How to Make a Cheap Multitouch Pad

ALL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE UPDATES WILL BE MADE ON MY BLOG:

http://sethsandler.com/multitouch/mtmini/

What's a MTmini?

A Multitouch Mini, MTmini for short, is a cheap, small, portable multitouch pad. It can be used for all different purposes including: drawing, OS navigation, multitouch operation, games, entertainment, experimentation, and more. I created the Multitouch Mini to show people how something that seems complicated or 'magical' can be made simply and at low cost.

The MTmini uses the "Front Diffused Illumination" multitouch technique, with normal ambient light (infrared not required or needed) and a normal off-the-shelf webcam (IR filter can still be in place). The MTmini technique is the first step in creating a full multitouch display.

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-Parts List-

• Box (ie. Cardboard, Plastic, etc)
• Piece of Clear, Flat Sturdy Material (ie. Glass, acrylic, plexiglas)
• Paper (ie. printer paper, tracing paper, almost any paper)
• Webcam (most web cameras will work)
• Computer (dual core recommended, but not needed)
• Optional Picture Frame

Total Cost: $5 - $50

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-How's it Work and What Conditions are Necessary?-

When you place your fingers on the surface, shadows are created where your fingers are placed. The webcam sees these shadows and sends the image to the tracking software which tracks the shadows as they move on the touch surface (paper).

All you need is a room with (at least) some light; a dark room will not work. Even room lighting gives the best results. Lights shinning from multiple directions onto the multitouch pad gives better results than lights from one direction.

-More Informatio including Software, Applications and More At-

http://sethsandler.com/multitouch/mtmini/

-Want to Build a Multitouch Surface?-

You can find information on how to make your own multitouch surface by viewing the How to Make a Multitouch Surface page.