Introduction to Peripherals

Input Device: Keyboard

Computer Peripherals
A peripheral is a piece of computer hardware that is
added to a host computer in order to expand its
abilities. More specifically, the term is used to
describe those devices that are optional in nature, as
opposed to hardware that is either demanded or
always required in principle.

 Theterm also tends to be applied to devices that are

hooked up externally, typically through some form of
computer bus like USB.

 Some people do not consider internal devices such

as video capture cards to be peripherals because
they are added inside the computer case; for them,
the term peripherals is reserved exclusively for
devices that are hooked up externally to the computer
List of Some common peripherals

Input Devices:
Keyboard Digitizer
Mouse Digital Camera
Tackball Microphone
Joystick
Touch Screen
Scanner
Barcode Reader
List of Some common peripherals

Output Devices:

CRT Monitor,
Plasma display,
Video Projector,
Printer,
Plotter,
Speaker.
List of Some common peripherals

Storage Devices:
Magnetic Disk,
Compact Disk,
DVD,
Flash memory.

Other:
Modem, Display adapter, Sound
card
Keyboard
A computer keyboard is a peripheral
partially modeled after the typewriter
keyboard. Keyboards are designed for the
input of text and characters and also to
control the operation of a computer.
Keyboard
 An average Windows keyboard
Keyboard
 Physically, computer keyboards are an
arrangement of rectangular buttons, or "keys".
Keyboards typically have characters engraved
or printed on the keys; in most cases, each
press of a key corresponds to a single written
symbol. However, to produce some symbols
requires pressing and holding several keys
simultaneously or in sequence; other keys do
not produce any symbol, but instead affect the
operation of the computer or the keyboard itself.
How it Woks?
The following briefly describes a "dome-switch"
keyboard the most common type in use today
1. When a key is pressed, it pushes down on a rubber dome sitting
beneath the key. A conductive contact on the underside of the
dome touches (and hence connects) a pair of conductive lines on
the circuit below.
2. This bridges the gap between them and allows current to flow (i.e.
the circuit goes from open to closed), changing the signal
strength.
3. A scanning signal is emitted by the chip along the pairs of lines to
all the keys. When the signal in one pair becomes different, the
chip generates a "make code" corresponding to the key
connected to that pair of lines.
How it Woks? (Continued)
4. The code generated is sent to the computer either via a keyboard
cable (using on-off electrical pulses to represent bits) or over a
wireless connection. It may be repeated.
5. A chip inside the computer receives the signal bits and decodes
them into the appropriate keypress. The computer then decides
what to do on the basis of the key pressed (e.g. display a character
on the screen, or perform some action).
6. When the key is released, a break code (different than the make
code) is sent to indicate the key is no longer pressed. If the break
code is missed (e.g. due to a keyboard switch) it is possible for the
keyboard controller to believe the key is pressed down when it is
not, which is why pressing then releasing the key again will release
the key. (since another break code is sent.)

Other types of keyboards function in a similar manner, the main

differences being how the individual key-switches work
Inside the Keyboard
 A keyboard is a lot like a miniature computer. It has its
own processor and circuitry that carries information to
and from that processor. A large part of this circuitry
makes up the key matrix.
 Fig. The microprocessor and controller circuitry of a keyboard
Inside the Keyboard (Continued..)

 The key matrix is a grid of circuits underneath

the keys. In all keyboards (except for capacitive
models,), each circuit is broken at a point below
each key. When you press a key, it presses a
switch, completing the circuit and allowing a tiny
amount of current to flow through. The
mechanical action of the switch causes some
vibration, called bounce, which the processor
filters out. If you press and hold a key, the
processor recognizes it as the equivalent of
pressing a key repeatedly.
Inside the Keyboard (Continued..)

 When the processor finds a circuit that is closed, it

compares the location of that circuit on the key matrix to
the character map in its read-only memory (ROM). A
character map is basically a comparison chart or lookup
table. It tells the processor the position of each key in the
matrix and what each keystroke or combination of
keystrokes represents. For example, the character map
lets the processor know that pressing the a key by itself
corresponds to a small letter "a," but the Shift and a
keys pressed together correspond to a capital "A."
Inside the Keyboard (Continued..)
 A computer can also use separate character maps, overriding the
one found in the keyboard. This can be useful if a person is typing in
a language that uses letters that don't have English equivalents on a
keyboard with English letters.

