INTRODUCTION: Computers have undergone rapid miniaturization from being a 'space saver' to 'as tiny as your palm'. Disks and components grew smaller in size size,, but but one one comp compon onen entt stil stilll rema remain ined ed the the same same for for deca decade dess - it's it's the the keyboard. Miniaturization of keyboard had proved nightmare for users. Users of PDAs and smart phones are annoyed by the tiny size of the keys. The new innovation Virtual Keyboard uses advanced technologies to project a fullsized sized comput computing ing key-board key-board to any surfac surface. e. This This device device has become become the soluti solution on for mobile mobile comput computer er users users who prefer prefer to do touchtouch-typ typing ing than cramping over tiny keys. Typing information into mobile devices usually feels about as natural as a linebacker riding a Big Wheel. Virtual Keyboard is a way to eliminate finger cramping. All that's needed to use the keyboard is a flat surface. Using laser technology, a bright red image of a keyboard is projected from a device such as a handheld. Detection technology based on optical recognition allows users to tap the images of the keys so the virtual keyboard behaves like a real one. It's designed to support any typing speed. The Virtual Laser Keyboard (VKB) leverages the power of laser and infrar infrared ed techno technolog logy y and projec projects ts a full-s full-size ize keyboa keyboard rd onto onto any flat flat surface. surface. As you type on the laser projection, projection, detection detection technology technology based on optical optical recognition recognition enables the user to tap the images images of the keys, keys, complete complete with with realis realistic tic tappin tapping g sounds sounds,, which which feed feed into into the compat compatibl iblee Blueto Bluetooth oth enab enable led d PDA, PDA, Smart Smart phon phone, e, lapt laptop op or PC. PC. Unli Unlike ke many many smal smalll snap snap-o -on n keyboards for PDAs.
HISTORY OF VIRTUAL LASER KEYBOARD:
We are witnes witnesses ses of new techno technolog logy y improv improveme ements nts that that are surprising us every day when we hear about them or even look at them. The computers and computer’s technology revolutionize the world and the way of life. Since the beginning in the 50’s, every new achievement in this section was accepted by the vast masses of people which were expecting new improvements with huge hope for making business and life easier and more successful. In this century, the computers rule the world. Beginning from the first computer ENIAC, which proportions were huge, the technology came up with microchips, tiny devices which are hundred times smaller then the basic of the structure of ENIAC, the electronic tube. The technology of crea creati ting ng micro microch chip ips, s, allo allows ws us to crea create te smal smalle lerr devi device cess like like CPU’ CPU’s, s, Integrated Circuits, Microcontrollers, and so on… From From othe otherr side side,, the the clas classi sicc scie scienc ncee in the the same same time time was was making very important researches and discoveries, especially physics. The physicist discovered laser rays and sensors of the same rays, which are getting more sophisticated and more powerful. If we put these two parts of science in one, we will have more than hundred products which are making our life easier, more successful and more secured. Products like this are IR, Bluetooth transmitters and receivers, optical mouse, LCD Projectors, Large Video Beams and the latest gadget of the technology called Virtual Laser Keyboard. This non-physical keyboard is
implementing optics from physics and microcontrollers form electronics and prog program rammi ming ng.. The The main main diffe differen rence ce is that that the the Virtu Virtual al Lase Laserr Keyb Keyboa oard rd physically is not present. An optical virtual keyboard has been invented by IBM engineers in 1992.
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL LASER KEYBOARD : A virtual keyboard is actually a key-in device, roughly a size of a fountain pen, which uses highly advanced laser technology, to project a full sized keyboard on to a flat surface. Since the invention of computers they had undergone rapid miniaturization. Disks and components grew smaller in size, but only component remained same for decades -its keyboard. Since miniaturization of a traditional keyboard is very difficult we go for virtual keyboard. Here, a camera tracks the finger movements of the typist to get the correct keystroke. A virtual keyboard is a keyboard that a user operates by typing on or within a wireless or optical -dectable surface or area rather than by depressing physical keys. Unlike many small snap-on keyboards for PDAs, the Virtual Laser Keyboard provides a full-size QWERTY keyboard. It is also smaller and more convenient to use than the folding-type keyboards made by some manufacturers and similar to them in functionality. There are no mechanical movi moving ng part partss what whatso soev ever er in the the Virtu Virtual al Lase Laserr Keyb Keyboa oard rd.. It prov provid ides es a proje projecte cted d image image that that is the perfec perfectt portab portable le input input device device for PDAs. PDAs. It's It's similar in responsiveness to regular keyboards.
The The
Virt Virtua uall
Lase Laserr
Keyb Keyboa oard rd incl includ udes es a
self self-c -con onta tain ined ed,,
rechargeable lithium ion battery. It provides the Virtual Laser Keyboard with its own internal power supply, so it doesn't drain any battery power from the PDA or PC. The battery lasts two to three hours, more than enough time to do some instant messaging and SMS messaging from the handheld device or to update calendar and phone book entries.
