From: hinson@maxwell.physics.purdue.edu (Jason W. Hinson)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.tech
Subject: Re: where are the real keyboards?
Date: 21 Jul 92 14:55:30 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Physics Department

In article <Brp95x.Dwz@newcastle.ac.uk> Mark.OLeary@newcastle.ac.uk (M.D. O'Leary) writes:
>
>My first computer, a ZX81 (remember them? 1k memory and a clock speed measured in 
>*hours*) had a flat membrane 'keypad', a la Okuda TNG style... I wont say it was 
>extremely fast, but it worked... Typing was possible at a resonable rate.
>
>>have to hover over the keyboard. Also, a simple slip of the hand could 
>>activate a lot of keys that weren't ment to be activated.
>
>The pressure of the contact on the screen would alter the contacting 'area' at 
>the tip of the finger, so distinguishing a keypress from an accidental 
>brush-contact would be no problem.

How would the contacted area be altered? The pads on the big E don't seem
to be very PRESSURE senesitive.  Besides, if you plan to have the keys click
inward a bit when pressed, then you still have to have a definate grid of
keys on the pad.

>
>>Without being able to feel the indention of a key and know that that is where
>>you are suposed to press, you would have to always keep your eyes on the pad.
>
>Maybe this is a useful aid to concentration! Since the pad is on screen next to, 
>or even scattered *within* the data you are manipulating (as per the users 
>preference) I cannot see that this presents a problem. Its an advantage- you 
>arent dividing your attention as we currently do (thats why lightpens/mice etc 
>have been invented! to allow concentration to be focussed on the screenn!)
>

The keybords would have to be ingeniously laid out so that you never had
to push a button more that a few inches away from the particular display
that your attention is on at that moment. (a little more on this in a 
moment)

>>With manual keys, If you know the general placement of the keys, you can feel
>>when the key you need to press is under you fingertip, and you can keep your
>>eyes on what might be more important things.
>
>See above: knowing what key is where is just habit/training- no-one can suggest 
>that one key arrangement is ideal for all possible applications! The vast 
>majority of our computer use is typing in english or comp-code- This doent 
>reflect the typical usage on a ship flightdeck! Analogy- How useful is a qwerty 
>keyboard when playing a flightsim on a modern computer? It works, but...
>

First, I am not suggesting that one key arrangement is ideal for all possible
applications (see below).  Second, knowing what key is where is not exactly
what I was talking about. You may know what key is where, but being able
to press that key without looking in the general direction of the key isn't
easy, even with plenty of training. For example, a blind person would find
it EXTREMELY difficult to use the pads on the big E, but if there were manual,
raised keys, then they could at least feel the layout of the keys.

Pretend for a moment that you are on the Enterprise when a brilliant light
blinds you. Now, after you read this, close your eyes and feel for the 
edges of your keyboard (not the keys, but the keyBOARD). Then, move your
hands above the keys until you think they are in the right position for
typing (don't touch any of the keys yet). Then try to type a complete
sentence. (only let one finger at a time hit each key) 
Were your hands in the right place? Did you accidently hit more than one
key with a single finger movement? It's much easier when you can feel the
keys.
--I think I have found another way to attack the enterprise- blind the 
--bridge crew.

Another example: I went to my small microwave (which has a flat, pressure-
sensitive keypad). I focused my attention on a corner of the microwave
about 17 or 18 inches from the keypad (acting as if I had to keep my
attention there while my right hand uses the keypad). I could not type in
a simple number sequence. Even when I glanced over for a moment to find
the first key, it was hard to find the second key without looking again.
On the other hand, I can feel for the numeric pad on my computer keyboard
and EASILY find the right keys without looking.
I know that they can set up any configuration on the pads, but your pad
would have to be limited in size so that you would never have to press
a button that is more than a few inches away from the area you have your
attention focused on at the moment.

>>So what is my solution?  Consider a panal covered with a matrix of keys. 
>>Each row in the matrix could be moved as much as half a key size left or right,
>>and each key could be raised higher that the normal level of the panal. The
>>top of each key would be illuminated from under the panel with whatever was 
>>needed for the current panel configuration.  In short, you have a panel that
>>can be set up with a variety of raised, "clickable" keys; and the unraised 
>>keys could be illuminated with the necessary gauges, readouts, etc.
>
>Bit Heath-Robinson, No?                                

Excuse my ignorance, but HUH?

>MY solution- Okuda screen-keyboards with some kind of enhanced feedback (ie a 
>little 'nerve-tingler' when that key is activated?) I assume that the whole 
>screen plate can be sensitised, so the user can instantly call up alternate      
>configurations, ie different 'stations' which is impossible on a hardwired setup.

Your suggestion gives feedback, but it doesn't help you find the keys 
with without looking directly at them.

I am not saying that a touch sensitive keypad would have no chance of working,
but I think that manual keys in the set up I have suggested would be better.
I think that the general feel of manual keys give simple and effective
feedback and makes them easier to use.

-Jay