KeyScan Develops Keyboard/Scanner Combo

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets//keyscan-keyboard-with-scanner-033233.php' target='_blank'>http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets//keyscan-keyboard-with-scanner-033233.php</a><br /><br /></div><i>"In what might be perceived as an effort to reduce desk clutter by obsessive-compulsive engineers, KeyScan has unveiled a keyboard with an integrated color scanner (obviously not of the flat-bed variety, although that would make for a much more amusing photo). Additionally functioning as a rudimentary, albeit convenient fax machine and copier, KeyScan also offers a "secure" version of the keyboard, featuring a fingerprint and smart card scanner for easy authentication, provided you are who you say you are."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/keyscan_ks810_keyboard_scanner.jpg" /> <br /><br />In recent years, scanners have been built-in to more and more printers. In this unique twist, the scanner has been built into a keyboard. I am just not sure who this is targeted at. Sure it is convenient to have the scanner right there, but if you are using a scanner so often that you need it right there, you would probably benefit more from having a regular flatbed.

[Darius Wey]

And do you have to physically lift the keyboard up everytime you scan, just so the piece of paper can feed all the way through? Innovation is nice, but if you have to do that, then innovation can also be annoying. :|

[Filip Norrgard]

And do you have to physically lift the keyboard up everytime you scan, just so the piece of paper can feed all the way through? Innovation is nice, but if you have to do that, then innovation can also be annoying. :|
Remember the mouse-like scanners from the start of the 90's? I though this keyboard used the same idea when I first looked at the photo... :D

[ctmagnus]

I saw this on jkOTR (www.jkontherun.com) last night. It's sheet-fed but I assume it would be a pain to use for anything more than scanning business cards or items of similar dimensions.

[bigkingfun]

And do you have to physically lift the keyboard up everytime you scan, just so the piece of paper can feed all the way through? Innovation is nice, but if you have to do that, then innovation can also be annoying. :|

Compaq made a keyboard just like this 6 or 7 years ago, but with a B&amp;W scanner. The paper fed and ejected from the top of the keyboard so there wasn't any need to lift it up. It's hard to say from the picture, but I can't imagine they would design it to have to be moved every time you want to scan.

[Darius Wey]

It's hard to say from the picture, but I can't imagine they would design it to have to be moved every time you want to scan.

Yeah, I was basing it on what I saw in the picture. How it actually functions is anyone's guess at this stage.