How to Make a Multi-Touch Computer Table
Pointing devices used in computers haven't changed much in the last 20 years. Their evolution has been steady, but the technology has relied on the same basic principle. In recent years, touch-enabled devices redefined the way users interact with their electronics. Universities and large companies have had access to touch screen interaction on the computer, but it has not been widely available to the public. It is, however, very easy to create touch screen technology with over-the-counter materials and with little to no knowledge of electronics.
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Instructions
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Use a Wii remote as a multi-touch camera. The Wii remote is particularly good for this use because it has an infrared camera capable of tracking up to four points and can easily be connected to a computer via a Bluetooth wireless connection. The Wii remote has a 45-degree field of view and should be placed at a distance of equal or above half the width or height of the surface you want to use to cover the whole surface. If you want to use a surface of 3-feet by 2-feet, you will need to put the WII remote 1.5 feet away from the surface in order to be able to use all of it.
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Buy or re-purpose a projector. While it is possible to use an LCD or plasma display, it is preferable to use a projector, as it will allow you more freedom in placing the remote. The projector can be used either in projection or rear projection. In projection, any surface will be adequate, but a white surface will be superior. The main drawback with that system is when you want to use it to project a small surface: The projector and Wii remote will have to be very close to the desk, roughly at eye level, and you will have to use a infrared pen to operate the system, which makes the system difficult to work with. The solution is to use rear projection, which will project the image onto a frosted glass or plexyglass. The primary advantage to a rear projector is that the Wii remote will be on the other side of the surface, and out of the way.
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Buy an LED lamp, replace the LED with infrared LEDs and assemble the system. Mount the frosted material where you want to use it, install the projector so the image is square to the frosted material, and mount the Wii remote and the new LED infrared lamp so the they face the frosted surface. Connect the Wii remote to the computer via Bluetooth, and connect the computer to the projector. Install the calibrating software (check the Resources for a download link) and launch it to calibrate the system.
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Tips & Warnings
Leave the Wii remote accessible to be able to change the batteries.
Keep the Wii remote as close as possible to have the best resolution possible.
