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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: TopreFan333 on Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:38:41

Title: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: TopreFan333 on Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:38:41: In the description for this GH forum topic Keyboards, it says

Quote
dome, scissor, capacitive, mechanical, buckling-spring, laser, membrane, hall-effect, etc.

I've heard of many of the other kinds of switches by now, but not laser!
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: jonathanyu on Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:41:29: (http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/phones/Cube-Laser-Virtual-Keyboard-1212.jpg)

Maybe this?
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: FrostyToast on Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:42:39: Some switches use a laser or optical sensor to detect when a switch slider passes through a certain actuation point. The main point that gets made is that there is a reduction in friction with the lack of an actuation leaf however no one really knows if it makes that big of a difference.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: TopreFan333 on Tue, 31 March 2015, 13:41:20: Quote from: FrostyToast on Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:42:39
Some switches use a laser or optical sensor to detect when a switch slider passes through a certain actuation point. The main point that gets made is that there is a reduction in friction with the lack of an actuation leaf however no one really knows if it makes that big of a difference.

Interesting, thanks. I'd imagine that setup is pretty expensive and complex too.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: JPG on Tue, 31 March 2015, 13:47:14: As far as I know, there's 2 kind:

1. It a kind of laser projector that projects the image of a keyboard on a surface (let's say a table) and then when you type on the table it detects key press. Never tried one, but seems awful for the fingers.

2. I saw someone make a concept on kickstarter if my memory is good where he put a laser sensor on some switches to be able to detect their movement like a joystick. Instead of only detecting a on/off position, it would detect a range of positions and translate it to the computer in some way similar to a joystick. The demo showed it's use in a fps to move more slowly I think. Never saw one other than this concept.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:47:57: I have also seen drawings of keyboard switches where the switching action is through a LED and a light-sensor where the switching occurs when the light-beam is obstructed... or the opposite. I think the LED was a laser-LED but I am not sure.

And btw, there are also vintage mechanical keyboards with "Laser" as the brand name. ;)

And while we are on the topic of "analogue" keys: I think that a LED/photo-resistor or capacitative sensing would be better tech than a laser range-finder under each key. It is mentioned in one of Topre's patents that the use of a conical spring provides a (near)linear capacitance/key-travel curve.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: trizkut on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:49:18: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bloody-b640?mode=guest_open

This board comes to mind. Seems like a huge gimmick to me.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: jacobolus on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:57:17: (http://domin8r.com/random_stuff/fruitcake.jpg)
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: SpaceGhost on Tue, 31 March 2015, 18:32:16: Quote from: jonathanyu on Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:41:29
Show Image
(http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/phones/Cube-Laser-Virtual-Keyboard-1212.jpg)

Maybe this?

This actually has some potential as a touch-typing training device. When the student hits a wrong key, laser power is increased from "Display" to "Burn" and simultaneously aimed at the offending finger.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 01 April 2015, 08:13:01: Quote from: jacobolus on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:57:17
Show Image
(http://domin8r.com/random_stuff/fruitcake.jpg)

That is awesome!

I really like my Laser keyboard, although I haven't used it in ages. My ailing memory had the caps as Alps-type, but they must be MX if you have installed those wicked colors on there.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: mouse.the.lucky.dog on Wed, 01 April 2015, 13:33:28: Or it could be a typo meaning laser etched keycaps.
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: Joey Quinn on Wed, 01 April 2015, 13:40:24: Wasn't there a keyboard that used switches that are optically actuated? I'll try to find it.

Edit: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bloody-b640
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: hwood34 on Wed, 01 April 2015, 13:41:33: Quote from: mouse.the.lucky.dog on Wed, 01 April 2015, 13:33:28
Or it could be a typo meaning laser etched keycaps.
considering it's in a list of switch types I doubt it
Title: Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
Post by: SpaceGhost on Wed, 01 April 2015, 13:45:48: Speaking of laser stuff in general (although a bit off topic, please forgive) do a Google image search for "laser skateboard" and check it out.