什么是键盘？(What is a Keyboard? )键盘是计算机的主要输入设备之一。它看起来类似于打字机。它具有各种按键，按下时可在显示单元上显示数字、字母和其他符号。当使用某些键组合时，键盘也可以执行其他功能。它是完成计算机的必不可少的外围设备。罗技(Logitech)、微软(Microsoft)等……是制造键盘的公司的例子。
键盘类似于打字机，因为它们是基于打字机制造的。尽管存在具有不同布局的键盘，但QWERTY布局是最常见的类型。所有键盘都有字母、数字和箭头键。某些键盘具有附加功能，例如数字小键盘、音量控制键、计算机开机/关机键。某些高端键盘还具有内置轨迹球鼠标。这种设计有助于用户在不抬手在键盘和鼠标之间切换的情况下使用系统。
什么是键盘(Keyboard)，它是如何(How)工作的？
下面给出的是带有标记的各种键组的键盘。
键盘类型(Types of keyboards)
根据其布局，键盘可分为 3 种类型：
1. QWERTY 键盘(QWERTY keyboard)——这是当今最常用的布局。布局以键盘顶层的前六个字母命名。
2. AZERTY – 它是标准的法语键盘。它是在法国(France)开发的。
3. DVORAK - 引入布局以减少在其他键盘上打字时的手指移动。该键盘旨在帮助用户实现更快的打字速度。
除此之外，还可以根据结构对键盘进行分类。键盘可以是机械键盘，也可以是薄膜键。机械键在按下时会发出独特的声音，而薄膜键则更柔和。除非您是铁杆游戏玩家，否则您不必注意键盘中按键的构造。
键盘也可以根据其连接类型进行分类。有些键盘是无线的。它们可以通过蓝牙(Bluetooth)或射频接收器(RF receiver)连接到计算机。如果键盘是有线的，它可以通过USB电缆连接到计算机。现代(Modern)键盘使用 A 型连接器，而旧键盘使用PS/2或串行端口连接。
要在计算机上使用键盘，必须在计算机上安装相应的设备驱动程序。在大多数现代系统中，支持键盘的设备驱动程序都预装在操作系统中。因此，用户无需单独下载这些。
笔记本电脑、平板电脑和智能手机中的键盘(The keyboards in a laptop, tablet, and smartphone)
由于空间是笔记本电脑无法承受的奢侈品，因此按键的排列方式与台式机键盘上的不同。消除了一些键。当与其他键一起使用时，代替功能键执行已消除键的功能。尽管它们具有集成键盘，但笔记本电脑也可以连接到单独的键盘作为外围设备。
智能手机和平板电脑只有虚拟键盘。但是，可以单独购买物理键盘。这些设备中的大多数都具有内置USB插座以支持有线外围设备。
键盘工作背后的机制(The mechanism behind the working of keyboards)
如果你是那种喜欢拆开东西的人，想要弄清楚它们是如何工作的，你可能想看看键盘的内部。按键是如何连接的？当按键被按下时，相应的符号如何出现在屏幕上？我们现在将一一回答所有这些问题。但是，最好不要拆卸键盘来了解它的工作原理。将零件重新组装在一起将是一项艰巨的任务，尤其是如果您放错了微小的零件。
这就是按键底部的样子。每个键的中间是一个微小的圆柱形条。键盘上有圆形孔，按键可以插入其中。当您按下一个键时，它会像弹簧一样下降并接触板上的接触层。这些孔是用小块橡胶制成的，可以将按键向上推。
上面的视频显示了键盘具有的透明接触层。这些层负责检测按下了哪个键。内部的电缆将电信号从键盘传输到计算机上的USB端口。
接触层由一组 3 层塑料组成。这些是键盘工作中最关键的元素。顶层和底层都有可以导电的金属轨道。中间的层有孔，起到绝缘体的作用。这些是固定钥匙的孔。
当一个键被按下时，两层接触并产生一个电信号，该电信号被传送到系统上的USB端口。
维护您的键盘(Maintaining your keyboard)
如果您是一名普通作家并且经常使用笔记本电脑，那么使用插入式USB键盘会更明智。笔记本电脑键盘专为处理软使用而设计。如果你像作家那样经常使用钥匙，它们会很快磨损。这些按键可以处理大约一百万次按下。即使是每天几千字也足以磨损笔记本电脑的按键。您很快就会发现按键下积聚了灰尘。您将无法正确按下某些键，因为即使它们没有被按下，它们也会粘在板上。更换笔记本电脑键盘是一件昂贵的事情。正确设置的外接键盘也将帮助您更快地打字。
键盘快捷键(Keyboard Shortcuts)
键盘中的所有键的使用不均等。您可能不知道为什么要使用某些键。并非所有按键都用于在屏幕上显示某些内容。有些还用于执行特殊功能。在这里，我们讨论了一些键盘快捷键及其各自的功能。
1.Windows键(1. Windows key)
Windows键通常用于打开开始菜单。它也有其他用途。Win+D是一个快捷方式，它将隐藏所有选项卡以显示桌面或再次打开所有活动选项卡。Win+E是打开Windows Explorer的快捷方式。Win+X打开高级用户菜单(power user menu)。此菜单使用户可以访问难以从常规开始菜单打开的高级工具。
用于游戏的键盘具有执行常规键盘不可用的特殊功能的键。
2.修饰键(2. The modifier keys)
修饰键(Modifier keys)通常用于故障排除目的。Alt、Shift和Ctrl键称为修饰键。在MacBook中，Command键和Option键是修饰键。之所以这样称呼它们，是因为当与另一个键一起使用时，它们会修改该键的功能。例如，按下数字键时，屏幕上会显示相应的数字。当它们与 shift 键一起使用时，特殊符号如 ! @,#… 显示。显示 2 个值的键需要与 shift 键配合使用才能显示最高值。
同样，ctrl 键也可以用于不同的功能。常用的快捷键是 ctrl+c 复制，ctrl+v 粘贴。当键盘上的按键单独使用时，它们的用途有限。但是，当与修饰键结合使用时，可以执行一长串操作。
更多示例是 – Ctrl+Alt+Del将重新启动计算机。Alt+F4（某些笔记本电脑上的Alt+Fn+F4）将关闭当前窗口。
3.多媒体键(3. Multimedia keys)
除了窗口键和修改键之外，还有一类键称为多媒体键。这些是您用来控制PC/laptop上播放的多媒体的按键。在笔记本电脑中，它们通常与功能键结合在一起。这些用于播放、暂停、减少/增加音量、停止曲目、倒带或快进等……
更改键盘选项(Making changes to the keyboard options)
控制面板(Control Panel)允许您更改一些键盘设置，例如闪烁率和重复率。如果您想要更多选项，您可以安装第三方应用程序，例如SharpKeys。当您失去其中一个键的功能时，这很有用。该应用程序允许您选择另一个键来执行故障键的功能。它是一个免费工具，提供了一些在控制面板(Control Panel)中没有的附加功能。
