Considerations for Implementation

We discussed in our final design solution that our system constitutes of two parts, a physical room with interactive whiteboards/tables and an accompanying online platform that could also be accessed elsewhere. Besides the conceptual design solution, we also considered how our design could actually be implemented in the Maker Space for our client to use.

01 Showing the screen on the interactive whiteboard/table

For showing the screen on the interactive whiteboard/table, one can use overhead projectors, laser projections, or backlit LED panels.

Our Recommendation: The backlit LED panels

First, LED panels are relatively cheaper than projectors. Second, the projectors will have issues of misalignment when they are moved frequently. Third, projectors will create shadows when the students are in the way of the projection.

02 Detecting touches and movements on the table

For detecting touches and movements on the table, the possible technologies are infrared touch frames, Kinect, or computer vision (CV)using the overhead camera.

Our Recommendation: The infrared touch frames

They are cost-effective and can be easily customized to be integrated with the LED panels. Kinect and CV will sometimes have inconsistency and are more difficult to implement.

03 Screenshotting

For screenshotting, image-to-scan will be the solution. The edges of the raw image from the overhead camera will be detected and cut out. The resulting image will be warped and enhanced. An example of the Python implementation of this feature can be found here.