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What is a Keyboard Wedge?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

A keyboard wedge is an interface which allows a non-keyboard device to plug into a computer as though it were sending keyboard data. Since most data-entry software is set up to take data from a keyboard, it is necessary to use a keyboard wedge if you want to plug in a peripheral such as a barcode scanner or magnetic strip reader and have it send information to the program. The wedge is so called because the physical version "wedges" between the keyboard and the computer. The keyboard is plugged into the wedge, which in turn is plugged into the computer, so that data may be inputted through either the keyboard or the other peripheral.

Software versions of the keyboard wedge exist as well. These programs take information that is sent by the external input device, usually plugged in through either a COM or USB port, and send them through the keyboard buffer of the operating system, so that the computer thinks the information has been sent in via keyboard.

With a keyboard wedge, barcode scanners can be used to input data into a computer.
With a keyboard wedge, barcode scanners can be used to input data into a computer.

A keyboard wedge can be useful when using software with a peripheral that the software was not intended for. While some data-entry software is written specifically with barcode scanners or magnetic strip readers in mind, the majority is written assuming a keyboard will be the only device used to input data. For efficiency, however, many businesses use barcodes instead of manually inputting the unit code, and since most humans don't read barcodes, some method of translating the barcode into its constituent information and passing it to the computer as alphanumeric data was needed. The keyboard wedge was developed in the early days of computing, by a programmer at Altek Instruments in Britain.

Magnetic card readers can be connected to a computer with a keyboard wedge.
Magnetic card readers can be connected to a computer with a keyboard wedge.

Older keyboard wedges are built to interface with a computer via a PS/2 port, as this is the traditional keyboard port. Newer versions usually offer an interface for both a PS/2 cable and a USB cable, as USB keyboards become more and more standard. Some wedges are built to interface with proprietary ports such as IBM's Port 17 or OCIA. This type of keyboard wedge is increasingly difficult to find, but small companies still exist to fill the niche.

Discussion Comments

Charlie89

We use a RFID keyboard wedge at my work, but I never knew that was what it was called.

I work in a warehouse, so we're constantly scanning things and inputting barcodes, which is why we need a keyboard wedge reader for about everything we do.

It sure helps out with inventory and other information management tasks, and beats the pants off of us having to type the barcode information in individually.

TunaLine

What are some of the different kinds of keyboard wedge software? I'd like to get a CCD barcode scanner keyboard wedge for my business, but I really don't know a whole lot about wedge software.

Can you recommend any keyboard wedge barcode scanner software to me, particularly one that could be used for CCD scanning?

Thanks!

pleats

And here I thought a keyboard wedge was that thing that you put under your keyboard to make it sit at an angle for easier typing.

Now I know -- I was wondering why my grandson was asking for a USB keyboard wedge for Christmas, since I can't imagine him being too concerned with ergonomics, but this makes much more sense.

Thanks for the information.

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    • With a keyboard wedge, barcode scanners can be used to input data into a computer.
      By: Monkey Business
      With a keyboard wedge, barcode scanners can be used to input data into a computer.
    • Magnetic card readers can be connected to a computer with a keyboard wedge.
      Magnetic card readers can be connected to a computer with a keyboard wedge.
    • When a keyboard wedge is in use, a computer's keyboard can still be used to enter data.
      By: nito
      When a keyboard wedge is in use, a computer's keyboard can still be used to enter data.