Computers have become essential for a variety of diverse tasks ranging from communication to quantum computing. The average person knows enough about a computer to navigate and accomplish their desired tasks. However, most individuals do not know how each key works. Physics, coding, and engineering are some of the many working concepts at play within the functioning of a single keyboard key.
The international standard computer keyboard is the QWERTY keyboard (Noyes, 1983). This layout was introduced in 1878 and named after the arrangement of the keys (QWERTY is spelled left to right from the first letter key, Q, on the left). It has since become the most popular computer keyboard layout, yet there is minimal engineering and ergonomic logic that supports the placement of the keys in this layout (Noyes, 1983). A widespread opinion is that letters in the English language which are frequently used one after the other were arranged in different sections of the keyboard in order to prevent mechanical problems of early models when used regularly. With modern engineering capabilities, this is no longer an issue, however QWERTY remains the most widely accepted model due to its large societal integration.
No matter the layout, the majority of computer keyboards function using circuits in combination with capacitors to allow the device to interpret each keystroke made by the user (Tyson, Wilson and Pollette, 2019). The keyboard functions as a small computer within the larger overall computer, containing a processor and circuits delivering information to said processor. The key matrix, Figure 1, is found under the keys and is simply a network of circuits with current flowing in all parts (Tyson, Wilson and Pollette, 2019). Within a non-mechanical keyboard, when the user presses a key it physically moves a spring-loaded plate closer to a plate on the bottom. This forms a capacitor where the amount of current moving between the plates is altered as the plates move closer together. The change in current is picked up by the processor which recognizes it as a keystroke in that particular location. This is subsequently referenced with a character map describing what each key or combination of keys represents. These data are then sent using code to the actual computer through internal connectors transporting the signals. These signals are checked by the computer’s keyboard controller which moves all the signal data to the operating system. From there, the information is transported to the application where it is recognized as an action.
Figure 1: The key matrix, beneath the keys, is composed of a network of circuits. Current flows in all parts and when a key is pressed it forms a capacitor and alters the amount of current in that individual circuit (Tyson, Wilson and Pollette, 2019).
The engineering and ergonomics of a keyboard are not the only applications. Recently, an individual’s interaction with a keyboard is being studied and used as a possible sign of Parkinson’s disease (Giancardo et al., 2016). Furthermore, the genetic algorithm is also being utilized to redesign the layout (Onsorodi and Korhan, 2020).
Despite the average person not knowing a great deal about how a keyboard functions, there is a general understanding of how important computers have become. From the press of a key to the completed action, the entire process takes only a fraction of a second, yet the uses of computers and their components are endless as well as the impact they have on our lives.
References
Giancardo, L., Sánchez-Ferro, A., Arroyo-Gallego, T., Butterworth, I., Mendoza, C.S., Montero, P., Matarazzo, M., Obeso, J.A., Gray, M.L. and Estépar, R.S.J., 2016. Computer keyboard interaction as an indicator of early Parkinson’s disease. Scientific Reports, 6(1), p.34468. https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fsrep34468
Noyes, J., 1983. The QWERTY keyboard: a review. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 18(3), pp.265–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7373(83)80010-8
Onsorodi, A.H.H. and Korhan, O., 2020. Application of a genetic algorithm to the keyboard layout problem. PLOS ONE, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226611
Tyson, J., Wilson, T.V. and Pollette, C., 2019. How Computer Keyboards Work. [online] HowStuffWorks. Available at: <https://computer.howstuffworks.com/keyboard.htm> [Accessed 9 Mar. 2021].
Comments
13 Responses to “Key Concepts of Keyboards”
Hello everyone!
When Professor Cockcroft first introduced us to capacitors in our electricity unit, he gave us an example of them; that example being the keys on a computer keyboard. I had never thought about how each key worked or how it was translated into an action, so I found out!
I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about how your device works.
-Aunika
Hi Aunika,
Interesting post, I was thinking about simple inputs on a keyboard recently after doing some coding, and I am glad I clicked on this!
Early on, when you write, “..of a keyboard key.”, consider writing, “of a single keyboard key” to emphasize the complexity of a single press of the keyboard. Note that “spelled” is more common than “spelt” in Canadian literature.
When you wrote, “The keyboard functions a small computer…” did you mean “The keyboard function [as] a small computer…”? Be sure to put a space after “parts” prior to your citation. Consider writing “This is subsequently…” instead of “This is then…”.
I find it interesting that you touched on other applications of the keyboard at the end in the context of Parkinson’s disease (etc.). If possible, consider including a figure that either ties together everything, or demonstrates a simplified model of the underlying physics.
Keep up the great work and happy editing,
Michael Celejewski
Hello Michael,
I like all you suggestions and have make those adjustments (I am in the process of adding a figure).
