Been coding 24/7 on this lately and been getting nowhere fast. Been a streesed because of the lack iof progress .
Major updates are :
Changed the way the wiimote reads values, using the different between consecutive values now instead of difference from calibrated values. Finally worked oout how to get the class name for other windows. This is a follow on from desideing to use other programs and not the skin.
Now I have to use this window name and add the second/third/forth app to the program. Once I get the second app done the abstract will be up on the here. Withpout the second app the modal portion is missing.
-SRE
Quick Abstrc:
Using Wiimote to control media on a computer.
Not using the butons, only gestures.
The goal is to give most person the wiimote and they should be able to control a media plater without assistance for the most commonly used tasks.
The application helps the resolve modal error.
Furthermore other gestures should be easily understood and memorable.
Designed for multiple applications, though not implemented.
Design for mutplie control metods, through npot impemented (functionality for wiimote buttons is there, but not mapped to any thing)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Hit a wall
Not sure where to go now. The two possible ways are;
1. To write a skin and plug-in for Media portal.
Been skinning the last few days (learning xml and c#). Realized that media portal doesn't have a decent SDK to get to the players themselves.
To get to them I'm sure that I'm going to have to make use of the GPL and use their own code for the implementations for their media players. I'm don't think this is plagiarism due to the GPL . I know it technically doesn't show any academic merit but I'm not building a media player I'm building a way to control it.
2. Treat the remote as a keyboard with custom keys (I.E. volume button, play pause)
This allows a more global approach, for example right now I'm wanting to reach for the Wiimote to turn the sound up. Implications of this is letting windows do the work and giving the playlist creation controls to Windows Explorer.
These arbitrary gesture, i think, more reflect the spirit of this project of controlling the 2D space with 3D control and pretty much already exist from previous development cycles (there are arbitrary gestures in the skinned version)
To do this the design change needed is one gesture to represent enter the volume level selection (currently it clashed with Audio mode)
1. To write a skin and plug-in for Media portal.
Been skinning the last few days (learning xml and c#). Realized that media portal doesn't have a decent SDK to get to the players themselves.
To get to them I'm sure that I'm going to have to make use of the GPL and use their own code for the implementations for their media players. I'm don't think this is plagiarism due to the GPL . I know it technically doesn't show any academic merit but I'm not building a media player I'm building a way to control it.
2. Treat the remote as a keyboard with custom keys (I.E. volume button, play pause)
This allows a more global approach, for example right now I'm wanting to reach for the Wiimote to turn the sound up. Implications of this is letting windows do the work and giving the playlist creation controls to Windows Explorer.
These arbitrary gesture, i think, more reflect the spirit of this project of controlling the 2D space with 3D control and pretty much already exist from previous development cycles (there are arbitrary gestures in the skinned version)
To do this the design change needed is one gesture to represent enter the volume level selection (currently it clashed with Audio mode)
Friday, September 21, 2007
Well that didn't take long
Little less stessed. Turns out friends drinks to much and can't anymore. The project has almost caught up to the hackt version. Just a matter of determining the best Break levels. I.E. when it starts and when high. low and no values are recorded.
Now for the Gestures
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Not at Ipswich
Stephen,
You won't have seen me at the lecture today. I've stayed in Bris. Left a msg on facebook for you with the reason.
In respect to the thesis,
Quiet;y starting to freak out myself. Bugs lately have been eating me alive. Their places in the code which are obfuscated to the nth degree, hence I just can't sit down and start. It's been taking about half hour to remember the place I was at. On top of that Internet is running at snails pace.
Things remaining:
Thesis
(Done by end of Holidays, 8 days remaining)
1. Parse the Input correctly (2 days)
Normalized values are driving me nuts. I had to convert the raw values into a float[] held by a generic gesture. Hence the normalized valued is an array of lengths like 150+ beiung spilt into 35ish average values. Long story short, slow to work out which values are actually being used. Not enough time now to convert the program back to the wii specific version.
2. Calculate the gesture vals based on the Parsed input (Dependant on 1.) (1 day)
Once the normalized values are working this is just going through the motions. Perform a gesture 20 times, see the identifying values. Hardcore the values. Perform each gesture look for common clashes. If clash occurs, restrict/increase the identifying values.
Ideally (I.e. not enough time left) get other people to perform the gestures and uysed their mannerisms as the identifiers.
3. Create the skin for media portal (2 days)
Exegesis in working through tutorials on the web. Languages is c#. This may cause problems, but the workaround if it does is explained below in 4.
4. Throw the gesture calls to the media portal skin. (1 days)
Ideally the calls are from c++ (Wiidia) to c#(Wiidia skin). Plan to get done through external calls to WindowCommand calls. Failing this Media Portal allows Keyboard mappings to be allocated, this is the work around by having media C++ throw event handlers for the logical keyboard mapping. I think this keyboard mapping lends itself to a nice comparison in the thesis.
