A multipurpose keyboard (10) incorporating an electronic pressure sensing device (11), a digitizer pad (12) featuring spatial minimization of a pressure contact area capable of locating the leading and trailing edges of the pressure contact area is described. A processor (24) coupled to the electronic pressure sensing device is programmed to sense when various regions on a simple, fully interchangeable template overlay and the underlying electronic pressure sensing device are depressed. The sensed region is associated by the processor with a particular key (16) identification on the template overlay. The variation of the resistance in the digitizer pad enables the processor to detect the actuation of more than one key on the template overlay at the same time, thereby detecting key rollover. A method of fabrication for a multipurpose keyboard is also described.
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