capacitive keyboard


A type of keyboard design that uses changes in capacitance, or stored static electricity, rather than changes in flows of electricity used by contact keyboards to register when a user has depressed a specific key on the keyboard. Under the keyboard��s keys are capacitors that store electricity as opposite static charges in pairs of conductive plates made from nickel-plated copper that are separated by a non-conductive material (typically some form of plastic). The opposite static charges hold an attractive field between them, but the insulating material prevents the charges from canceling each other out by coming together. When a key is pressed, the pads move closer to each other and change the capacity for storing a charge, which the keyboard detects as a start or stop in the flow of electricity and inputs the correct keystroke.

Capacitive keyboards are more durable than contact keyboards and are resistant to oxidization, which can weaken a keyboard��s mechanics.

Read Also:

  • capacitor

    A passive electronic component that holds a charge in the form of an electrostatic field. They are often used in combination with transistors in DRAM, acting as storage cells to hold bits. Capacitors typically consist of conducting plates separated by thin layers of dielectric material, such as dry air or mica. The plates on opposite […]

  • caps

    Short for capital letters. For example, “all caps” means all letters capitalized.

  • caption

    In video terminology a caption is used to mean a text representation of the audio in the video. Captions are often used by those viewers who are hearing impaired, and will describe what is being said, emotions, and background sounds. Captions can also used for indexing and retrieval.

  • captive portal

    A Web page used on public-access networks that require a user to view and interact with before being granted access to the public network. Captive portals are widely used businesses which offer free Wi-Fi hotspots to Internet users. Usually the captive portal will require users to read and accept the business’ acceptable use policy (AUP). […]

  • capture card

    See video capture.


Disclaimer: capacitive keyboard definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.