How Does a Wiimote Work?

Revolution.

Revolution.

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Revolution52
I've noticed that for the motion-sensing functionality of the Wiimote only works when in line-of-sight of the Wii sensor bar, which usually sits on top of my TV. Eg, if I put the bar behind the TV, no more motion sensing.
However, I've also noticed that the buttons on the remote still work no matter if the sensor bar is in view or not, eg I can go into a completely different room, with a couple of brick walls between me and the sensor bar, and all the buttons still function, I can hear them.

So how does it work?
Logic would suggest that it is bluetooth, as the buttons still work from other rooms.
However, if the motion sensing bit was bluetooth, why would it matter if the sensor bar was behind the TV or not?

:)
 
The wiimote uses accelerometers and infrared to sense motion but uses bluetooth to connect to the console.

Yes, all of the buttons work via bluetooth.

I don't think bluetooth would work for motion sensing, though. Bluetooth just transmits data, whereas the IR field used by the bar is an actual field in which it tracks movement. Motion sensing via bluetooth would only give you the kind of control that the six-axis's capabilities provide. That means that all of the sensing would come from the remote itself via accelerometers and gyroscopes and etc.
 
As Omnis said, bluetooth is simply the method by which the WiiMote and Wii communicate, and the action-based motion sensing is done with accelerometers in the WiiMote.

The pointer function of the WiiMote relies on an infrared sensor on the tip of the WiiMote, which looks for two IR signatures/dots. The only thing the "sensor" bar does is produce these IR dots (it doesn't actually sense anything, which is why it can be replaced with other things, like two lit candles). Then, by comparing the distance and orientation between the two dots (utilizing depth perception like we do with our two eyes), as well as the position of the dots within the IR sensor's "line of sight," the WiiMote figures out where you're pointing, how far away from the sensor bar you are, and which way you're tilting/holding the WiiMote. Then it transmits this data to the Wii, and your onscreen cursor responds accordingly.


Fun fact: I wrote this post using my Wii and WiiMote.
 
Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks :) Rep to both of you.
Question 2: How does one go about using a Wiimote as a mouse on bluetooth-enabled laptops then?
 
The only version I've seen (on a YouTube video) uses the accelerometers, so you have to tilt the WiiMote to move the mouse.

Theoretically, someone could use the IR data just like how they're using the accelerometer data, but you'd need to integrate the sensor bar into the laptop, or find another usable infrared source.
 

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