Author Topic: Tactility in your pocket: bringing audible feedback to usb (Read 4072 times)

hybridsoul5 · « **on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 06:17:59 »

I know this doesn't happen often but I'm sure we've all had those times where we were forced away from our beloved keyboards for an extended period of time. We think to ourselves, this feels like crap, or I really miss my cherry keys right now...

I was thinking about this problem and realized that while we can't really alter the feel of another keyboard to regain tactility, we can regain some amount of audible feedback.

Why not create a script that runs in the background and emits a click sound via the system's speakers every time a key is registered? I could imagine running it as plug-and-play on a usb stick. I could keep it on my keychain and plug it in whenever I'm using a foreign keyboard for an extended period of time.

Imagine being able to bestow upon your nephew's crappy rubber domes the same click your cherry blues have back home.

This software-based audible feedback may potentially be even more accurate than mechanical audio feedback since it registers only after the switch is activated every time. The one possible downside I see is that the sound may be affected by system performance and old or heavily taxed systems may lag, delaying the click sound. That said, I think the benefits outweigh the potential problems and it would be neat to try.

Thoughts?

The Solutor · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 06:30:14 »

Quote

Why not create a script that runs in the background and emits a click sound via the system's speakers every time a key is registered?

I've used such kind of programs since the stone age, keyboardsounder is the first I remember.

It comes even with simpled sounds from different typewriters, and I think it works w/o installing it, so just put the folder on a usbstick and you are ready for clicky keys in seconds.

hybridsoul5 · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 06:36:01 »

Sweet! I'll check it out right now.

eyesnine · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 06:56:59 »

That would be an interesting feature for a Teensy PS/2 to USB adapter. Then it could be used on public computers where no software installation is permitted.

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 11:59:57 »

Quote from: eyesnine;373625

That would be an interesting feature for a Teensy PS/2 to USB adapter. Then it could be used on public computers where no software installation is permitted.

Yes, as a feature not only on that adapter, but on any adapter. I'm linking this thread to THIS. Hopefully we can add this feature on a mobile USB adapter.

I currently use the audible on my Kinesis Advantage.

sordna · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 12:32:16 »

Good idea. A USB dongle with a piezo speaker would be neat. Some folks have reported that the software programs that click are not responsive enough, the click may be delayed. Anyway, I can confirm that an audible click is very useful. It's a feature built-in the Kinesis contoured keyboards and I definitely bottom out more if I turn it off. Having the audible feedback really works!

aggiejy · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 12:43:12 »

Likewise, I wish I could replace the default iPhone keyboard click with a cherry blue click. Would be super cool.

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 12:49:39 »

Quote from: aggiejy;373779

Likewise, I wish I could replace the default iPhone keyboard click with a cherry blue click. Would be super cool.

Jailbreak.

Nice sig.

The Solutor · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 12:50:02 »

Quote from: sordna;373774

Good idea. A USB dongle with a piezo speaker would be neat. Some folks have reported that the software programs that click are not responsive enough

When I used them, sometimes a lag was perceivable but was a 486.

Quote

Anyway, I can confirm that an audible click is very useful.

Again, like backlight an useful function, present in any cellphone since the very first models but still missing in 99% of the PC keyboards.

Keyboard makers should start to innovate instead of recooking a 30 years old receipt, adding to it just pointless details do differentiate from competing products.

sordna · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 13:39:18 »

Well, backlight is only really useful if you are a non-touch typist, working in the dark. All these Otaku and blank HHKB boards demonstrate that even key legends are not needed by many folks. There's probably more otaku boards than backlighted boards being used out there, so I think this demonstrates that backlighting isn't as needed on a computer keyboard as it is on a phone, although I can see it being a good feature for some people.

keyb_gr · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 13:59:17 »

Quote from: sordna;373806

There's probably more otaku boards than backlighted boards being used out there,...

I'd say that's waaay off. Look at all the gaming boards, plus Logitech Illuminated and whatnot.

Sure backlit 'boards are largely (not entirely, but for the most part) a solution looking for a problem, but that's another story.

The Solutor · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 05 July 2011, 14:11:27 »

Quote

Well, backlight is only really useful if you are a non-touch typist, working in the dark.

