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How to Make a Touchscreen Without a Wiimote

The Nintendo Wii game console reacts to a wireless controller (called a Wiimote) that has a built-in infrared camera. To create a multi-touch (touchscreen sensitive) whiteboard, use the camera from a replacement Wii accessory that has been authorized by Nintendo. The replacement duplicates the technology of the Wiimote so as to enable the functions of a touch-sensitive image. You will need supplies from a hobby store and tools that are found in most homes. The replacement for the Wiimote can be acquired from a video game supply store.

Things You'll Need

Red laser pointer
Pliers
Tweezers
Infrared diode
Bonding glue
Overhead projector
Wiimote replacement accessory
Laptop
Duct tape

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the battery cap from the back end of the red laser pointer. Remove the batteries and place them and the cap aside. Unscrew the reflector from the front of the laser pointer. If the reflector will not unscrew, twist it off with a pliers. Place the reflector aside. Insert a tweezers into the front of the pointer. Grip the sides of the laser diode. Pull the diode out of the pointer.
- 2
  Grip the sides of the infrared diode. Line up the two conductive pins at the bottom of the diode with the two holes in the socket that is inside the pointer. Push the pins into the holes. Screw the reflector back on the pointer. If the reflector was twisted off, first apply bonding glue to the end that goes against the front of the pointer. Press the glued end of the reflector against the pointer and hold it there for two minutes so that the glue adheres. Let the glue set overnight.
- 3
  Put the batteries into the back end of the pointer and screw the cap on.
- 4
  Place the overhead projector on a table facing a wall. Plug the projector̵7;s power cord into an outlet. Open the lid of the laptop. Turn the laptop on. Click ̶0;Start,̶1; followed by ̶0;Control Panel.̶1; Select the ̶0;Bluetooth̶1; tab. Press a button on the Wiimote replacement accessory. Follow the menu commands on the laptop̵7;s screen to pair the Bluetooth technology between the accessory and the laptop to each other.
- 5
  Place the LCD panel against the glass on the top of the projector. Turn the projector on. Adjust the focus knob on the column attached to the projector until the image on the wall is in focus. Tape the Wiimote replacement accessory to the projector̵7;s pole with a strip of duct tape so that the front end is facing the projected image.
- 6
  Press the laser pointer to a corner of the projected image. Press the button to activate the touchscreen mechanism of the laptop̵7;s Bluetooth technology. Press and hold in on the button to use the pointer to activate the functions on the laptop, mirrored on the projected image, as if it was a touchscreen.

Nintendo Wii