Assessment
1. Poster (14 days remain)
Thinking background pictures of the program superimposed with explanations of the design reasoning and features will be a good layout. Invites trouble with logical flow to the poster through.
2. Abstract (14 days remain)
Going to get a version of this up here really soon. Begin with a version of the elevator pitch. This is dependent on the skin for the program. Ultimately the skin shows the features.
3. Thesis Document (32 days remain)
Drawn out from abstract. Really need to start writing.
On a personal note,
The bugs in the program are really starting to stress me out. Work is killing me, getting as many shifts as the full-timer, but I'm think I have a solution for that. Sooooo many group assignments for uni as well, I always stress when others are involved and 4 group assignments is just insane.
Hopefully, reason for starting in Bris today will be nothing, and I get the input to parse correctly before work tonight.
-SRE
You won't have seen me at the lecture today. I've stayed in Bris. Left a msg on facebook for you with the reason.
In respect to the thesis,
Quiet;y starting to freak out myself. Bugs lately have been eating me alive. Their places in the code which are obfuscated to the nth degree, hence I just can't sit down and start. It's been taking about half hour to remember the place I was at. On top of that Internet is running at snails pace.
Things remaining:
Thesis
(Done by end of Holidays, 8 days remaining)
1. Parse the Input correctly (2 days)
Normalized values are driving me nuts. I had to convert the raw values into a float[] held by a generic gesture. Hence the normalized valued is an array of lengths like 150+ beiung spilt into 35ish average values. Long story short, slow to work out which values are actually being used. Not enough time now to convert the program back to the wii specific version.
2. Calculate the gesture vals based on the Parsed input (Dependant on 1.) (1 day)
Once the normalized values are working this is just going through the motions. Perform a gesture 20 times, see the identifying values. Hardcore the values. Perform each gesture look for common clashes. If clash occurs, restrict/increase the identifying values.
Ideally (I.e. not enough time left) get other people to perform the gestures and uysed their mannerisms as the identifiers.
3. Create the skin for media portal (2 days)
Exegesis in working through tutorials on the web. Languages is c#. This may cause problems, but the workaround if it does is explained below in 4.
4. Throw the gesture calls to the media portal skin. (1 days)
Ideally the calls are from c++ (Wiidia) to c#(Wiidia skin). Plan to get done through external calls to WindowCommand calls. Failing this Media Portal allows Keyboard mappings to be allocated, this is the work around by having media C++ throw event handlers for the logical keyboard mapping. I think this keyboard mapping lends itself to a nice comparison in the thesis.
Assessment
1. Poster (14 days remain)
Thinking background pictures of the program superimposed with explanations of the design reasoning and features will be a good layout. Invites trouble with logical flow to the poster through.
2. Abstract (14 days remain)
Going to get a version of this up here really soon. Begin with a version of the elevator pitch. This is dependent on the skin for the program. Ultimately the skin shows the features.
3. Thesis Document (32 days remain)
Drawn out from abstract. Really need to start writing.
On a personal note,
The bugs in the program are really starting to stress me out. Work is killing me, getting as many shifts as the full-timer, but I'm think I have a solution for that. Sooooo many group assignments for uni as well, I always stress when others are involved and 4 group assignments is just insane.
Hopefully, reason for starting in Bris today will be nothing, and I get the input to parse correctly before work tonight.
-SRE
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Found out how to demo,.
Spent most of the day installing windows onto my laptop. Finally got the blue tooth connection working. It run really slow but it shows the point. I'll try and bring it in Friday and have a bit of show and tell. had to install VS 2005 on the laptop.
whole other kettle of fish transferring the files over. I'm always suprised how well MS manages to upgrade the dependence on their software. Then hid the setting 4 deep in the menu to change it back with some obscure reference, for a simple builder for me anyway.
Going to get the old version onto the laptop, with winamp. I'm pretty sure looking at the speed now, I think the program will be to slow to read the gestures proply.
-SRE
EDIT: The laptop just needed drivers. but running find now. Of course I had no idea where they were. Who uses CDs seriously.
whole other kettle of fish transferring the files over. I'm always suprised how well MS manages to upgrade the dependence on their software. Then hid the setting 4 deep in the menu to change it back with some obscure reference, for a simple builder for me anyway.
Going to get the old version onto the laptop, with winamp. I'm pretty sure looking at the speed now, I think the program will be to slow to read the gestures proply.
-SRE
EDIT: The laptop just needed drivers. but running find now. Of course I had no idea where they were. Who uses CDs seriously.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Life 2.0: Systemless and Directionless systems
Another Interesting though was about 3D space while I have been using the remote. I kept turning to face the computer to increase the volume yesterday. Took me an hour to remember that blue tooth is non-directional. and furthermore music is a completely directionless medium. Got me thinking about how people are going to be controlling systems in the future. With displays getting bigger and systems becoming smaller their actual pervasiveness/opbviousness in homes will eventually disappear. I.E no system apparent and displays on every surface (think those smart LCD(?) screens that are mirror when turned off)
Two points come form this musing.
