Samsung makes technology for typing on ‘virtual keyboard’ for smartphones

Samsung is developing a technology that will allow users to type on a surface as if it were a keyboard. The front camera of a smartphone tracks finger movements and converts them into keystrokes.

The technique is called SelfieType, says Samsung. The technique works by leaving the smartphone on the table with the screen facing the user. Then users should be able to type as if there were a keyboard and that input will appear on the screen.

Since users don’t see letters, the software has to guess which words users are trying to make. This is done through software. No additional hardware is required to enable the feature.

SelfieType is one of eight new C-Lab projects that Samsung will show at the CES trade show in January. At Samsung’s C-Lab, experimental projects in and from start-ups are accommodated. C-Lab is five years old. It is not yet known whether and when Samsung will actually release the SelfieType.

Samsung’s C-Lab also shows projects such as HyLer, a paper note-taking marker that automatically digitizes the notes. Samsung also shows Ultra V, a UV sensor for fitness trackers that keeps track of how much sunlight users get in a day.