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Part Number: KBD-LASER-KBRD
Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard SIZE: 3.5" high, 1" deep and 1.25" long - that is it! Fits in your pocket easily.
Add to card, the system will deduct $10 off
In short:
The Virtual Laser Keyboard leverages the power of laser and infrared technology and projects a full-size keyboard onto any flat surface. As you type on the laser projection, detection technology based on optical recognition enables the user to tap the images of the keys, complete with realistic tapping sounds, which feed into the
compatible Bluetooth-enabled PDA, Smartphone, laptop or PC. The sound can be on or off alerting you to every key stroke. Laser intensity can be adjusted if you feel it is too bright in dark environments. In addition, sensitivity and repeat rate can be fully adjusted to suit your typing style. Comes with a leather carry bag. Unlike many small snap-on keyboards for PDAs, the Virtual Laser Keyboard provides
a full-size QWERTY keyboard. It is also smaller and more convenient to use than the
folding-type keyboards made by some manufacturers and similar to them in
functionality.
There are no mechanical moving parts whatsoever in the Virtual Laser Keyboard. It
provides a projected image that is the perfect portable input device for PDAs. It's
similar in responsiveness to regular keyboards.
The light weight device weighs two ounces and is similar in size to a disposable
cigarette lighter. The Virtual Laser Keyboard includes a self-contained, rechargeable
lithium ion battery. It provides the Virtual Laser Keyboard with its own internal
power supply, so it doesn't drain any battery power from the PDA or PC. The battery
lasts two to three hours, more than enough time to do some instant messaging and
SMS messaging from the handheld device or to update calendar and phone book
entries.
Bluetooth:
To connect to a PC computer we recommend this BlueTooth adapter: Linksys USBBT100. You may use other bluetooth adapters but we have verified that this one works well with the keyboard, see following notes on help connecting the keyboard. While connected to a computer, the Laser Keyboard can continuously run from the included power adapter, through a driver it will be even possible not to allow the keyboard go into sleep mode and be on all the time. Your PDA device or SmartPhone most likely has a bluetooth built in and this bluetooth adapter would not be needed. Make sure that your mobile device is able to use HID (human interface device) over bluetooth.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The keyboard projects ruby red laser through a holographic prism that contains image of the two dimensional keyboard. The single laser beam is diffused by a hologram into outlines that make up a keyboard focused at the horizontal surface below the unit. In addition, at the very base of the unit an IR (infra-red - light invisible to human eye same as used in remote controls) illuminates the plane a few millimeters above the projected laser keyboard. In the middle of the base there is a small "web cam" that has a filter to see IR light. This very camera is able to detect if any object does obstruct IR light and is able to derive the coordinates and calculate what key is being triggered.
Features:
Works in BlueTooth HID or SPP mode.
Connects to PDAs, Smartphones and Computers using Bluetooth.
Projects a full size keyboard onto any flat surface.
Allows the convenience of regular keyboard typing in a tiny form factor.
Rechargeable battery lasts for 2 hours of continuous typing.
Tiny size only 3.5 inches high.
Compatible with PalmOS 5, PocketPC 2003, Windows Smartphone, Symbian OS, and Windows 2000/XP. Limited Mac OSX Support.
Keyboard Projection:
Light source: Red diode laser.
Keyboard layout: 63 key / full sized QWERTY layout.
Keyboard size: 295 x 95mm projected keyboard size.
Keyboard position: 60mm from VKB unit.
Required Projection surface: Non-reflective, opaque flat surface.
Visibility: Good contrast up to 600 lux ambient illumination.
Keystroke Sensor:
Ambient illumination: Works under all standard indoor illuminations up to 600 lux.
Detection: rate Up to 400 characters per minute.
Detection algorithm: Multiple keystroke support.
Effective keystroke: Approximately 2mm. GDGVKW
Operating surface: Any firm flat surface with no protrusions greater than 1mm.
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth Spec: Bluetooth v1.1 class 2.
Bluetooth Profile Supported: HID and SPP.
