So I would probably grab a fairly cheap LCD to test it out with, not trying it out first with my 42 inch Sharp. but after re-rereading the stuff on the LaserTouch and another post I realized I don’t need the camera behind it and I can use it to the side! This would add a lot of appeal as you could potentially have it embedded in the bezel along with some lasers. But I would probably be adding a glass or acrylic surface so that I wouldn’t be touching the screen directly

to Alex P :

“ I found that it was easier for me to write a highly optimized version blob tracking software. Because of this, I achieve very low latency and low CPU usage running my blob tracking software (around 3-4% on my E6600 2.4GHz system). “

could you show us more ?

Is the tracking app sourcecode opensource?

@ paul_ng

Currently my blob tracking program is closed source. I am still working on some code optimization, speedup and robustness.
I will post the results and the progam as soon all is fixed.

FYI, I just created a new post here showing my new setup and results I’m getting using this method.

Alex

For anyone interested in playing around with lasers, there’s an interesting instructable on making cheap front surface mirrors from acrylic:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Front-Surface-Mirror./

I haven’t tried it so I don’t know how well it works, but might be worth giving it a go.

Hi Alex!

Do you think 3 pics of 850nm with 5mW ir lasers are powerful enough to create visible blob on a 3m x 3m surface???

Tks!

ermm… yah probably you would have to make sure that the focal point of your line lenses aren’t too close are too far away. But you might just want a 4th IR laser since they spread out so much. On the other hand, the Microsoft one used I think (correct me if i’m wrong) 2 x 2 mW IR laser with line lenses to light up a pretty big area.

Thanks fuz3! I’ve got a line lens(as attachment). It creates very nice laser line. I am still looking for 850nm IR lasers. I will setup and test it after I found 850nm IR lasers and IR pass filter.

royc - 02 July 2008 04:50 AM

Hi Alex!


Do you think 3 pics of 850nm with 5mW ir lasers are powerful enough to create visible blob on a 3m x 3m surface???

Tks!

royc,

For such large surface, you will want to use more than 3 modules. Remember that the light brightness (luminocity) falls of with the square of distance. For small setups this might be not an issue, but in your case you’ll see the big difference in blob brightness as you move farther away from the laser. Therefore, the laser placement is very important.
The idea here is to get as even the brightness across your 3m x 3m surface as possible. So if you place one laser module at one side, you should place another one at the opposite side, this will minimize the blob brightness variation between them.
I not sure if there is such a software, but it is possible to write a simple program that will based on the number of laser modules (light sources), their light spread and the size/shape of your surface find the optimal placement, minimizing the brightness variation across the surface.

~Alex

Nade - 10 June 2008 08:47 PM

For anyone interested in playing around with lasers, there’s an interesting instructable on making cheap front surface mirrors from acrylic:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Front-Surface-Mirror./

I haven’t tried it so I don’t know how well it works, but might be worth giving it a go.

Here’s a different way for a cheap front surface mirror: http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21137&st=0

I got my FS mirror super cheap. I got mine for free. What I did was went looking for old rear projection tvs I found one that was thrown away. It was right behind a tv repair shop. If you want before you buy, look around your town you’ll be surprised what you might find.
p.s. bring a screw driver to unscrew the mirror out if you find one.

I just bought 2 lasers do you think that will work with a screen size of 30x36 inches? It should right?

royc - 03 July 2008 12:18 AM

Thanks fuz3! I’ve got a line lens(as attachment). It creates very nice laser line. I am still looking for 850nm IR lasers. I will setup and test it after I found 850nm IR lasers and IR pass filter.

Hey royc, these are the laser modules I have used in my Laser setup tests. I removed the Red Laser and inserted a DVD-Rom IR laser diode. I needed to remove the current limiting circuit and built my own.

Here’s a quick video of one of my tests with these lasers.

Thanks AlexP for the great idea to introduce lasers in MT setups!  I’m going to have so much fun!

Fairlane - 03 July 2008 10:31 PM

royc - 03 July 2008 12:18 AM

Thanks fuz3! I’ve got a line lens(as attachment). It creates very nice laser line. I am still looking for 850nm IR lasers. I will setup and test it after I found 850nm IR lasers and IR pass filter.

Hey royc, these are the laser modules I have used in my Laser setup tests. I removed the Red Laser and inserted a DVD-Rom IR laser diode. I needed to remove the current limiting circuit and built my own.

Here’s a quick video of one of my tests with these lasers.

Thanks AlexP for the great idea to introduce lasers in MT setups!  I’m going to have so much fun!

Hey Fairlane, I would like to know how did you modified the laser modules. Can you send me some pics or a quick explaning note?

Cheers!

Thanks Alex!

Hi Fairlane, Such a good idea to replace the red diode and very nice reference videos.

I found some IR laser modules online from Digikey (http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll).
However, they are too expensive after adding the shipping charges. In my city, red laser 650nm/5mw only costs US$5/each.
Now, I will go to the 2nd hand shop to find some DVD-Rom drivers. I guess I can find a good one with cost not more than US$15.

Thanks a lot guys!!!!