USB Keyboard - What is This Device?

One way in which a computer user can send typed information to a PC is through use of a USB keyboard. This form of keyboard uses the USB port in order to connect to the computer. The name of this port is short for Universal Serial Bus, which is a type of specification, or interface, that can be used to connect a device to a desktop, or other form of computer such as laptop, netbook, etc.

 The standard USB keyboard is runs its data through a wire that extends out of the keyboard and into the port in the computer, thereby transferring the information of the keys that are being pressed. On the other hand, a wireless USB keyboard can also be used, which sends the data over a wireless connection to the computer.

The keyboard can relay the data to a small device that is put in the computer's USB port, which receives this information and sends it along to the computer for processing, as it would had the connection been through a wire. While quite popular due to the inclusion of these ports on laptops and desktops, as well as other features, the USB keyboard is not the only form of interface that can be used for typing. PS/2 is still a common specification for keyboards, particularly for use in desktop computers.

The wire on keyboards of this interface ends with a section that is round and has several pins inside of it, as opposed to the more flat, rectangular shape of the end of the cord in the other version.