Patent Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/422,620, filed Jun. 7, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     TRADEMARKS 
       [0002]    IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of International Business Machines Corporation or other companies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates to computer keyboards and particularly to the sounds emitted from a keyboard as keys of the keyboard are stroked. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Background 
         [0006]    Technology now exists that makes it possible to determine which keys are stroked on a computer keyboard by recording the sound that emanates from the keyboard as the keys are stroked and processing the recorded sound in a personal computer (PC). 
         [0007]    Using input from an unsophisticated PC microphone and processing the input using standard machine learning and speech recognition techniques it is possible to recreate typed input with up to 96% accuracy. Using a two-phase process of training followed by recognition, researchers were able to successfully recreate both English and random (password) input from multiple keyboards, across various (quiet and noisy) environments. While techniques such as the one described are still relatively new, one can envision several nefarious uses for the technology. For example, a person using a parabolic microphone could sit in a public setting, such as a coffee shop with Internet access, and eavesdrop on other patrons; recording sensitive information keyed into their computers, such as passwords and credit card numbers. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for methods and apparatuses that inhibit the detection of keystrokes by the sounds emanating during stroking of the keys. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. 
         [0010]    Further shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base. 
         [0011]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
       TECHNICAL EFFECTS 
       [0012]    The technical effect of the disclosed embodiments is improved security when using a computer keyboard in a public setting. Specifically, the technical effect is to inhibit the deciphering of which key of a keyboard is stroked based on the sound that emanates from the keyboard as the key is stroked. Computer algorithms for noise cancellation are known in the audiophile industry and are applied to listening to music, for example, in an environment with a noisy background such as on an airplane. Application of similar techniques to attenuate the sounds that are projected from a computer keyboard during the stroking of keys on the keyboard is disclosed. 
         [0013]    As a result of the summarized invention, a solution has been devised that permits a computer user to key in private information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, in a public setting while preventing keystroke detection based on the sounds emanating from the keys as they are depressed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0014]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a plan view of a keyboard disclosed herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates one example of an edge view of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates one example of a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the keyboard in  FIG. 2  taken at section line  3 - 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates one example of a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the keyboard of  FIG. 1  taken at section line  4 - 4 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates one example of a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the keyboard in  FIG. 2  taken at section line  5 - 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates one example of a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the keyboard of  FIG. 1  taken at section line  6 - 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates one example of a plan view of a key of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates one example of a cross sectional view of the key of  FIG. 7  taken at section line  8 - 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates one example of a cross section view of an embodiment of the keyboard in  FIG. 2  taken at section line  9 - 9 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates one example of a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the keyboard of  FIG. 1  taken at section line  10 - 10 . 
       
    
    
       [0025]    The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, it will be seen that in  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is a computer keyboard shown generally at  10  in accord with an embodiment of the invention. The keyboard  10  among other things includes; keys  14  that protrude through a cover  18  that is attached to and supported by a base  22 . Each of the keys  14  is spring loaded in a direction away from the base  22  and can move in a direction towards the base  22  in response to being depressed by an operator. Upon release, by the operator, the spring loading returns the keys  14  to their original position. 
         [0027]    Each key  14  has a unique X-Y coordinate position relative to the cover  18  and the base  22 . Additionally, each key  14  also has a unique position relative to the other keys  14  on the keyboard  10 . This positional uniqueness results in a unique audible sound being emitted for every key  14  when it is stroked. This is partially due to the flat shape and uniform thickness of the base  22 , which forms a sounding board. Sound (pressure waves) generated from the depression of a key  14  impacts a specific location on the base  22  in accord with its coordinate position relative to the base  22 . This position on the base being a unique position creates a unique response from the base  22 . Disruption of the acoustic sounding board of the base  22  is easily achieved by the introduction of a mass to the keyboard  10 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , cross sectional views of the keyboard  10  of  FIGS. 2 and 1 , taken at arrows  3 - 3  and  4 - 4  respectively, are shown. A moveable mass  26  is able to move along slide  30  in the directions of plus X and minus X in a cavity  34  of the keyboard  10  between the keys  14  and the base  22 . The cavity  34 , by being located between the keys  14  and the base  22  may hide the mass  26  and its location from the operator as well as any other observer. The mass  26  may be formed of iron or other magnetic metal, for example, and may therefore be attracted to electromagnets  38  located near the four comers  42  of the keyboard  10 . Energization of the electromagnets  38  may cause movement of the mass  26  along the slide  30 . Movement of the mass  26  may result in a change to the acoustics of the keyboard  10  enough to alter the sound emitted by the keyboard  10  when any specific key  14  is stroked to prevent detection by analysis of the sound emitted. 
         [0029]    Energization of the electromagnets  38  may be controlled by a variety of inputs. For example, a random number generator could be used in response to each keystroke resulting in a random direction and random distance of movement of the mass  26 . Alternately, a predefined movement of the mass  26  could occur regardless of which key is stroked. The electrical power that energizes the electromagnets  38  could be supplied from whatever source the PC is receiving power, for example, a battery or from an AC power source. 
