The document discusses virtual keyboards, which project a full-sized keyboard onto any flat surface using infrared and laser sensors. A virtual keyboard works by projecting a keyboard template, illuminating the surface with infrared light, and using sensors to detect finger positions and translate them into keystrokes. Virtual keyboards offer advantages like taking up less space and allowing typing on any surface, though they can be more expensive and require practice to type in thin air. Examples of virtual keyboard products are provided.

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Preparedby
Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma
Virtual Keyboard

2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
 What is Virtual Keyboard?
 What you can do with a Virtual Keyboard?
 Virtual Keyboard Technical Terms.
 How does the Virtual Keyboard work?
 Reasons to use the Virtual Keyboard.
 Uses of Virtual Keyboard.
 Virtual Keyboard advantages.
 Virtual Keyboard drawbacks.
 Conclusion.
 Some Virtual Keyboards.
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 A Virtual (projection) keyboard is a full-size virtual
keyboard projected and touched on any surface.
 The keyboard watches your fingers move and
translates that action into keystrokes in the device.
 Virtual Keyboard is just another example of today’s
computer trend of ‘smaller and faster’.
 The virtual keyboard technology uses sensor
technology and artificial intelligence to let users work
on any flat surface as if it were a keyboard.
What is a Virtual Keyboard ?

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 The Virtual Keyboard uses the infrared & laser technology
to project a full-size keyboard onto any flat surface. So you
can use it almost anywhere.
 For the first time mobile device users can actually type
normally on a virtual keyboard , enabling them to work
quickly and effectively, taking the pain and frustration out of
existing keyboards and handwriting recognition s/w.
 The Virtual Keyboard is not restricted to the ‘QWERTY’
touch-typing paradigm ; adjustments can be done to the
software to fit other touch-typing paradigms as well, such
as the ‘DVORAK’ keyboard.
What you can do with a Virtual
Keyboard ?

5. Virtual Keyboard Technical Terms..
1. Sensor Module
The Sensor Module serves as the eyes of the Keyboard
Perception technology. The Sensor Module operates by
locating the user's fingers in 3-D space and tracking the
intended keystrokes.
2. Infra Red Light Source
An invisible infra-red 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. The Sensor chip in the sensor module determines
where the infrared beam was broken. Detected co-ordinates
determine actions or characters to be generated.
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6. Virtual Keyboard Technical Terms..
3. 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’ key-board, with all the keys and control
functions as in the keyboard.
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How does the Virtual Keyboard
work ?

8. 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 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.
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How does the Virtual Keyboard
work ? (Contd..)

9. Step 3: Map Reflection Co-ordinates (Sensor Module)
Reflected light from user interactions with the interface
surface is passed through an infra-red filter(absorptive) and
imaged on to a CMOS image sensor in the sensor module.
Custom hardware embedded in the sensor chip (the Virtual
Interface Processing Core) 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 single keystrokes.
The sensor watches finger movements and translates them
into keystrokes in the device.
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How does the Virtual Keyboard
work ? (Contd..)

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 It takes up less desk space than a conventional keyboard.
 When connected to your handheld computer it is more
convenient to carry around than your laptop.
 You can use it with your desktop, laptop, PDAs, Smart
phones or handheld computer .
 No driver software necessary, it can be used as a plug and
play device.
Reasons to use the Virtual
Keyboard

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BY PROFESSIONALS
 To take notes during a
business meeting.
 As computer/PDA input.
 To do everyday work at
your desk without taking
up so much valuable
space.
 High-tech and industrial
Sectors.
BY STUDENTS
 To take notes while in
class (no one will hear
your keying).
 To work on a paper
while in the library.
 To do homework while
you are on break at
work.
Uses Of Virtual Keyboard

12. Virtual Keyboard Advantages
 It can be projected on any surface or you can type in the
plain air .
 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 hands.
 High battery life. The standard coin-sized lithium battery
lasts about eight months before needing to be replaced.
 The Virtual Keyboard is not restricted to the ‘QWERTY’
touch-typing layout, adjustments can be done to the
software to fit other touch-typing layouts as well.
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13. Virtual Keyboard Drawbacks
 It is relatively costly.
 The room in which the projected keyboard is used should
not be very bright so that the keyboard is properly visible.
 Since it involves typing in thin air, it requires a little
practice.
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14. Conclusion
Virtual Keyboard uses sensor technology and artificial
intelligence to let users work on any surface as if it were a
keyboard. Projection key boards or virtual key boards claim to
provide the convenience of compactness with the advantages
of a full-blown QWERTY keyboard. Virtual Keyboard is
designed for anyone who is trying to put information into a
handheld but doesn't want to carry a notebook computer
around.
Thus virtual keyboards will make typing easier, faster,
and almost a pleasure.
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15. Some Virtual Keyboards
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I-Tech Virtual Keyboard Celluon Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard

16. References
 www.wikipedia.org
 www.sensorland.com
 www.ilearnttoday.com
 www.virtual-laser-devices.com
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17. THANK YOU
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