keyscan

English

Etymology

From key +‎ scan.

Noun

keyscan (plural keyscans)

1. (computing) The process of scanning the state of a keyboard to determine which keys are being pressed.
   • 1986, Commodore 128: Programmer's Reference Guide, page 421:

     There are two indirect RAM jumps encountered during a keyscan: […]

   • 1993, Thomas W. Schultz, C and the 8051: Programming for Multitasking, page 182:

     So, a keyscan routine that repeated every 100mSec would probably meet the requirement of fast enough.

   • 2000, Walter A. Triebel, Avtar Singh, The 8088 and 8086 Microprocessors: Programming, Interfacing, Software, Hardware, and Applications, page 639:

     The keyboard of the PC generates a keyscan code whenever one of its keys is depressed