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概括(Summary)
- 键盘是完善您的设备的输入设备。
- 键盘有不同的布局。QWERTY 键盘是最受欢迎的。
- 按键下方有接触层，当按键被按下时它们会发生接触。因此，检测到按下的键。电信号被发送到计算机以执行相应的操作。
- 建议经常使用笔记本电脑的用户使用插入式键盘，这样笔记本电脑中的集成键盘就不会轻易磨损。
- 其他设备如手机和平板电脑只有虚拟键盘。如果他们愿意，可以将它们连接到外部键盘。
- 除了在屏幕上显示符号外，这些键还可用于执行各种功能，例如复制、粘贴、打开开始菜单、关闭选项卡/窗口等……这些被称为键盘快捷键。
What is a Keyboard and How Does it Work?
What is a Keyboard? A keyboard is one of the main input devices for a computer. It looks similar to a typewriter. It has various keys that when pressed display numbers, letters, and other symbols on the display unit. A keyboard can perform other functions as well when certain combinations of keys are used. It is an essential peripheral device that completes a computer. Logitech, Microsoft, etc… are examples of companies that manufacture keyboards.
Keyboards are similar to typewriters because they were built based on typewriters. Although there exist keyboards with different layouts, the QWERTY layout is the most common type. All keyboards have letters, numbers, and arrow keys. Some keyboards have additional features such as a numeric keypad, keys for volume control, keys to power up/down the computer. Certain high-end keyboards also have a built-in trackball mouse. This design helps the user work with the system without lifting their hand to switch between the keyboard and the mouse.
What is a Keyboard and How Does it Work?
Given below is a keyboard with various sets of keys labeled.
Types of keyboards
Based on their layouts, keyboards can be classified into 3 types:
1. QWERTY keyboard – This is the most popularly used layout today. The layout is named after the first six alphabets on the top layer of the keyboard.
2. AZERTY – It is the standard French keyboard. It was developed in France.
3. DVORAK – The layout was introduced to reduce finger movement while typing in other keyboards. This keyboard was created to help the user achieve faster-typing speed.
Other than this, keyboards can also be classified based on construction. A keyboard can be either mechanical or have membrane keys. Mechanical keys make a distinct sound when pressed while membrane keys are softer. Unless you are a hardcore gamer, you do not have to pay attention to the construction of the keys in the keyboard.
Keyboards can also be classified based on their connection type. Some keyboards are wireless. They can be connected to a computer through Bluetooth or an RF receiver. If the keyboard is wired, it can be connected to a computer through USB cables. Modern keyboards use a Type A connector while the older ones used a PS/2 or a serial port connection.
To use a keyboard with a computer, the corresponding device driver has to be installed on the computer. In most modern systems, the device drivers that support the keyboard come pre-installed with the OS. Thus, there is no need for the user to download these separately.
