Wiimote Whiteboard

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.

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1,023 Comments by Uwe on February 5, 2008

1,023 Responses

Scott says:

February 21, 2010 at 20:19 Scott(Quote)

I may have the same issue as Dan… are there any known issues with the NYKO wii controller? It is still recognized with bluetooth and works with Darwiin Remote, but not with WiimoteWhiteboatd, so are there any known dependencies in the programming that would not allow NYKO to work??

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Nomis

February 22, 2010 at 18:53 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Nomis,

make sure that you added the library correctly and also read this post.

Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe

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Uwe says: in reply to Scott

February 22, 2010 at 19:44 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Scott and Dan,

I cannot tell for sure (can’t test it myself), but it will probably not work with a Nyko wand. Someone wrote me this a couple of months ago:

Earlier I said that I was using an off-brand remote, by Nyko (not Wii). When I used a genuine Wii, the computer and wiiremote immediately recognized each other. So progress has been made.

And I learned a lesson: use a genuine Wii remote.

Also see this post.

Uwe

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Sam says:

February 22, 2010 at 22:47 Sam(Quote)

Dear UWE,

I am having problems with the Mac software. I have a Macbook Pro running Mac OS X 10.5.8. When I download the mac application I put it in applications. I then connect the wii remote via the mac’s bluetooth and open the program, however the program does not open. The program name comes up in the top left but nothing else where “file” “edit” etc. usually are. I looked through the help files but it says a window should open. I have searched for clues on this for hours on various websites but could not find any similar queries. I am sorry if this is a simple question I am not very good with computers but would love to be able to use this.

Thank you,
Sam

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Sam says:

February 22, 2010 at 23:28 Sam(Quote)

Please ignore last post. I have managed to find the problem.

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conor says:

February 23, 2010 at 21:12 conor(Quote)

I have a mac mini and when i downloaded the software for the first time it worked perfectly but now it doesnt sync with the controller it just says connection failed, so i tried deleting the wiimote from previous devices, it worked a couple times and then stopped working and even if i delete it from previous device again and restart the program still nothing happens. Please Help I think this is rly cool

Reply

conor says:

February 24, 2010 at 13:34 (Quote)

it also keeps saying this

   INFO     07:33:19  Calibration Event: SCREEN_CHANGED
   INFO     07:33:20  Calibration Event: LOADED
  FINER     07:33:20  WiiRemoteJ: Initial connection complete.
  FINER     07:33:20  WiiRemoteJ: Calibrating accelerometer...
  FINER     07:33:20  WiiRemoteJ: Accelerometer successfully calibrated
  FINER     07:33:20  WiiRemoteJ: Initialization complete.
 FINEST     07:33:20  WiiRemoteJ: Data write finished.
 FINEST     07:33:20  WiiRemoteJ: Data write finished.
 FINEST     07:33:21  WiiRemoteJ: Data write finished.
 FINEST     07:33:21  WiiRemoteJ: Data write finished.
 FINEST     07:33:21  WiiRemoteJ: Data write finished.
 SEVERE     07:33:21  Error on configuring Wii Remote
java.io.IOException: Error sending data!
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.sendCommand(WiiRemote.java:613)
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.writeData(WiiRemote.java:1304)
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.setIRSensorEnabled(WiiRemote.java:1702)
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.setIRSensorEnabled(WiiRemote.java:1651)
	at org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.WiimoteDataHandler.enableIR(WiimoteDataHandler.java:90)
	at org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.WiimoteDataHandler.addRemote(WiimoteDataHandler.java:102)
	at org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.WiimoteDataHandler.wiiDeviceDiscovered(WiimoteDataHandler.java:253)
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemoteJ$1.run(WiiRemoteJ.java:434)
	at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:613)
Caused by: java.io.IOException: Connection closed
	at com.intel.bluetooth.BluetoothStackOSX.l2Send(Native Method)
	at com.intel.bluetooth.BluetoothL2CAPConnection.send(BluetoothL2CAPConnection.java:130)
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.sendCommand(WiiRemote.java:609)
	... 8 more
WARNING     07:33:21  Error on requesting status from Wii Remote
java.io.IOException: Error sending data!
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.sendCommand(WiiRemote.java:613)
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.requestStatus(WiiRemote.java:904)
	at org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.WiimoteDataHandler$1.run(WiimoteDataHandler.java:125)
	at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:613)
Caused by: java.io.IOException: Connection closed
	at com.intel.bluetooth.BluetoothStackOSX.l2Send(Native Method)
	at com.intel.bluetooth.BluetoothL2CAPConnection.send(BluetoothL2CAPConnection.java:130)
	at wiiremotej.WiiRemote.sendCommand(WiiRemote.java:609)
	... 3 more

