I just bought a new Logitech mouse with tons of customizable buttons on it, and it got me thinking...what if you could use your PPC as a mouse for your PC? That would be the ultimate in customizability!! Think of it...not only would you have a bunch of hard buttons to play with, but you could also have a customized screen for whichever app has the focus on your PC!
I am nowhere near advanced enough to do this, nor do I know if it's even possible...just throwing it out there as an idea for whoever wants to take up the challenge. I figure it could work on most devices because the camera and flash LED are on the opposite side from the screen and buttons, and BT could be the wireless link. Heck, for that amount of customizability in a mouse I'd even settle for a wired USB version :wink:.
Well enough fantasizing for today...
you're talking about using the camera as the optical sensor?
you'd need it on a special mouse mat that emits light of some kind, and I doubt the feedback would be quick enough.
and i wouldn't fancy pushing my expensive xda around on the desk like a mouse.
Right, I was thinking of the camera as the optical sensor, and the flash LED as the light source. I have a XV6700/Apache, and when I turn on the camera and the flash and set it down on my desk, the screen isn't completely dark because the camera isn't flush against the surface...there's still enough space for light from the LED to reach the lens. Obviously this would vary from device to device...but even in cases where it's completely dark, you could put the "mouse" on top of a few mm of clear plastic or plexiglas to give the LED enough room to bounce the light over. Actually, this option might be desirable as it would address your concern about pushing your device around and getting scratches on it.
In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, using plastic/plexiglas might be better for battery life too. Instead of having the flash stay on all the time, the "mouse" could use the ambient room light to detect initial movement, which in turn would trigger a "wake event" for the flash, and then obviously the flash could be timed to turn off after so many seconds of being idle.
I know speed would likely be an issue as far as feedback goes. Sure, it wouldn't be as quick as my new Logitech laser mouse, but in video mode the camera (at least on the Apache) can go up to 19 fps...so perhaps it would be doable. Obviously you're not going to use Photoshop or play Quake with the thing . I was just thinking added convenience for everyday usage.
well all optical mice i've used have gon crazy on shiny surfaces
their cams are even made directly for this purpos
so i would think using the pda as a mouse would mean it would go even more crazy on a shiny surface
try search i recall posts about this in the past
Issues
light souce: prolong usage of you flash is bad. The life span of the flash may be different for different devices, but I'm pretty sure HTC doesn't give you a nice LED flash to be used for more than 30 seconds per usage. There are reports of 'dying' flash after using it as flashlight.
camera (major issue): phone camera is a fix lense camera (there are a few new Nokia/Sony model that arent). Such camera is not able to take clear picture of close distance object. Try taking a picture of something at a range of 3 inches , at best possible light condition. You won't get a decent picture. Even high tech digital camera is not able to take any picture of any object that is in range of less than 3 inches (even with Macro e.g. the flower, mode on). You can't do much 'mous-ing' with blur images.
It is a good idea though.
just an idea, but what about just using it as a touch pad??
dahquim
Very expensive mouse :lol:
Just get an optical RF mouse.. so much cheaper..
Come to think of it, better get a bluetooth mouse that you can use with both your PC and PPC!
Hmm, I don't know. I just imagined a Universal used as a mouse. Not a pretty picture.
Any way, as for the touch pad idea, it's fairly easy to implement, but it doesn't have the resolution to handle even blow average PC screen which is 800x600 pixels.
hanmin said:
Even high tech digital camera is not able to take any picture of any object that is in range of less than 3 inches (even with Macro e.g. the flower, mode on). You can't do much 'mous-ing' with blur images.
