Editing Keystroke sensing (section)

==Optoelectronic==
Optoelectronic keyboards use a light source (usually infrared), and a light detector (e.g. photo-resistor) to detect the presence of a key press. In known keyboards this is done by breaking the line between the light source and detector, and registering the change. These switches are highly reliable due to their non-contact nature, but often quite susceptible to dust if designed improperly.

It should also be noted that patents for keyboards exist where varying powers or different wavelengths of light are used to detect different keystrokes. However, none of these switching mechanisms have been seen in actual keyboards.

[[Collimation]] and [[Burroughs]] have used optoelectronic switches. Optoelectronic switches were used often when converting typewriter interfaces into computer data terminals.

Optoelectronic sensing has been reintroduced, with designs such as the A4Tech Bloody B640 (in switches styled after Cherry MX) and the [[Adomax Flaretech]].

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File:BOE-LED-Photoresistor.jpg | [[Burroughs Opto-Electric]] LEDs and photoresistors
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See: [[:Category:Optoelectronic switches|List of optoelectronic switches]]