Patrick says:

February 25, 2010 at 16:24 Patrick(Quote)

Just a stupid question:
Where is the difference between the cross-platform-version (the .jar) and the Mac version? I mean, why should I use the Mac version instead of the .jar?

(Yes, I’m a Mac user and I know that one difference is that the Mac version runs on Macs, only…)

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Aaron says:

February 25, 2010 at 18:33 Aaron(Quote)

Hi,
I really appreciate the use of the software and am very excited about its potential in our school. We have been using it successfully with all features working very well except for one. When we first connect the wiimote whiteboard software with the wii remote the connection is unsuccessful. We have to quite the program and restart it many times before we have a successful connection. This is okay for the hardy teacher, but not so good for a teacher who is less tech savvy. Any one else run into this and fine a solution?

Thanks,
Aaron

Reply
Dany Martineau says:

February 25, 2010 at 19:53 Dany Martineau(Quote)

Hi!

I’m using your software on Arch linux 64 bits, and it works relatively well. I mean relatively, because, there’s a little lag between the mouse cursor on the screen and my pen. The lag is about a fraction of second, but if i move my pen too fast, the cursor acts like it’s slow to start.
Can someone help me about that?

ps: using bluecove 2.1.0 and openjdk6 (the problem persist with java 6u18). I’ve tried gtkwhiteboard and there’s no lag (but the interface sucks).

Reply
nistul says:

February 26, 2010 at 01:01 nistul(Quote)

H!
I coud connect my wii mote with PC through Bluetooth,but while trying to execute the problem, an ERROR msg appears,which says : ” cant read data fro wiimote ; is it connected?”

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to conor

February 26, 2010 at 11:51 Uwe(Quote)

Hi conor,

I don’t really know what to suggest since it sometimes works…
What do you mean by “nothing happens”?

Uwe

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Patrick

February 26, 2010 at 11:54 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Patrick,

Where is the difference between the cross-platform-version (the .jar) and the Mac version?

the Mac version behaves like a regular Mac app and therefore integrates better with the OS. It uses Apple’s help system, language settings, etc…

Uwe

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Aaron

February 26, 2010 at 11:59 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Aaron,

When we first connect the wiimote whiteboard software with the wii remote the connection is unsuccessful. We have to quite the program and restart it many times before we have a successful connection.

I sometimes experience similar problems; I’m afraid I can’t do much about it, however, since the connection process isn’t handled directly by my app. How often do you typically have to restart the app before it works?

Uwe

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Dany Martineau

February 26, 2010 at 12:06 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Dany,

[...] there’s a little lag between the mouse cursor on the screen and my pen. The lag is about a fraction of second [...]

this lag could be perfectly normal and is probably due to my app’s mouse cursor smoothing. Try switching from Adaptive to Static smoothing in the preferences and see if the mouse cursor is a little more responsive.
Letting the user regulate the amount of mouse smoothing is on my TODO list…

Uwe

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to nistul

February 26, 2010 at 12:08 Uwe(Quote)

Hi nistul,

I coud connect my wii mote with PC through Bluetooth,but while trying to execute the problem, an ERROR msg appears,which says : ” cant read data fro wiimote ; is it connected?”

make sure to use the WIDCOMM stack on Windows; please see this thread.

