Pointer focus registration (sometimes called pointer-focus registration key or PTR key) is a technique used in human-computer interaction and accessibility to help input devices (mouse, touchpad, stylus, keyboard navigation) reliably move or focus UI elements. It ensures predictable focus behavior across components, improves keyboard and assistive-technology navigation, and reduces pointer/focus mismatch issues that can confuse users or break accessibility.
Touchscreen kiosks use pointer focus (finger as pointer) and an on-screen key top (virtual keyboard). Registration ensures that when you tap the "P" key top, the system registers the pointer’s focus at that exact XY coordinate and delivers the key event to the active text field.
New key caps have embedded haptic actuators that vibrate differently depending on where the pointer focus is registered. For example, a light vibration when hovering over a "Submit" button, versus a heavy vibration when over a "Delete" button.