Method and Apparatus for a Virtual Keyboard Plane

摘要

Two cameras forming a 3-D camera system are used to project the key pattern of the plane from the displayed keyboard of a small display of a smartphone to that of a larger initialization plane of a virtual keyboard which is displaced in a parallel plane and increased in size from the displayed keyboard plane. The displayed keyboard is located on a screen of the display screen of the smartphone. The angular variation of the finger's position from the displayed keyboard plane based on the camera image indicates the keyboard character being depressed. Plenoptic cameras can also be used. The displacement distance or baseline of the plenoptic cameras is advantageous to increase. Highlighting the keys on the displayed keyboard when the fingers are in the initialization plane or activation plane of a virtual keyboard either by color, shading, or any other visual means provides positive feedback to the user.

主权项

1. A keyboard apparatus comprising:
a plurality of cameras located on a same surface of a wireless potable unit as a display screen; a displayed keyboard located on a screen of said display screen; a virtual keyboard located parallel and above said displayed keyboard on said screen; said virtual keyboard has dimensions proportionally larger than said displayed keyboard; and a finger estimating system to identify locations of fingertips relative to said virtual keyboard using images obtained from said cameras.