
- Right-click support, double-click assistance
- Mouse cursor smoothing
- Screen selection
- Touchpad Mode
- Update notification
- TUIO/OSC support for multitouch applications
More details in the Wiki.
Download (1.0.3)
Some example videos
Documentation & Support
You can post your comments, bug reports, feature requests, etc. at the bottom of this page. The latest documentation is available in the Wiki. You can also find out how you can help.
The wiimoteproject.com forums are a great resource for everything Wiimote. You may use this subforum to discuss everything related to my software. The Smoothboard Wiki also contains useful information for setting up your interactive whiteboard.
Infrared pens
You need a source of infrared (IR) light to use the software. Many people build their own IR pens for that purpose, usually by retrofitting some sort of marker. You’ll find all you need to know here. I started with a simple IR pen made from a battery clip.
There are also IR pens for sale if you don’t want to build one yourself. Several vendors sell different models, the IR Pen marketplace is a good place to get an overview.
You can use the coupon code uwe if you buy from IRPensOnline.com. This will give you a discount of $2 and I’ll get $1.
Compatibility
I only heard of few problems on Mac OS X, using the built-in stack. I also got reports from users who got the program running on Windows using either the Widcomm or BlueSoleil stack. It seems like Widcomm works better, see this post about BlueSoleil. You need to use the BlueZ stack on Linux, see the Wiki or this post for further instructions.
Issue on PowerPC Macs (excerpt from the WiiRemoteJ-README):
Note for Mac OS X PowerPC (PPC) users: you will have to delete the Wii Remote from your previous devices list in System Preferences->Bluetooth->Devices after each connection (every time you connect a given Wii Remote). Even then, the outgoing connection will still fail every other time. There is some sort of bug relating to HCI devices and Apple’s library. Luckily, it was fixed for the Intel Macs.
Further details can be found in the Wiki or the help files bundled with the application.
This might sound crazy but, is it possible for this software to be developed into an iphone version. Just curious.
I can confirm that adding the lines to the info.plist on the mac version of the program works great. Took care of wiimotes in adjacent rooms connecting to each other.
Be sure to turn off check for updates, because I think it if updates it will replace this file with your hardware address in it and you will have to add it again. Unless this will be a feature that can be changed in the GUI.
Code added to the info.plist
Hi Bluejay,
there is a solution to your problem. Please see this post.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Julien,
I agree with you. It’s somewhat of a misnomer since it doesn’t do relative mouse movement.
Changing the name (or behavior) is on my TODO-list for a future release…
Uwe
Hi Yad,
I haven’t tried this but I can’t think of any reason why it shouldn’t work.
Uwe
Hi Davis,
I don’t quite understand how an iPhone version would look like. Could you elaborate?
Uwe
Hi,
you’re right that an update (replacing the application) will currently override all changes made to the Info.plist inside the application bundle. I’m planning to make this easier in a future release…
Btw, the Check for updates on startup feature will just notify you if a new release is available. It won’t install anything automatically.
Uwe
Did you ever get any help with setting the system up? I am using the system in my classroom with excellent results!
Love it! I have used this in my classrooms lately and it is brilliant. The extra stuff that’s now available, (IR pens, tripods, etc…) are great. Thank you for porting this for OSX! My kids absolutely love working with “The Magic Pen!”
First of all I want say that this is now simply the best whiteboard software! I use successfully this program for teaching purpose with the my under development program. I have some doubt about the strange license of the core library wiiremotej. I have read the license text and sincerely I am not able to know if it possible modify the source code o redistribute it! I try to contact the author but with not a good result;
seems that the project is dead
Is not a good idea port the program to use a really free library such as motej http://sourceforge.net/projects/motej that is distribute under the apache public license
Best regards
Hi Pietro,
you’re free to modify and redistribute my source code according to my (slightly modified) MIT license. The source code of WiiRemoteJ is not open and disassembly prohibited. I’m also not very happy with the license of WiiRemoteJ – but it was the best option when I wrote my application in February 2008.
I haven’t put much time into further development recently, hence I don’t know if alternatives (like motej) are suitable for me. I need to look into that in the future (once I finished my Master’s degree).
Uwe
How do I set the Wiimote whiteboard in Windows 7 without receiving the error message?
Help me please, thank you
I think that would be the correct term. I have a large screen and it is impossible for me to actually get to the points I need to on the board. (too high)
I would like to set up a section on my podium where I can place an exact copy of my powerpoint slide being displayed. I would then “write” on the paper and hopefully it would show on the screen. Does this software offer this? Thanks in advance.
mitchell
I’m exceptionally excited to start using this program in my presentations, thanks so very much for making it a possibility!
I’ve purchased a Wiimote and have successfully connected it to the bluetooth on my computer (MacBook running Snow Leopard). That is, I see it listed in the bluetooth prefs pane, and it’s got a green light.
However, when I open the WiimoteWhiteboard software, it just keeps displaying the word “searching” instead of showing the battery power. Also, the 4 blue lights at the bottom of the Wiimote keep flashing – they never stop blinking.
