DIY alternative: 3 in 1 low EMF computer: Mouse, Keyboard, Microphone

obsolete post

Wow, I can't believe you went to all that trouble with the weights.

I've thought a lot about how to create a keyboard with zero EMF. Are you so sensitive that you get a reaction even from old style battery powered keyboards that use Infrared light (not bluetooth) ?

I would think those would be quite low EMF. The IR sender is directional, so you can point it to the receiver at a distance.

Something like:
http://www.btc.com.tw/pdf/5110r.pdf

Transmission mode is infrared, so all light, no RF. 6AA Batteries.

If you still want to go the super-hard route, I'd think something with interrupted light beams, like optical wires, would be the way to go.. So when you press the key, you're changing the light reflected at the end of an optical cable.. which can be quite cheap.

With a photo sensor, optical cables, and a logic board like the Arduino, it should be doable.

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You should be able to get a IR keyboard with no problems.

If you worry about compatibility, check this out,
https://flirc.tv/flirc-usb

it is a IR Receiver that can be programmer to any IR device. I've never tried it, but it looks like it should do the job.

So you can just buy the keyboard, and program it to this IR reciever, which is pretty new, it's intended for home theater PCs.

I'd recommend trying something already done, as it's a lot of work to make your own.. if you make it, you may as well try to sell it once it's done and hope to get your money back.. maybe others would be interested in a light/operated keyboard.

Here's an already done IR mouse,

http://www.natatech.com/products/complete-response-systems/fmri-mouse-system

and trackball,
http://www.natatech.com/products/complete-response-systems/fmri-trackball-system

emits 0 magnetic, 0 RF. Made for MRI technicians. in MRI no fields are allowed in the room.

Also some ideas:
http://benkrasnow.blogspot.ca/2011/04/fiberoptic-mouse-with-quadrature.html

Ok, thanks a lot for the links, i'll look into this stuff. That IR Receiver is interesting and
that mouse system Ben Krasnow made is exactly what i need,
i'm not sure how i'll tackle it, but we'll see.
And i'll do my best to do something back for the community if i can.

If there are other options or idea's, they are very welcome.

Here is an idea for a less EMF Keyboard:

Buy this adapter:
http://handheldsci.com/kb

Buy a USB Bluetooth receiver and USB Extender cable.
Place the two together in a cardboard box, lined with tin foil, only cables sticking out through small holes.

This effectively disconnects the computer from the keyboard. Only the adapter which is battery powered will power the keyboard and send it's output back to the computer via Bluetooth which happens in the tin foil line box so it doesn't escape.  The keyboard should have much less EMF this way. It won't be 0, because there are still chips running inside of the keyboard, but RF and E fields will be reduced.

The benefit is, you get to keep your favorite wired keyboard. I just wish there was something like this for the mouse.

For people who where following this thread:
i tested the infrared "Acer Airkey Wireless keyboard with integrated mouse"
with no success. If you are very sensitive like me it probably won't
work for you either. i feel pain after using it a short while.  it's caused by this,
because if use my wooden keyboard/mouse system i feel no pain of coarse.

I have two old PalmOS devices with keyboards that don't bother me as much. Both are available cheaply on eBay and Amazon, and one of the manufacturers made a smart keyboard that would plug directly into a PC or Mac. I have one of those on order, and I would be happy to post results when I test it.

Old Palm infrared keyboards do have an active matrix, but it runs at only ~4 Hz. I find that a lot more tolerable than most keyboards. The matrix on an Alphasmart Dana runs at ~60 Hz, which also doesn't bother me as much.

i also have a "Belkin F8U1500 Infra Red keyboard" (no idea on what hz it operates) but this gives readings on the meter and so should be worse than my other IR keyboard.
This one is also not tolerable for me, instant pain.

Merializer wrote

i also have a "Belkin F8U1500 Infra Red keyboard" (no idea on what hz it operates) but this gives readings on the meter and so should be worse than my other IR keyboard.
This one is also not tolerable for me, instant pain.

Merializer, I thought about sending you a note when you first posted, but I'm just digging into keyboards myself.

I've toyed with doing a fully optical keyboard. The waveguides need to reflect a fraction of light at right angles, but also allow some to pass through so that other key-presses on the same column or row can be detected.

I have CAD software that can create models suitable for a 3D printer. Once you have a working prototype, you can use the parts to make silicone or urethane molds that will let you make multiple copies fairly easily.

Just an update:

I'm typing this on my Alphasmart Neo,which just arrived. It's not as much better as I had hoped, but I can touch-type more easily. I don't get agitated after 30 seconds, so that's an improvement.

In my opinion, one should first eliminate all possible elektrosmog components.
They are in the frequency range of 5kHz and 10MHz.
You can find them with a HAM radio or de Esmog Spion.

There are monitors and monitors.
I had an Acer 24", which gave big peaks at 47.5MHz.
Now I have a Philips27", no problems.

I had a mouse on a PS2 plug. A lot of elektrosmog.
Now I use one with USB.
The cablke should be *not shielded*.

I had a Microsoft 600 wired keyboard. That one died.
I got one Trust keybord. When I went with my detector over it, saomething peculiar happened.
Right over the keyboard, I measured strong fields. When I went upwards, the fields went down, but whrn I got again upwards, the fields get stronger, etc..
Now I am using e Microsoft 600 keyboard again, and nu trouble.
The wiring should be *not shielded*.

The cables are treated with this alu film. Pagina600.html
The keyboard as well as the monitor do have these Gebbensleben stickers.

When you are using a shielded keyboard or mouse, the dirtyyu frequencies are trapped inside the cables, and cannot escape, so they escape under your hand.

One of the worst elektrosmog causers is the power transformer in the computer.
I got a new desktop computer, but with a very bad power transformer.
I let them exchange for another one, and the problems are gone.

I could buy the USB Flirc (infrared transmitter/receiver).

I could buy a keyboard, but that would need power, and if powered if would already be a bluetooth device. Or it would expect power from its USB connection.

The problem is powering the USB keyboard and having its USB connect to the Flirc. The Flirc has no power for the keyboard. It will look for power from the keyboard.

Solution?

The already-done devices are $2500.