Virtual reality keyboard system and method

A system for implementing an interactive virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the system comprising:

• a VR headset including at least one liquid crystal display (LCD) and worn by a user with the at least one LCD viewable by the user, with the VR headset responsive to first image data, for generating and displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard having a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard having a plurality of VR keys to the user through the at least one LCD, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data;
• a VR input device, including a VR glove, for detecting a motion of the fingers and hands of the user corresponding to at least one physical keystroke, the VR input device being responsive to the detected :motions for generating keystroke-corresponding input signals corresponding to the motion;
• a processor connected to the VR headset and operating a VR-keyboard-generating program for providing the first image data to the VR headset, the processor being responsive to the keystroke-corresponding input signals for generating finger-motion image data;
• and
• wherein the VR headset is responsive to the finger-motion image data for generating a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard having a second appearance representing a depressed VR key on the VR keyboard simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys, thereby displaying at least one depressed VR key in response to the at least one physical keystroke.

A method for providing an interactive virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the method comprising the steps of:

• operating a VR keyboard-generating-program using a processor;
• outputting first image data to a VR headset having a display;
• displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard with a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard having a plurality of VR keys on the display to the user, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data;
• detecting motion at a VR input device, with the motion due to movement of the fingers and hands of the user corresponding to at least one physical keystroke;
• generating keystoke-corresponding input signals at the VR input device corresponding to the detected motion;
• generating finger-motion image data using the processor corresponding to the input signals;
• and
• generating, using the finger motion data, a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard on the display of the VR headset, with the VR keyboard having a second appearance representing a depressed VR key on the VR keyboard simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys, thereby displaying at least one depressed VR key in response to the at least one physical keystroke.