         [0030]    Alternatively, the mass  26  could be moved through a mechanical linkage to the keys  14  rather than using the electromagnets  38 . Such a system could use linkages (not shown) to move the mass  26  in a plus X or a minus X direction, for example, from its current location in response to the stroking of the keys  14 . Additionally, the mass  26  could be moved in a plus Y and minus Y direction with any applicable method while not deviating from embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , cross sectional views of the keyboard  10  of  FIGS. 2 and 1 , taken at arrows  5 - 5  and  6 - 6  respectively, are shown. Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  FIGS. 5 and 6  use the redistribution of mass within cavity  34 , formed between the keys  14  and the base  22 , to disrupt the sound that emanates from the keyboard  10  when keys  14  are stroked. In embodiments disclosed in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the movement of mass  26  is carried out by locally deforming a bag  50  that is partially filled with a fluid  54 , herein depicted as a liquid. The deformation occurs when protrusions  58 , from the keys  14 , push on the surface of the bag  50  thereby forming a local depression in the bag  50 . Gas pockets  62 , within the bag  50 , redistribute themselves as the buoyancy force acting on the gas pockets  62  push the gas pockets  62  to higher elevations. Consequently, locations of the gas pockets  62 , within the bag  50 , changes with every keystroke causing a randomization of the location of the mass  26 , which is the fluid  54 , to occur. Additionally, the attitude and movement of the keyboard  10  itself will cause the fluid  54  to move within the bag  50 , thereby adding to the randomness of the mass  26  distribution. 
         [0032]    Alternate embodiments may employ a cavity  34  that contains the fluid  54  in such a way that it is sealed without the use of a bag  50 . Such an embodiment may decrease the force required to depress the key  14  during a keystroke since no bag  50  would be undergoing deformation. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the keys  14  include a protrusion  58  that extends from the underside of the keys  14  and engages the bag  50 , for example, in the cavity  34 , as described above. Many of the keys  14  have the same shape as one another and are made from the same plastic material and are therefore injection molded in the same mold. The character may be subsequently printed thereon. An embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  includes provisions for molding optional ribs  66  on the underside of the keys  14 . Molds can be inserted to facilitate easy changeover between various rib configurations. The optional ribs  66  can be of various lengths and widths to afford the keys  14  a wide variety of different masses. A short rib  65 , a longer rib  67  and even longer rib  68  are shown in phantom as possible variations. The keys  14  with various rib lengths and associated masses may be mixed together prior to character printing to increase the randomness of the mass that each character key  14  will have. Each different key mass may alter the sound that is emitted by the keyboard  10  when each key  14  is depressed, thereby creating a very large number of permutations of sounds that may emanate from any specific keyboard  10 . The larger the number of total sounds that may emanate from a keyboard  10 , the more the characteristics of the sounds from different keystrokes will overlap creating greater difficulty in determining which key  14  caused each sound. Such overlapping of keystroke sounds may render which key  14  was the source of which sound undeterminable. The foregoing embodiment discloses keyboards  10  made from selectable masses, disclosed herein as keys  14 , although, it should be noted that other components within the keyboard could be selectable as well with varying masses to create a variety of different possible keyboard mass combinations. 
         [0034]    The foregoing embodiment, which relies on the different masses of keys  14  to thwart the determination of keystrokes, is a passive approach, while an embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , relies on an active approach. Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , cross sectional views of the keyboard  10  of  FIGS. 2 and 1 , taken at arrows  9 - 9  and  10 - 10  respectively, are shown. Specifically, the keyboard  10 , among other things includes; a receiving transducer  70 , such as an accelerometer microphone or other device for converting vibrational or acoustical energy into electrical energy, located within the cavity  34  of the keyboard  10  that lays between the keys  14  and the base  22 . The receiving transducer  70  senses the vibrations of the keyboard  10  that result from each stroke of a key  14 . The signal from the receiving transducer  70  is then processed, by a processor (not shown) and a response signal is sent to a driving transducer  74  such as a piezoelectric transducer, an audio speaker or other device for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, also located within the cavity  34 . The response signal may be 180 degrees out of phase with the signal sensed by the receiving transducer  70  such that the waves generated by the driving transducer  74  cancel waves from the stroking of keys  14  thereby attenuating the magnitude of the emanating sounds. Stated another way, the driving transducer  74 , by generating waves that are 180 degrees out of phase with the receiving waves, will create sound pressure waves that destructively interfere and, in effect, cancel the receiving sound pressure wave. 
         [0035]    An alternate embodiment may utilize the input from the receiving transducer  70  to time the sending of a random noise signal to the driving transducer  74 . Such a system may transmit a random noise, or white noise, instead of an out of phase noise to cover the sounds made by the keystrokes, thereby making detection of a clean keystroke sound difficult. Still other embodiments may not utilize the receiving transducer  70  or a speaker to detect the sound emanating from a stroked key  14  at all, but instead rely on the electrical signal generated by the keystrokes themselves to determine the timing of when to energize the driving transducer  74 . 
         [0036]    Embodiments of the invention may include some of the following advantages: attenuation of sound emanating from a keyboard, masking of sounds emanating from a keyboard, increased variations of sounds emanating from a keyboard, alteration of sounds emanating from a keyboard, continuously randomly modifying sounds emanating from a keyboard and changing, over time, the sound emanating from a keyboard in response to a given key being stroked. 
         [0037]    The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof. 
         [0038]    As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or sold separately. 
         [0039]    Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can be provided. 
         [0040]    While preferred embodiments to the invention have been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8