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Click to collapse
OK, so let's say you have a clear glass desk and you attach a board underneath it at a distance of 3 inches so it can focus... j/k
levenum said:
as for the touch pad idea, it's fairly easy to implement, but it doesn't have the resolution to handle even blow average PC screen which is 800x600 pixels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think dahquim meant "touch pad" to mean "tablet PC" or a remote touch-screen clone of your PC monitor (you can do that with LogMeIn). I think he meant simply losing the "mouse" functionality and keeping the ability to have the device's screen display "soft buttons" that could execute commands and that would change depending on whichever app has the focus on your PC. That would somewhat relieve one of having to remember different keyboard shortcuts for each different PC app you use. Same idea as the Optimus Keyboard but on a smaller scale.
touchpad.. ?
Touchpad idea is nice - it could work just like touchpads on laptop; ie. moving finger on mobile device screen causes mouse cursor to move on PC screen, tapping mobile device screen causes mouse click.... who'll implement this ? ;-)
hanmin said:
Issues
light souce: prolong usage of you flash is bad. The life span of the flash may be different for different devices, but I'm pretty sure HTC doesn't give you a nice LED flash to be used for more than 30 seconds per usage. There are reports of 'dying' flash after using it as flashlight.
camera (major issue): phone camera is a fix lense camera (there are a few new Nokia/Sony model that arent). Such camera is not able to take clear picture of close distance object. Try taking a picture of something at a range of 3 inches , at best possible light condition. You won't get a decent picture. Even high tech digital camera is not able to take any picture of any object that is in range of less than 3 inches (even with Macro e.g. the flower, mode on). You can't do much 'mous-ing' with blur images.
It is a good idea though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hanmin was right pointing these issues. i'll add some more, from a developer's point of view:
-so you want to have this as a wireless device: think of the power consumption: on one hand you need the camera to be on, with the led, and also a wireless connection for transmitting the data like BT or WiFi.. The baterry wont last long
-even if we cant get the camera to focus at nearly 1-2mm, we could still detect movement of some kind (so the idea would work..in a way or another :roll: ). but please note: there are tens of types of devices, you cant get to make the trick for all.
-it wouldnt be very precise: did you even tried to create an icon? you need to tap over the right pixel, do you think it will work with this?
-ok so you're a fanatic gamer : poor device and poor you, on one hand you'll ruing the device, on the other you'll go nuts because... : slow reaction times, low accuracy...
I see that you've thought about the idea of creating a touchpad out of the pocketpcs. I worked on such a project once. It was indeed interesting. The only problem was that: (issues again)
-the screen is not so sensitive to finger pressure as a touchpad is
-you'll mostly have to use the stilus
But at least this approach is functional.
Regards,
Radu
Yes was thinking more the "set of buttons on [email protected] that let you do quick and easy thinkgs to whatever program your using.
For example, how about being able to switch virtual desktops or having a list of programs on the ppc screen that you switch between... a la Alt-Tab??
just ideas, but of course would be completely customisable (macro buttons)
dahquim
Looks like this guy got the concept up and running on his Nokia...
http://www.pyrofersprojects.com/nokiamouse.php
So I am planning getting a Touch Pro when AT&T releases it (soon). I will greatly miss the tilting screen on my Tilt, but perhaps the TV output on the Touch Pro will more than make up for it.
I am thinking about getting some "Virtual Reality" glasses, and connecting them to the tv output on the Touch Pro.
which glasses are the cheapest/best? I was hoping to find some I could see thru while I wear them if possible, so I could still see the world around me (and not miss my stop on the train).
Also- can you charge the phone while you simultaneously use the tv output? This could be great for using at work.
Good question. I remember seeing something about some that were transparent and could do overlays, which looked kinda cool.
I am just gutted that the raph does not have an electronic compass (Like the Nokia 6210), else we could have full Augmented Reality.
Electronic compass + GPS + orientation sensors = Full outdoor AR...
Camera optional if you had glasses that could do transparent overlay.
Look at a company called "Myvu". They make an assortment of HMD's, one variety being a "shade" version. These require you to look down a little bit to see the screen but you can still see straight ahead through sunglass lenses.
Personally, I am looking to buy a pair from Vuzix, mainly because they have the option of adding a light shade that makes you feel more isolated.
