Developing a mind mapping tool sounds like a really great idea. There are some commercial mind mapping programs available, but they are not very flexible, and not very cheap either.
I wanted to develop a mind mapping program myself, but I could never find enough free time.
I would be happy to give you some suggestions about the functionality of the MM program. I'd even like to participate in the project.
I am not clear about the description of your photoreading and activation program, though. Would the program create 'blip pages' on the screen, and then change pages at certain time periods?