| Versions |
  |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
 Posted - 06 févr. 2008 : 21:06:18
|
POI Scanner 1.7.0
for Microsoft S&T 2006-2008, Autoroute 2006-2007 and MapPoint 2006 with mp3 voice alerts and volume control
http://www.gpspassion.com/upload/toyfountain_POI_Scanner_1_7_00_2006-2008.zip
Over 500 Mp3 custom sound alerts for POI to choose from.
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=106141
File with prepared french default mp3 files to switch to french alerts.
http://www.gpspassion.com/upload/toyfountain_english_francais_mp3.zip
The POI Scanner acts as a warner when approaching points of interest and plays a different alert (mp3 or wave) for each of four types of POIs when detected in the preset range around the GPS icon. The POIScanner searches the map for four specially colored push pin symbols. The defaults are blue, purple, yellow and orange large circles. Personalized push pins can be used as long as colored pixels from the default push pins are incorporated in them. Just copy and paste the colored pixels into your preferred symbols. The POI Scanner is compatible with Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 to 2008, AutoRoute 2006 and 2007 and MapPoint 2006.
What's new:
1) Select the individual wave volume at which the sound alerts will be played.
2) The scan area has been resized to reduce the bottom scan area (rearward to the GPS icon) to ten percent of the top scan area (forward of the GPS icon). This should reduce the alert warnings set off once it is passed.
Once a POI is detected, the scanner warns by playing the default sound files, included in the download zip file. Just unzip them in the same directory as the POI Scanner. You can also select any other sound file that you would like instead of the default sound files (in MP3 or wave format) by selecting the Sound Alerts tab of the POI Settings.
How does the POI Scanner work? It first determines the GPS position on the map by finding the position of the first dark burgundy pixel of the GPS icon. Then it establishes a search area around itself, defined in pixels on the map image. The size of this area varies depending of the preferred range set in the POI Settings and the zoom level of the map. When a POI is found to enter this area, it plays the sound alert. The first alert will also indicate the approximate distance setting. A few seconds later, the second reminder alert will not indicate the approximate range since it is assumed the vehicle is moving and the distance has reduced. The rearward scan distance is set to 10% of the forward and sides distance. There is no need to know of a POI once it is passed and behind.
The POI Scanner is configured to work with a zoom level of the map above 50%. Below this the scan range is set to 1 pixel of the map image only. At this zoom level even one pixel is more than 2 km. In short, it needs to be almost touching the dark burgundy section of the GPS icon to sound an alert. The later versions detects the zoom level even when the tool bar is hidden. There's no need to keep it visible. (thanks Marvin)
I made a short video clip of the POI Scanner in action to help in visualizing how it operates. It's uploaded it on Youtube. Be sure to raise the volume on your system and disable mute if there is no sound. I created a GPS icon to emulate the moving GPS icon, it's made with the same dark burgundy pixels found in the GPS icon. This way it allows me to test in different areas I could never access. It does the job for testing and saves on gas money. The first alert should be heard after about 20 seconds into the video clip.
YouTube video of POI Scanner version 1.7.0 for Streets & Trips 2006-2008, AutoRoute 2006-2007 and MapPoint 2006
Pushpins surrounded in red with a red slash across them should not be used because they will interfere with the detection of the GPS icon. To scan for POI's the four custom coloured flags must be used. Anyone can make his own icon as long as they copy and paste pixels of the active colors of each flags to their icons.
This is a screenshot of the POI Scanner in Toronto (well not really, I emulated the GPS icon with the maroon pushpin).
This is the POI Scanner settings general pane. It gives a quick description.
Different scan distances can be selected for each pushpins.
(Approximation only)
OFF-10 meters/yards
250 meters/yards
500 meters/yards
1000 meters/yards
1500 meters/yards
2000 meters/yards
Here you can adjust the number of pixels the scanner skips while searching to accelerate the search. A value of 1 is the slowest, but most reliable. You can play by increasing the value in steps to find you comfortable point. Personally I use one. Todays laptop are more than capable of maintaining the pixel search.
I've programed default sounds which you can modify by browsing to your sound files on your computer. A newly selected file will be written in the white box after the settings tab is closed and reopened. You can test the sound file chosen to be sure this is the message you need by clicking on the test button.
When browse is clicked it will open in the same directory where you have the POI Scanner unzipped.
If you have not selected a file, this window will open to indicate it. It closes itself after seven seconds.
This will show the sound file you have selected for confirmation. It will be written in the white box after the settings tab is closed and reopened. You can test the sound file chosen to be sure this is the message you need.