The Virtual Laser Keyboard (VKB) leverages the power of laser and infrar infrared ed techno technolog logy y and projec projects ts a full-s full-size ize keyboa keyboard rd onto onto any flat flat surface. surface. As you type on the laser projection, projection, detection detection technology technology based on optical optical recognition recognition enables the user to tap the images images of the keys, keys, complete complete with realistic tapping sounds, which feed into the compatible Bluetoothenabled DA, Sartphone. Unlike many small snap-on keyboards for PDAs, the Virtual Laser Keyboard provides a full-size QWERTY keyboard. It is also smaller and more convenient to use than the folding-type keyboards made by some some manu manufa fact ctur urers ers and and simil similar ar to them them in func functi tion onal alit ity. y. There There are no mechan mechanica icall moving moving parts parts whatso whatsoeve everr in the Virtua Virtuall Laser Laser Keyboa Keyboard. rd. It
provides a projected image that is the perfect portable input device for PDAs. It's
similar
in
responsiveness
to
regular
keyboards.
The light weight device weighs two ounces and is similar in size to a disposable cigarette lighter. The Virtual Laser Keyboard includes a selfcontained, rechargeable lithium ion battery. It provides the Virtual Laser Keyboard with its own internal power supply, so it doesn't drain any battery power from the PDA or PC. The battery lasts two to three hours, more than enough time to do some instant messaging and SMS messaging from the handheld device or to update calendar and phone book entries.
WHY TO USE VIRTUAL LASER KEYBOARD: It’s wireless and it is communicating with the device with which it’s connec connected ted via Blueto Bluetooth oth.. This This keyboa keyboard rd is compat compatibl iblee with with all kinds kinds of desktop or packet pc’s and PDA Devices.
Compare the following two pictures. As you can see on the picture, the Classical Keyboard is small but we can’t were it with us everywhere. It still has some proportions which a far larger then our pocket. But, the Virtual Laser Keyboard (VKB), is a tiny device, what we can were with us any time, any where. Just a clean surface is all we need to operate o perate with VKB. It is also smaller smaller and more convenient convenient to use than the folding-type keyboards made by some manufacturers and similar to them in functionality. There are no mechanical moving parts whatsoever in the Virtual Laser Keyboard. It provides a projected image that is the perfect portable
input
device
for
PDAs.
It's
similar
in
responsiveness to regular keyboards.
WORKING
OF
VIRTUAL
LASER
KEYBOARD :
A laser or beamer projects visible virtual keyboard onto level surface. Sensor camera in the projector picks up
finger movements detected co-ordinates determine actions or characters to be generated. Some devices use a second (invisible infrared) beam. An invisible infrared beam is projected above the virt virtua uall key keyboar board. d. Fing Finger er makes akes keys keystr trok okee on virt virtua uall keyboard. This breaks infrared beam and infrared light is reflected back to projector. Reflected infrared beam passes through infrared filter to camera. Camera photographs angle of incoming infrared light. Sensor chip determines where infrared beam was broken detected co-ordinates determine actions or characters to be generated. It optically detects and analyses human hand and finger motions and interprets them them as oper operat atio ions ns on a phys physic ical ally ly nonnon-ex exis iste tent nt inpu inputt device like a surface having painted or projected keys. In that way it allows to emulate unlimited types of manually operated inpu nput devi devicces (mous ouse, keyboa board, etc.). All mech mechan anic ical al inpu inputt unit unitss can can be repl replac aced ed by such such virt virtua uall devices, optimized for the current application and for the user's r's
phy physiology
maintainig
unambiguity of manual data input.
speed,
simplicity
and
(Diagram of working of VKB)
These are virtual keyboards that can be projected and touched on any surface. The keyboard watches your fingers move and translates that action into keystrokes in the device. Most systems can also function as a virtual moue)
Steps of working of VKB:
Step 1: Template creation (Projection Module):
A template of the desired interface is projected onto the adjacent interface surface. The templa plate is pro produ duce ced d by illu illumi mina nati ting ng a spec specia iall lly y desi design gned ed,, high highly ly efficient holographic optical element with a red diode laser. Note: the template serves only as a reference for the user and is not involved in the detection process. In a fixed environment, the template can just as easily be printed onto the interface surface.
Step
2:
Reference
plane
illumination
(Micro-
illumination Module TM)
An infr infraa-red -red plan planee of light ight is gene genera ratted jus just above, and parallel to, the interface surface. This light is
invisible to the user and hovers a few millimeters above the surfa urfacce. When hen the the user user touc touche hess a key key posi positi tion on on the the interface surface light is reflected from this plane in the vicinity of the key and directed towards the sensor module.
Step 3: Map reflection coordinates (Sensor Module):
Refl Reflec ecte ted d light light from from user user inte intera ract ctio ions ns with with the the interface surface is passed through an infra-red filter and imaged on to a CMOS image sensor in the sensor module. Custom hardware embedded in the sensor chip (the Virtual Inte Interf rfac acee Proc Proces essi sing ng Core CoreTM TM)) then then make makess a real real-t -tim imee determination of the location of the reflected light. The processing core can track multiple
refl reflec ecti tion on events events simu simult ltan aneo eous usly ly and and can can thus thus support support both both multip multiple le keystr keystrokes okes and overla overlappi pping ng cursor cursor control inputs.
