Virtual Keyboards for Cellphones and Beyond
As phones, PDAs and other devices continue to get smaller and smaller keypads continue to get harder and harder to use. Yes, I could send a paragraph long text message using only 9 buttons, but patience is not something we should be required to have when we live in futuristic times such as these. Luckily, there are still some innovative engineers out there trying hard to provide the Jetsons’ like world that was promised. The Virtual Keyboard (VKB) was designed to remedy just such problems.
The Virtual Keyboard uses light to project a full-sized computer keyboard onto almost any surface. VKB observes the user’s finger movements to interpret and record keystrokes. Since the virtual keyboard is an image projected in light, it completely disappears when not in use.
In the diagram, it appears that the virtual keypad is projected onto the flat surface via a laser diode. The finger movements of the user is then observed by an IR sensor which will allow the processor to translate finger positions into actual keystrokes.
Currently the technology seems to be under development for cellphone use, but VKB standalone devices are for sale at the developer’s site for only $199.99.
link - Virtual-Laser-Keyboard.com [via ForeverGeek]
This is probably going to have the same problem as that cloth keyboard that is floating around on the net, too. That problem being getting used to absolutly no force feedback on weather or not you hit a key. You’re probably going to be wearing out the backspace key for this one. And are you fingers in the correct position after you are done typing a word? On my/most boards, you have those two notches on the f and j key to let you know you are on the “home keys” to type the way your learned in school. And would only work on a flat surface that has enough room for the display. So that means making room, clearing a spot, or just finding a flat area for it to work on (ie not on your lap while sitting on a bus or something.)
Just some thoughts that I had when I saw this and the cloth one on tv some time back. And something to think about before you spend some cash.
I’ve actually tried one of these in person and it’s a very cool technology; however, it is impractical and, as far as I’m concerned, has no real world purpose in its present form.