LASER KEYBOARD

A LASER keyboard is a virtual keyboard that can be projected and touched on any surface. The keyboard watches finger movements and translates them into keystrokes in the device. Most systems can also function as a virtual mouse or even as a virtual piano. A proposed system called the P-ISM will combine the technology with a small video projector to create a portable computer the size of a fountain pen. 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, Smartphone, laptop or PC. 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. 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 to do some instant messaging and SMS messaging from the handheld device or to update calendar and phone book entries. Projection keyboards connect to the devices they are used for either through Bluetooth or USB.

How a LASER keyboard generally works: A laser or beamer projects visible virtual keyboard onto level surface. A sensor or 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 coordinates determine actions or characters to be generated

In 2002, the start-up company Canesta developed a projection keyboard using their proprietary "electronic perception technology". The company subsequently licensed the technology to Celluon of Korea.

How laser keyboards work:

The laser keyboards use laser and infra-red technology to create the virtual keyboard and to project the hologram of a keyboard on a flat surface. The projection is realized in four main steps and via three modules: projection module, sensor module and illumination module. The main

devices and technologies used to project the hologram are a diffractive optical element, red laser diode, CMOS camera and sensor chip and an infrared (IR) laser diode.

Applications: Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) Cellular Telephones Laptops (MAC compatible) Space saving Computers Industrial Environments Sterile and Medical Environments Transport (Air, Rail, Automotive)

BY:APEKSHA.S.KULKARNI SHRUTI.D.JAISWAL ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM. ET-B