SmoothBoard 1.6 is Awesome!

We are continually impressed with the work of Boon Jin and his latest version of the SmoothBoard software is no exception! SmoothBoard 1.6 comes with an outstanding feature that he has called 'SmoothConnect'. Once installed, all the user has to do is click on the desktop icon, put the wiimote in discoverable mode, and the software does all the rest. This feature moves the whole wiimote interactive whiteboard system onto an equal footing with other commercial products.

The only catch is that SmoothConnect is configured to work with standard Microsoft Bluetooth. Boon Jin has done this because of the very wide range of Bluetooth software in the market which all have their own particular requirements. The easiest way to ensure your computer is using the Microsoft version, if you're a 'non-techy' user, is to simply plug in a small Bluetooth dongle (pictured above) and let Windows find and install it (sorry Mac users, SmoothBoard and SmoothConnect are written for Windows based computers). 3pi can supply you with a dongle that will work or you can source your own. We are so impressed with this new development that we are now going to add a dongle to our kits so that customers can have the simplest software solution possible. (Our kits include a licensed copy of SmoothBoard with SmoothConnect.)

Cursor jumping around?

If you have this problem, or during calibration the four calibration marks seem to click themselves, it highly likely that there is too much infrared light in the room. When using SmoothBoard, you can easily check this with their calibration assistant. At the bottom of the image to the left, it says, "IR dots". There should not be any number by this until you use your pen. Try clicking on your projected image (with the software running), and look at the "IR dot" count. It should show "1" when you click and nothing when the pen is off. You will also see a little dot on the white tracked area. This dot matches where your pen is clicking on the screen - very handy thanks Boon Jin and SmoothBoard! If there are dots floating about when you haven't clicked, you either need to lower/remove the source of the stray IR light or use the software control panel to turn down the sensitivity of the wiimote's camera. To do this you click on "Show settings", then "Wiimote" after which you can experiment with levels. Earlier posts that we have made on this subject are - Fluorescent lights, Crazy mouse.

Interesting Problem

We struck an interesting issue this week. One of the schools that have sourced equipment through 3Pi reported that they couldn't get the system to work in one of their classrooms.
The classroom setup was unusal in that the projected image was quite high (above the floor).
They had been trying to calibrate from desk height aiming the wiimote up, but it just wouldn't calibrate.

When we looked upwards along the top of the wiimote, to the middle of the screen, there was an incredibly bright reflection. It seems that the combination of a steeper than usual upwards angle and a very reflective screen were confusing the wiimotes camera. When we tried the wiimote positioned at double the height, it calibrated perfectly, as it also did when we positioned it up by the projector looking down. (Another issue for such a high setup is that only very tall people could interact with the image anyway - not good for young students!)

Remote Synching the Wiimote

As we've said before, we believe the best position for the wiimote in a classroom is up high away from interference. Our new power insert (described in the post below) allows you to permanently power the wiimote which removes the necessity to change the batteries, but you still have to be able to put the wiimote into 'discoverable' mode so that your computers Bluetooth can make the connection.

This is where the 3Pi remote synching button comes in. It comes with a 10m cable and plugs into the wiring loom in our Classroom Kit. You simply press the button for a few seconds and the wiimote goes into discoverable mode. The button can be positioned in a convenient location (usually close to the computer) and makes the system very easy to use - it certainly beats standing on a chair or trying not to move the wiimote while reaching with a ruler!

One last point to note is that using our system, the wiimote only stays in discoverable mode for 20 seconds. This becomes important if several wiimotes are being used in close proximinity such as a block of classrooms.

Mains power

We have another really useful piece of equipment to add to the 3Pi catalogue.

Our new insert allows you to run the wiimote permanently from mains power.

It is the result of a detailed and extensive design and testing programme and we are confident that it is simply the best solution available for powering the wiimote.

The insert clips into the wiimote in place of the battery cover. Inside, the electronics ensure that the wiimote receives a nice steady 2.9vdc which is perfect for reliable, long term performance.

The insert also features a moulded thread in the standard 1/4 20 thread size to make mounting it a breeze. We at 3Pi are really excited about this part of our kit, because along with our remote synch button, it solves another issue in making this system practical for classroom teachers.

Which Wiimote?

As an update to an earlier post where we talked about fake wiimotes, our opinion still remains the same - the original is better. However, Boon Jin and his team have made some software changes in their latest version of Smoothboard to allow use of most 3rd party controllers.

If you are interested in the quality of a couple of the alternatives check out this link http://gizmodo.com/5291847/battlemodo-the-wiimote-vs-the-cheap-knockoffs

3Pi have always supplied original Nintendo Wii controllers and intend to keep doing so while they remain the best quality.

Calibrating

If you haven't looked at the Smoothboard calibration assistant you should.
The white area in the screenshot shows the calibrated area (in this case 54% )and the black area shows the wiimote's possible tracking area. This visual tool is very handy when first learning to setup the system as you can experiment with different wiimote positions until you get a reliable tracking result - it removes the guess work! In practice, we find that tracking over 30% is sufficient to give reliable results.