Keyboard technology
Modern computer keyboards are input devices designed to support human-machine interaction, where a human user can deliver their commands to a interactive program. The design and making of keyboards is a interdisciplinarity process where multiple fields of science are applied, including engineering, ergonomics, materials science, integrated circuit design, and more. Many different keyboard technologies have been developed to meet consumer demands and optimized for industrial applications. The standard full-size alphanumeric keyboard typically uses 101 to 105 individual keys, while ones integrated into a laptopcomputers tends to be less comprehensive.
Virtual keyboards, which are mostly accessed via a touchscreen interface, have no physical switches and provide artificial audio and haptic feedback instead. This variety of keyboard can prove useful, as it is not limited by the rigid nature of physical computer keyboards.
The majority of modern keyboards include a control processor and indicator lights to provide feedback to the user (and to the central processor) about what state the keyboard is in. Plug-and-play technology means that its "out of the box" layout can be notified to the system, making the keyboard immediately ready to use without the need for further configuration, unless the user so desires. This also enables manufacture of generic keyboards for a variety of language markets, that differ only in the symbols engraved on the keytops.