VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

Swathi.k No:490

INTRODUCTION
Virtual keyboard is the latest development and it drastically change the way we type. It combines the sensor technology and the artificial intelligence. Virtual keyboard is just another example of todays computer trend of smaller and faster.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL KEYBOARD ?

A virtual keyboard is a projection keyboard that is projected and touched on any surface. A virtual keyboard consists of a laser that projects an image of a keyboard onto a flat surface which can then be typed on as if it were actually there.

The keyboard watches your fingers movements and translates that action into keystrokes in the device

 Virtual keyboard attaches to handhelds and projects the image of a keyboard onto the surface of the desk where the handheld is placed, allowing the user to input text without a physical keyboard.

COMPONENTS OF A VIRTUAL KEYBOARD This system consists of three modules, 1.The sensor module 2.IR-light source 3.The pattern projector

SENSOR MODULE:

The sensor module serves as the eyes of the keyboard perception technology.
The sensor module operates by locating the users fingures in 3D space and tracking the intended keystrokes

INFRA RED LIGHT SOURCE: An invisible infra-red beam is projected above the virtual keyboard. Finger makes keystroke on virtual keyboard. This breaks infra-red beam and infra-red light is reflected back to projector.

The sensor chip in the sensor module determines where the infrered beam was broken. Detected co-ordinates determines actions or charecters to be generated.

PATTERN PROJECTOR:

The pattern projector or optional printed image presents the image of the keyboard of the system. This image can be projected on any flat surface. The projected image is that of a standard QWERTY keyboard,with all the keys and control functions as in the keyboard.

HOW DOES VIRTUAL KEYBOARD WORKS?

Step 1: Template creation (pattern projector)

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.

 Step 2: Reference plane illumination (IR Light source): An infra-red plane of light is generated just above , and parallel to, the interface surface. This light is invisible to the user and covers 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 co-ordinate (sensor module): Reflected light from user interactions with the interface surface is passed through an infra-red filterand imaged onto a CMOS image sensor in the sensor module.

Custom hardware embedded in the sensor chip then makes the real time determination of the location of the reflected light.
The processing core can trackmultiple reflection events simultaneously and can thus support both multiple keystrokes and single keystrokes.

TYPES OF VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

Bluetooth virtual keyboard Developer virtual keyboard Canesta virtual keyboard Sense board technologies Kitty

FEATURES Mobile device users can type normally on a virtual keyboard enabling them to work quickly and effectively. Provide multilingual text input mechanism. Size is about a fountain pen. No physical appearance. It takes up less desk space than a conventional keyboard.

ADVANTAGES It can be useful in places like operation theatres where low noise is essential. The typing does not require a lot of force. So easing the strain on wrists and digits. The virtual keyboard is not restricted to the QWERTY touchtyping paradigm,adjustments can be done to the software to fit other touch-typing paradigms as well.

No driver software necessary, it can be used as a plug and play device.

High battery life.

DRAWBACKS

Virtual keyboard is hard to get used to. Since it involves typing in thin air, it requires a little practice. Only people who are good at typing can use a virtual keyboard efficiently.
It is very costly ranging from 150 to 200 dollars. The room in which the projected keyboard is used should be very bright so that the keyboard is properly visible.

APPLICATIONS High-tech and industrial sectors. Portability, accuracy, flexibility and speed of text entry. Used with smart phones, email, word processing and spread sheet tasks. Gaming control. TV remote control. Musical applications.

CONCLUSION

Virtual keyboards claim to provide the convenience of compactness with the advantages of a QWERTY keyboard. The Virtual keyboard is designed for anyone whos become frustrated with trying to put information into a handheld but doesnt want to carry a notebook computer around. Thus virtual keyboards will make typing easier, faster, and almost a pleasure.

THANK YOU