Thank you
-Aunika
Hi Aunika,
Great work on this post! It was a really interesting read, especially considering the amount of time we spend on our computers, so finally knowing how the keyboard works was fascinating! Here are some suggestions I would make for your revision:
– In the last sentence of your second paragraph, you seem to repeat yourself a little bit. Perhaps rework the sentence into something along the lines of “Although the QWERTY layout is the most popularized style, it is actually considered to be a suboptimal design in light of modern engineering capabilities.”.
– I would suggest that you add a figure after the third paragraph to explain the physics visually because it can be difficult to understand all how all of the working parts come together.
– I think the introduction of Parkinson’s is a great addition to your post, but perhaps you can expand a bit more on it because it is a really interesting idea, word count permitting.
Overall, it was a really organized post and I really enjoyed reading it! Good luck with your final version,
Samridhi
Hello Samridhi,
I have moved around the sentence in your first point, I am going to add a figure, and unfortunately I do not have enough words to further discuss the Parkinson’s application.
Thank you,
-Aunika
Hi Aunika,
This was really interesting to learn about and a great post. I have a few suggestions for you:
1. I feel like these two sentences could be combined to be more to the point. “The average person knows enough about a computer to navigate and accomplish their desired tasks. It is easy to see that pressing the enter key can start a Google search or make a new line in Microsoft Word”
2. The way the sentence is worded makes it more difficult to understand “to allow the device to interpret”. Perhaps ” allowing the device”.
3. “The keyboard functions a small computer”. This sentence is a little confusing, does the keyboard run a small computer or act like a small computer? If it is the latter, it should be “functions as a”.
4. “parts(Tyson, Wilson and Pollette, 2019).” Make sure to put a space here.
5. I think you need to return to your original point in the final paragraph which is that the average person doesn’t understand the computer and that a lot happens between pressing a key to the action taking place. Then go into what you have written about what we could if we understand it.
Overall, this was very well written and I learned a lot!! This was a really great topic to talk about!
-Michelle
Hello Michelle,
I have actually removed the sentence you mention in your first point. I am not sure what sentence you are referring to in your second point. The sentence in your third point was a typo. I have added your suggestion in your fourth point.
Thank you
-Aunika
Hi Aunika!
This was an interesting and engaging post to read! I have a few suggestions for how you can improve your post though:
1) You often include words that easily be omitted to make your writing more clear and concise. (ex. actually in the first paragraph, in order to instead of “to”)
2) In the sentence, “An individual’s interaction with a keyboard have been studied and used as a possible sign of Parkinson’s disease” I would suggest you saying “has” instead of “have.”
3) In the sentence, “A widespread opinion is that letters in the English language which are frequently used one after the other were put in different sections” try replacing the word “put” with “arrange” for better clarity.
Overall, great post! I’m excited to read the final draft.
Aman Singh
Hello Aman,
I have noticed I tend to add unnecessary words here and there; I will read it over and shorten any sentences. I have reordered the Parkinson’s sentence and I have substituted “arrange” for “put”.
Thank you
– Aunika
Hi Aunika,
That was a very interesting blog post, I had no idea that the QWERTY arrangement was so old! I have just a few suggestions for you:
– I would suggest adding a figure that helps the reader understand exactly how the configuration for each key works. Or another option that I would find interesting would be to put a figure that has a heat map of all the keys vs their average use in relation to each other.
– In your second paragraph you say that “others” feel like the QWERTY model is a sub-optimal arrangement. Is there some other configurations that you can include so the reader can understand the variety?
– Consider altering the third sentence in your final paragraph to something along the lines of “There have been cases where an individual’s habit and manner of using a keyboard can be correlated to a sign of Parkinson’s disease”.
All in all a wonderful post, and I am glad to have read it!
Guillaume
Hello Guillaume,
I am in the process of finding a figure and I have rearranged the sentence about diagnosing Parkinson’s to make it flow better.
Thank you
-Aunika
Hello Anuika,
I really appreciated this post and found it very relevant to the ever-changing world of technology we have been forced to become a part of. I also found this topic very unique in the context of iSci as the history of science is very interesting, but rarely discussed. That said, I do have a few suggestions that I think may improve the overall tone of your post.
1. Firstly, I would strongly encourage the use of some figures to improve the aesthetic, layout, and readability of your piece. Figures can provide a visual context to your writing and should be used as tools to help the reader engage with your post.
2. I am wondering if you are missing some citations in the second paragraph, where did you see that QWERTY is the most popular layout?
3. The final paragraph you write introduces a lot of new information. To combat this, I would encourage you to include another concluding paragraph that sums the text instead of introducing new thoughts or to eliminate the new text in this paragraph entirely.
I hope these edits help you in future posts! I look forward to reading more from your perspective and I enjoyed reading this!
Cheers,
Madi
Hi Madi,
I am in the process of finding a figure, and I have added the citation I missed in paragraph 2 (it is actually from the same source), and I do like the idea of adding a new paragraph at the end for the new information.
Thank you
-Aunika