Definition: keyboard wedge

A device that distributes data from a point of sale terminal (barcode reader, magnetic stripe, etc.) to the computer. It is inserted between the keyboard and keyboard port on the computer, and the input appears as ordinary keystrokes. Providing a transparent connection, there is no effect on the normal operation of the keyboard. Software versions of the wedge are also available that accept input from serial ports or LAN connections and present them to the computer as keystrokes.