Keyboard wedge
Provided by the ASK Keyboard Dictionary
A keyboard wedge is a device that physically scans something but acts as a keyboard when reporting scanned data to a host computer. For example, barcode scanners/readers and magnetic stripe readers are types of devices that can be designed to do this. Provided the scanned data is expected to consist of something one can type from a keyboard, (hardware) keyboard wedges are an easy way to deliver such data as it doesn't rely on a unique port or protocol the host computer might need specific hardware or drivers for. However, it's also possible for a keyboard wedge to be software-based if the scanning device doesn't connect through a port typically used for keyboards and instead relies on software to convert its input into simulated keystrokes.