 Fig. The key matrix

Keyboard technology
 Fig. Keyboard construction, in four layers, of a typical notebook
computer keyboard
Keyboard technology (Continued)
 There are many types of keyboard, usually
differentiated by the switch technology employed
in their operation. Since there are so many
switches needed (usually about 80-110) and
because they have to be highly reliable, this
usually defines the keyboard. The choice of
switch technology affects key response (the
positive feedback that a key has been pressed)
and travel (the distance needed to push the key
to enter a character reliably).
Keyboard technology (Continued)

 Types
 Dome-switch keyboard
 Scissor-switch keyboard
 Capacitive keyboard
 Mechanical-switch keyboard
 Hall-effect keyboard
 Laser keyboard
 Membrane keyboard
Dome-switch keyboard
 How a dome-switch keyboard works: Finger depresses the dome to
complete the circuit
Dome-switch keyboard
 Dome-switches mesh with keys (keyboard is
upside down in this image)
Dome-switch keyboard
 Rubber dome switches are very common. They use
small, flexible rubber domes, each with a hard carbon
center. When you press a key, a plunger on the bottom
of the key pushes down against the dome, and the
carbon center presses against a hard, flat surface
beneath the key matrix. As long as the key is held, the
carbon center completes the circuit. When the key is
released, the rubber dome springs back to its original
shape, forcing the key back up to its at-rest position.
Rubber dome switch keyboards are inexpensive, have
pretty good tactile response and are fairly resistant to
spills and corrosion because of the rubber layer covering
the key matrix.
Dome-switch keyboard
 This type of switch technology happens to
be most commonly used in handheld
controllers, mobile phones, automotive,
consumer electronics and medical
devices. Dome-switch keyboards are also
called direct-switch keyboards.
Scissor-switch keyboard

 Scissor-switch technology does not use a

rubber-plunger assembly like most other
keyboards. Scissor-switch keyboards are
normally responsive and crisp. These
keyboards are generally quiet. The keys
require little force to press.
 This keyboard technology is mainly used
in laptops.
Capacitive keyboard

 In this type of keyboard, pressing the key

changes the capacitance of a pattern printed on
a PC board. Usually this permits a pulse or pulse
train to be sensed. Unlike "dome switch"
keyboards, the pattern will be covered by a thin,
insulating film. Capacitive keyboards are
expensive, and resist wear, water, foreign
objects and dirt. They are common in PC
keyboards.
Capacitive keyboard (Continued)
 Capacitive switches are considered to be non-
mechanical because they do not physically complete a
circuit like most other keyboard technologies. Instead,
current constantly flows through all parts of the key
matrix. Each key is spring-loaded and has a tiny plate
attached to the bottom of it. When you press a key, it
moves this plate closer to the plate below it. As the two
plates move closer together, the amount of current
flowing through the matrix changes. The processor
detects the change and interprets it as a key press for
that location. Capacitive switch keyboards are
expensive, but they have a longer life than any other
keyboard. Also, they do not have problems with bounce
since the two surfaces never come into actual contact.
Mechanical-switch keyboard

