I haven’t had much of a chance to work on this because of the Thanksgiving break, but I wanted to give an update on my most recent project: installing a makeshift smartboard in my wife’s classroom using Johnny Lee’s Wiimote Hack.
I’ve downloaded the software, synced her computer using the Bluesoleil stack via Bluetooth to the Wiimote and ordered and received an IR pen from Penteractive.
When I launch the program and attempt to calibrate the pen with the software, nothing happens. I suspect one of two problems:
1) Since I’m using the trail version of Bluesoleil, the amount of data I can send via Bluetooth is limited. Perhaps I need to upgrade.
2) The pen I received from Penteractive is broken (I sincerely hope not)!
We’ll see. I need to post my problems to the Wiimote forum and spend some more time troubleshooting them myself. I’ve just been swamped!
Matt Bigelow 
Ah…I ordered my pen just yesterday, with two sets of extra batteries. I have already gotten my bluetooth receiver, synced my Wiimote, and installed the software. I could use my TV remote to draw dashed lines in Paint (since a TV remote IR blinks). I can’t wait. I’m using it from my computer streamed to my Projection TV. I can’t see what I’m drawing, but everyone else can (from farther away).
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Hint: Use Windows’ Bluetooth.
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Thanks for the tip! I hadn’t thought of using a TV remote to test everything else and isolate the pen as faulty. I’ll try that!
(Of course, I’ll need to borrow a TV remote as I don’t own one. I don’t even cable. I know, I’m a weirdo.)
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P.S. Sorry I missed the Windows Bluetooth hint.
For some reason I couldn’t get that to sync, but after I downloaded Bluesoleil it worked immediately. Maybe I’ll give it another shot…
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My fiance had to press 1&2 at the same time very 2 seconds throughout the process of getting it connected. After that, we had no problems. Perhaps you should try that 😛
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You can test the pens with a digital camera or camera phone. Even though IR is not visible to humans, the camera will still pick it up. The IR will appear as a small light in the picture/preview when the IR pen is on.
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Thanks, Sam.
I actually got it operational, and should get a video up in the next couple of weeks.
Are you involved in education? I’ve been traveling a bit as of late and haven’t had the time to do much research, but I’m looking to volunteer at a couple of local schools in getting these installed and operational.
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