Python + Motion detection = Fweemote

jedie writes "After reading about different Wiimote hacks on Slashdot I decided to make a video with some demos of my motion-detection library. You can watch the video here. There's a link to the sourcecode (GPL) as well, but the demo is win32 only. It's basically a webcam and some software in python to track LEDs (preferrably IRs). In the demo video, you see the software (albeit badly because of the webcam's IR filter being removed) tracking two differently colored LEDs, so multiplayer is possible. The software can track multiple points easily, and when combined with IR-LEDs, it's easy to simulate one Wiimote (i.e. calculating the distance and angle between two IR-LEDs to determine where the remote is relative to the webcam). I want the code to get some publicity, because I don't have time to work on it (dissertation, blabla) but I don't want the code (however messy it is) to go to waste."

Win32 because of webcam library

[doxology (636469)]

This is not surprising, since I was unable to find any really good Linux python webcam libraries (and by really good, I mean, any that I could get to work).

Re:

[armareum (925270)]

It encourages spam of forums. Likely for extra hits from unique IP addresses for ad purposes. The people who are spamming are effectively working for that website, even though they think they are playing a game. Kinda ingenious, but still annoying nevertheless.

Re:

[Weirdbro (1005245)]

Christ! Thats not a myminicity, thats a goatse. BEWARE!

Re:Win32 because of webcam library

[delire (809063)]

What's wrong with the Python interface to Intel's immensely popular OpenCV [opencv.org]. Firewire devices, USB, multiple cameras.. all are a breeze on Linux or those-other-two-popular-OS's.

Using a Debian-based system as example:

apt-get install python-opencv

In a Python interpreter do:

from opencv import cv

then:

help(cv)

.. and prosper.

Re:

[doxology (636469)]

Apparently, it's not very good at letting me know it exists =P. Thanks, I'll give it a whirl.

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[Malevolyn (776946)]

I hear that. Anyone with any real knowledge knows that these days language is mostly a matter of preference. Of course, Python is my language of choice and I do love how beautiful the code looks no matter how convoluted you try and write it.

raw = os.popen('dir /B').read().rstrip().split('\n')

To be perfectly honest, however, I use certain languages for different things. Rather, I use Perl for IM stuff (AIM, IRC, etc), PHP on my sites, and Python for those two plus everything else including a teaching tool

Re:

[xenocide2 (231786)]

So what exactly does that code do? Read an entire directory contents and store the results into an array? The code might look beautiful, but it's no wonder now why python's a memory hog if thats how people use it.

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[abigor (540274)]

Well, in all fairness, maybe he simply wanted to have the contents of the directory in an array, regardless of the language used? After all, all languages give you the ability to do things in a silly or inefficient manner. Some just look worse than others while doing it ;)

Re:

[by Anonymous Coward]

I'm sick of people talking about how slow and memory-abusive Python can be. It has changed quite a bit since those negative reviews came out 8 years ago.

Compare it to PHP on the infamous Language Shootout site and you'll see Python is better in every way:
http://shootout.alioth.debian.org/debian/benchmark.php?test=all&lang=python&lang2=php [debian.org]

The same site shows that for both speed and memory use, Python is really better than most other languages. It even beats plain C++/gcc and C# on string manipulation

Re:

[xenocide2 (231786)]

Comparing to PHP is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Try this one [debian.org] on for size.

All the crap Pythonites love to boast about and almost universally faster. I'd be careful using the Shootout as a reference though, as not every language gets the love it needs to get a fair shake in such comparisons. In the Python case, Regex DNA has seen some serious love that picked the best concepts from the other implementations in the pursuit of speed. Its place in the ranking is likely not a matter of libraries, as it uses th

Re:

[pembo13 (770295)]

You can do the same thing in Java and C# if you would like. Seriously. I wonder if you have any proof that Python is a memory hog.

Re:If only

[JohnFluxx (413620)]

> I don't program in any version of C cuz I can never type those damn square brackets [] correctly

You can't write 'because' either.

Re:

[Malevolyn (776946)]

It depends on what you're comfortable with. I know a more C than VB, more Perl than C, more Python than Perl. Certain languages may be easier (from whatever point of view) but that doesn't mean they're easier for everyone. Some people do write backbone apps in VB, and some write simple little squirts of software in C. I'm not saying it's a good idea (because I do agree with you) but for some it's just easier to stick with what you know.

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[dolmen.fr (583400)]

I do love how beautiful the code looks no matter how convoluted you try and write it.

Yes, very convoluted, and not portable out of Win32.
Have you tried this:

import dircache
dircache.listdir('.')

Re:

[Malevolyn (776946)]

Well yeah, I picked that little snippet because it's a bunch of functions strung together. I can understand some people finding it a bit confusing, but any Python programming with real experience can look at the line I posted and know exactly what it does within a couple seconds. Well, unless they don't know what "dir" does. Even the popen code can be figured out in context.

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[VGPowerlord (621254)]

Well yeah, I picked that little snippet because it's a bunch of functions strung together. I can understand some people finding it a bit confusing, but any Python programming with real experience can look at the line I posted and know exactly what it does within a couple seconds. Well, unless they don't know what "dir" does. Even the popen code can be figured out in context.

...except that, from context, you weren't trying to give an example that Python programmers could understand...

Besides, chains like th

Re:

[theheadlessrabbit (1022587)]

"I do love how beautiful the code looks no matter how convoluted you try and write it."

if code aesthetics are really important to you, they you really must go with basic.

10 CLS
20 PRINT "Hello world"
30 END

Look at the beautiful symmetry!
Look at the even row of numbers in one column, and how they prop up the commands sitting beside them.

I must say, BASIC code is truly an example of sublime beauty.
I pity the fool who codes in Python.

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[Schraegstrichpunkt (931443)]

raw = os.popen('dir /B').read().rstrip().split('\n')

Convoluted is exactly how I'd describe that horrible piece of buggy, platform-specific code that should be replaced by:

raw = os.listdir(".")

Congrats

[EmperorKagato (689705)]

However, the C# version was already done by Johnny Chung Lee [cmu.edu]

"Betta step up yo game"

Re:

[jedie (546466)]

yes, it's pretty much the same except there is no wiimote in this demo
I'll put up a video of multiple point tracking as well I suppose