virtual keyboard
(1) A keyboard displayed on a touch screen. Tapping the "virtual keys" with a stylus or finger is the same as pressing a real key on a keyboard. See soft key.
(2) A representation of a keyboard projected onto a flat surface such as a desktop. Using the fingers as you would a normal keyboard, tapping the keys on this image of a keyboard is picked up by an optical or electronic beam. Such a device enables PDAs and other small handhelds to create a full-size keyboard.
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| Lightweight and Full Size |
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| Projecting the image onto a flat surface allows a full size keyboard to be used almost anywhere as in this VKB keyboard for a PDA. (Image courtesy of VKB Ltd., www.vkb.co.il) |