This is a sample of the main directory. I keep the POI Scanner and Keys together. I've modified my version of Keys to start the POI Scanner as it starts if they are located together.
|
Edited by - toyfountain on 11 mars 2008 15:29:53
|
|
|
Ads
|
|
|
jol
Sweden
7 Posts |
|
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
Posted - 04 mars 2008 : 07:50:24
|
jol
thank you for the feedback. I suspected as much. I believe it's caused by a difference of window names between Streets and Trips and Autoroute. If you're willing to try I'll be more than happy to modify it until it works for you. I'll need your input though since currently I don't own Autoroute. I'm trying to acquire one, but it is hard to get around here. From the two pics posted I can see two instances of codes that need to be modified. I'll do a modified version for you to test. |
 |
|
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
Posted - 04 mars 2008 : 08:12:04
|
jol
I uploaded a modified version. I think it should work with Autoroute now unless they modified the map control pane too. Can you try it and report back your findings.
http://www.gpspassion.com/upload/toyfountain_Autoroute_POI_Scanner_1_6_00_2006-2008.ZIP
This file now should hopefully work only with Autoroute.
If it works I'll add code so the same file can be used with S&T and Autoroute.
Test it with the maroon tack like you did in the second pic. In your first pic it shouldn't work because the maximum range is approx. 2 km. The distance seemed more like 5 km. |
Edited by - toyfountain on 04 mars 2008 08:15:37 |
|
|
|
jol
Sweden
7 Posts |
Posted - 05 mars 2008 : 00:19:49
|
Nope, no luck with that version either...is there maroon in Autoroute's gps-arrow aswell?
http://www.alfapower.nu/gallery/album878/gps3
Btw on the first pic I later drove by the two speed cameras without any action.
I'll be more than glad to test it out for you. |
|
|
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
Posted - 05 mars 2008 : 04:14:58
|
I noticed something and was able to recreate it with S&T on my laptop. There's a huge difference between Autoroute and AutoRoute in the code for the application. The small r in the middle of AutoRoute prevents it from working. It needs to have the capital R to work. I modified Streets & Trips with streets & trips and it stopped. So here's one stumbling block that's overcome. There may be others. I corrected the AutoRoute code to reflect the capital R. Please try this version
http://www.gpspassion.com/upload/toyfountain_Autoroute_POI_Scanner_1_6_01_2006-2008.ZIP
If it works or not, please tell me.
Other things you can verify in case it still does not work.
1) From an image of AutoRoute 2006 posted two years ago, I can tell that the dark burgundy of the GPS icon is the same. You can verify this easily by downloading the free SI ColorPicker by SoftInstitute.com .
http://www.softinstitute.com/soft/sicolorpicker.htm
The color for the darker section of the GPS icon and maroon tack should be: RGB Hex 80, 00, 00 .
2) With AutoIt you can verify the code for the zoom slider using the AutoIt Window Info application. It is installed with AutoIt.
http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/downloads.shtml
The code for the slider should be ClassnameNN msctls_trackbar321
3) Using the window info application the map should be ClassnameNN: AfxWnd702 , text: Map Control, Title: -Microsoft AutoRoute
If possible post a screen shot of the Autoit window info of point 2 and 3. I'm on a small vacation now. I might only respond in a week. |
|
|
|
jol
Sweden
7 Posts |
Posted - 05 mars 2008 : 12:20:17
|
| The capital r did the trick, it now works! But it pops up volume control for each .wav being played, leaving it on. After some speaking the taskbar is full of 'em. It doesn't happen when I test them, and they're all at 100%. When I change, in ffdshow audio decoder configuration, the decoder it either plays no sound, or still pop up the volume control. |
|
|
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
Posted - 05 mars 2008 : 16:12:01
|
jol
Try out this one. It's the version 1.5 (prior to adding the volume control). I modified it for AutoRoute.
http://www.gpspassion.com/upload/toyfountain_AutoRoute_POI_Scanner_1_5_00_2006-2008.ZIP
Can you post a screen capture of your volume control? I'll try to figure why version 1.6.0 opened the windows and didn't close them afterwards. When you tried did you already have one or more volume control windows opened or none? This might make a difference.
