VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

Yuben Joseph

School Of Management Studies

CUSAT, Kochi-22
E-mail: yubenjoseph@gmail.com

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Keyboard, computer, optical, sensors

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Since their invention, 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. Miniaturisation
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.

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2.0 KEYBOARD

Figure: 1 Basic Keyboard

At its essence, a keyboard is a series of switches connected to a microprocessor that

monitors the state of each switch and initiates a specific response to a change in that
state.

Types of Keyboards

Keyboards have changed very little in layout since their introduction. In fact, the most
common change has simply been the natural evolution of adding more keys that provide
additional functionality.

The most common keyboards are:

• 101-key Enhanced keyboard

• 104-key Windows keyboard

• 82-key Apple standard keyboard

• 108-key Apple Extended keyboard

Portable computers such as laptops quite often have custom keyboards that have
slightly different key arrangements than a standard keyboard. Also, many system
manufacturers add specialty buttons to the standard layout.

The typing keys are the section of the keyboard that contains the letter keys, generally
laid out in the same style that was common for typewriters. This layout, known as
QWERTY for the first six letters in the layout, was originally designed to slow down fast
typists by making the arrangement of the keys somewhat awkward! The reason that
typewriter manufacturers did this was because the mechanical arms that imprinted each
character on the paper could jam together if the keys were pressed too rapidly. Because

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it has been long established as a standard, and people have become accustomed to the
QWERTY configuration, manufacturers developed keyboards for computers using the
same layout, even though jamming is no longer an issue. Critics of the QWERTY layout
have adopted another layout; Dvorak that places the most commonly used letters in the
most convenient arrangement.

3.0 VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

A virtual keyboard is a keyboard that a user operates by typing (moving fingers) on or

within a wireless or optical-detectable surface or area rather than by depressing physical
keys. In one technology, the keyboard is projected optically on a flat surface and, as the
user touches the image of a key, the optical device detects the stroke and sends it to the
computer. In another technology, the keyboard is projected on an area and selected
keys are transmitted as wireless signals using the short-range Bluetooth technology.
With either approach, a virtual keyboard makes it possible for the user of a very small
smart phone or a wearable computer to have full keyboard capability. Theoretically, with
either approach, the keyboard can be in space and the user can type by moving fingers
through the air.

The regular QWERTY keyboard layout is provided.

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.

Several products have been developed that use virtual keyboard to mean a keyboard
that has been put on a display screen as an image map. In some cases, the keyboard
can be customized. Depending on the product, the user (who may be someone unable
to use a regular keyboard) can use a touch screen or a mouse to select the keys.We
simply takes our PDA and put it onto the table. It shines a keyboard onto the table and
we just type on the table as if it were a keyboard. The only drawback for the touch typist
is that we can't rest our fingers on the keyboard as we would normally.

ADVANTAGES OF VIRTURAL KEYBOARD

• Portability

• Accuracy

• Speed of text entry

• Lack of need for flat or large typing surface

• Ability to minimize the risk for repetitive strain injuries

• Flexibility

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• Keyboard layouts can be changed by software allowing for foreign or alternative
keyboard layouts

TECHNOLOGIES USED

Several products have been developed by different manufacturers that use different
technologies. In one technology, the keyboard is projected optically on a flat surface
and, as the user touches the image of a key, the optical device detects the stroke and
sends it to the computer. In another technology, the keyboard is projected on an area
and selected keys are transmitted as wireless signals using the short-range Bluetooth
technology. Both approaches make it possible for the user to work with the device with
much ease. Some products use infrared camera to project the picture of the keyboard
on a surface, while some others use laser beam. Optical recognition techniques like
laser technology are used to translate finger movements.

In another product sensors are attached to the palm of users. Here sensor technology
combined with artificial intelligence is used to let the user type in a virtual key
environment. This is utilized in the Sense board models. Two hand-mounted devices
connect to the target computing device with the help of Bluetooth wireless networking
technology. The user can type on a hard surface like a desk or table, or into the air.
Through the use of Bluetooth technology, the "typed" information is transferred wirelessly
to the computer, where a word processing program analyzes and interprets the signals
into readable text. One product works by attaching motion sensors to each finger. It
doesn't detect muscle movement, but rather uses gyroscopic technology to detect
angular movements of fingers through space. This is applied in the Samsung models.