Non touch typist are the vast majority of users, the ones used to use a PC ( at home) in the poorly lit environment are a good slice of the pie even if not the majority.

Quote

All these Otaku and blank HHKB boards demonstrate that even key legends are not needed by many folks.

Try to figure a percentage v.s. the wole market or even v.s. the whole mechanical market ?

The times when air conditioned or robotized gears on a Ferrari were considered insults, are gone years ago, I'm sure it will happen here too.

BTW you can have both, after my last mod my Xarmor is otaky when turned off and backlit when turned on.

Quote

There's probably more otaku boards than backlighted boards being used out there

I'm sure too, ATM mech boards are considered more geek tools than useful improvements by many users, but let the big names start to realize how easy is to make money with mechs and you will see the marked invaded by any kind of mech keyboards, as happened with others "low tech/high value added" goodies like heatsinks, mouse mats, fans and so on.

Quote

so I think this demonstrates that backlighting isn't as needed on a computer keyboard as it is on a phone, although I can see it being a good feature for some people.

I face the end users almost every day. The 99% of them are unaware the backlit keyboards are in production, so they don't ask.

Almost every (home) I know has bought a backlit keyboard after seeing one of mine (I use them since 2005 or so).

greyhounds · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:00:50 »

I think this is a great idea as well. I've tried the clicky software and it just doesn't cut it.

I'd also like to see a force trasducer implemented, so you can feel the click through the keyboard.

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 06 July 2011, 14:23:51 »

Inter-galactic-force-transducer!!!! I want one too!!

I'm committed to this, if we can complile the various ideas and direction, we can plan, design, buy and build. As I asked in this other THREAD, if I should start a wiki, I'll do it tomorrow.

We could merge these 2 threads into the one Modification article/wiki/discussion.

The Solutor · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 06 July 2011, 14:29:45 »

Quote from: greyhounds;374639

I'd also like to see a force trasducer implemented, so you can feel the click through the keyboard.

Was already done the BB storm 2, where four piezo transducer where utilized both as sensors and as actuators

noodles256 · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 06 July 2011, 14:33:57 »

Quote from: hybridsoul5;373608

I know this doesn't happen often but I'm sure we've all had those times where we were forced away from our beloved keyboards for an extended period of time. We think to ourselves, this feels like crap, or I really miss my cherry keys right now...

I was thinking about this problem and realized that while we can't really alter the feel of another keyboard to regain tactility, we can regain some amount of audible feedback.

Why not create a script that runs in the background and emits a click sound via the system's speakers every time a key is registered? I could imagine running it as plug-and-play on a usb stick. I could keep it on my keychain and plug it in whenever I'm using a foreign keyboard for an extended period of time.

Imagine being able to bestow upon your nephew's crappy rubber domes the same click your cherry blues have back home.

This software-based audible feedback may potentially be even more accurate than mechanical audio feedback since it registers only after the switch is activated every time. The one possible downside I see is that the sound may be affected by system performance and old or heavily taxed systems may lag, delaying the click sound. That said, I think the benefits outweigh the potential problems and it would be neat to try.

Thoughts?

if you get withdrawals from keyboards, you might have a problem

greyhounds · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 07 July 2011, 22:32:14 »

Could we figure out what type of tactile transducer is used in cell phones and make use of it? They should be pretty plentiful and cheap.

greyhounds · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 07 July 2011, 22:34:42 »

I'd also like to have a varied sound profile from each row or area of the keyboard if possible. The clicky software always makes the same exact sound regardless of which key you press.

alaricljs · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 07 July 2011, 22:54:46 »

A micro-motor with an off-balance weight attached to the shaft. Just like nearly every other vibrating chunk of electronics.

The Solutor · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 07 July 2011, 23:10:28 »

Quote from: greyhounds;375835

Could we figure out what type of tactile transducer is used in cell phones and make use of it? They should be pretty plentiful and cheap.

They use a normal speaker and a sound sample

Quote

I'd also like to have a varied sound profile from each row or area of the keyboard if possible.

http://www.colorpilot.com/soundpilot.html

News:

Author Topic: Tactility in your pocket: bringing audible feedback to usb (Read 4072 times)