Creating a DIY Touchscreen: A Fun Project

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A user successfully transformed their computer screen into a touch screen using a Nintendo Wii Remote, a golf glove, an infrared LED, and a USB Bluetooth dongle, totaling $91.09. The setup allows for interactive control of the computer, generating excitement among participants. Discussions revolve around the practicality of the setup, with suggestions for enhancements like a multi-laser pen for different click functions. Ideas for using the technology in various applications, such as creating a portable whiteboard with mini projectors, are explored. Participants express enthusiasm and humor, sharing their plans to replicate the setup and discussing potential challenges, such as the inverted movements when "air writing." The conversation also touches on safety concerns regarding the brightness of the lasers used. Overall, the thread highlights a creative DIY project that merges gaming technology with practical computer use.
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It Works!

I went out and bought a Nintendo Wii Remote, a golf glove, an Infra Red LED and a small battery and set it up.

My Computer screen is now a touch screen!



Since my computer does not have blue tooth, I had to buy a USB Dongle. The total cost was $91.09

The cool factor is priceless!
 
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Seriously? What size screen you got? Will it work on mine at 22"?
 


A billion inches.

Edit: someone deleted their post before this one......jared I'm looking in your direction. I'm not going to say any names, but I think you might know him.
 
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Alright, so does it work or not, the vids one thing but have you actually tried it?
 


jarednjames said:
Alright, so does it work or not, the vids one thing but have you actually tried it?

Cyrus said:
My Computer screen is now a touch screen!

Reading comprehension 0/10.

Oh and go to hell cyrus.

I'm going to do this.
 


Given your usual level of sarcasm, I thought you were mocking it.
 


Pengwuino said:
Reading comprehension 0/10.

Oh and go to hell cyrus.

I'm going to do this.

Don't do it Pengwuino. This is way beyond your level of coolness to attempt.
 


cyrus said:
don't do it pengwuino. This is way beyond your level of coolness to attempt.

i will start tomorrow!

You will all fear me and my wii!
 


Pengwuino said:
i will start tomorrow!

You will all fear me and my wii!

When you're setting it up, make sure you point the laser in your eye and stare at it for a good 10 mins. That's the only way to see the infra red.
 
  • #10


Cyrus said:
A billion inches.

Edit: someone deleted their post before this one......jared I'm looking in your direction. I'm not going to say any names, but I think you might know him.

I do apologise for that one cyrus, I meant to delete the one which said "compensating for something are we?" which was after the billion inches one, but ended up hitting the wrong post.
 
  • #11


jarednjames said:
I do apologise for that one cyrus, I meant to delete the one which said "compensating for something are we?" which was after the billion inches one, but ended up hitting the wrong post.

Waves magic wand...
 
  • #12


cristo said:
Waves magic wand...

Nicely done there. Ta
 
  • #13


Ok so Cyrus, what did you use the golf glove for? sicko.
 
  • #14


Wait, do I need to know C or VB to do this crap? >:(
 
  • #15


The golf glove replaces the marker pen, you attach the infra red led and battery to the glove. From what I can see, you attach the wii remote to the pc via bluetooth and then run standard electronic whiteboard software to calibrate it along with his custom software to run it.
 
  • #16


Ok i have an idea. What if you made a 3-laser pen. 2 IR lasers and 1 red laser, all low-powered of course. The red laser would act as a pointer and I wonder if you could get the software to somehow differentiate between each IR laser and you could make like a right click and left click pen! I really don't think you could do that but...? Otherwise you could just use 2 lasers and have a simple left-click.

What I'm imagining is working with a computer from a distance instead of having to be up at the projected image. It would replace people having to be at their computer messing with things too. Then again I think that's probably a marginal convenience haha.

Ok let's start figuring out other uses for this.

STICKY STICKY STICKY!

If you could just strap on the wii remote to one of those mini-projectors, you can have a whiteboard wherever you go! Use it with the laser pen and you could like... "air write".

hehe, strap on.
 
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  • #17


Pengwuino said:
Ok i have an idea. What if you made a 3-laser pen. 2 IR lasers and 1 red laser, all low-powered of course. The red laser would act as a pointer and I wonder if you could get the software to somehow differentiate between each IR laser and you could make like a right click and left click pen! I really don't think you could do that but...? Otherwise you could just use 2 lasers and have a simple left-click.

What I'm imagining is working with a computer from a distance instead of having to be up at the projected image. It would replace people having to be at their computer messing with things too. Then again I think that's probably a marginal convenience haha.

Ok let's start figuring out other uses for this.

STICKY STICKY STICKY!

If you could just strap on the wii remote to one of those mini-projectors, you can have a whiteboard wherever you go! Use it with the laser pen and you could like... "air write".

hehe, strap on.

Umm, how would air writing work? The way I see it is that the wii remote picks up the infra red dot on the board/monitor. To air write you would have to face the remote which would invert all your movements, so you would write backwards.
 
  • #18


jarednjames said:
Umm, how would air writing work? The way I see it is that the wii remote picks up the infra red dot on the board/monitor. To air write you would have to face the remote which would invert all your movements, so you would write backwards.

It's the same concept. The laser would be pointed at the projected image. The only difference is instead of being up close as if it were a whiteboard, you could be far back because the laser... well... is a laser. You wouldn't have to worry about getting in the way of the sensor. You could sit like, in your chair behind the projector and just point the lasers towards the projected image and write in the air.

The red laser would just basically be a visual guide so you know where you're pointing. I'm not too sure how well it would work considering when I see people use laser pointers from a distance during presentations, it's a pretty shaky affair. Then again that might be because they're trying to be as straight as possible instead of getting to freely move around trying to write.
 
  • #19


jarednjames said:
The golf glove replaces the marker pen, you attach the infra red led and battery to the glove. From what I can see, you attach the wii remote to the pc via bluetooth and then run standard electronic whiteboard software to calibrate it along with his custom software to run it.

Should have gotten a power glove instead.
power_glove.jpg
 
  • #20


TheStatutoryApe said:
Should have gotten a power glove instead.
power_glove.jpg

I don't care if that's from the 1980s, that's still futuristic.
 
  • #21


I just bought 2 IR Lasers and 5 red lasers from China. BE AFRAID. I also need to buy a few IR LED's from radioshack. COWER BEFORE ME!
 
  • #22


Pengwuino said:
I just bought 2 IR Lasers and 5 red lasers from China. BE AFRAID. I also need to buy a few IR LED's from radioshack. COWER BEFORE ME!

I'm not sure what it is, but I have a feeling you've watched a lot of Invader Zim. Could that be true? If not, then maybe you should check it out. sorry for off topic post.
 
  • #23


MY LASERZ HAVE ARRIVED! BE AFRAID!

The red one is f'n BRIGHT. I feel like it's 10V away from being a lightsaber and I could take over the world with it. PANTS!
 
  • #24


Just be careful, you could put someone's eye out with that thing.
 

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