Uwe

Reply
Bob Smith says: in reply to Uwe

February 26, 2010 at 18:59 Bob Smith(Quote)

Maybe you could have 2 LED’s. The first LED would always be on, tracking the mouse. An on-off flash of the other LED would be a left click, and an off-on flash of the first LED would be a right-click. Could this work?

Reply
conor says:

February 26, 2010 at 21:37 conor(Quote)

i mean it doesnt recognize wiimote

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Bob Smith

March 10, 2010 at 13:31 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Bob,

Maybe you could have 2 LED’s. The first LED would always be on, tracking the mouse. An on-off flash of the other LED would be a left click, and an off-on flash of the first LED would be a right-click. Could this work?

this has been suggested a couple of times before, but I doubt that it’ll work due to the difficulty of distinguishing between the LEDs. Depending on the viewing angle, the two LEDs could also be seen as just one by the Wiimote.

Very sorry for the late reply,
Uwe

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to conor

March 10, 2010 at 13:35 Uwe(Quote)

Hi conor,

I don’t really know what else to suggest… maybe there is too much “Bluetooth smog”?

Very sorry for the late reply,
Uwe

Reply
Bryan says:

March 12, 2010 at 07:26 Bryan(Quote)

Hi Uwe,
I’ve just installed your Wiimote Whiteboard on my MacBook Pro, really cool. Just a question, I seem to have to recalibrate my screen every time I power the Wiimote up and connect it to the MBP. Should I have to do this?

Thanks
Bryan

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Bryan

March 17, 2010 at 17:04 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Bryan,

Just a question, I seem to have to recalibrate my screen every time I power the Wiimote up and connect it to the MBP. Should I have to do this?

my app saves each successful calibration. When the program is launched or you select another screen, it will reload the last calibration for the current screen and resolution. If the Wiimote and display configuration have not changed, re-calibration shouldn’t be necessary.

Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe

Reply
Tim Knight says:

March 17, 2010 at 22:14 Tim Knight(Quote)

Maybe I’m not getting it…….

I cannot figure out how to connect two Wiimotes.

Thanks!

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Tim Knight

March 18, 2010 at 00:50 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Tim,

I cannot figure out how to connect two Wiimotes.

my app will automatically search for two Wiimotes to connect to.
You can change that via the runtime option org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.wiimotes (see wiki).

Uwe

Reply
Neri says:

March 21, 2010 at 12:24 Neri(Quote)

I’m a teacher and I’m using Smoothboard software for my class. My teacher friend would like to know if there’s an equivalent software for Mac. Or, what software would you recommend that is good for “Annotating” (Smoothboard) or that has a “floating” pen capability. Thanks!

Reply
Jhon says:

March 22, 2010 at 22:05 Jhon(Quote)

Hi

I have not used a windows system for a while now, i have my ir pen, and wiimote ready, but dont know which software to download for it to work on my macbook pro.

any help would be much appreciated

thanks

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Neri

March 26, 2010 at 12:41 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Neri,

I’m a teacher and I’m using Smoothboard software for my class. My teacher friend would like to know if there’s an equivalent software for Mac.

my software offers Wiimote Whiteboard capabilities.

Or, what software would you recommend that is good for “Annotating” (Smoothboard) or that has a “floating” pen capability.Thanks!

Annotation features are intentionally not included with my app. I suggest using one of the many excellent third-party programs for that. Please follow the links here.

Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe

Reply
Uwe says: in reply to Jhon

March 26, 2010 at 12:46 Uwe(Quote)

Hi Jhon,

are you trying to run my app on Windows or OS X?
Download this for Windows and that for OS X.

Sorry for the late reply,
Uwe

Reply
Alan Crevon says:

March 27, 2010 at 23:12 Alan Crevon(Quote)

Yeepeekay. Everything works just fine on my macbook pro Snow Leopard 10.6.2.
Well done guys.

Reply
Cool says:

March 27, 2010 at 23:47 Cool(Quote)

Hallo,
würde auch eine normale Fernbedienung als Ir PEn Funktionieren?

Reply