What Is a Projection Keyboard?

A projection keyboard, also known as a virtual keyboard , is a projection that looks and works like a keyboard; when touched, the system will pick up finger movements and will accurately register them as keystrokes.

There are two systems in use for registering keystrokes with projection keyboards; one uses a camera sensor to capture finger movements, while the other uses an infrared sensor to detect finger movement.

The projection keyboard is a wireless device that typically uses Bluetooth® technology to link the keyboard sensor and the computer or mobile device. This allows projection keyboards to have a much longer operating distance than wired keyboards.

The most common version projects the keyboard via a laser and, when the user pushes a virtual key, a camera records the finger movements.

Most projection keyboard units are able to project two other devices: a mouse and piano.

Projection keyboard units are used most commonly with mobile devices and are considered a replacement for the fold-up keyboard and the mobile keyboard.

Mobile devices that have digital keyboards, or those on the device’s screen, can use this system if the user finds it difficult to type on the device's small digital keyboard.