Optical Switch Keyboards
Posted: 13 Nov 2011, 23:34
Other than the DataHand, have Optical Switch Keyboards been seen out in the wild?
Teaser then,
Page 1 of 1
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 09:25
No, replies?
Teaser then,
Teaser then,
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 09:28
Broken image.
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 09:56
Not so for me (even not logged in, and viewing from another computer on the other side of the country)...
Do you have troubles viewing picasa? (work proxy?)
Do you have troubles viewing picasa? (work proxy?)
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 09:57
Then, linear?
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 10:22
Still broken, and I am at home.
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 10:44
Heh, something's wrong with your ISP...
I don't usually do this, but,
I don't usually do this, but,
- 2011-11-10 16.50.40.jpg (124.59 KiB) Viewed 10142 times
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 10:47
I can see that, I am out in a couple of hours and I will check it again when I am there.
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 11:16
How are thy suppose to work ??
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 18:26
He won't tell you.
It's a game in the USA we call "20 Questions".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_Questions
It's a game in the USA we call "20 Questions".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_Questions
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 22:52
Is it a MOBBAL keyboard?
I really like the concept of an optical switch. It's so simple yet elegant, just detect key travel by checking if a light beam passes. The switch point will always be the same throughout the lifetime, which will be very long because there's no mechanical wear.
I really like the concept of an optical switch. It's so simple yet elegant, just detect key travel by checking if a light beam passes. The switch point will always be the same throughout the lifetime, which will be very long because there's no mechanical wear.
Posted: 15 Nov 2011, 01:24
Nope, it's not MOBBAL. This keyboard is from the 80's. And was mass-produced (though I don't know to the extent).
As another hint, the company that manufactured the keyboard is Japanese for a US company. The manufacturer was bought out/merged by Hitachi in 2000.
The US company has 1 FCC certification for the computer that the keyboard came with. Unfortunately, the keyboard only says it's been certified, no FCC ID. It was granted in 1982. But I'm skeptical, since the keyboard says Class A (Industrial/Commercial use) and the grant was for Class B (Home use).
From the plastic, and ASSY 3388 8764 I'm guessing the late 80's.
More discussion == more hints
.
As another hint, the company that manufactured the keyboard is Japanese for a US company. The manufacturer was bought out/merged by Hitachi in 2000.
The US company has 1 FCC certification for the computer that the keyboard came with. Unfortunately, the keyboard only says it's been certified, no FCC ID. It was granted in 1982. But I'm skeptical, since the keyboard says Class A (Industrial/Commercial use) and the grant was for Class B (Home use).
From the plastic, and ASSY 3388 8764 I'm guessing the late 80's.
More discussion == more hints
.Posted: 15 Nov 2011, 01:26
I'm a big fan of the Suck & Blow switches myself.
At least the name.....
Is it Animal, Vegetable or Mineral?
At least the name.....
Is it Animal, Vegetable or Mineral?
Posted: 15 Nov 2011, 01:44
Lulz - Mobal? Advertising in Wikipedia. How tacky.
"MOBBAL™ Technology keyboard"
I marked this section once again as an advert. While it might be novel to do away with the conventional key matrix, this is still a keyboard which uses optical sensors. I would thus rewrite the section as "Optical keyboard" where the MOBBAL is just one arrangement. For an example of another keyboard incorporating optical sensors, please see the Datahand "keyboard". --84.196.169.103 (talk) 13:17, 11 November 2009 (UTC)
As patented technology MOBBAL is the only keyboard technology of its kind - it is not a keyboard - many keyboards may use this technology, but the technology is one. There is no optical keyboard or it does not fall in the scope of this technology - and MOBBAL, once again is not a keyboard, it is a technology, so it does not fit under other technologies... right? I would ask to re-consider, thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.63.52.73 (talk) 15:03, 13 November 2009 (UTC)
The "Optical keyboard technology" section states that the MOBBAL Keyboard Technology is the only optical technology developed to a mass production stage. The only citation for this statement is a link to a primary source; a website that hasn't been updated since 2009. {{advert}}? - Soulkeeper (talk) 00:01, 4 March 2011 (UTC)
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 01:13
Nothing today?
More teasers:
More teasers:
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 01:35
Pah, I bet it does not have a detachable USB cable.
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 01:52
It has a detachable something 
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 11:16
[Account and posts deleted on request]
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 15:41
Ah! I was trying to remember who else besides DG and Tek used light blue highlights.cactux wrote:I am guessing that this board was buit by Burroughs Corporation/Unisys
I'll bet you're right.
- burr0054.jpg (128.78 KiB) Viewed 9978 times
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 17:32
I'm bored.
When is the next round of 20 questions?
When is the next round of 20 questions?
- Optical Switch Patent.png (68.49 KiB) Viewed 9962 times
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 18:04
I'm not. I still want to know what the keyboard belongs to, since t№1KEotP can't tell me.ripster wrote:I'm bored.
I have a keyboard at home. The switches are contactless, but not capacitive, optical, or Hall effect.When is the next round of 20 questions?
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 20:00
I think it's this one!
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 20:13
This one?
- 2105110_orig.jpg (72.77 KiB) Viewed 9947 times
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 20:15
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 20:17
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 20:19
Oh crap. DB-9 (I call it DB-9 just to annoy Kishy), not RJ-45.
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 20:20
Are the 20 questions up yet?
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 20:21
Lol, took a bit.
The manufacturer was Kokusai.
Oh, and the keyfeel is quite interesting. Most of the keys are mid-weight linears while the blue keys (and the double width keys) are twice as heavy. And the amount of force required seems to decrease at the very end.
Don't worry, I have another neat one
The manufacturer was Kokusai.
Oh, and the keyfeel is quite interesting. Most of the keys are mid-weight linears while the blue keys (and the double width keys) are twice as heavy. And the amount of force required seems to decrease at the very end.
Don't worry, I have another neat one
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 21:55
I'll save everybody the Google Image search for Kokusai keyboard. Didn't spot it.
This puzzling pic DID pop up.
This puzzling pic DID pop up.
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 22:23
