8 replies to this topic

[kwoodall]

Having grown tired of SPHelper and similar apps that don't truly interface PPC programs well on Smartphones, I've conceptualized a new approach that should be very do-able for a good programmer.

SmartCursor a Virtual Mouse for Smartphones

Using the camera as an input to judge the motion of the phone, translate this into motions for an onscreen mouse pointer (ala' SPHelper) to allow smartphones to point and click onscreen controls. This would allow the use of some PocketPC (PPC) software by giving them a viable, intuitive, and speedy system to select any onscreen gadgets.

The 'click' button would be user-configurable so that any button they desire to use on the Smartphone can be used to be the 'down click' of the virtual mouse. In this way you could assign it to any of the extra buttons available on the side of the phone or on keyboards (like on the Dash).

Another button would also turn ON/OFF the virtual mouse as well so the app could be available at any time without affecting apps that don't need it.

Portrait to landscape mode changing (helloooo iPhone and Vox!) could be done by camera motion judging as well. Also flipping display upside down - whatever is supported in the OS of course.

Settings/preferences should include list of applications to suspend SmartCursor operations while these apps are in operation. Camera, VideoRecorder, etc. User can add apps as needed along with notes to suspend while 'in front' or suspend while active.

Alternate operation, if needed to prevent this app from slowing down other apps, hold activation button UNTIL desired click area is under cursor, send click, then suspend until activation button is held again.

With an app like this use of PPC apps, once successfully installed, would be a snap (of the wrist)!

Personally I just like the idea. I'm not as fond of the PPC OS as I am of the Smartphone OS. However a few apps, like Opera Mobile, could really benefit from having a virtual cursor program that is reliable and easy to use.

The key to future development would be the free availability of this application which is why I'm not trying to patent the idea, copyright it, or trademark anything about it. The idea is now public domain and I release the concept for any non-commerical use!

Kermit Woodall
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[kaiser47]

kwoodall, on Sep 6 2007, 14:37, said:

Having grown tired of SPHelper and similar apps that don't truly interface PPC programs well on Smartphones, I've conceptualized a new approach that should be very do-able for a good programmer.

SmartCursor a Virtual Mouse for Smartphones

Using the camera as an input to judge the motion of the phone, translate this into motions for an onscreen mouse pointer (ala' SPHelper) to allow smartphones to point and click onscreen controls. This would allow the use of some PocketPC (PPC) software by giving them a viable, intuitive, and speedy system to select any onscreen gadgets.

The 'click' button would be user-configurable so that any button they desire to use on the Smartphone can be used to be the 'down click' of the virtual mouse. In this way you could assign it to any of the extra buttons available on the side of the phone or on keyboards (like on the Dash).

Another button would also turn ON/OFF the virtual mouse as well so the app could be available at any time without affecting apps that don't need it.

Portrait to landscape mode changing (helloooo iPhone and Vox!) could be done by camera motion judging as well. Also flipping display upside down - whatever is supported in the OS of course.

Settings/preferences should include list of applications to suspend SmartCursor operations while these apps are in operation. Camera, VideoRecorder, etc. User can add apps as needed along with notes to suspend while 'in front' or suspend while active.

Alternate operation, if needed to prevent this app from slowing down other apps, hold activation button UNTIL desired click area is under cursor, send click, then suspend until activation button is held again.

With an app like this use of PPC apps, once successfully installed, would be a snap (of the wrist)!

Personally I just like the idea. I'm not as fond of the PPC OS as I am of the Smartphone OS. However a few apps, like Opera Mobile, could really benefit from having a virtual cursor program that is reliable and easy to use.

The key to future development would be the free availability of this application which is why I'm not trying to patent the idea, copyright it, or trademark anything about it. The idea is now public domain and I release the concept for any non-commerical use!

Kermit Woodall
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good idea
if you are a programmer and can / will do this : one question = WHEN ?
if not, then  talk about it (already done perhaps) on xda-dev  forum to see if devlopers are interested .
good luck

[Moonbow]

It has already been done in the game Fishopolis by Rivia, and it works well.
I think it would be great if you could get this working for cursor emulation, are you a developer yourself..?

James

[Menneisyys]

Moonbow, on Sep 9 2007, 01:09, said:

It has already been done in the game Fishopolis by Rivia, and it works well.
I think it would be great if you could get this working for cursor emulation, are you a developer yourself..?

James

There are other games with these kinds of operation; see for example my review of 3D Lawn Darts at http://www.modaco.co...-P-t256335.html

[kwoodall]

Menneisyys, on Sep 28 2007, 18:16, said:

There are other games with these kinds of operation; see for example my review of 3D Lawn Darts at http://www.modaco.co...-P-t256335.html

Thanks for mentioning this effort on your site!

I'm still hoping a programmer will step forward to work on this soon. It's such a cool idea (if I do say so myself) and I want to see it!

Kermit Woodall

[iztoogood]

you kno what i had this idea....
but i'm not developer...

here was my old post about it
http://forums.smartp...o...&highlight=

i'll try to translate for you :

Quote

here is an idea:
- fake cursor allow smartphone without touch screen to have a touche screen fonctionnality but it's hard to use it
- Fishopolis is a game that use cam motion http://rivia.net/Fishopolis.aspx (fonctionne sur e650)

the idea consit in mixing both
by moving a virtual cursor via cam motion

i have no idea of how dificult it is
so developers hhat do u think about it ?

next to that i've brainstorm about it...
do you knowTeksoft BlueMouse ? i've tested it in trial mode...
in fact on the homeScreen the 2 function menu are'nt reachable...
only the content of the main window of an apps look to be reachable by a clik...
so if you manage develope it, it would be usefull only for full screen apps (like TomTom for example) .... if the app can be installed on non touche screen phone...
so joined to your app maybe would you developpe something like a "fake agent" to lie apps installers

I hope you'll manage this
sorry for my bad english, i've done my best

[iztoogood]

found that:
http://guir.berkeley...cts/tinymotion/

src avalaible under BSD licence here:
http://guir.berkeley...on-src-1.0b.zip

it's supposed to be compilable for windows mobile

[ransel]

iztoogood, on Mar 26 2008, 17:10, said:

found that:
http://guir.berkeley...cts/tinymotion/

src avalaible under BSD licence here:
http://guir.berkeley...on-src-1.0b.zip

it's supposed to be compilable for windows mobile

Hi, how to use it for windows mobile smartphone?
Can someone teach me how?

[Wombleuk]

http://www.pocketgps...?...pic&t=65822