Step St ep 4: Inte Interp rpre reta tati tion on and and comm commun unic icat atio ion n (S (Sen enso sorr Module):
The micro-contr ntroller in the sensor modul dule receiv receives es the positio positional nal inform informati ation on corresp correspondi onding ng to the light flashes from the sensor processing core, interprets the events (e.g. keydown, keyup, mouse or touchpad control etc. etc..) .) and and comm commun unic icat ates es them them thro throug ugh h an appr approp opri riat atee interface to external devices.
SPECIFICATIONS:
KEYBOARD PROJECTION:
Light source
Red diode laser
Keyboard layout
63 key
Keyboard size
295 x 95mm
Keyboard position
60mm from VKB unit
Required surface
Projecti onNon Non-r -ref efle lecctive tive,, surface
opaq opaque ue
flat lat
KEYBOARD SENSOR :
Detection
Rate Up to 400 characters per minute
Detection algorithm
Multiple keystroke support
Effective keystroke
Approximately 2mm
Operating surface
Non Non-r -ref efle lecctive tive,, surface
Visibility
Any firm flat surface with no protrusions greater than 1mm
opaq opaque ue
flat lat
BLUETOOTH :
Bluetooth Spec
Bluetooth v1.1 class 2
Range of Frequency
2.4 GHz Spectrum
Transmission range
9m
ELECTRICAL :
Power Source
3.6V rechar rechargea geable ble lithium lithium-io -ion n battery
Battery Capacity
>120 typing
Charge Method
Incl Includ uded ed 100100-24 240V 0V AC Wall all Adapter
minutes
continuous
DIMENSIONS :
Approximately 35 x 92 x 25mm (1.38" x 3.6" x 1")
APPLICATIONS: In addition to small devices projection keyboards could be used to create a control-panel projection that offers virtual
knobs
and
switches
for
use
in
hazardous
environm onments, as well as in medical markets where disinfected data entry is a concern.
The Lase Laserr Keyb Keyboar oard d Proj Projec ecto torr works works by usin using g both infrared and laser technology to produce an invisible circuit and project a full-size QWERTY keyboard of light on to any flat non reflective surface. The virtual keyboard works extremely well in normal daylight conditions, and looks awesome in the dark! The sensitivity of the keys can be adjusted, along with the intensity of the keyboard.
Behaving exactly like a real keyboard, direction technology technology based on optical optical recognition recognition enables the user to tap the images of the keys, complete with realistic tapping sounds, which feeds into compatible PDAs, Smart phone’s,
lapt laptop opss or PCs PCs via via blue blueto toot oth. h. A Blue luetoot tooth h dong dongle le or Bluetooth device is required
The Virtual Keyboard for PC is a great choice for the family computer that is exposed to food, drink and other keyboar keyboard d damagi damaging ng elemen elements, ts, and becaus becausee the keyboa keyboard rd can be projected on to any flat non-reflective surface, it means it can’t be broken, never needs cleaning, sets up with no wiring wiring (option (optional) al),, is keyles keyless, s, buttonbutton-les less, s, switch switch-le -less, ss, and doesn’t collect dirt. Plugged into a desktop PC as a replacement keyboard, it takes up virtually no desk space, and has the added advantage of being able to disappear when not in use.
FEATURES: ●
•
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) Cellular Telephones
•
Laptops
•
Tablet PCs
•
Space saving Computers
•
Clean Rooms
•
Industrial Environments
•
Test Equipment
•
Sterile and Medical Environments
•
Transport (Air, Rail, Automotive)
•
Allows the convenience of regular keyboard typing in a tiny form factor
•
Rechargeable battery lasts for 120 minutes of continuous typing
•
Tiny size only 3.5 inches high
•
Compatible with Palm OS 5, Pocket PC 2003, 20 03, Windows Smart phone, Symbian OS, and Windows Windo ws 2000/XP. Limited Mac OSX Support.
CONCLUSION:
The hottest new technological wave of the future is Virtual Laser Keyboard. This groundbreaking technology is grow growin ing g so fast fast.. The The Blue Blueto toot oth h VKB VKB Acce Access ssor ory y has has experienced tremendous success around the globe and has provided mobile computing device users with a viable and truly usable solution for data input. With its excellent utility and and clas classi sicc desi design gn,, the the VKB VKB has has won won nume numero rous us othe other r awards from the consumer electronics and design press and been featured in a range of Films and some Television series.
REFERENCES: [1] www.wikipedia.org [2] www.howstuffworks.com [3] www.virtualkeyboard.com [4] www.engineeringseminar.org [5] www.itech.com/vkey/specification [6] www.microsoft.com www.microsoft.com/vkb /vkb