 Mechanical-switch keyboards use real switches,

one under each key. Depending on the
construction of the switch, these keyboards have
varying responses and travel times. Notable
keyboards utilizing this technology are the Apple
Extended II, and its modern imitator, the Matias
Tactile Pro. These two keyboards use ALPS
switches. In India, the TVS Gold mechanical
keyboard is very popular despite costing about
five times a membrane keyboard.
Hall-effect keyboard
 Hall effect keyboards use magnets and Hall effect
sensors instead of an actual switch. When a key is
depressed, it moves a magnet, which is detected by the
solid-state sensor. These keyboards are extremely
reliable, and are able to accept millions of keystrokes
before failing. They are used for ultra-high reliability
applications, in locations like nuclear power plants or
aircraft cockpits. They are also sometimes used in
industrial environments. These keyboards can be easily
made totally waterproof. They also resist large amounts
of dust and contaminants. Because a magnet and
sensor is required for each key, as well as custom
control electronics, they are very expensive.
Hall Effect Switch
 Generation of an electric potential perpendicular to both
an electric current flowing along a conducting material
and an external magnetic field applied at right angles to
the current upon application of the magnetic field.
Hall Effect Switch
A magnetic field B is employed perpendicular to the current
direction j, as a consequence a potential difference (i.e.
a voltage) develops at right angles to both vectors.
Membrane keyboard
 Rather than having a switch for each key,
membrane keyboards use a continuous
membrane that stretches from one end to
another. A pattern printed in the membrane
completes the circuit when you press a key.
Some membrane keyboards use a flat surface
printed with representations of each key rather
than keycaps. Membrane keyboards don't have
good tactile response, and without additional
mechanical components they don't make the
clicking sound that some people like to hear
when they're typing. However, they're generally
inexpensive to make.
Membrane keyboard
Membrane keyboard
 Consists of three layers:
 Two of these are membrane layers
containing conductive traces.
 The center layer is a "spacer" containing
holes wherever a "key" exists. It keeps the
other two layers apart.
Membrane keyboard
 Under normal conditions, the switch (key) is
open, because current cannot cross the non-
conductive gap between the traces on the
bottom layer.
 When the top layer is pressed down (with a
finger), it makes contact with the bottom layer.
The conductive traces on the underside of the
top layer can then bridge the gap, allowing
current to flow. The switch is now "closed", and
the parent device registers a key press.
 Mainly gaming keyboard, for its noiseless
attitude.
Laser keyboard
 A laser projection device approximately the size of a
computer mouse projects the outline of keyboard keys
onto a flat surface, such as a table or desk. When the
laser is interrupted in the position of a key, a keystroke is
registered. This type of keyboard is portable enough to
be easily used with PDAs and cellphones. However,
sudden or accidental disruption of the laser will register
unwanted keystrokes. Also, if the laser malfunctions, the
whole unit becomes useless, unlike conventional
keyboards which can be used even if a variety of parts
(such as the keycaps) are removed. This type of
keyboard can be cumbersome to use since it is
susceptible to errors, even in the course of normal
typing, and its complete lack of tactile feedback makes it
even less user-friendly than the cheapest membrane
keyboards.
Laser keyboard
 Fig. Laser keyboard
Other parts of the PC keyboard
 The modern PC keyboard is more than just the switch
technology, however. It also includes a control processor
and indicator lights to provide feedback to the user about
what state the keyboard is in. Depending on the
sophistication of the controller's programming, the
keyboard may also offer other special features.
 The processor is usually a single chip 8048
microcontroller variant. The keyboard switch matrix is
wired to its inputs and it processes the incoming
keystrokes and sends the results down a serial cable
(the keyboard cord) to a receiver in the main computer
box. It also controls the illumination of the "caps lock",
"num lock" and "scroll lock" lights.
Keyboard Layout
Keyboard Layout (Continued)
 There exist a large number of different
arrangements of symbols on keys. These
different keyboard layouts arise mainly
because different people need easy
access to different symbols; typically, this
is because they are writing in different
languages, but specialized keyboard
layouts for mathematics, accounting, and
computer programming also exist.
Keyboard Layout (Continued)
 Most of the more common keyboard layouts (QWERTY-
based and similar) were designed in the era of the
mechanical typewriters, so their ergonomics had to be
slightly compromised in order to tackle some of the
technical limitations of the typewriters. QWERTY layouts
and their brethren had been a de facto standard for
decades prior to the introduction of the very first
computer keyboard, and were primarily adopted for
electronic keyboards for this reason. Alternative layouts
do exist, the best known of which is the Dvorak
Simplified Keyboard; however, these layouts are not in
widespread use.
 In principle, computer keyboard designs are governed by
the ISO/IEC 9995 international standard.
Connection types
 There are several different ways of
connecting a keyboard which have
evolved over the years. These include the
standard AT (DIN-5) connector commonly
found on pre-80486 motherboards, which
was eventually replaced by the PS/2 and
now USB connection. Prior to the iMac line
of systems, Apple Computer used ADB, a
proprietary system, for its keyboard
connector
Connection types (Continued)
 A PS/2 type keyboard connector
Connection types (Continued)
 Wireless keyboards, on the other hand, connect
to the computer through infrared (IR), radio
frequency (RF) or Bluetooth connections. IR
and RF connections are similar to what you'd
find in a remote control. Regardless of which
sort of signal they use, wireless keyboards
require a receiver, either built in or plugged in to
the USB port, to communicate with the
computer. Since they don't have a physical
connection to the computer, wireless keyboards
have an AC power connection or use batteries
for power
Connection types (Continued)
 Microsoft wireless keyboard
Connection types (Continued)
 This Microsoft wireless keyboard is battery-powered.
Customization of keyboard
 Sometimes, it is desired to customize the layout of a
keyboard or remap the keys.
 Under systems running X11 (e.g. GNU/Linux) this can be
done with xmodmap, under Windows there are several
software for this purpose :
SharpKeys: free
KeyTweak: free
Keyboard Layout Manager: commercial