Released in December 2006, the Nintendo Wii Remote (Wiimote) is an inertial control interface for videogames that is fundamentally different from traditional gamepad/keyboard/mouse devices. The primary innovation of the Wiimote is its ability to localize itself within 2 rotational and 3 translational degrees of freedom. This localization is performed with a reasonable degree of accuracy which is well complemented by the Wiimote’s economical feasibility and compelling aesthetic. Rotational localization occurs with the help of three inertial sensors (accelerometers/gravimeters) that measure the direction of gravity along roll, pitch and yaw axes.
Translational localization is performed through triangulation against infrared light (IR) emitted an external “sensor bar”. The IR is sensed by the Wiimote through a built-in IR-sensitive chip. In addition, a Wiimote can receive input from 12 traditional gamepad buttons that can be used in complement with its localization.
The Wiimote communicates with other devices using the Bluetooth wireless communication. There are certain events that cause the Wiimote to send a packet of updated state information to its connected device. Those events include button presses, button releases, changes in the data from the accelerometers or the IR sensor, and changes in Wiimote extension devices. The Nunchuk is one such extension. It physically connects to the Wiimote and adds a second set of 3 accelerometers along with 2 trigger-style buttons and an analog joystick. This combined Wiimote/Nunchuk interface allows for two-handed user input.
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