'Having Fun, Relaxing,' Researchers Create Profitable Keyboard

The development of a 'power-free, wireless keyboard' was not an official research project of our institute. It was created by chance. "We did not start our project with the intent of developing a power-free, wireless keyboard. In reality, the product's creation simply happened in the course of our enjoying our R&D work. We're excited that we came to transfer the technology in order to come a step closer to its commercialization."

Chung Sung-kwan, chief of future device team, KAIST Institute for IT Convergence, develops 'power-free, wireless keyboard technology'

'Ideas' discussed in taskforce meeting lead to 'exciting development'

So says Chung Sung-kwan, head of the future device team at the KAIST Institute for Information Technology Convergence(chief Cho Dong-ho), which operates under the KAIST Institute(Director Kim Sang-soo). Chung developed a "power-free, wireless keyboard," which can operate without a power supply and a cord, and successfully transferred the technology to a company, drawing attention from people within and outside the research community.

The keyboard is a device that operates wirelessly, even without a built-in power source. Unlike wireless keyboards that are on the market, this device does not require a battery.

In order for us to use a computer, diverse peripheral devices are required, including output units such as a monitor and printer, and input devices, such as a keyboard and mouse. Such supplementary devices also include a portable hard disk and USB memory, which are used to increase the user's convenience in data storage.

However, all these devices require a cable to supply power. Without a cable, power cannot be supplied and data cannot be stored or moved.

So what is the mechanism of the "power-free, wireless keyboard" that has been developed by Chung and his team?
The secret lies in RFID(Radio-Frequency IDentification) technology. Using mobile RFID tag technology, the new device allows the computer to recognize the pressing of keys.

RFID refers to a technology that allows for remote recognition of data by using electro waves, a process that requires an antenna for data transmission and reception. RFID is commonly used in our daily living. RFID chips are contained in bus and subway public transportation cards, and in the security key buttons in new clothes that prevent shoplifting.

Common keyboards contain some 80 to 110 keys. These keys are linked to circuits at the bottom, and whenever keys are pressed, the signs are displayed on the monitor, which is an output device. Both desktop computers and laptops operate through this mechanism.

The keys on the power-free, wireless keyboard are the same as those on normal keyboards in the way they are linked to circuits. However, the new keyboard's individual keys, each measuring 2cm, each contain a built-in antenna that transmits data to the keyboard, and a RFID chip. The chip is about 2 mm long and 2mm wide.

When a user inputs data through keys on a power-free, wireless keyboard, the keyboard receives the data via a Reader. Upon receiving this data, the Reader sends the signals to the software. At the same time, it constantly scans the data(reading) at speeds of up 10 to 20m/sec.

Another characteristic of the power-free, wireless keyboard is "flexibility." Since it uses a film-type polyimide and can be produced in the form of printed circuit boards, it can be rolled and folded, a feature that makes the device easy to carry.

Also, since individual keys operate independently, it is possible to use the keyboard even when it is folded, bended, or randomly compressed.

Chung Sung-kwan, chief of the KAIST Institute for IT Convergence, who developed the 'power-free, wireless keyboard'

Individual rectangles constitute the keys. The dark part functions as an antenna, while the smaller chip on the right is an RFID chip

The development was made possible thanks in large part to the support of KAIST professors Cho Dong-ho of the department of electrical and electronic engineering(Director of IT fusion research center) and Yoon Chun-sup from the department of physics.

Prof. Cho first suggested the idea of a wireless keyboard and incorporated key recognition technology adopting the RFID method to add to momentum to the device's development. Prof. Yoon examined the structure and physical characteristics of the material used in the keyboard to ensure that data could be communicated even if the keyboard were bended or folded.

# 'Ideas on wireless keyboard popped up while chatting'

The idea for a power-free, wireless keyboard started with a "story." It is the result of rather uncanny imaginations.

The KAIST Institute for IT Convergence runs a "future terminal taskforce," which is comprised of the future device team and professors in related fields. The taskforce was created with a view to examining "things that will have a major impact on the market," and "items that can spearhead technological advance and that users need."

The idea popped up when taskforce members were chatting about submissions to a "Contest on future terminal ideas," which the IT Convergence Institute conducted for its researchers in 2007.

While running the taskforce, team leader Chung Sung-kwan was carrying out a project entitled "User interface technology concerning future IT device transformation." The objective of the project had nothing to do with the development of the power-free, wireless keyboard.

The keyboard was developed while the taskforce was conducting this research project. Whenever they faced obstacles in conducting the project, taskforce members gathered to discuss how to sort things out.

A smiling Chung said, "While conducting research projects, we often face situations where we can't effectively address challenges and get headaches." He added, "Whenever we had such problems, we diverted our efforts to focus on the development of the power-free, wireless keyboard to relax and ease our headache and to draw the public's attention."

In short, the keyboard was effectively a "fun development," which taskforce members returned to for relaxation whenever they felt bored or developed a headache about their research projects.

Chung Sung-kwan conducts a demonstration on his own. Whenever the small keys were pushed, letters were presented on the display.

# Transferring technology to a company, developers 'seek to focus on the acquisition of core technology, instead of minimal technology transfer fees'

The KAIST institute for IT Convergence transferred the "power-free wireless keyboard technology" via P&IB's Daejeon branch(Kang In-gyu, branch chief) to Hanyang Semitech in Gyeonggi Province on July 18. The contract entailed 30million won in technology transfer fees and 3% of running royalty fees.

Chung said, "We developed the keyboard to acquire a core technology at the school, not to transfer technology, and had no intent for technology transfer in the first place." He added, "Rather than focusing on the fact that we transferred the technology, we will seek to address the technology that the company needs and the problems it must resolve when commercializing the transferred technology."

Chung plans to continue supporting Hanyang Semitech over the next two years to help commercialize the technology.

You Sang-young
young at HelloDD.com twitter: at SangYoung25

[August 12, 2010]

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Source - HelloDD.com