Years ago I built this multitouch table computer and demoed at many events. Some of you may remember it.
It was a really fun project, but it was eventually retired and some parts were re-purposed for other projects/uses, but I still kept most of it. The touch surface works on the principle of FTIR, which makes touches on the front of the surface visible to a modified web-cam (IR pass) viewing the back of the surface.
The surface itself is a 3/8" thick specialty acrylic called “endlighten”, which was very expensive at the time (probably still is?). The edges of the screen are surrounded by infrared LEDs shining light into the acrylic. On top of the acrylic is a homebrewed compliant surface that serves as a backlit-screen for the projector image and helps enhance the visibility of the touches by being more compliant with the acrylic than dry finger tips alone. Below is a picture of the screen by itself.
I’m moving out of my house which has been home for 15 years. In the process I am leaving behind many parts of the past, which includes so many retired projects. Rather than throw this out though, I have a feeling that someone here may have an interest in taking what’s left of this project. Specifically, I still have
- The screen
- A power supply for the screen’s IR LEDs
- The projector (a 720p, short-throw projector)
- The modified web-cam
- The box that holds it all together.
If anyone is interested, please let me know. If this is going to find a new home somewhere, it needs to happen today.