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BarbT
Acolyte

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 394

Posted 5/15/2007 10:00 AM (GMT -5)

Would it be possible to design a computer "keyboard" so sensitive that it would register even a tiny electrical disturbance as a "keystroke"?

If so, would this keyboard have to be shielded against background interference?

Thanks!

Barb

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 5194

Posted 5/15/2007 10:43 AM (GMT -5)

sure it's possible to do that.

Would it have to be shielded...well let me ask you just how sensitive you'd want it? The computer sitting right next to it and the monitor are both putting out electrical disturbances. Do you want the keyboard to pick up everything they are putting out and consider that noise to be keystrokes? probably not.

Anything electrical that's turned on is going to be playing havock with that keyboard and it'll be worthless, so without some kind of serious shielding, the second you turned on the computer, you'd get random garbage for input (that's all a keyboard is...an input device).

I'll go you one better:

The brain puts out electrical signals, which is why you can hook up a person's head to electrodes and record 'brainwaves'. If the keyboard was sensetive enough, it would pick that up as well. Plus every nerve in your body, including your skin, carries electrical charges. A really sensitive keyboard (you said even a tiny electrical disturbance) would pick up that sort of noise too.

What's the reason you want such a sensitive object?

Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!

Visit my art gallery on art wanted at
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BarbT
Acolyte

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 394

Posted 5/15/2007 2:41 PM (GMT -5)

crystalwizard said...
sure it's possible to do that.

I'll go you one better:

The brain puts out electrical signals, which is why you can hook up a person's head to electrodes and record 'brainwaves'. If the keyboard was sensetive enough, it would pick that up as well. Plus every nerve in your body, including your skin, carries electrical charges. A really sensitive keyboard (you said even a tiny electrical disturbance) would pick up that sort of noise too.

What's the reason you want such a sensitive object?

Ah!

I need a plausible device for a paranormal novel idea I'm kicking around.

Since this keyboard is the catalyst for the plot, but may not even be used by the characters, schematic detail isn't important as long as supersensitivity is at least possible.

Lots of research ahead if I do write this, but at least the concept is usable.

Many thanks from one of the technically impaired. ;)

Barb

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 5194

Posted 5/15/2007 2:55 PM (GMT -5)

it's possible. There's a prosthetic device in use now...an arm...which the wearer makes fuction, including closing the hand, by just thinking. He thinks 'close hand' and the device does it. Saw it profiled on discovery before I read about it.

If they can do that now, for real, with a fake hand, the idea of a keyboard being that sensitive isn't a problem.

The problem is that a keyboard that sensitive is going to pick up noise from every where and continually spew out garbage. Unlike the arm, which has to be attached to the skin to pick up the electrical signals.

I suggest you use a normal keyboard and give the paranormal critter the ability to manipulate it without worrying about how sensitive it is. In fact, if it's not real senistive, it might give your mundane characters more reason to suspect something paranormal going on than if it's too sensitive.

BarbT
Acolyte

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 394

Posted 5/15/2007 3:13 PM (GMT -5)

Thanks for the information and idea!

Barb

scubadoc51
Bear

Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 57

Posted 5/19/2007 10:21 AM (GMT -5)

I’m one of the founders of Tejas Paranormal Research. We are an organization that researches paranormal claims in homes, businesses, etc.

I don’t know what your keyboard is built for or who uses it, but if you would like to email me about it, I’ll tell you what I can. I’ll also keep everything between us. In other words, the information and idea will be safe with me.

There are a lot of things to consider when working with EMF (electromagnetic force) and many people don’t understand it. It’s as different as electricity (stuff that runs our computers, appliances, etc.) and chemical-electrical (impulses created by the body) energy.

Let me know if I can help.

Tim

Tim Fisher
scubadoc51.com
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook34195.htm
http://www.tejasparanormalresearch.org

BarbT
Acolyte

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 394

Posted 5/19/2007 11:37 AM (GMT -5)

Thank you!!! I'll send you a PM.

That's a wonderful paranormal website. Anyone interested in "things that go bump", or in history, should take a look. :)

Barb

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