1. Some media and communication don't need a point of physical reference, how then can the physical space not being use improve/added to?
2. I feel that Web 2.0 only provide some physical reference point that happens to be in the same place at the same time. The control of the applications are defined by the Input device. Give a application directionless and systemless control and everything can be used for input. Assign arbitrary object in space a virtual reflection (I.E. pen in pocket is an input device and can write on wall in public, Milk in fridge is email, check email in the morning while making coffee). Add systemless and directionless control to the applications the only restrictions of the system is the display device.
Unfortunaley I think this will be the last thing to be brought into the new milenium. Where's the contact len displays already? ... or failing that wearable projectors.
Two points come form this musing.
1. Some media and communication don't need a point of physical reference, how then can the physical space not being use improve/added to?
2. I feel that Web 2.0 only provide some physical reference point that happens to be in the same place at the same time. The control of the applications are defined by the Input device. Give a application directionless and systemless control and everything can be used for input. Assign arbitrary object in space a virtual reflection (I.E. pen in pocket is an input device and can write on wall in public, Milk in fridge is email, check email in the morning while making coffee). Add systemless and directionless control to the applications the only restrictions of the system is the display device.
Unfortunaley I think this will be the last thing to be brought into the new milenium. Where's the contact len displays already? ... or failing that wearable projectors.
Updated Gesture Module
Just a quick update.
Got the geture module recieving from the wii in the new format. This is going to be so much easier to work with. Coded the print functions in this time to save some trouble. Also picks up the buttons (not shown).
Also, I found the notes about the classificaiton of gestures I asked you about. It was Neural mappings vs Cognitive functions. IE patterns vs purpose. In this respect that orientation value is going to be gold. I had a lot of trouble on the inital version differentiating the cognitive gesture such as pointing to your ear. noe it no trouble at all because the orientation is really strange. The actually direcatio the top of the Wiimote points is Forwards and down, which is impossible to reach by accident with neural mappings unless your steady eddie of course.
Also been playing around with the Media Portal media center and getting some strong design directions from it. I'm going to have a play around and see if I can find an API or the Window Commands to throw to it to get it to do what I want. The program also has the ability to add external player to use (Such as Winamp). I'm think that developing the program for it will reach my inital goal of developing a program that I will use around the house.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Media Portal
Just found out a new Version of Media Portal is out...
http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
it works with my TV card...
looking through the list of feataures ( I think it's all there)...
its open source...
...Just when I had Winamp starting to work to.
Need to think about it but could reduce the programing a bit and allow a focus on user's gestures which can be much more complex with the new gesture system I'm in the progress of debugging.
-SRE
http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
it works with my TV card...
looking through the list of feataures ( I think it's all there)...
its open source...
...Just when I had Winamp starting to work to.
Need to think about it but could reduce the programing a bit and allow a focus on user's gestures which can be much more complex with the new gesture system I'm in the progress of debugging.
-SRE
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Review of Project Plan
Finally found an decent open version of msProject called OpenProj. Still relatively new but imports project fine for my purposes. Good to have something to map the reminder out on. Funly enough, according to the old project plan I finished the system 2 weeks ago and have just started writing the final document. Time to start getting really serious with this.
Also had a look at the Student Night Rules. Looks like fun. Also throws down a good but tough deadline. Curious if I qualify because I won't graduate till next sem because of the work experience requirement, but it is my final year technically. I think it would be great experience for the actual demo in respect to the the theory behind it, since demoing it isn't actually allowed.
-SRE
On a personal note:
Finally got around to cleaning out Start and "My Documents", nice and organized. Was looking for a zoom app like the macs at uni have and found a nice app called WinSplit which basically put windows into quadrants/halfs of the screen evenly. Brilliant because I have had trouble with that ever since I got the widescreen.
Also had a look at the Student Night Rules. Looks like fun. Also throws down a good but tough deadline. Curious if I qualify because I won't graduate till next sem because of the work experience requirement, but it is my final year technically. I think it would be great experience for the actual demo in respect to the the theory behind it, since demoing it isn't actually allowed.
-SRE
On a personal note:
Finally got around to cleaning out Start and "My Documents", nice and organized. Was looking for a zoom app like the macs at uni have and found a nice app called WinSplit which basically put windows into quadrants/halfs of the screen evenly. Brilliant because I have had trouble with that ever since I got the widescreen.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Kicking ass and taking Names
Got all basic winamp functions working...and it's kinda modular. Usiung virtual funcitons which pass perform down the line from mode to device to task. Need to test it with other mode but audio is working. The setup for wii buttons is implements but recieveing from the actual wii needs to be done. This is the next step.
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