A recent entry looked at a commercial system to allow users to look directly at their web cam whilst still being able to see the person they are talking to - Teleprompter style - This is my take on that idea.

It is easy to construct being essentially an upside down periscope such as I used to make when I was a kid.

I have no doubt the commercial system uses better quality mirrors etc. - but this is a lot cheaper . Of course I don't suggest you go into competition with the original manufacturer, in fact this is only posted as a matter of interest to show how these things could work.

Step 1: View of Headup Display in Use

Please note: In these images the lower mirror has been removed. Refer to the drawings to see where it should fit in the lower part of the frame. I also had to put some dark paper over the front of the web cam because it is silver and you could see it through the glass screen.

Step 2: Over View of the Assembly

This shows the general construction - Much depends on what materials you have to hand. At a push you could use some stiff card, my initial efforts used card to establish sizes etc.

Step 3: Front View

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Step 4: Side View

The arrows show the light path through the device.

The size depends on your monitor and web cam sizes.

Step 5: Construction Notes

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Step 6: Construction Notes 2

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Step 7: Parts

2 sides and a bottom + a cover for the top are all that are needed.

I used some plastic I had knocking around and some dark card for the cover. The plastic sheet was a scrap left over from building a MAME cabinet with my son and the mirror an old hand mirror I found.