Head Tracking with Cliffs of Dover

[Untamo]

Originally Posted by Wolf_Rider

As long as anyone elses' product isn't being used against their wishes, such as NP's, then I don't have a problem with it... but if there are utilities that allow information to be pulled out of someone elses' work, such as NP and having their encryption busted... then yes, there is a problem. One utility made by FT allows for the NP encryption to be stripped away, allowing FT software to access information.

"Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give it to those who are not." - Thomas Jefferson

True, this was the case in the past, when NP used a quite simple protection, it basically wasn't even encryption. FT went past that and utilized the NP's interface, which I really do agree, was wrong of them to do.

Now they do have a real encryption, which FT has promised not to hack under the threat of a lawsuit. So, any new TIR enabled game doesn't automatically work with FT anymore. The devs have to implement the FT interface for FT to work.

-Untamo

[Wolf_Rider]

If that is the case great, fantastic, excellent, well done (and not before time)

So, how does FT interface work?

[Vasilj_Mitu]

Originally Posted by Wolf_Rider

"Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give it to those who are not." - Thomas Jefferson

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" - Rhett Butler

NP can go get bent, for all I care... lots of smoke for nothing. if they ever had anything valid to go against FT, it would be long gone for sure. but hey, it's still here, isn't it?

[Untamo]

Originally Posted by Wolf_Rider

If that is the case great, fantastic, excellent, well done (and not before time)

So, how does FT interface work?

I honestly don't know, I just use it ... The science behind it is (I am told) quite simple, and as such, free knowledge.

-Untamo

[SEE]

Originally Posted by Blackdog_kt

IR wavelengths carry less energy than our everyday normal, visible light.

I don't want to go into the technical details but IR LED's are safe to use and found in a large number of everyday items. Bear in mind that the recommended IR LED's also have a very wide beam angle. The reason for using IR LED's as opposed to visible light LED's (which also emit IR but less of it) is to enable users to mask the lens from visible light and the tracking is limited to 'heat signature'. To work effectively with IR, the camera also needs to have the IR filter removed (this in itself illustrates just how much IR forms part of natural light to put it simply).
Even with the lens masked off, point the camera to your window (not the Sun!) on a sunny day and compare the IR dots with the stray reflections and direct light entering through the window- it will be significantly higher and completely kill the tracking function by swamping. Alternatively, light a candle and hold it from a distance in front of the camera..........there will be significantly higher heat signature than from an IR LED.

Finally, if building your own IR Clip there is absolutely no need to run your IR LED's at full power. Run them at 50/70% of the stated current and connect them in series (one after the other like Xmas tree lights where one pops and all go out), your batteries will last three times longer or, once it's all working and well made in terms of your wiring/soldering skills, connect the clip to the USB port.

[Wolf_Rider]

Originally Posted by Untamo

True, this was the case in the past, when NP used a quite simple protection, it basically wasn't even encryption. FT went past that and utilized the NP's interface, which I really do agree, was wrong of them to do.

Now they do have a real encryption, which FT has promised not to hack under the threat of a lawsuit. So, any new TIR enabled game doesn't automatically work with FT anymore. The devs have to implement the FT interface for FT to work.

-Untamo

but what you're saying doesn't seem to entirely be the case, on looking around...

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ting_FreeTrack

and

2. it still seems that FT has to hack into NP software

some newer games do seem to be unavalaible though, with users blaming TIR, which suggests that if there a standalone FT interface, FT hasn't made the approach to developers for inclusion of their interface, or has yet to be included.

(be aware also that the FT download link goes to page with questionable security certificate)

[Untamo]

Originally Posted by Wolf_Rider

but what you're saying doesn't seem to be the case, on looking around

......

from the FT site

it still seems that FT has hack into NP software

unless you can show me/ us something that supports your statements, it looks like your statements may be misguided

This piece of convesation was on the FT forums? Yes, people are finding their own ways to hack the NP interface, but this isn't what the FT crew are doing.

These are individual persons hacking away to get FT to work "as it did in the olden days". So, clearly not the correct approach. They should be pleading on the devs to include the FT support to the game.

-Untamo

[JG52Uther]

Wolf Rider,do you work for NP? You seem to be fighting their corner strongly? Not a dig,just interested.
As for FT and CoD,I have no idea,but I do know that any mention of FT at the UBI forum is strictly verboten,and any thread with their name is instantly moderated.
And as UBI are publishing CoD...

As an aside, I tried FT a couple of years ago,but didn't like it.I am happy enough with my TiR 3 and vector expansion.I use the track hat,as I don't like the flimsy track clip,or its usb connection.
Might treat myself to the latest model soon.

[SEE]

There is no point to the argument regards NP V FT and copyright. The guys at FT must have looked at NP's algorithm and came up with something identical or very close and included that as an alternative to their own FT code. To use FT with Il1946 you have to use their version of the NP algorithm (which is open source and anyone can dowload it to take a peek at it). Unfortunately, NP also looked at existing Tracking codes used in other applications and adapted it to their Headtracking product. In that respect it would have been impossible to patent the code as it was a 'development' not an 'invention'. You can write algorithims in many different ways to perform the same output data. NP could only protect their registered trademark and products that they themselves designed - hence the removal of references to the use of existing NP hardware in FT's literature. It's down to interpretation and NP consider that 'headtracking' is their intellectual property as a gaming product accessory and naturally want to protect it in other ways. The solution was simple, develop an encryption code and protect it legally. The real and only sensible argument is wether CoD should use the old code or include FT's code in addition to NP's.

[Wolf_Rider]

Originally Posted by Untamo

This piece of convesation was on the FT forums? Yes, people are finding their own ways to hack the NP interface, but this isn't what the FT crew are doing.

These are individual persons hacking away to get FT to work "as it did in the olden days". So, clearly not the correct approach. They should be pleading on the devs to include the FT support to the game.

-Untamo

my apologies, I did some proper reading and edited my post Untamo and yes I agree with the getting up the FT developers to seek inclusion - professionally.


Uther, no I don't work or are affiliated with NP, they aren't even paying me... sorry
I do however have a vested interest in people doing the right thing by others.