I’ve taken a look thru previous posts and it seems that Snow Leopard compatibility isn’t an issue… I can’t seem to figure out why WiimoteWhiteboard can’t sense/connect to the Wiimote… help!
An update: I’ve been experimenting with various combinations of actions, troubleshooting the problem I posted earlier. So far, I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled the WiimoteWhiteboard software, removed the Wiimote from my bluetooth list in system preferences, repeatedly remove and replace the Wiimote batteries and restart Wiimote Whiteboard…
A few times, WiimoteWhiteboard sensed the Wiimote and started connecting… the battery bar showed 56% full (should be 100%, since these are new batteries)… but each time, an error message appeared saying:
—————–
WiimoteWhiteboard
Wiimote 1 disconnected.
Disconnecting Wiimotes may be possible in a future release.
For now please restart the program.
—————–
The only option is to press “OK”, but when I do, I re-enter the same cycle of troubleshooting. Either WiimoteWhiteboard senses my Wiimote and after a minute gives me the same error message, or it doesn’t work at all.
Thanks so much for any help you could offer!
I get a “connection failed, not supported in winsock ” on windows vista with all the latest updates. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It works fine on my mac with snow leopard though.
thanks in advance
Hi,
I already answered your email with the same question that I don’t even know if my program works with Windows 7. The wiimoteproject.com forums are probably the best way to get help.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Mitchell,
“touchpad” would be the correct term for what?
You could use a telescoping IR “wand” like this or as shown in this video.
I think I know what you mean. This is possible with my software, you can calibrate to anything you want. Problems might arise in practice though: First, you need to calibrate the software to 4 imaginary corner points on your podium. Second, your body must not block the Wiimote’s field of view when writing on your printed out slides.
Good luck,
Uwe
Hi,
that’s good. Just know that you shouldn’t connect the Wiimote with OSX’s connection assistant. Removing the Wiimote from the list of known Bluetooth devices also can’t hurt to fight connection problems.
I haven’t installed Snow Leopard yet, so I don’t know. You’re probably right though that people would have posted by now if it were an issue.
Strange. Concerning the batteries, a level below 100% could be normal if they’re rechargeable ones.
Do you have an original Wiimote from Nintendo, or a replicate from another company? Also, have you tried using another Wiimote to check whether your’s faulty?
Uwe
Hi, please see this post.
Uwe
Are there any docs on what TUIO events/messages you are sending from the program?
Hi Clint,
the data I’m sending roughly adhere to the 2Dcur profile of the TUIO specification.
The “ultimate” documentation is my source code though
It shouldn’t be too hard to get the necessary information from looking at src/org/uweschmidt/wiimote/whiteboard/tuio/TuioTransmitter.java, even for somebody who doesn’t know how to program.
That’s the only file that deals with sending TUIO messages in my source code.
Uwe
I’m now running Snow Leopard and am still having the failed to initialize problem regardless of the “open in rosetta” or “32 bit java preference”. Any thoughts?
Can we modify the UI just to include our University name in the application?
I have a problem. When start WiimoteWhiteboard generates the following error: Bluetooth fail to initialize. There is probably a problem with your local Bluetooth stack or API. I’m using Linux Ubuntu 9.04 and have followed all the instructions in this wiki. Help me please!!!!
This mod has 3 benifits:
- Allows you to stand any distance from the screen using pen’s shadow-point.
- Makes the pen signal more direct/powerful.
- Allows you to adjust projector’s zoom to maximize your wii-camera resolution – thus great mouse resolution. i.e. Match screen size to the wii camera size using projector’s zoom.
You need: small elastic band, tinfoil.
* Place your wii remote on top of the projector right above the bulb.
* Fold the tinfoil several times till it is 1×4cm.
* Wrap the tinfoil around the pen tip leaving 1-2cm past the tip. (Not touching the LED)
* Use elastic band to hold the tinfoil to the tip.
* Shape the tinfoil to direct the led light back toward the wii+projector.
* Calibrate your WiimoteWhiteboard at the screen
*** Now you can stand at any distance from the screen and use the point of the shadow as your mousepoint.
Don’t just use pens for your ir transmitter…
* My best pointer is a led on the end of a 2.5ft stick with a button at the other end. This way I can stand away from the projector’s light path. It also allows me to reach up to high-mounted screens.
* I made another pointer using an old mouse. Strip the innards except for the left click switch. Drill the right button for your led. Lots of room to install your battery. 1Screw to replace battery.
Hi Taylor,
I haven’t switched to Snow Leopard yet and don’t know what your problem might be. As I mentioned in another email, you have to be more specific about the error in order for me to help you (try this).
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Ron,
you can do that since the source code of my application is available under an open-source license (slightly modified MIT license).
Or did you want to know something else?
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Hi Javier,
can you be more specific, i.e. version of bluez, bluecove-gpl, etc.?
You can also do this to get more information.
Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe
Do you can add classic whiteboard mode with (or sometimes called paint
2-3 colors of markers.
teachers often “highlight” some parts of showing picture or text.
Commercial product have this feature but it`s only run at windows ;/
My school use only Macintosh computers.