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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.
Hi,
regular remote controls are useful to try the system. The problem is that they usually emit flashing IR light, which doesn’t really work well.
Uwe
I would REALLY love to find a solution to this too. One thing that I have found on my PC under Windows 7 is that the Microsoft bluetooth stack is going all the way out on the web to look for an updated driver, EVERY time you start the program. I don’t know why, or how to stop this automatically but you can stop it manually. If you click on the information bubble in the lower right, the bluetooth connection progress box comes up. There is an option on the bottom, for “skip this step” or something like that. When I check it, it still works fine and speeds up the connection process a lot. I am using Smoothboard, with its autoconnect startup feature. Another thing that I have noticed is that as soon as you get the “1 found: 1 connected” message or “2 found: 2 connected” message you are OK to force the application to start using the big: “Start Applicaiton button”. The difference depends on if you want to use 2 Wiimotes and whiteboard and presenter mode, or just a one Wiimote whiteboard mode.
Hi James,
I suspect the connection process using Smoothboard is very different from that of my app. This is because Smoothboard uses the OS to connect to the Wiimote, whereas my app directly connects via Java APIs.
Uwe
Hi,
Thank you for your work. I have a couple of questions. They have a kit where I can use USB to power my wii. Here is the scenario and solution:
Tired of getting on a stool or reaching up with a yardstick to push the 1 and 2 buttons? With this power source, never touch the 1 and 2 buttons ever again. Our Remote Controlled Outlet bundled with QUICKUSB Auto Connect makes connecting your wii remote to your computer a snap. Here is how it works: The Remote Controlled Outlet plugs into an available AC outlet. Our QUICKUSB with Auto Connect replaces your current battery cover and the AC/USB Adapter supplies power from the remote outlet to your QUICKUSB and Wii Remote. The QUICKUSB will automatically place your wii remote into discovery mode when it receives power. It works seemlessly with Smoothboard’s SmoothConnect feature (recommended) and pratically eliminate recalibrating your IWB. This bundle will include: (1) Remote Controll Outlet, (1) RF Remote Control, (1) AC/USB Adapter and (1) QUICKUSB. Wii Remote not included.
Your morning routine will look like this:
Start Your Smoothboard Software
Turn on the Remote Controlled Outlet with the RF Remote Control (included)
QUICKUSB will sync your Wii Remote Automatically with Smoothboard
_____________________________
Can I use your software like this or do I always need to hit the 1 and 2 button all the time?
Also what is the optimal distance and angle my wii should be from the screen?
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
have you tried simply taping the 1 and 2 buttons so that they’re always pressed down? This should make the Wiimote discoverable at all times, and also shouldn’t interfere with normal operations once it’s connected.
If you’re worried about power consumption, then get a generic RF- or otherwise controlled outlet where you plug-in in your Wiimote power supply. (I’m assuming you’re not using batteries in your Wiimote.)
I actually don’t know this since I have never used this in practice. Your best bet is to ask others who use this on a regular basis. Also see this article on Positioning the Wiimote.
Uwe
Hi Uwe,
I tried to tape down the 1 and 2 buttons, but after about thirty seconds the Wii powers off automatically. If you have time can can you check this website out? http://www.irgreat.com/power.htm This the place that had the solution. I hate to pay the money for it if it will not work with your software.
Also, currently I am using batteries in the Wii. Finally, what is a generic RF?
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
I guess the Wiimote would start searching again if you take the batteries out and then insert them again. The same would hold if you were using a remote-controlled power outlet, like this.
By saying
I meant getting some power outlet that is remote-controlled via radio frequency (RF) or some other technology.
Uwe
Hey, so I have a Sony Viao VGN-FW351J, with vista 64bit, and it has a built in Bluetooth. My wii remote can pair with it easily, and if I use the original form Jonny Lee’s, but it does not work, it calibrates but that’s all. So I tried this software and it says it can’t find my device and then the program asks to close itself.
I have tried the UnCrippling Bluetooth in Vista RTM but the instructions tell me to download WIDCOMM 5.1.0.1100 form this site that doesn’t work. I found the .exe file but the file that the instructions are talking about has an .inf file which tells you if your device is supported. So I tried to install the .exe file and it said that my device was not supported.
I have tried everything have had no luck. Can anyone help me I really don’t want to buy a Bluetooth adapter if I have one in my computer sounds like a waste.
Thank you for your time and help.
Hi Uwe,
I made an IR pen today and bought the parts for radio shack. I followed these instructions to make one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czs2oJZY7hU.
I went to hit the four targets to calibrate, but when I moved my pen to hit the first target they all were activated with green check marks. I checked my calibration utilization and it said 1%. Obviuosly I have no control over the cursor now. I have tried everything to make it work, but it does not calibrate correctly. Does my calibration utilization need to be 100%.
