Joshua Jacobson
Wiimote Visualization
For my project, I plan on visualizing input data from a Wiimote through the use of a particle effect.  The Wiimote has many different ways of acquiring data to be visualized.  Each of these different methods will be mapped to different visual effects upon a small flow of particles.
The first of these input methods is the use of an IR camera on the front of the Wiimote.  During standard use with the Wii gaming console, a sensor bar emits IR light for the Wiimote to pick up.  This data can then be used as points on the screen.  Since the sensor bar gives two separate points, the data needs to be interpolated in order to discover a middle point that can be used as a cursor.  In addition, when the points reach the edge of the screen, one of the points disappears and so the midpoint needs to be approximated from the other point.  In addition, because two points are used, the distance between these points can be used as a measurement for depth, by calculating the distance between the two points, and a rotation of the Wiimote, by looking at the angle between the two points.  My plan is to use this information to create an equation to represent the flow of particles within 3D space.
The second input data that I am planning to visualize is the accelerometer data that the Wiimote contains.  My plan is to use the accelerometer along with the sensor data to create functions that affect the particle flow.  The first of these will be a fanning motion with the Wiimote.  This motion, when paired with sensory data, will be used to create a number of different effects upon the particle flow.  The first motion planned is a fanning motion.  This will allow the user to fan the particles in a direction based on the force of the motion and the orientation of that motion with the screen.
In addition to the accelerometer and the IR camera, the Wiimote also has many buttons.  These buttons will be used to toggle the tracking of the various motions as well as provide camera control for the user to navigate the particle flow.
Goals

  1. Track the Wiimote IR sensor data as a single point that includes a representation of 3D depth.
  2. Use this data to create a curve by which I can make a group of particles flow along it.
  3. Implement a 3D camera with the use of data input from the Wiimote.
  4. Implement tracking of the accelerometer data in order to affect the particles' movements.
  5. Optional Goal: Build a game out of the different components that I am visualizing.

Timeline

  1. 2/11/2011 – Decide on Wiimote API and language that will be used.  Begin setting up initial project.
  2. 2/18/2011 – Write code to extract cursor position, rotation, and depth.
  3. 2/25/2011 – Create particle flow
  4. 3/4/2011 – Write code to extract accelerometer data into a workable state
  5. 3/11/2011 – Get accelerometer information to affect the particle flow