The keyboards in a laptop, tablet, and smartphone
Since space is a luxury you cannot afford on a laptop, the keys are arranged differently than those on a desktop keyboard. Some keys are eliminated. Instead of function keys when used with other keys perform functions of the eliminated keys. Although they have integrated keyboards, laptops can also be connected to a separate keyboard as a peripheral device.
Smartphones and tablets have only virtual keyboards. However, one may buy a physical keyboard separately. Most of these devices have built-in USB receptacles to support wired peripherals.
The mechanism behind the working of keyboards
If you are the kind of person who likes taking things apart, to practically figure out how they work, you might want to see the inside of a keyboard. How are the keys connected? How does the corresponding symbol appear on the screen when the key is pressed? We shall now answer all of these questions one by one. However, you are better off without disassembling the keyboard to understand how it works. Assembling the parts back together will be a daunting task, especially if you misplace the minute pieces.
This is what the underside of the keys look like. In the middle of each key is a tiny cylindrical bar. On the keyboard are circular holes that the keys fit into. When you push a key, it goes down like a spring and touches the contact layers on the board. The holes are built with small pieces of rubber that push the keys back up.
The video above shows the transparent contact layers that the keyboards have. These layers are responsible for detecting which key is pressed. The cables inside carry electrical signals from the keyboard to the USB port on the computer.
The contact layers consist of a set of 3 layers of plastic. These are the most crucial elements of the working of the keyboard. The top and bottom layers have metal tracks that can conduct electricity. The layer in between has holes in it and acts as an insulator. These are the holes upon which the keys are fixed.
When a key is pressed, the two layers come in contact and produce an electrical signal that is carried to the USB port on the system.
Maintaining your keyboard
If you are a regular writer and you use your laptop quite frequently, it would be wiser to use a plug-in USB keyboard. Laptop keyboards are built to handle soft usage. They will wear out quickly if you use the keys regularly as writers do. The keys can handle about a million presses. Even a few thousand words per day are enough to wear out the laptop keys. You will soon find dust accumulated under the keys. You will not be able to press some keys properly as they stick to the board even when they’re not pressed. Replacing your laptop keyboard is an expensive affair. An external keyboard, when set up properly, will help you type faster too.
Keyboard Shortcuts
All the keys in the keyboard are not equally used. You may not know why some keys are used. Not all keys are used to display something on the screen. Some are also used to perform special functions. Here, we have discussed a few keyboard shortcuts along with their respective functions.
1. Windows key
The Windows key is commonly used to open the start menu. It has other uses too. Win+D is a shortcut that will hide all the tabs to show the desktop or open all the active tabs back again. Win+E is a shortcut to open the Windows Explorer. Win+X opens the power user menu. This menu provides users access to advanced tools that are difficult to open from the regular start menu.
Keyboards meant for gaming have keys that perform special functions that are not available in regular keyboards.
2. The modifier keys
Modifier keys are commonly used for troubleshooting purposes. Alt, Shift and Ctrl keys are called modifier keys. In MacBook, the Command key and the Option key are the modifier keys. They are called so because, when used in conjunction with another key, they modify the function of that key. For example, the number keys when pressed display the respective number on the screen. When they are used with the shift key, special symbols such as ! @,#… are displayed. Keys that have 2 values displayed on them need to be used with the shift key to display the top value.
Similarly, the ctrl key can also be used for different functions. Commonly used shortcuts are ctrl+c for copy, ctrl+v for paste. When the keys on the keyboard are used independently, they have limited use. However, when combined with the modifier key, there is a long list of actions that can be performed.
A few more examples are – Ctrl+Alt+Del will restart the computer. Alt+F4 (Alt+Fn+F4 on some laptops) will close the current window.
3. Multimedia keys
Apart from the window key and the modifier keys, there is another class of keys called multimedia keys. These are the keys you use to control the multimedia played on your PC/laptop. In laptops, they are usually clubbed with the function keys. These are used to play, pause, reduce/increase volume, stop the track, rewind or fast forward, etc…
Making changes to the keyboard options
The Control Panel allows you to change some keyboard settings such as the blink rate and the repeat rate. If you want more options, you may install third-party applications such as SharpKeys. This is useful when you have lost functionality in one of the keys. The app allows you to select another key to perform the function of the faulty key. It is a free tool that provides several additional functionalities that are not found in the Control Panel.
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Summary
- The keyboard is an input device that completes your device.
- Keyboards have different layouts. QWERTY keyboards are the most popular.
- There are contact layers beneath the keys which come in contact when a key is pressed. Thus, the pressed key is detected. An electrical signal is sent to the computer to perform the respective action.
- Frequent laptop users are recommended to use plug-in keyboards so that the integrated keyboard in their laptop does not wear out easily.
- Other devices such as mobile phones and tablets have only virtual keyboards. One may connect them to an external keyboard if they wish.
- Apart from displaying symbols on the screen, the keys can be used to perform various functions such as copy, paste, open start menu, close a tab/window, etc… These are called keyboard shortcuts.