Thanks,
John
John,
Look at your IR pen through a digital camera. You will probably find that the light is on all of the time, instead of only going on when you push the button, or that is is blinking at inappropriate times. This can happen because there is a short connection across the switch. Sometimes the short might have only started when you push the button for the first time, because the switch in not properly supported, and it slips under the pressure. It then pushed the wire together to make contact in a way that they should not. Also, some switches are designed so that they can be wired in a “normally closed” configuration. That is, they are on when your are not pressing the button and off when you are pushing the button. In short, check your pen. It is probably the source of this problem behavior, and good luck.
Hi Bryce,
my app won’t work on Windows if you can’t use the WIDCOMM stack. You basically have two options if you can’t get your existing Bluetooth adaptor to work with this stack:
1. Buy a new Bluetooth adaptor that’s WIDCOMM-compatible.
2. Use another Wiimote Whiteboard software that works with other Bluetooth stacks.
Sorry, but I’m not a Windows user and can’t help much with that. I suggest you head over to the wiimoteproject.com forums; start with this thread.
Uwe
Hi Uwe,
I am using a macbook version 10.5.8. When I first start the program I have noticed that I receive an error message saying the bluetooth is not working. But bluetooth icon is activated though. So I turn off the bluetooth and your software. Than I turn on the software and the second time it works. It does this every single time. Is there something I can change so I don’t have to restart the system twice?
Thanks,
John
I’ll second the Nyko no worky.
Hey. i have a mac and my wiimote is connecting to the program perfectly, but the problem is that when i try to calibrate it, it goes wild and the mouse goes everywhere clicking random things. when i go to the if monitor sometimes it will show 4 if dots where my pen is. it is all very choppy and weak.. help!!!! please.
Hi Hohn,
have you tried restarting my app without turning Bluetooth off and on?
Does this always happen? How often did you try?
Uwe
Hi Jordan,
it sounds like there’s some stray IR light, please see this post.
Uwe
Hi Uwe,
How can I make the log not pop every 30 seconds? I am using the software in my school building now and every 30 seconds the log pops up and says not a known device. There are multiple computers being used around the building.
Thanks,
John
Hi Uwe,
Yes I have tried with bloothtooth off and on and I get the same result. It happens 90% of the time. I am unclear on your last statement. Thanks for your help.
John
Hi John,
I included a feature that allows you to only connect to specified Wiimotes, this should solve the problem for now. Please read about the runtime option org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.wiimoteAddresses in the Wiki.
I’m planning on making this simpler in a future version…
Uwe
Hi John,
I think this is also related to there being too many Bluetooth devices in the vicinity.
Uwe
Hi Uwe,
Today was the first day I had it in the building. before I had it at home and it still needed me to boot it up twice. Here is the error message: javax.bluetooth.bluetoothconnectionexception Failed to open. Does this help? Thanks for getting back to me. You have helped my school with your software. I can’t thank you enough.
John
I went to the Wiki. How and where do you go t0 make that change?
Thanks,
John
Hi John, I’m pretty much out of ideas…
Uwe
Hi John,
Have you carefully read the section about Runtime Options?
You can get to that Info.plist file by right-clicking on the WiimoteWhiteboard Mac app in the Finder, then select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. This will open up another Window, where you’ll find the file at Contents/Info.plist.
Hope that helps,
Uwe
Hi Uwe,
I followed your directions and I placed the new code into the software, but it still is showing the bluetooth connections and the log is pooping up every 30 seconds. The code is below. Did I mess up somewhere?
org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.WiimoteWhiteboard
Properties
apple.laf.useScreenMenuBar
true
org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.insideBundle
true
org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.wiimoteaddresses
001E353CEF87
WorkingDirectory
$APP_PACKAGE/Contents/Resources
NSHumanReadableCopyright
Copyright © 2008-2010 Uwe Schmidt.
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
this is case sensitive, use org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.wiimoteAddresses instead of org.uweschmidt.wiimote.whiteboard.wiimoteaddresses.
Open the log right after starting the application, then check for the following:
It works if you see that.
Uwe
Would an IR laser pointer work in lieu of an IR pen?
Hi Daniel,
it is even possible to use cheap laser pointers if you remove the Wiimote’s IR filter; please see this blog post for more information.
I’m not sure about IR lasers, aren’t they supposed to be dangerous? Either way, your best option is to take a look at the wiimoteproject.com forums.
Uwe
Has anyone tried 2 wiimotes, both placed parallel to the whiteboard ***on the whiteboard itself*** (say stuck with a magnet)? one of the wiimote to get he X and another to get the Y? and place the IR pen tip ont eh whiteboard using this X-Y?
yes I am proposing to use each wiimote to a surface scan to get one dimension only.
I am sick and of the angle management of wiimote placement and occlution by hand, person…etc…..
Hi Arun,
this has already been tried with 3D tracking using 2 Wiimotes; see this video.
Uwe