I've written a program that sends accelerometer data to ppjoy virtual joystick 1. It lets you control games by tilting your thinkpad.

You'll need to download and set up ppjoy (google it) - I used version 0.8.4.5 on win 7.

My files are here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/414368643/aps_ppjoy.zip

In the .zip file, there's an exe called aps2ppjoy.exe that will send the data to ppjoy. It comes up as a blank console window. To check if it's working, calibrate the ppjoy virtual joystick (must be number 1!) using the windows joystick calibration tool. Try looking/searching for gamepad in the control panel.

It works - but it's dirty. Uses about 10% of CPU on my x61 tablet. Until someone with more knowledge than me can write a proper HID driver for the accelerometer, it's the best we've got.

Enjoy!

UPDATE: I've modified the code to get cpu usage <1%, but since nobody's download or posted, I can't be bothered to put it in rapidshare. If you want it, PM me.

UPDATE: I've had a few PMs now, so here's the link
http://rapidshare.com/files/418231223/a ... _sleep.exe

I'm not a pro and it tickles me pink to know that people are using my work, so please post and let me know how you go.

sounds very good! can I get the files for this new version?

I found this in a google search for "thinkpad accelerometer joystick". I just had to register to say this is just what i wanted to find. It works perfectly with my Thinkpad X41 Tablet that I had gotten for christmas.

Thanks for posting! It's good to know you're enjoying it.

I set this up on my x60 and it is working well. Thanks! But I don't know what to use it for...what games would you suggest? I got the alternative, the sdl dll and used that with neverball but honestly it was very hard to control...I think yours would be much better, but most indie games don't allow for joysticks. Even the game I really wanted to play, Labyrinth, doesn't either. I tried the joystick to mouse program with your virtual joystick and I swear I almost broke the computer. LOL

theres one game about controlling penguin in a downhill ski resort. but i forgot the title. try find it at youtube

I've tried it on my new X201 Tablet, but unfortunately, it doesn't work. according to one of the test programs, the axis value is always at maximum when I turn on the accelero. I think I know the problem, I'm using 64 bit windows 7. my T400 with win7 32 bit works flawless.
If anybody has got a solution for this, I'd love to hear it!

It seems to be incompatible with x64. I'm not sure how it was done or how it works, but i think the method needed for getting the accelerometer data is different in x64, that or maybe he needs to compile an x64 executable to run natively? *shrugs*

I've tried tuxracer as well as neverball and I have just download blazetris. But again, these are modified sdl games and they don't need this joystick software. Anyone know of real games that I can use this joystick program for?

It's kind of fun to play with. But to be honest. It isn't ideal for any sort of games or anything. It's a laptop/tabletPC, not a handheld device.

I haven't tried to run it on an x64 OS, and I compiled it in a 32bit OS, so that would explain your problems. I've used it with project 64 to play episode 1 pod racer. It's pretty hard work though! You could always use it to turn your computer into an etch-a-sketch or a midi controller. I don't run x64 so have no plans to recompile it, but may do so in the near future. I'll supply the source to someone who can compile in x64 though.

For a real experience, use your Wii bluetooth devices on PC's... controller, balance board, etc... google for "Wii controller PC"

The coolest usefull thing ive seen the accellerometer in IBM's used for is in linux to switch virtual displays, by "knocking" the laptop left or right... 1 TAP--> 2 TAP --> 3 TAP <-- 2 or locking/unlocking it with a specific "knock" sequence...

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux ... index.html

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/opens ... xthinkpad/

or use for screen rotation...

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Using_hda ... n_rotation

Rapidshare tells me they are deleting the file because it's not been downloaded too often. If anyone still wants the binary or the source, please contact me by replying to this post. I check here every so often.

I could upload it to a number of mirrors. One of which is my own and will remain up for at least another year (had it for 4 years so far)