WiiPresent is a new type of 3D-presentation tool which uses multiple Nintendo Wii Remote Controllers by Nintendo.
Additionally, a self-built infrared pen and infrared glasses enable the use of previously undiscovered potentials of the wiimote, like head-tracking and whiteboard-use. These inexpensive utilities and the software WiiPresent enable you to interact intuitively with a computer-generated 3D-model. The combination of the Bluetooth and Infrared (IR) technology with the integrated acceleration sensors revolutionizes Human-Computer Interaction in terms of presentations, because of the use of inexpensive and common controllers like the wiimote.
It was developed by Christa Hasenraht in her diploma thesis at the FH JOANNEUM, Information Management in Graz, Austria.
Diploma Thesis: Christa Hasenrath, 2008
Supervisor: Alexander Nischelwitzer
All in all, three functionalities are implemented one for each wiimote:
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3D-wiimote is the base interaction controller for the audience. The 3D-product can be rotated in any direction according to the wiimote-rotation.
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Tracking-wiimote is positioned in front of the audience, where the integrated infrared camera can see the infrared-LEDs of the glasses. One person has to wear them. The background and the model itself will follow the head-position (head-tracking), whereby the 3D-effect will be emphasized.
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Whiteboard-wiimote is used as a receiver for the infrared pen. It is positioned at a 45-degree angle to the projection field and gives the presenter the possibility of showing further information about the product or to rotate the object on the projection field without using the 3D-wiimote.
All wiimotes must be connected to a PC via Bluetooth. The WiiPresent application has to be started on the PC to capture the data and the movement-actions. Through the use of the implemented tracking functions it is possible to present 3D-products in an intuitive and interactive way.
Interaction Design
As described, three interaction methods are used in combination with the hard-/software, the presenter and the audience.
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Audience 3D-wiimote
One person in the audience can move the 3D-product on the screen through rotating the 3D-wiimote. The wiimote is only connected to the PC via Bluetooth and is able to transfer the motion-data wirelessly. So it is possible to move the 3D-object in real-time.
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Audience infrared glasses
One person in the audience puts on the infrared glasses. These glasses have two infrared-LEDs, whereby the technique of head-tracking is possible. With this method the 3D-effect will be emphasized, so that it appears as a virtual window through which it is possible to see a room. The 3D-object is placed in this room.
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Presenter whiteboard / infrared pen
The presenter has an infrared pen in order to control the presentation and the functionality of the interactive whiteboard. The pen has an integrated infrared-LED, whose light the whiteboard-wiimote detects. Based on this, the presenter can show more information on the screen or move the 3D-object through buttons in the application.
Duration : 0:3:58
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