The Integrated Canesta Keyboard is based on a controller and two optical components
that project the image of a keyboard onto any flat surface and use a light source to track
the movement of fingers on that image. It uses the Electronic Perception Technology.
The information picked up is formed into a 3D image with motion and translated into
standard keyboard input data. Canesta's advantage is the fact that as far as the user is
concerned there's no new hardware to buy or install. But PDA manufacturers are under
pressure to add a raft of new features to their devices, all of which require extra
components that take up valuable space and add to the always sensitive bill of materials.
Canesta's advantage is the fact that as far as the user is concerned there's no new
hardware to buy or install. But PDA manufacturers are under pressure to add a raft of
new features to their devices.

VKB has developed a highly efficient method for projecting an optical image of a
keyboard onto a surface. In addition, VKB has developed a detection method through
several proprietary developments for the accurate and reliable detection of user
interaction, such as typing or cursor control functions (e.g. mouse or touch-pad controls).
VKB has resolved all the technological hurdles required to make a practical virtual
interface.

There are some products which are meant for the disabled lot. It is visible on the screen
and typing can be done by clicking with mouse or by touch-screen method.

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4.0 SENSEBOARD KEYBOARDLESS KEYBOARD

Figure: 2 : Senseboard

To use the Sense board device, we simply slip a soft rubber pad onto each palm and
start typing as if a keyboard was in front of us. A demo of the product didn't work so
well, however, and produced the gibberish "DNiSP" when the tester was asked to type
"Comdex." The Sense board product clearly needs work. Sense board works by
tracking the muscle movements in the palm of the hand. When we extend your left
pinky finger in midair and strike it down as if we were going to strike the "Q" key Sense
board displays the letter "Q" on the monitor.

Two hand-mounted devices connect to the target computing device with the help of
Bluetooth wireless networking technology. The user can type on a hard surface like a
desk or table, or into the air. The hand-mounts measure finger movements and tell the
handheld what keys the user intends to press, based on the ubiquitous QWERTY
keyboard layout. There's also a pause function. Sensors made of a combination of
rubber and plastic are attached to the user's palms in such a way that they do not
interfere with finger motions. Through the use of Bluetooth technology, the "typed"
information is transferred wirelessly to the computer, where a word processing
program analyzes and interprets the signals into readable text. The device is currently
usable via existing ports on personal digital assistants (PDAs) from Palm and other
manufacturers. Senseboard officials say it eventually will be compatible with most
brands of pocket PCs, mobile phones and laptop computers.

5.0 SCURRY – THE

SAMSUNG PRODUCT

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Figure 3: Scurry VKeyboard

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To Samsung's Scurry is also a wearable keyboard. It works by attaching motion
sensors to each finger. It doesn't detect muscle movement, but rather uses gyroscopic
technology to detect angular movements of fingers through space. Demonstrations on
the show floor were far more impressive than its competitor's performance in terms of
accuracy.

6.0. THE CANESTA KEYBOARD

Figure 4: Canesta Keyboard

The Integrated Canesta Keyboard is based on a controller and two optical components
that project the image of a keyboard onto any flat surface and use a light source to
track the movement of fingers on that image. It uses the Electronic Perception
Technology.
It is made up of three components.
• Pattern Projector is used to project light onto a flat surface, forming a standard
QWERTY keyboard layout or a custom layout of your choosing.
• IR light source bathes the keyboard in an infrared light.
• Sensory module picks up finger movements over the keys.

The information picked up is formed into a 3D image with motion and translated into
standard keyboard input data. Canesta's advantage is the fact that as far as the user is
concerned there's no new hardware to buy or install. But PDA manufacturers are under
pressure to add a raft of new features to their devices, all of which require extra
components that take up valuable space and add to the always sensitive bill of
materials. Canesta's advantage is the fact that as far as the user is concerned there's
no new hardware to buy or install. But PDA manufacturers are under pressure to add a
raft of new features to their devices, all of which require extra components that take up
valuable space and add to the always sensitive bill of materials.