Range of Frequency: 2.4GHz Spectrum.
Transmission range: 9m.
Number of supported passkeys: 5.
Electrical:
Power source: Integrated, 3.6V rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Battery capacity > 120 minutes continuous typing.
Charge Method: Included 100-240V AC Wall Adapter.
Compatibility:
Link to the list of supported devices: Compatibility List
Support for PalmOS 5, PocketPC 2003, Windows Smartphone, Symbian OS, and Windows 2000/XP (Mac OSX will work but drivers are not provided. See the bottom of this page for details.) Look below for a list of specific compatible devices. Please note your device may still work properly if not on this list as long as it supports one of the OS listed above.
Other:
Lumio (aka VKB) brings you a unique range of ubiquitous Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions. By harnessing the power of light they empower OEM’s, system integrators and system designers to integrate low cost small footprint modules that enable any flat surface to become interactive.
VKB (Virtual Keyboards) enhances and enables the communications, computing and
entertainment experience through innovative virtual interface technology. The Virtual Keyboard
uses light to project a full-sized computer keyboard onto almost any surface. Used with Smart
Phones and PDA's, the VKB provides a practical way to do email, word processing and
spreadsheet tasks, allowing the user to leave the laptop computer at home. VKB observes the
user's finger movements to interpret and record keystrokes. Since the virtual keyboard is an
image projected in light, it completely disappears when not in use.
VKB (Virtual Keyboards) has developed an autonomous virtual Keyboard unit using proprietary electro-optic technology and has applied for patent protection. The initial products provide superior data input solutions that significantly enhance the usefulness of many wireless communications and computing devices.
The proprietary IR based detection method that VKB has developed provides accurate and
reliable detection of user interaction, such as typing or cursor control functions (e.g. mouse or
touch-pad controls).VKB has resolved all the technological hurdles required to make a practical
user interface. The virtual Keyboard unit is small size, efficient in power consumption, operates
with high accuracy and is extremely easy to use.
SUPPORT: Please, contact Golan-Technology for any assistance: Click to Email
Limited Warranty: 30-day from invoice date with Directron.com for equal replacement/repair. 7-day money back from receiving date with 15% restocking fee for non-defective returns. No refund or credit after 7 days. Customer is responsible for returning manufacturer defective products unless test is paid before shipping.
Notes for Mac OS:
There is no known device drivers available for any Mac OS. You ability to use the device will depend on the Mac OS to have compatible bluetooth abilities, the support or features might be limited. (dxy031307)
Following instructions are copyrighted by Directron.com and must not be reproduced without our explicit permission. Permitted only to reproduce for private use with liking to this page and mentioning Directron.com PC INSTRUCTIONS: Following instructions were tested on XP machine but might apply to other MS operating OSes.
1) Plug in a USB bluetooth adapter, we recommend Linksys USBBT100. DO NOT LOAD DRIVERS THAT COME WITH YOUR BLUETOOTH DEVICE!!! Windows will load the native drivers itself automatically once you plug in a bluetooth adapter to USB port. The keyboard might not pair with non-native windows drivers. Uninstall branded Bluetooth drivers if you have already loaded them.
2) Turn on the laser keyboard by pressing its side button, the laser keyboard should be fully charged or plugged to AC power adapter (included with the keyboard purchase). A laser keyboard which has a weak battery might fail to pair to your device, thus use an AC adapter or charge well before use.
3) A blue & white icon should appear in the system taskbar upon connecting a USB bluetooth device, double click it to bring up Microsoft bluetooth wizard/manager. Click on "Devices" tab and click "Add..." button. This will open a wizard to pair to your device. Once you set the pair, the computer and device will remember the settings for future connections.
4) Press three buttons SHIFT+Fn+B together on the laser keyboard for about 3 seconds until you hear a double-beep sound, this sound is different from the normal typing beeps you will hear. You will also see a blue slowly flashing light come on, on top of the keyboard module. This removes any previous pairing and sets the device in discover mode.
