seminar report on virtual laser keyboard
TRANSCRIPT
INTRODUCTION:
Computers have undergone rapid miniaturization from being a
'space saver' to 'as tiny as your palm'. Disks and components grew smaller in
size, but one component still remained the same for decades - it's 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 full-sized computing key-board to any surface. This device has become the
solution for mobile computer users who prefer to do touch-typing 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 infrared technology and projects a full-size keyboard onto any flat
surface. As you type on the laser projection, detection technology based on
optical recognition enables the user to tap the images of the keys, complete
with realistic tapping sounds, which feed into the compatible Bluetooth
enabled PDA, Smart phone, laptop or PC. Unlike many small snap-on
keyboards for PDAs.
HISTORY OF VIRTUAL LASER KEYBOARD:
We are witnesses of new technology improvements 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 creating microchips, allows us to create smaller devices like
CPU’s, Integrated Circuits, Microcontrollers, and so on…
From other side, the classic science in the same time 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 programming. The main difference is that the Virtual Laser Keyboard
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
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.
The Virtual Laser Keyboard includes a self-contained,
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 infrared technology and projects a full-size keyboard onto any flat
surface. As you type on the laser projection, detection technology based on
optical recognition enables the user to tap the images of the keys, complete
with realistic tapping sounds, which feed into the compatible Bluetooth-
enabled 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 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.
The light weight device weighs two ounces and is similar in
size to a disposable cigarette lighter. The Virtual Laser Keyboard includes a
self-contained, 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
connected via Bluetooth. This keyboard is compatible with all 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 with VKB.
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 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
virtual keyboard. Finger makes keystroke on virtual
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 as operations on a physically non-existent
input device like a surface having painted or projected
keys. In that way it allows to emulate unlimited types of
manually operated input devices (mouse, keyboard, etc.).
All mechanical input units can be replaced by such virtual
devices, optimized for the current application and for the
user's physiology maintainig speed, simplicity and
unambiguity of manual data input.
(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 template is
produced by illuminating a specially designed, highly
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 infra-red plane of light is generated just
above, and parallel to, the interface surface. This light is
invisible to the user and hovers a few millimeters above the
surface. When the user touches a key position on 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):
Reflected light from user interactions with 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
Interface Processing CoreTM) then makes a real-time
determination of the location of the reflected light. The
processing core can track multiple
reflection events simultaneously and can thus
support both multiple keystrokes and overlapping cursor
control inputs.
Step 4: Interpretation and communication (Sensor
Module):
The micro-controller in the sensor module
receives the positional information corresponding to the
light flashes from the sensor processing core, interprets the
events (e.g. keydown, keyup, mouse or touchpad control
etc..) and communicates them through an appropriate
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 Projection surface
Non-reflective, opaque flat surface
KEYBOARD SENSOR :
Detection Rate Up to 400 characters per minute
Detection algorithm Multiple keystroke support
Effective keystroke Approximately 2mm
Operating surface Non-reflective, opaque flat surface
VisibilityAny firm flat surface with no protrusions greater than 1mm
BLUETOOTH :
Bluetooth Spec Bluetooth v1.1 class 2
Range of Frequency 2.4 GHz Spectrum
Transmission range 9m
ELECTRICAL :
Power Source 3.6V rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery Capacity >120 minutes continuous typing
Charge Method Included 100-240V AC Wall Adapter
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
environments, as well as in medical markets where
disinfected data entry is a concern.
The Laser Keyboard Projector works by using
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 based on optical recognition enables the user to
tap the images of the keys, complete with realistic tapping
sounds, which feeds into compatible PDAs, Smart phone’s,
laptops or PCs via bluetooth. A Bluetooth dongle 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 keyboard damaging elements, and because the
keyboard 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 (optional), is keyless, button-less,
switch-less, 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,
Windows Smart phone, Symbian OS, and Windows
2000/XP. Limited Mac OSX Support.
CONCLUSION:
The hottest new technological wave of the future
is Virtual Laser Keyboard. This groundbreaking technology
is growing so fast. The Bluetooth VKB Accessory 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 classic design, the VKB has won numerous other
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/vkb