7.0. TECHNOLOGY

Uses low-cost semiconductor-based sensors. The resolution of the chip also was not
disclosed, although van Burden said that the sensor chip would recognize images up
to about 30 centimeters away from the camera, in a field of view about the size of an
airplane's seatback tray table. The chip can process up to 50 frames per second of
information.
The Canesta Keyboard Perception Chipset is designed to meet the stringent needs of
manufacturers of portable devices. Their small size and low power requirements make

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them ideally suited for integration into portable devices such as cell phones, PDAs, and
Tablet PCs. In addition, each module is fully self-contained simplifying the process of
integrating them into an electronic device.

8.0 VKEY – FROM

VIRTUAL DEVICES

Pennsylvania-BASED virtual Devices has introduced a revolutionary keyboard, called

the Vkey, for next-generation handheld devices. The idea behind the camera is use of
an infrared camera that projects the picture of a keyboard on a surface while the
camera tracks the movement of our fingers on the surface and structured light to
interpret and analyze keystrokes and mouse functions, enabling us to compose e-mails
or interact with word processors and spreadsheets.

The keyboard translates finger movements to keystrokes with a high degree of

precision and may be a viable replacement for standard keyboards. The technology
will let businessmen carry a fully functional computer in their pockets. Virtual Devices
(VDI) is not only looking at the PDA market, however - they also want to try and crack
the wireless desktop workstation market, as well as the cellular market, which has
experienced a phenomenal boom in short message services (sms). It also has
potential in the wearable personal computer market (which so far has proved a huge
disappointment, mainly because no one wants to become the ultimate geek by actually
wearing their computer - do they?), as well as for industrial applications like ATM
machines and pay telephones.

9.0 NO-KEYS -- THE SOFTWARE

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No-Keys is a computer software program that displays a picture of a computer
keyboard on the screen. Users can "type" on this virtual keyboard using a mouse,
trackball, or similar pointing device. (A scan option is also provided for people who
cannot move any pointing device at all.) Whatever keys are typed on the virtual
keyboard are sent to another program (such as a word processor, email program, text-
to-speech program, etc.) selected by the user. This allows you to operate the computer
entirely with the mouse or other pointing device. This is intended primarily for computer
users who have limited mobility, such as people suffering from MD, MS, stroke, or
similar handicaps or disabilities. It can also be used for touch screen computers to
eliminate the need for the keyboard.

10.0. APPLICATIONS

Writing sentences on PDAs still requires a lot of patience and practice. Some older
models require people to enter data with a proprietary scrawl, while newer models use
tiny keyboards that require dexterous, strong thumbs. And full-size keyboards just don't
go well with the latest svelte devices. Even though these (handheld) devices are
capable of sophisticated applications there's really no way to reasonably use those
applications, especially those that require entering data, like e-mail. Virtual keyboards
project an image of a full-size keyboard on any flat surface. It also emits an infrared
beam that detects the position and motion of a typist's hands. Tapping on the image of
a key produces the corresponding character on the device. 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 sterile data entry is a concern. Even though PDAs have capabilities like
word processing and spreadsheets, they’re generally not utilized because they lack a
practical keyboard. Virtual Keyboard provides a full-size computer keyboard that
disappears when not in use.
The keyboard will be convenient for people who travel so they can easily access
information through web pages. So when designing pages, it will be important to make
sure the pages include complete and updated information. This keyboard will be
efficient for individuals that have physical disabilities. This technology will provide a
keyboard that does not require force to activate the keys. Since a virtual keyboard
does not violate the sterile environment, this has wide applications in the medical field.
Moreover the technology will cause our laptops and palmhelds to shrink to pocket
computers.

11.0. CONCLUSION

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Writing sentences on PDAs still requires a lot of patience and practice. Some older
models require people to enter data with a proprietary scrawl, while newer models use
tiny keyboards that require dexterous, strong thumbs. And full-size keyboards just don't
go well with the latest svelte devices. Virtual keyboards are projected images of the
real thing that let typists compose their sentences on any flat surface. They are
inching closer to store shelves. The keyboard will be convenient for people who travel
so they can easily access information through web pages. This will be efficient for
individuals that have physical disabilities. This technology will provide a keyboard that
does not require force to activate the keys. It will serve disabled people better. Virtual
keyboard is the last piece in the evolving convergence of personal computers, mobile
phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the internet. Hope soon the time will
arrive when the laptops shrink more to pocket devices and the now available pocket
devices still smaller.
.

12.0 REFERENCE

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October 2009
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2009
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2009
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October 2009
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accessed on 22 October 2009

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