Overlay keyboard

An overlay keyboard is a specialized keyboard with no pre-set keys. Each key can be programmed with a wide range of different functions. Overlay keyboards are often used as a quick and easy way to input items with just two buttons.

Overlay keyboards generally consist of a flat grid of unmarked buttons. After the keyboard is programmed, a sheet, called an overlay, is placed overtop to identify each key. The overlay can consist of any combination of words, symbols, or even pictures.

Advantages

Overlay keyboards have several advantages over conventional keyboards or mice. They do not require memorization of shortcut keys (i.e. F5, Alt+S, etc.) nor do they require a great deal of fine motor control, making them ideal for people who have difficulty using a conventional keyboard. Overlay keyboards are easy to clean, and are much more resistant to spills or dust. The ability to change overlay sheets also makes it easy for a single overlay keyboard to have several different uses.

Usage

Overlay keyboards are probably most often found in fast food restaurants, where they reduce the amount of time required to enter items. Overlay keyboards are also used in education, especially at the primary level. They can also be used by disabled people who have sensory or motor control difficulties.^[1][2]

References

1. ^ P. Blenkhorn, "Switch, overlay keyboard and touch screen software for children and adults with profound and multiple disabilities", Feb. 24, 1998, accessed Sept. 22, 2007
2. ^ "Everything You Need to Know about Overlay Keyboards", accessed 29 July 2009

This computer hardware article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Computer hardware stubs Computer keyboards Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат? Ziyad Cattan Qurratulain Hyder Look at other dictionaries: Overlay — may refer to: Overlay architecture, term used to describe ‘event architecture’ and relates to the temporary elements that supplement existing buildings and infrastructure to enable the operation of major sporting events or festivals. Overlay… …   Wikipedia Keyboard (computing) — In computing, a keyboard is an input device partially modelled after the typewriter keyboard which uses an arrangement of buttons, or keys which act as electronic switches. A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the keys, and… …   Wikipedia Computer keyboard — A key being pressed on a computer keyboard. In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Following the decline of punch cards and paper… …   Wikipedia Keyboard overlay — Накладная клавиатура …   Краткий толковый словарь по полиграфии Generalized keyboard — Generalized keyboards are musical keyboards with regular, tile like arrangements usually with rectangular or hexagonal keys, and were developed for performing music in different tunings. They were introduced by Robert Bosanquet in the 1870s, and… …   Wikipedia Sinclair ZX80 — Infobox computer Photo = Type = Home computer Released = 1980 Discontinued = 1981 Processor = Z80 @ 3.25 MHz (most machines used the NEC μPD780C 1 equivalent) Memory = 1 KB (16 KB max.) OS = Sinclair BASICThe Sinclair ZX80 was a home computer… …   Wikipedia PlayStation 3 accessories — Various accessories for the PlayStation 3 video game console have been produced by Sony. These include controllers, audio and video input devices like microphones and video cameras, and cables for better sound and picture quality. Contents 1 Game …   Wikipedia Wearable computer — Wearable computers are computers that are worn on the body. They have been applied to areas such as behavioral modeling, health monitoring systems, information technologies and media development. Wearable computers are especially useful for… …   Wikipedia Commodore 64 peripherals — Commodore 64 Home Computer This article is about the various external peripherals of the Commodore 64 home computer. Contents 1 Storage …   Wikipedia Tilde — For the baseball player known as the Big Tilde, see Magglio Ordóñez.  ◌̃ Tilde Punctuation …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”