**6.2 Benefit of the next generation CRS using touch screen writers**


#### **6.3 Future work**

130 Virtual Reality and Environments

Figure 10 is a sample course material common to Physics or Engineering majors. One main topic of such majors is load analysis with Free Body Diagrams (FBD). Figure 10 gives a typical example of the force analysis. On left is a block resting on a slanted surface. As shown on right, students need to set up a proper coordinate system, draw the forces, and then write down the governing equations on each direction to find out the magnitudes of

Before the class, the teacher prepares questions like the one shown in the left part of Figure 10 and makes copies on regular paper. In the class time, the teacher first explains the concepts of FBD and provides examples. Then the handouts with the questions will distributed to the class. The students put the handouts on the writing surfaces of the Z-Writers and then write their answers on the paper just like any other classes. The Z-Writers transfer the results to the host computer for the teacher to review in real time. The teacher is then able to adjust the next step accordingly, such as revisiting the subject, moving on to the next topic, or giving annotations to selected answers. At the end of the class, the students will carry their own paper home while the teacher keeps a soft copy of all answers for future

Fig. 10. A typical example of load and motion analysis. Left: Given by teacher. Right:

(PLUM) to locate the position of a pointer on a display unit.

**6.1 Benefits of the optical touch screen with virtual force** 

There are many advantages of the algorithms proposed in this article.

screen is scratched or broken, the touch function will still work.

In this article, we introduced a novel method of using stereovision (PLUS) and monovision

1. **Low cost**. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to implement. Thanks to the ubiquitous camera phones and webcams, low-cost high-resolution single-chip digital cameras are

2. **Durable**. There is no physical contact between the camera and the pointer. Therefore, the functionality of the screen will not deteriorate due to wear and tear. Even when the

3. **Easy to scale up**. The complexity and cost of existing touch screens increase quickly when the screens become larger. For example, when the size of a screen doubles, its

the forces.

reference.

Student answer.

g

θ

**6. Conclusion** 

widely available today.

Currently we are working on improving the stability and noise reduction on the optical touch screen algorithm and its use on classroom response system described in this paper. We are also working on expanding the applications of the optical touch screen to art and calligraphy field for paperless painting with realistic strokes. We are also exploring the use of 802.11 for the auditorium size CRS settings.
