---
title: Virtual keyboard
date: "2002-12-16T12:00:00Z"
categories:
  - links
wp_id: 995
description: I discuss early optical keyboard technology and speculate on its future potential. I envision using similar optics for digital handwriting recognition on paper and projecting interactive virtual screens from tiny, portable devices.
keywords: [optical keyboard, projection display, handwriting recognition, virtual interface, human-computer interaction, future tech]
---

[![Virtual Keyboard](/blog/assets/flickr-virtual-keyboard_24685629_o-jpg.webp)](/blog/assets/flickr-virtual-keyboard_24685629_o-jpg.webp)

Cool picture of a [virtual keyboard](http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_fitzgerald111902.asp). The article talks about a purely optical keyboard. You move your fingers, and the "keyboard" detects what you're typing. Now, if optics are that advanced, they should be able to figure out what I'm **writing** and put that on the computer. So I won't need a digital pad -- I'll just write on paper. Or even better, project the screen! Then I'll just carry a little 1" x 1" x 1" box that'll project a virtual screen that I can draw / write on.