Has anyone got any knowledge or can point me in the right direction to mod the trinitys main camera to see in the dark with IR leds? if possible hooking these up to the trinity. I don't mind running the phone without covers if possible.
In normal case can your camera "see" IR in the dark. I have tried, my camera on my trinity does it. Hold an IR-remote control to your camera, press any key on it and you will see flashing the IR-LED, you can't. I test so my remote controls. If it works, try it with a big IR-lamp or many IR-LED's.
any digital cam can see ir-remote's led flashing
Hi xda-developers!
I'm working on a application that measures the users heart rate, breathing and register movement.
I have already researched the field of existing sensors, and whats on it's way to release.
One of my biggest concerns is the use of an external sensor vs an integrated sensor in the smartphone - and thats why I need your expertise!
If I use an external sensor, what elements would help me store data about heart rate, breathing and movement? and is there a sensor you would recommend? am I better of using only the smartphone sensor?
One of the other things I have been thinking about is the datatransfer from sensor to smartphone.
I would like to get data day and night, with a sensor that is small and light-weight.
What transmission-type would you use? ANT+ or Bluetooth? or something different?
Oh, one last question:
How would you power a sensor like this?
Any help is appreciated and can't wait to hear your input and comments! :highfive:
- Ganlik
Ganlik said:
Hi xda-developers!
I'm working on a application that measures the users heart rate, breathing and register movement.
I have already researched the field of existing sensors, and whats on it's way to release.
One of my biggest concerns is the use of an external sensor vs an integrated sensor in the smartphone - and thats why I need your expertise!
If I use an external sensor, what elements would help me store data about heart rate, breathing and movement? and is there a sensor you would recommend? am I better of using only the smartphone sensor?
One of the other things I have been thinking about is the datatransfer from sensor to smartphone.
I would like to get data day and night, with a sensor that is small and light-weight.
What transmission-type would you use? ANT+ or Bluetooth? or something different?
Oh, one last question:
How would you power a sensor like this?
Any help is appreciated and can't wait to hear your input and comments! :highfive:
- Ganlik
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion, I would like to say that the best option is a sensor with integrated bluetooth, because that will give a "generic" plus to the project (Every smartphone has bluetooth sensor) and i think that it will be easier to configure the conection (you mean datatransfer) between your project and the phone.
Regards and best of luck, it seems it's a good project
Hi, can you do something more with the windows hello sensor?? It really looks like the kinect dot, wonder if you can scan 3d object, or have some sort of night vision if an app could use that sensor...
Kinect no (as far as i know it doesnt 'do 3d') but night vision maybe, since its pretty much an IR camera.
A little too early i guess, maybe in a few weeks somebody with the right skillset can have a stab at this
You most definitely can do some more stuff with that camera. It has after all an IR sensor.
You'll need to use the Windows Biometric Framework API.
Creating Client Applications
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ee829699(v=vs.85).aspx
Windows Hello OEM and IHV app scenarios
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/mt608302(v=vs.85).aspx
It seems to me like there isn't actually any separate IR camera. It seems like the standard front-facing camera plus an infrared LED.
The reason I say that is that if you cover the FFC, then go to the "Improve Recognition" screen where it actually shows you what the device sees, it remains covered.
Just speculation though.
jhoff80 said:
It seems to me like there isn't actually any separate IR camera. It seems like the standard front-facing camera plus an infrared LED.
The reason I say that is that if you cover the FFC, then go to the "Improve Recognition" screen where it actually shows you what the device sees, it remains covered.
Just speculation though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a separate (IR?) camera. If you cover the FFC, the iris recognition and the login work normally.
ArsLDN said:
There is a separate (IR?) camera. If you cover the FFC, the iris recognition and the login work normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, you're right. I guess the view I was talking about during the Improve Recognition is just showing the regular camera to the user (maybe to give an idea of where the phone needs to be positioned), while using the separate iris scanning camera for the actual training.