Virtual Laser Keyboard and Treo 700w - Treo Forums

norm911 · 02-07-2006, 09:45 AM

Everyone,

Well, I couldn't resist the cool-factor of the laser keyboard:

http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

so I bought one for my Treo 700w. It's basically a little box-thingy with a laser in it that projects a keyboard image on your desk that you can type on. Imaging sensors in the front of the unit detect what keys your fingers are pressing and it works fairly well. I find that I can't type at full speed with it, but after about 30 minutes of practicing it's really working very well. The driver needs a little more baking, but they have a new Windows Mobile 5 driver coming out in a few weeks that is supposed to address the issues.

My main question to the forum is this:

Using a keyboard with the Treo 700w is great, but does anyone know what special keystrokes brings up the menus? For instance, I can type into a Word document on the Treo 700w just fine, but then I have to pick up the Treo, pull out the stylus, tap on the menu botton, save the file, start a new one, then lay it back down on the desk to start typing again into a new document. Same with mail. I can pick up the Treo, start a new message, lay it down, type the message, and then pick the treo back up to send the message with the stylus. This seems silly - I can't find any keystrokes that bring up the menus. I tried the ones from standard Windows and Office like ALT-F to bring up the menu, etc but none of them work on the Treo 700w.

Any hints? Anyone else using a keyboard (laser or otherwise) with their Treo 700w?

Let me know,
Norm

MystaMax · 02-17-2006, 12:42 PM

I wish I could help you with your problem, but I haven't used my 700w w/ a external keyboard just yet.

After reading your post, I'm interested in getting one. It'd be cool if you could come up with a mini review for this product! Tell us what you like and dislike. Pros and Cons. Did you get the bluetooth version? Any info you can provide would be great! Thanks!

great product.

norm911 · 02-17-2006, 12:53 PM

That's a great idea. I did buy the Bluetooth version of the keyboard and have been using it for about a week now. I'll get working on a review of the product and post it here in the next week or so.

Thanks,
Norm

athreya · 02-17-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norm911

Everyone,

Well, I couldn't resist the cool-factor of the laser keyboard:

http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

so I bought one for my Treo 700w. It's basically a little box-thingy with a laser in it that projects a keyboard image on your desk that you can type on. Imaging sensors in the front of the unit detect what keys your fingers are pressing and it works fairly well. I find that I can't type at full speed with it, but after about 30 minutes of practicing it's really working very well. The driver needs a little more baking, but they have a new Windows Mobile 5 driver coming out in a few weeks that is supposed to address the issues.

My main question to the forum is this:

Using a keyboard with the Treo 700w is great, but does anyone know what special keystrokes brings up the menus? For instance, I can type into a Word document on the Treo 700w just fine, but then I have to pick up the Treo, pull out the stylus, tap on the menu botton, save the file, start a new one, then lay it back down on the desk to start typing again into a new document. Same with mail. I can pick up the Treo, start a new message, lay it down, type the message, and then pick the treo back up to send the message with the stylus. This seems silly - I can't find any keystrokes that bring up the menus. I tried the ones from standard Windows and Office like ALT-F to bring up the menu, etc but none of them work on the Treo 700w.

Any hints? Anyone else using a keyboard (laser or otherwise) with their Treo 700w?

Let me know,
Norm

i have a brand new keyboard...but it turns off the minute i turn it on! Im doing something wrong...can u help me? i dont know a treo yet but i cant even get to stay this keyboard on!!!

norm911 · 02-18-2006, 05:09 AM

My guess is that it is one of the following things:

1) Your keyboard is not charged. You have to plug it in and charge it for several hours before using it the first time

2) It is not resting on a smooth surface. There is a little microswitch on the bottom of the unit that will cause it to shut off if you pick it up or if it's not resting on a flat surface

If it is not one of those things that is causing your keyboard to shut off then it may be defective. Contact the people you bought it from for a replacement

Hope that helps,
Norm

athreya · 02-18-2006, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norm911

My guess is that it is one of the following things:

1) Your keyboard is not charged. You have to plug it in and charge it for several hours before using it the first time

2) It is not resting on a smooth surface. There is a little microswitch on the bottom of the unit that will cause it to shut off if you pick it up or if it's not resting on a flat surface

If it is not one of those things that is causing your keyboard to shut off then it may be defective. Contact the people you bought it from for a replacement

Hope that helps,
Norm

tried all three earlier...changed the unit once also...same error. it powers on ...the blue light comes on top and immediately shuts off!

norm911 · 02-18-2006, 08:41 AM

Then I'd contact the people you bought it from. Doesn't sound like a very healthy unit to me. Have them replace it.

Norm

athreya · 02-18-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norm911

Then I'd contact the people you bought it from. Doesn't sound like a very healthy unit to me. Have them replace it.

Norm

done that twice as well which is what makes me believe that I must be doing something wrong! did you install the CD BEFORE you turn on the vrb? I am talking abt simply turning it on even on power, it just turns off!!!

Chichiri · 08-01-2006, 04:20 PM

The VKB stays on regardless of the driver being installed on nearby devices.
I had the same problem when I placed the VKB on a spongy surface.
I would guess it had to much give and caused the bottom switch to turn it off.
Smooth wood, and plastic tables work well. What are you placing it on?

ryanokrant · 09-07-2007, 12:50 AM

So in order to pull up the menus from the vkb on either your 700w or 700wx, press and hold the "Fn" key then press the "1" key for the bottom left menu or the "2" key for the bottom right menu. Or you can press and hold the "Fn" key and then press either the "6" or "7" key to adjust the volume settings of the treo. If you press and hold the "CTL" key and then press the "esc" key it will open the start menu. If you press and hold the "alt" key and then press the "esc" key you can toggle throughout your open aplications(similar to "alt" + "tab" in any of the latest window operating systems)

So now I have a question for you. Although the 700w and 700wx pair very easy in comparison to needing a driver like other models, I have not yet been able to install the VKB software inorder to make adjustments to the keyboard settings. My goal is to disable the key stroke sound. Any suggestions?

Ryan