POI Scanner Version 1.8.0
for MS S&T 2006 to 2009 with Vista and XP. Plus Autoroute 2007.
Other versions of Windows are untested.
Adds compatibility with
Street & Trips 2006-2009 on Vista.
Fixes bug with year 2008 of beta001
Download zip file below
http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/attach..._2006-2009.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.
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.
3) The same version is used for Streets & Trips 2006 to 2008. It may work with previous versions of S&T if the id control for the map control pane is identical to year 2006. If it doesn't and you are prepared to send me the needed data, I can attempt to modify the scanner to add compatibility for previous years.
4) It detects the zoom level even when the toolbar is hidden. No need to keep it visible and it works with Win98, XP and Vista the same way. (thanks Marvin)
NEW POI Scanner Version 1.8.0
Now with voice prompts and volume control.
Download by clicking the zip file below
http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/attach..._2006-2009.zip
Select custom sound prompts from over 500 mp3 files at this thread
Custom MP3 files for GPS POIs
. But for some reason I'm getting false warnings. Occasionally I hear various types of sound for no apparent reason even when I'm using a clean, brand new map, with no pushpins, (and even all POIs turned off). Try to drive around with POI Scanner, but without any pushpins, to see what I mean.
I might have time next week to attempt it.
