Sounds from typing can reveal what is typed

[Frog march]

An audio recording of an individual's typing can be transposed into a transcript of what was typed, according to University of California at Berkeley researchers. The technique works because each key makes a distinct sound when hit, and users, who typically type about 300 characters a minute, leave enough time between keystrokes for a computer to isolate the individual sounds.


from http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5865318.html

[Kristophe]

What about those of us who can type considerably faster than 300 characters per minute? I, for one, regularly double that.

[crosscountry]

yep, many are faster.


the study doesn't suprise me. I can tell the difference between many keys on my keyboard. The backspace key gets used quite a bit, it definitly has its own sound. ;)

[Enzp]

It would have to be calibrated first for the individual board. I can't imagine that the G key makes the same sound on all keyboards. Well, other than piano keyboards.

[NEOWatcher]

It would have to be calibrated first for the individual board. I can't imagine that the G key makes the same sound on all keyboards. Well, other than piano keyboards.
I think you can do it with the intervals between keystrokes, the impercievable length of time each keystroke takes, and the strength of the keystroke. (I would also assume a person with the standard style with ASDFJKL; being home)
Also, throw in a little statistical analysis of individual letter occurances and combinations, and I think you can eliminate the individual keyboard.

Kind of an extension of why we ended up with a Qwerty keyboard to begin with.

[Enzp]

Maybe, then we would have to take into account how many fingers are used. The classic touch typist will have different time intervals from a two finger typist. Or a six finger guy like me.

[publiusr]

I just make noises and mutter while I type.

"Peck...peck..you-dummy--I-didn't-tell-you--'t'--I-said-type-'y'!!!
Gnip! Gnop!"

Get the white coats, publius has lost it again...

[soylentgreen]

I hope that was a privately funded study!

Maybe next they can tackle cigarette smoking and finally answer if it's as dangerous as they say. :mad:

These guys are not exactly earning their reserved seats on the government's secret "Doomsday National Ark" ;)