Senseboard Technologies, based in Stockholm, Sweden, says its Virtual Keyboard uses sensor technology and artificial intelligence to let users work on any surface as if it were a keyboard.

The device detects movement when fingers are pressed down. Those movements are measured and the device accurately determines the intended keystrokes and translates them into text, according to Senseboard.

The company is demonstrating the technology at this week's Comdex technology convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Taking on Digital Pens

Speaking from the Comdex site, Senseboard CEO Gunilla Alsio told TechExtreme that her company's product is the first of its kind to integrate sensor technology with an artificial neural network to capture touch-typing motions accurately.

Alsio, the Virtual Keyboard's inventor, said the technology has shown itself to be more precise at inputting text than digital pens and voice-activated systems, which she sees as the company's main competitors.

"I think it has the potential to gain a very wide acceptance," Alsio said. "Our own research has shown that there is a strong market for this."

Senseboard Technologies developed the product with assistance from two Swedish schools, Uppsala University and Malardalen University. Despite its origins, the device is targeted at an American audience, since touch-typing skills are not as prevalent in Europe, Alsio said.

Like Touching Keys

Iraj Farhoudi, the company's technical director, said the Virtual Keyboard is based on the QWERTY touch-typing model and is currently the only product that realistically replicates actual typing.

"It works like a regular keyboard in every way," Farhoudi told TechExtreme.

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.

Error Prevention

In addition to not having to clean up much of the text after it has been entered, Farhoudi noted that the device has a pause function, so that users can stop to eat, drink or scratch their heads without creating unwanted letters and symbols with their hand movements.

Officials said the product also allows users to make on-screen corrections in the same way they would with a regular keyboard.

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.

Alsio said the Virtual Keyboard is scheduled for general release in March 2002, and is expected to retail for about US$150.