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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: okyup on Thu, 23 July 2015, 00:01:42

Title: Stenograph as keyboard?
Post by: okyup on Thu, 23 July 2015, 00:01:42

Random idea, but I'm wondering if any talented geekhackers have figured this one out, yet: using a stenograph machine as a keyboard.

This would be the ultimate in input devices... over 200 wpm, personalized dictionary, cool as ****, etc.

My girlfriend has one, but it's not a fancy new digital one, so I'm not sure how the new ones work. Can they only be used with specialized software? Is there any built-in notion of using them as a generic input device? What would be required to use them as a keyboard? A keyboard driver that does translation?

Title: Re: Stenograph as keyboard?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 23 July 2015, 00:18:51

While I can't speak from experience, I have no idea if a newer one would work on a PC.  That being said, I doubt it would be efficient, as by nature, stenography is extreme short hand and has to be transcribed to actual text at a later time.  The reason is so the stenographer can keep up with natural speech, also possibly involving multiple at the same time.

Title: Re: Stenograph as keyboard?
Post by: okyup on Thu, 23 July 2015, 00:56:49

I'm guessing that transcription can be done almost in real time in the digital age, based on the customized dictionary.

Title: Re: Stenograph as keyboard?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 23 July 2015, 01:06:42

Quote from: okyup on Thu, 23 July 2015, 00:56:49

I'm guessing that transcription can be done almost in real time in the digital age, based on the customized dictionary.

The problem would be implementing it into software.  It would basically have to act as auto complete type dictionary at the firmware level.

Title: Re: Stenograph as keyboard?
Post by: okyup on Thu, 23 July 2015, 01:23:41

Here's an example of real-time software translation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owW1eYQnlos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owW1eYQnlos)

Could similar functionality be implemented at the device driver level instead of the firmware level? Having it implemented in the firmware on the stenograph itself would be ideal, but I imagine much harder to do if stenographs aren't already designed with this feature (ie. how to customize your dictionary, etc).

Title: Re: Stenograph as keyboard?
Post by: jacobolus on Thu, 23 July 2015, 05:17:43

You folks should check out
http://stenosaurus.blogspot.com
http://openstenoproject.org
http://plover.stenoknight.com
etc.

Also try doing a google search of geekhack. This kind of thing has been discussed many times before.
e.g. https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=%28plover+OR+steno+OR+stenography+OR+stenotype+OR+stenosaurus+OR+veyboard+OR+velotype%29+site%3Ageekhack.org

Title: Re: Stenograph as keyboard?
Post by: okyup on Thu, 23 July 2015, 12:44:21

Quote from: jacobolus on Thu, 23 July 2015, 05:17:43

You folks should check out
http://stenosaurus.blogspot.com
http://openstenoproject.org
http://plover.stenoknight.com
etc.

Also try doing a google search of geekhack. This kind of thing has been discussed many times before.
e.g. https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=%28plover+OR+steno+OR+stenography+OR+stenotype+OR+stenosaurus+OR+veyboard+OR+velotype%29+site%3Ageekhack.org

Awesome! Thank you.