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Author Topic: what is a "laser" keyboard?  (Read 2548 times)

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Offline TopreFan333

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what is a "laser" keyboard?
« 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!
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Offline jonathanyu

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:41:29 »


Maybe this?
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Offline FrostyToast

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #2 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.
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Offline TopreFan333

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #3 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.
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Offline JPG

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #4 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.
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Offline Findecanor

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #5 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.
« Last Edit: Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:53:10 by Findecanor »
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Offline trizkut

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #6 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.
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Offline jacobolus

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:57:17 »
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Offline SpaceGhost

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 31 March 2015, 18:32:16 »
Quote from: jonathanyu on Tue, 31 March 2015, 11:41:29
Show Image


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.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 01 April 2015, 08:13:01 »
Quote from: jacobolus on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:57:17
Show Image


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.
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Offline mouse.the.lucky.dog

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 01 April 2015, 13:33:28 »
Or it could be a typo meaning laser etched keycaps.
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Offline Joey Quinn

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #11 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
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Offline hwood34

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #12 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
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Offline SpaceGhost

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Re: what is a "laser" keyboard?
« Reply #13 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.
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