Virtual Keyboards: The Technology Behind
The Product
Group 1
Kris Allen, Larry Thomas, Olivia Lieblong, and Jill Harrell
Key Words: Projection Module, Micro-illumination Module TM, Sensor Module
PDAs and Smartphones are used everyday, but because they are cramped to use or fold-up keyboards become additional baggage, they are not always convenient to input information. Three forms of technology including Projection Module, Micro-illumination Module TM, and Sensor Module, have been combined in a new piece of hardware to invent a keyboard that is much smaller, efficient in power consumption, operates with high accuracy, and is easy to use. This keyboard is held in a device as small as a disposable lighter which projects a laser light, full-size keyboard onto any flat surface. The Virtual Keyboard observes and interprets finger movements and acts as a regular full-size keyboard. You can even have the tapping sound when you type! This is beneficial for business people because of the compact size and the larger keyboard will speed typing.
The virtual keyboard was introduced by a company called I-Tech, which consisted of Israeli ex-military engineers. The keyboard is made of several technologies including Template Creation (Projection Module), Reference Plane Illumination (Micro-illumination Module TM), and Map Reflection Coordinates (Sensor Module). The Projection Module technology displays the selected template of the interface onto an adjacent interface surface. The template is formed by lighting a uniquely designed, highly efficient holographic optical element with a red diode laser.
Micro-illumination Module TM uses an infrared plane of light that is parallel to and just above the interface surface. The keyboard light is invisible to the user, however, when the user touches a key position on the interface surface the light is then reflected from the plane into the vicinity of the key and toward the sensor module. The Sensor Module of the keyboard uses reflected light that passes through an infrared filter and is displayed on a CMOS image sensor in the module. A sensor chip then makes a live projection of the reflected light. The sensor module has a processing core that can track multiple reflection events simultaneously.
These keyboards will be very beneficial for traveling business professionals since the size is so compact. They will no longer have to carry around a fold-up keyboard with their PDA or Smartphone. Since the keyboard is only light projected on a flat-surface, when you turn off the light, the keyboard disappears. If a lawyer needs to type up a business proposal, it would be much faster to type on a full-size keyboard, rather than tapping at a PDA screen or trying to drag out your laptop. Also, it is beneficial for people on-the-go since the keyboard is just projected light, food or drink spilled on the keyboard would not hurt anything besides the surface underneath. This keyboard is most beneficial because it is so portable it can fit in your pocket and be used on any flat surface.
The virtual keyboard is a new age computer input device that consists of 3 main technologies including Projection Module, Micro-illumination Module TM, and Sensor Module. These technologies have joined together to create a new piece of hardware that is much more convenient to businesses as well as everyday people. In this technology-driven world, the compact size of this portable device can be beneficial to everyone.
References
2P. (2005). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved February 6, 2006, from How The VKB Works. Website: www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/f-a-q.asp
2P . (2005). Virtual Laser Keyboard. Retrieved February 6, 2006, from The Virtual Keyboard: How does it work? Website: www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/
Mobile Fun Unlimited. (2006).
PDA Today. (2004). VKB Enables First Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard. Retrieved February 7, 2006. Website: www.pdatoday.com/more/2753_0_1_4_M/
VKB, Inc. (2005). Technology. Retrieved February 6, 2006, from website: www.vkb-tech.com/technology/default.php
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