Smart keyboard identifies users by typing

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have successfully developed a set of keyboards that accurately identify users based on their typing style. At the same time, this keyboard can collect static electricity from the user's fingertips through a water and dust-proof coating on the keyboard surface.

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So far, passwords are the most common way for users to protect personal information. However, passwords are easily stolen and this is a potential threat that users always face. Researchers have tried to find other ways to replace passwords in identifying identities such as using fingerprints or retinal scans, etc.

Reaching a different angle, the team led by Zhong Lin Wang of Georgia Institute of Technology developed a keyboard that accurately identifies users' identities through their typing style. their own, such as the pressure exerted on each key or time between the typing keys. Currently, most keyboards operate based on mechanical switches below each key and there are only 2 modes that turn on and off corresponding to typing or not typing. However, the keyboard generation of the research team was developed in a completely different style.

Instead of just having simple buttons, the group's smart keyboard works based on 4 transparent overlays on the surface of each key. These are the two tin oxide indium (ITO) layers that act as two electrodes, separated in the middle by a layer of PET plastic (the material used to make water bottles or waterproof fabrics). The top is added 1 layer of FEP plastic with the ability to collect static electricity of human skin. As soon as the fingertip touches the key, static electricity will be retained and converted into electricity by the triboelectric effect.

Smart 4-layer structure on the keyboard

The design allows the keyboard to "grab" a lot of information from every user keypress operation. Aspects of a typing operation will be processed and analyzed as a basis for determining the identity of the user. In one experiment, the researchers asked 104 volunteers to use this keyboard to type the word "touch" four times. The results show that, with only a small amount of input data, the system can still distinguish each person with high accuracy. The team hopes that this technique, if combined with traditional passwords, will create a much safer level of security.

Talking about the top plastic FEP coating, it is responsible for collecting and storing static electricity from the user's fingertips. Although the original prototype of the keyboard has not focused on developing this feature, it is quite promising. In the future, this power source can be used to provide Bluetooth connectivity, making the keyboard work wirelessly without even needing to use additional battery power.

Another advantage of this keyboard design is that it is anti-water, dust, etc. Professor Wang said: "You can spill the cup of coffee on the keyboard without damaging it. Simply because it has covered with effective waterproof plastic sheets ". At the same time, by using low-cost, durable materials, the team hopes that this will be a potential project to develop the security generation - the new keyboard ensures both cost and stability when operating.