UIST 2009: A Practical Pressure Sensitive Computer Keyboard

Article : A Practical Pressure Sensitive Computer Keyboard

Authors: Paul H. Dietz, Benjamin Eidelson, Jonathan Westhues and Steven Bathiche

Summary: In this article, the authors talk about a new modified design they have for a computer keyboard that would cause it to have pressure-sensing capabilities. To begin with, they describe how the current computer keyboard hasn't really evolved much from the original versions that were being used 20 years ago, at least from a superficial glance, even with the abundance of newer technologies available. They attribute this lack of progress to the high cost of training a user to use a new device. Their goal from the beginning is to make the new keyboard as intuitive as possible, and in order to achieve this, they make 0 modifications to the physical feel or look of the keyboard, and instead opt to add pressure sensing technology at the point of contact for each key.

In order to accomplish pressure sensitivity, they use a special variable resistance material that increases or decreases in resistance depending on how hard the user is pressing on it. They insert this material in between the contacts of each key, and place it in such a way that the pressure sensitive technology is only activated after a normal key stroke is accomplished. They use a set of rows and columns, each hooked up to an op amp, in order to measure differences in voltage to determine which key is being pressed, etc.

The authors then go on to describe a few instances in which this technology could be used, such as emotional instant messaging, video gaming, etc.

By adding the technology to an existing keyboard, they added a fairly modest amount of new abilities to the keyboard while only altering its design minimally.

Shaun's Opinion: I think this article right here is a great example of improving on existing technology without running into a whole bunch of new tricks or methods to learn. The keyboard works much the same as a regular keyboard, just with a few added features. There are no extensive training sessions, and the keyboard is only slightly more expensive to manufacture, using probably >90% of the current manufacturing processes. Articles like this make a person look around and think about objects or things in their lives that could probably be easily improved without too much effort.