Prototype Keyboard [LOMAK]
Maker and role
Mike Watling, Inventor
Auckland University of Technology, Maker
Peter Haythornthwaite, Designer
Production date
2002
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2021.48.5
Production period
Description
LOMAK Prototype Keyboard.
AUT keyboard prototype with a test face board to see if colours made it easier to operate.
Rectangular, green, metal unit with clear plastic panel on the top. Underneath the plastic panel the face of the key board can be seen. The top face of the keyboard has pairs of lights set into the board to form three circles, two smaller ones flanking a larger central circle with lights in the centre. Several other groupings of lights are placed in the interface. The letters from A-Z are printed around the central circle while the numbers 1-0 and special characters are printed alongside the proper right circle. "C/Lock / Shift / Hold 'On' / Mouse On/Off / Shift / Hold 'Off' / F/Shift / Point Prog / Ctrl / Shift / Point Spd 'On' / Shift / Point Spd 'Off' / Alt / Sound / LOMAK / patents pending" is printed on the face.
The back of the keyboard has the circuitry visible. "LOMAK / LASER OPERATED MOUSE AND KEYBOARD (Rev. B) / C AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY / 08/05/2001 000612". A transparent plastic base covers the circuitry with bluetack. Two grey cables protrude from the right side, one has "M" hand-written in permanent marker, the other has "501045-0009 / WY SH" embossed.
AUT keyboard prototype with a test face board to see if colours made it easier to operate.
Rectangular, green, metal unit with clear plastic panel on the top. Underneath the plastic panel the face of the key board can be seen. The top face of the keyboard has pairs of lights set into the board to form three circles, two smaller ones flanking a larger central circle with lights in the centre. Several other groupings of lights are placed in the interface. The letters from A-Z are printed around the central circle while the numbers 1-0 and special characters are printed alongside the proper right circle. "C/Lock / Shift / Hold 'On' / Mouse On/Off / Shift / Hold 'Off' / F/Shift / Point Prog / Ctrl / Shift / Point Spd 'On' / Shift / Point Spd 'Off' / Alt / Sound / LOMAK / patents pending" is printed on the face.
The back of the keyboard has the circuitry visible. "LOMAK / LASER OPERATED MOUSE AND KEYBOARD (Rev. B) / C AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY / 08/05/2001 000612". A transparent plastic base covers the circuitry with bluetack. Two grey cables protrude from the right side, one has "M" hand-written in permanent marker, the other has "501045-0009 / WY SH" embossed.
Brief History
This LOMAK (Light Operated Mouse and Keyboard) prototype is one of five made at AUT (Auckland University of Technology) to test Mike Watling’s concept. This prototype has a test face board, designed by Peter Haythornthwaite, with a different colour scheme to see whether these colours made the device easier to operate. The devices were taken into the community and tested using a typing test written by AUT postgraduate student Karen Elliott. The prototypes could be operated by either a head-mounted or hand-controlled light unit.
The LOMAK device was developed in New Zealand for people with a physical disability who cannot use a standard computer keyboard or mouse.
The LOMAK device was developed in New Zealand for people with a physical disability who cannot use a standard computer keyboard or mouse.
Marks
C/Lock / Shift / Hold 'On' / Mouse On/Off / Shift / Hold 'Off' / F/Shift / Point Prog / Ctrl / Shift / Point Spd 'On' / Shift / Point Spd 'Off' / Alt / Sound / LOMAK / patents pending Printed
LOMAK / LASER OPERATED MOUSE AND KEYBOARD (Rev. B) / C AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY / 08/05/2001 000612 Printed
M Hand-written
501045-0009 / WY SH Embossed
LOMAK / LASER OPERATED MOUSE AND KEYBOARD (Rev. B) / C AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY / 08/05/2001 000612 Printed
M Hand-written
501045-0009 / WY SH Embossed
Media/Materials
Record level
Object Parts
Collection
Credit Line
Mike Watling et al. 2002. Prototype Keyboard [LOMAK], 2021.48.5. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Light Operated Mouse and Keyboard [LOMAK]; Mike Watling](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/57362/80bf0762f9a18d87ba01ac1bd0443524ac2e4553.jpg)
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