- 21 February 2005 -

Virtual keyboard on glass.

A virtual keyboard that can be applied to glass is planned to be ready by spring 2005. Two vibration sensors are mounted on the back of the glass to detect precisely which keys are selected.

"I had the idea of associating this signature with an action and creating a sort of virtual command table. The association is managed by a computer programme that links touch at a specific location to a specific action. A small sensor, the accelerometer, placed nearby, then detects the sound waves and analyses their acoustic signature. If the signature is recognised, the intended action is executed, if not, nothing happens," explains Ros-Kiri Ing president and founder of Sensitive Object, the company that developed and patented ReverSys.

Designed as a standard product, it can be used on any plate glass surface that is up to two square metres in size and 10 mm thick – it can even be engraved into the glass. It is easy to maintain, robust and has no moving parts.

This technology, previously used in Ariane launchers, will provide innovative solutions in many areas including medical because it is hygienic; in wet locations because glass is impervious to water and in public areas as the system is well protected against vandalism.