About this project
What are Multi-Touch peripheralsMulti-Touch keyboards and mice are the next generation in computer peripherals. These elegant well made devices are composed of quality tempered glass, a solid metal base, and the finest components. They are designed using simple existing technology and have no moving parts. They have rechargeable Lithium Polymer batteries and are completely wireless. The tactile sounds and lighting can be turned on or off per the users' preference plus they are coffee and doughnut resistant!
Open source software That's right, the software is open source! I believe in order to realize the true potential of a multi-touch keyboard and mouse we are going to need everyone's great ideas! Imagine a mouse that can select objects and zoom like an iPad or rotate puzzle parts while moving them to position, or a keyboard that can toggle from a standard keyboard to a tool to smear separate areas of color for each finger on an image. You might want to toggle your number pad off and dedicate that space to video-editing CAD design or music mixing. The functions of these spaces are limited only by our imagination!
Simple technology! If I were you I would be wondering if this is some obscure technology that has not been proven or needs to be developed. This is not the case. The method is so simple, I am surprised it has not been done already!
The design is based on a touch screen technology known as FTIR or Frustrated Total Internal Reflection. There are basically infrared LEDs placed at the edge of the glass. In this case, they are hidden inside holes where the glass is mounted to the metal base. Because of the low angle at which the light impacts the internal glass surface, it is bounced around inside the glass, much like looking through a tube to see the reflections on the inside walls. When the glass is touched it frustrates the reflection and the IR light is diffused downward, out of the glass, allowing the camera to see it. Software then determines the location and sends the appropriate information to your computer.
The Name Game?I would like to give everyone a chance to have one of these beautiful keyboard and mouse combos on their desk, even if they can only afford to pledge $10. Anyone who pledges $10 or $25 will have a chance to name the product and if their name is used they will win a complete multi-touch keyboard and mouse combo! The names will be picked based on impact, memorablity, website availability, and artistic value. Please feel free to submit an image or logo concept with your product name if it will help convey your intent.
Extra IncentiveI am also offering an incentive for the KickStarter who gets the most new contributors to back this project! So if you convince your friends to pledge, have them send me a note, crediting you. The KickStarter credited with the most new contributors, based on dollars pledged, will also receive a production keyboard and mouse combo!
What is the money used for? Your pledges pay for prototypes, tooling and pre-production efforts required to put this product in your hands! The mechanical portion of the product is designed. The PCB design is in progress. We will be building prototypes and developing the source software and the software development kit. Once everything comes together, tooling will be created to manufacture the glass, metal and plastic parts in the assembly and production units will be delivered!
FAQ
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The open source software will support PC, Mac, and Linux! We are also considering iOS support!
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Yes! At this point there are many ideas on how to customize the artwork on the back of the glass. I think the best so far is to create custom clear static sheets that will adhere to the back of the glass. These custom sheets could be made for different functions and different languages and may even be something that the end user could create and print a home or in their office!
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Absolutely! I love this idea and I would like to credit Michael Phred Wiser for being the first to suggest the idea! I will rework that portion of the design so that it goes all the way across and is soft on top for comfort.
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Yes! There are small bumps on the F and J keys and you can touch them without activating the keys. There is also sound that can be turned on or off to help with the tactile function of the device.
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Initially were considering USB but have changed to Bluetooth which will help us to support iOS.
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This is a great idea and we are considering it!
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When the product funds, I will send out a survey with the option to include a name as well as a way to include any images or logo that my help you convince me that yours is best.
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When the product funds, I will send out a survey which will ask for your shipping information.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
550
Backers
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 1.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
You'll get a chance to name the product! If I pick your product name you'll also win a production multi-touch keyboard and mouse. Only one winner so if there are two or more identical winning submissions the one submitted first will be awarded the product. You will also have my unending gratitude for supporting this project!
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
You'll be given a login and password to access the member area on the multi-touch peripheral website! This will allow you to download updates, images, 3D electronic drawings, firmware, and open software. You will also have an opportunity to name the product described above. You will also have my unending gratitude for supporting this project!
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
You will receive a production wireless multi-touch mouse! This includes a rechargeable multi-touch mouse, USB recharge cable, wireless USB TX/RX dongle, and all required software for installation. You'll also be given a login and password to access the member area described above. You will also have my unending gratitude for supporting this project! Please add $20 for shipping outside the US.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
You will receive a production wireless multi-touch keyboard! This includes a rechargeable multi-touch keyboard, USB recharge cable, wireless USB TX/RX dongle, and all required software for installation. You'll also be given a login and password to access the member area described above. You will also have my unending gratitude for supporting this project! Please add $20 for shipping outside the US.
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
You will receive a production wireless multi-touch keyboard and mouse! This includes a rechargeable multi-touch keyboard, a rechargeable multi-touch mouse, 2 USB recharge cables, wireless USB TX/RX dongle (only one needed for both devices), and all required software for installation. You'll also be given a login and password to access the member area described above. You will also have my unending gratitude for supporting this project! Please add $20 for shipping outside the US.
Pledge $1,200 or more Pledge $1,200 or more
You will receive a prototype wireless multi-touch keyboard and mouse! This includes a functional prototype multi-touch keyboard, a functional prototype multi-touch mouse, 2 USB recharge cables, prototype wireless USB TX/RX dongle (only one needed for both devices), and all required software for installation. You'll also be given a login/password and receive updates to software, firmware, and PCBs as revisions are made during the development process. You will also receive a complete production keyboard and mouse as described above once production starts. You will also have my unending gratitude for supporting this project! Please add $40 for shipping outside the US. ** NEW ** Custom etched production units with your name at the bottom right of the base part! ** NEW ** Inside of all future production packaging will have your name listed as making it possible!
Project By
Connected as Jason Giddings (199 friends)
Jason Giddings is President and Chief Executive Officer of Giddings Product Development and TransluSense.
As an aerospace engineer and a lifelong entrepreneur and inventor, Jason observed that many smaller custom product-based businesses could not afford to build up their own product development teams capable of professional level industrial design. As a result he founded Giddings Product Development in 2005.
In 2007, services were expanded to include production tooling and manufacturing. In 2010 capabilities were further increased by the addition of printed circuit board design as well as software and firmware development.
Today, Giddings Product Development is involved with the design and manufacture of products in countries ranging from the United States to New Zealand and from Japan to South America. Jason has several patents and has designed hundreds of products that are currently being sold in every corner of the world.
