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PaperKeyboard: Translate

17 June 2006

It's difficult to type large texts in a phone keyboard, but the software allows to store long texts.

There are some solutions to this problem: Bluetooth keyboards and virtual keyboards. Both are expensive (130 euros and 199 US Dolar) and Virtual dont work on Symbian. Both need energy and are big to carry in the pocket.

So, why not use the phone's camera to input data? I have already write a Python software that captures a moving pointer (like a pen), so it can be done. Imagine: Print a keyboard on a paper, paste in your folder and use everywhere.

This is what I'm doing with my Nokia 3230 under Python....

Concept:		Print	Code
	Landscape phone front keyboard: It allows to watch the screen but hands may cause errors.
	Landscape phone side keyboard: Nice solution but small amount of keys and hands may cause errors. You can't see the screen.	xxland1.jpg
	Phone over the keyboard: Perfect solution but how to mantain the phone in this position?	xxair1.jpg
	Folded keyboard: Better images, but dificult to type.
	Phone inclined 45 grades: With a deformed keyboard probably the best solution. Hands are in very good position, Virtual Keyboard uses this position. But how can I mantain the phone in 45 grades? Plus you can't see what type.	paperkey001.JPG Key002.JPG Paperkey004 and Base004
	Phone inclined 45 grades and screen: Like the last one but you can see the screen.	xxinclined.jpg

Cons:

Maybe it can't be done in Python. Maybe C++ it's quicker.

Camera position varies between phones. Not all the phones can stay in landscape mode.

Pros:

Many S60 aplications use data from camera very quickly like the game Virus.

Virtual Keyboard already exists so hands position is not a problem, or can be solved.

References:
http://www.littlespringsdesign.com/design/textinput/ http://news.cnet.co.uk/peripherals/0,39029688,49266339,00.htm	Very interesting page about text input on mobile devices Microsoft Research currently named The Wild Thing.

Trying concepts:
19 Junio 2006


Click on the pictures to enlarge.	Option 1	Option 2	Option 2

I have build a base to try the last two concepts. The camera is in a 45 grades angle. I have tried both options: typing in front of the screen (1) and opposite (2). In the first position you can see the screen but the phone hiddes a part of the paper surface (CBEF), other big problem are finger position, it may be confusing in order to scan the keys. Option 2 it's better in order to scan the image. Fingers are in very good position. The area CBEF can be used for other comands. I have done an experimental paperkeyboard with option 2: paperkey001.JPG (It only uses the area ABCD). The size of the first row keys it's usefull for typing (1,2 centimetres).

21 June 2006


	Four rows keyboard: Key002.JPG It's similar to the last one. I also have started with the code. This screenshot show how the phone sees the keyboard and how to align it. Obviously light conditions are going to be very important.

30 June 2006

	I have a new keyboard, 004. This one works fine with the new base004. The base it's a foldable prism made of paper (normal printer paper works fine) that allow to mantain the phone in correct angle. Folded it's small and can be carried everywhere. Bad news are that I have made an speed test in Python, to scan the keyboard, and it's a bit slow.