5) On the wizard screen check "My device is set up.." and click "Next." It will try to detect the laser keyboard device. The device name will be "VKB Keyboard," please be patient, it might take a few seconds to download the device name. If the keyboard is not in the list but you have confirmed that your bluetooth adapter detects other bluetooth devices then try step #4 again. If all fails, try a hard reset by pushing a pin into the reset hole under a rubber flap on the lower right side of the keyboard. Also, make sure that your keyboard is charged well.
6) On the next screen choose "Let me choose my own passkey" and enter any password consisting of numbers and click "Next" to set it.
7) The device will then QUIETLY beep once in a few seconds, listen for the beep. Enter the SAME password on the laser keyboard and press "enter" on the laser keyboard. The device should then pair. If it does not, try again with a short password like "1" because you might be pressing on additional laser keyboard keys by mistake, a short password will make it easier to key in a correct number sequence (especially when you are not yet experienced with typing on this keyboard). So, try "1" and "Enter." After you are successful, you could always set longer passwords after this practice. If you get an error right after you pressed "Enter" on your laser keyboard then it means that you are not using the native windows bluetooth driver, go here for a possible solution. Also, we experienced cases where older or cheaper bluetooth adapters couldn't detect the password that was sent from the laser keyboard probably because they lacked certain technology. This is why we recommend the Linksys bluetooth adapter because it works every time without problems if used without Linksys driver.
8) By this step the laser keyboard should be properly paired to your bluetooth device. Now, go back to the bluetooth manager window and go to the "COM Ports" tab and see if there is a COM port marked "Incoming" and "Outgoing" (if you will not see an "Outgoing" port, then something is wrong with the pairing, the "Outgoing" port MUST exist. Did you use a password when pairing? If you did not set a password then it will not create an "Outgoing" port) The "Incoming" port, if missing, can be created during the next step.
9) This step requires a successful pairing and the "Outgoing" port to be in the list of existing ports. Most likely you will not have yet the "Incoming" COM port. To add it click "Add.." and on the next pop-up window choose "Incoming" and click "Ok." It will create a new "Incoming" port. Please, do remember its COM number for step #11. Please, be patient while the ports are being created, it may take up to a few minutes for a port to be set up even on the fast systems. Make sure that all ports have completed to be set up before going to the next step.
10) Load PC utility for VKB keyboard if you have not yet done so. There is a newer version on manufacturer's website than the one that is included on CD, yet they both work about the same. The program will put a yellow icon in system taskbar; double click it to bring the program up.
11) There are two tabs that are used to connect a laser keyboard in that utility. These tabs are "VKB" and "Connection." First, go to "VKB" tab and UNCHECK "Enable VKB," then go to "Connections" tab and select a COM port with the number from step #9. Go back to "VKB" tab and click "Enable VKB," it will pause your computer and after a while it should fill the bar located below the checkbox. The filled bar is a sign that a laser keyboard is connected, open Microsoft Notepad and try to type. If you have the bar filled and you type but nothing happens, make sure that the Notepad program is in focus and you have chosen correct "Incoming" COM port and not "Outgoing" from step #9. If you have it wrong, uncheck "Enabled..." choose the correct port, click "Enable..." There is also a case when the laser keyboard can have such a weak battery that its level will not register with a bar in the application but the keyboard will type (work) until it is completely drained of power. This is why we recommend to charge the keyboard well before initial use.
12) If you choose a port and the program gives you an error message that the port does not exist, check the port number obtained from step #9. If you still receive the error then UNCHECK "Enable VKB" and close the program. Restart the program, choose the correct port again and check "Enable VKB." Perform all these steps only while the laser keyboard is on and not in sleep or off mode.
13) If you pick up the laser keyboard, it shuts off. Once you power it again, it might take 5-10 seconds to establish the link again, look for the filled bar in VKB utility.
The end. Happy typing!
Note: (1) Free ground shipping for continental U.S.A. Shipping will be added manually for any other shipping method. More shipping may be applied for additional items to the same order. (2) Viritually all USB keyboards / mice are compatible with Windows Vista, including wireless ones.
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