Mini-Innovation Project by

1. Challenge

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 14:38:54 UTC

Tablets and smaller monitors are great for individual use. Interactive touchscreen displays are very expensive at large-enough sizes to facilitate group work. How can we affordably create an interactive touch surface that is large enough for a group of students to gather around for collaborative operation?

2. Problem

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 14:51:57 UTC

If we can afford a large-enough touchscreen display for a team to gather around, it would generally require the team to stand at the wall-mounted device. In addition to being high-cost, this could be problematic from an accessibility standpoint.

3. The Big Idea!

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 15:27:36 UTC

Let's lay the touchscreen flat so that the group can gather around all sides of it, and even pull up chairs to sit down for a longer session. This would be more accessible for children who might not be able to reach the top of a wall-mounted display. This also provides better access for wheelchair users or people with other mobility issues.

4. Wait, how much??

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 15:32:58 UTC

How can we create a large, interactive, touch-display that is in a table-top format, without a price-point approaching five figures?

5. Solution: Build your own!

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 18:05:53 UTC

By mounting a projector to the ceiling in a way that allows it to be aimed directly downward, you can use any sized white table top as your "screen". (image created with ChatGPT)

7. How do we make it interactive?!

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 18:39:35 UTC

Projecting the image to the table is the easy part. Interactivity is achieved by tracking touch input using a Kinect sensor, IR or laser detection, and processing data through a connected PC. The software interprets touch data, renders interactive content, and interprets gestures, making the projection responsive to user input.

8. Exciting Educational Possibilities!

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 18:55:05 UTC

You can currently see this technology in action at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History! My "mini-innovation" brings interactive tabletop functionality to funding-challenged classrooms with an affordable, do-it-yourself solution.

9. Or, use the floor!

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-27 18:59:53 UTC

With a good PC, a cleverly mounted projector, and the right software, a motion sensor and some know-how, you can turn your classroom floor into an interactive game board. The learning possibilities are limitless.

6. What you'd need...

mattharmon00 — 2025-03-28 18:26:27 UTC

This is the very basic list of necessary components.