PenMount Advances Virtual Key Feature

11/27/2018 | Bulletin No. : PMY18011

PenMount has released the most innovative “Virtual Key” function on our standard projected capacitive (PCAP or PCI) touch controller, bringing convenient shortcuts and one-touch command execution to the surface of any projected capacitive touch panel.  You may wonder how Virtual Keys function? In the past, mechanical membrane buttons were embedded into the touch surface to provide key executed commands.  Now, PenMount Virtual Keys are designed to use the same circuit as the PCAP touch panel active area making the entire PCAP touch surface available for Virtual Keys and touch operation.

Furthermore, PenMount touch control board firmware incorporates key functionality. All functions of the Virtual Keys are provided by a standard PenMount PCAP touch controller and the PenMount Virtual Key Tools Program provides customers with complete Virtual Key setting capabilities. In addition to common keyboard key combinations, PenMount Virtual Keys can also implement a vast array of actions from system sleep to gaming controls.

In general, PenMount Virtual Key support is based on the USB HID(Human Interface Device) Usage Tables. On a HID keyboard, every key has an USAGE ID defined on the appropriate HID Usage Table.  Currently, PenMount standard firmware 6.0.1 supports two common key USAGE ID pages:

  • Keyboard Page – The USAGE IDs enumerated here encompass common computer keyboard keys such as “abc, 123, ctrl, shift, etc.”
  • Consumer Page – The USAGE IDs enumerated here encompass common actions such as “Volume Up, Play Video, Adjust Brightness, etc.”

Though the number of key types defined on the USB HID Usage Tables may seem daunting, PenMount does support all of them.  As long as customer systems conform to USB HID Usage Tables, they can inform the PenMount team which key type they require and we will create customized firmware to execute that key’s USAGE ID from an appropriate Virtual Key.  For example, if customers need a Virtual Key to force the system into sleep mode, system sleep is a key defined on the Generic Desktop Usage Page, thus available for implementation as a Virtual Key through custom designed firmware.

PenMount provides the most powerful and accurate touch controllers on the market.  We create advanced functionality, such as Virtual Keys, that is convenient and reliable to meet the needs of our customers.  If you have any questions or product inquires, you are welcome to contact us for more information.

You are welcomed to download all of PenMount’s standard product data and drivers directly from our website at: //www.salt.com.tw and //www.PenMount.com. If you have any suggestions or comments please send e-mail to: salt@salt.com.tw .


Salt International Corp.

ADD:8F., No. 43-8, Zhongxing Rd., Xizhi Dist., New Taipei City 221012, Taiwan
TEL:+ 886 – 2 – 2914 – 6684
FAX:+ 886 – 2 – 2911 – 5345
E-mail:salt@salt.com.tw