BTW: It is supposed to open the window in minimized state (you should only see it in the Windows task bar) and once the alert is played, it should close. I have open the volume window to raise the volume effectively. The bug is for the scanner not closing the window once it's done. It's supposed to close it and return your volume to the previous setting ( not leave it at 100%). You can adjust the 100% value in the scanner settings. |
Edited by - toyfountain on 05 mars 2008 16:23:12 |
|
|
|
jol
Sweden
7 Posts |
Posted - 06 mars 2008 : 00:19:32
|
I had none open. When I testplay the sound in the POI Scanner.exe the taskbar icon pops up, and disappears.
Now when I got it to trigger by itself same happens, but with the windows volume control aswell.
I already have the taskbar icon for volume there though (removed it but no diff).
Now when I took the screenshot there was no ffdshow trayicon to popup and disappear, but the volume control for each sound was.
http://www.alfapower.nu/gallery/album878/gps4
With the modified 1.5 there is nothing on the taskbar and nothing in the tray, in other words problem solved :)
thanks a bunch |
|
|
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
Posted - 09 mars 2008 : 22:24:07
|
jol
I'm back from vacation. I figured out why it opened the volume windows and didn't close them. Same as in AutoRoute. The command is cap sensitive. I built the POI scanner on a french windows. The window name is "Contrôle de volume" while on an english system it is "Volume control". I had used "volume" for the command. I replaced it with "olume" skipping the "V" or "v" completely. It should work now.
When it detects a POI, the scanner will open a hidden volume control window (this is where you can see it open in the task bar, but won't interfere with the map). Then it will memorize your current wave volume level, raise it to the level set in the sound alerts tab of the POI Scanner (by default 100% unless lowered by the user). Play the mp3 alert file, then revert the wave volume to the prior memorized level. Lastly it will close the volume control window ( you should see it disappear in your task bar then).
This new version 1.7.0 should fix the volume problem you had. Plus it adds compatibility with MapPoint 2006.
http://www.gpspassion.com/upload/toyfountain_POI_Scanner_1_7_00_2006-2008.zip
Please try it out and let me know how it works.
|
|
|
|
jol
Sweden
7 Posts |
Posted - 11 mars 2008 : 20:24:08
|
Hi
It still pop up the volume control at the taskbar, not tray, but manages to close it when the sounds have played.
I have Swedish standards and format, aswell as Location and "Language for non-unicode programs"
When I change the non-unicode option to English (US), it behaves the same. |
|
|
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
Posted - 11 mars 2008 : 21:16:08
|
That's good news. It does what I programmed it to do. It is supposed to open a volume window in the taskbar and then close it after. When it opens the window in the taskbar it reads the volume prior to being raised to the defined value of the scanner (default is 100%). If the volume is too low, it can't be heard well without adding speakers to a laptop in a running vehicle.
I didn't like having to open the volume control window but had to. If the window is not opened, I find it misses reading the volume it was at. Before closing, it returns the volume level to its prior state. This is to prevent forgetting the volume at full blast when opening another application.
Thanks again jol, you've been a great help. |
|
|
|
jol
Sweden
7 Posts |
Posted - 21 mars 2008 : 18:02:07
|
No problems, thanks to you too.
I'm using the laptop to listen to music while in the car and wouldn't like it at full blast either :) |
|
|
|
Plantje
12 Posts |
Posted - 26 mars 2008 : 10:40:04
|
Hi!
I'm going to give it another go again as well. I've read through the topic and I think it should work now for me as well.
Where can I find the GPS/position picture? Then I can test it the same way as you did in your youtube demo.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Plantje
12 Posts |
Posted - 26 mars 2008 : 13:32:29
|
Nevermind... I used the maroon pushpin to test it and now it does work! Thanks!
At first it seems that the distance mentioned in the soundfile is sligthly higher than the real distance, but I'll continue running tests in real life situations. This can save me a lot of money! Thanks! |
|
|
|
toyfountain
98 Posts |
Posted - 27 mars 2008 : 02:15:25
|
Glad it will be of help to you. You can also test it live with the GPS icon in the car. I use the maroon push pin to avoid taking the road every time I need to check up on something. Saves a lot of gas at today's prices.
The distance is always approximate because it is calculated in pixels which varies with each zoom level of the map pane from 50% to 100% zoom. The number of pixels defines the size of a rectangle around the GPS icon in the map. Depending on whether the POI enters the rectangle head on or at an angle will also make the distance vary. When it announces the distance it is really what it is set up to in the settings of each of the four colours. It's meant to remind a user at which approximate distance a POI is set to alert, nothing more. It is not as precise and never will be as precise as the instructions given in S&T. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| This page was generated in 0,64 seconds. |
 |
|
- 
- 
New POI Scanner v1.7.0 with Mp3 voice alerts
