Chapter 2:
Input and Output devices
2.1 Input Devices and Their Uses
Input devices are tools that allow users to interact with a computer by providing data or control signals.
Here’s a detailed look at each device:
Keyboard
A keyboard is the most common input device used to type text, numbers, and symbols into a computer.
• Characteristics:
o Composed of keys arranged in a specific layout (QWERTY is the most popular).
o Includes letters, numbers, symbols, and special function keys.
• Uses:
o Typing text for documents, programming, or chatting.
o Controlling software with shortcuts and commands.
• Advantages:
o Familiar and widely used.
o Allows for fast input when the user is skilled at typing.
o Offers a variety of commands through function keys and shortcuts.
• Disadvantages:
o Slower than other input methods (like voice recognition) for certain tasks.
o Requires practice to type quickly and accurately.
o Not ideal for numeric input compared to a numeric keypad.
Numeric Keypad
A numeric keypad is a small section of keys (0-9) arranged in a grid, often found on keyboards or as a
standalone device.
• Characteristics:
o Contains only numbers and basic arithmetic symbols.
o Compact and specifically designed for numeric data entry.
• Uses:
o Commonly used in ATMs for PIN entry.
o Used in POS (Point of Sale) systems for entering prices and quantities.
o Security systems like digital locks.
• Advantages:
o Faster for entering numeric data compared to a regular keyboard.
o Small and portable.
o Easy to use and requires minimal training.
• Disadvantages:
o Limited to numeric input only.
o Not suitable for general typing tasks.
Pointing Devices
Examples include a mouse, trackball, and touchpad. These devices are used to control the pointer
(cursor) on a computer screen.
• Mouse:
o Characteristics: A small handheld device with buttons and a scroll wheel.
o Uses: Navigating graphical interfaces, selecting icons, dragging items, and gaming.
o Advantages: Easy to use, highly accurate, and intuitive.
o Disadvantages: Requires a flat surface to work, can strain the hand with prolonged use.
• Trackball:
o Characteristics: A ball that can be rotated to move the cursor.
o Uses: Used in spaces where a mouse is impractical, like cramped desks.
o Advantages: Requires less space, more precise for specific tasks.
o Disadvantages: Can be slower for general navigation.
Remote Control
Remote controls send signals (via infrared or radio waves) to a device to perform specific actions.
• Characteristics: Handheld device with buttons for different functions.
• Uses: Used with TVs, projectors, and home appliances.
• Advantages: Convenient and allows wireless control from a distance.
• Disadvantages: Requires a clear line of sight (for infrared), batteries need replacement.
Joystick and Driving Wheel
These devices are primarily used for gaming and simulations.
• Joystick:
o Characteristics: A lever that moves in multiple directions to control movement.
o Uses: Flight simulators, arcade-style games.
o Advantages: Highly immersive for specific tasks like flying planes in a game.
o Disadvantages: Not suitable for general-purpose computing.
• Driving Wheel:
o Characteristics: A wheel-like device that mimics a car's steering wheel.
o Uses: Car racing games, driving simulators.
o Advantages: Realistic driving experience.
o Disadvantages: Limited to driving-related applications.
Touch Screen (as an Input Device)
A touch screen combines the display and input in one device. Users can interact directly by touching the
screen.
• Characteristics: Detects touch through resistive or capacitive technology.
• Uses: Smartphones, tablets, ATMs, ticketing kiosks.
• Advantages: Intuitive and easy to use, eliminates the need for additional input devices.
• Disadvantages: Susceptible to scratches and fingerprints, less precise for detailed tasks.
Scanners
Scanners convert physical documents or images into digital formats.
• Characteristics: Can scan text, images, or barcodes.
• Uses: Digitizing old photos, scanning barcodes, document management.
• Advantages: Preserves physical copies digitally, enhances productivity.
• Disadvantages: Some loss of quality depending on the scanner, can be slow for large batches.
Camera
Cameras capture images or videos that can be processed digitally.
• Characteristics: Can be standalone or built into devices like smartphones.
• Uses: Photography, video conferencing, security monitoring.
• Advantages: High-resolution input, versatile use cases.
• Disadvantages: Can require significant storage space for media, dependent on lighting.
Microphone
Microphones capture sound and convert it into a digital format.
• Characteristics: Can be built-in or external, comes in various types (dynamic, condenser).
• Uses: Voice recording, video calls, speech recognition.
• Advantages: Hands-free input, essential for communication tasks.
• Disadvantages: Background noise can affect input quality.
Sensors
Sensors detect physical conditions (e.g., temperature, motion) and convert them into digital signals.
• Characteristics: Examples include temperature sensors, motion detectors, and pressure sensors.
• Uses: Automated systems like smart homes, industrial monitoring.
• Advantages: Accurate and real-time input, reduces human intervention.
• Disadvantages: Can be expensive, require proper calibration.
Light Pen
A light pen is a pointing device that detects light to draw or select directly on a screen.
• Characteristics: Resembles a pen, connected to the computer.
• Uses: Used in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) applications.
• Advantages: Precise for drawing and selecting.
• Disadvantages: Requires a compatible screen, not widely used today.
2.2 Direct Data Entry and Associated Devices
Direct Data Entry (DDE) refers to the process of inputting data into a computer system without the need
for manual typing. These devices are designed to read data automatically, improving accuracy and
efficiency. Let’s explore each device:
Magnetic Stripe Reader
Magnetic stripe readers are used to read data stored in the magnetic stripe on cards (e.g., debit/credit
cards).
• Characteristics:
o Reads data embedded in the magnetic stripe on the back of cards.
o Requires swiping or inserting the card into the reader.
• Uses:
o Payment systems (credit/debit card transactions).
o Identity verification (employee or student IDs).
o Hotel room key cards.
• Advantages:
o Fast and easy to use.
o Secure, as data is encrypted.
o Reduces human error compared to manual entry.
• Disadvantages:
o Magnetic stripes can wear out over time.
o Less secure compared to modern technologies like chip readers.
Chip and PIN Reader
This device reads smart cards with embedded microchips and requires users to input a PIN (Personal
Identification Number).
• Characteristics:
o Combines a smart card reader and a numeric keypad.
o Reads data from microchips on cards instead of magnetic stripes.
• Uses:
o Secure payment transactions in retail stores.
o Authenticating users for banking or secure access systems.
• Advantages:
o Highly secure due to PIN verification.
o More durable than magnetic stripe cards.
o Difficult to clone compared to magnetic stripe cards.
• Disadvantages:
o Requires training for first-time users.
o Relies on physical contact, which can wear out the chip or reader.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Reader
RFID readers communicate with RFID tags to retrieve data wirelessly.
• Characteristics:
o Uses radio waves to read information stored in RFID tags.
o Tags can be passive (no power source) or active (battery-powered).
• Uses:
o Inventory tracking in warehouses and stores.
o Electronic toll collection on highways.
o Access control (keyless entry systems).
• Advantages:
o Contactless, allowing faster and easier scanning.
o Can scan multiple tags simultaneously.
o Long lifespan for passive RFID tags.
• Disadvantages:
o Expensive compared to barcodes.
o Privacy concerns, as tags can be read without consent.
Optical Mark Recognition/Reader (OMR)
OMR devices detect and process marks made on specialized paper forms.
• Characteristics:
o Reads shaded areas on forms, such as multiple-choice test answers.
o Requires pre-designed forms for proper alignment.
• Uses:
o Grading exams and tests (like your O-Level multiple-choice papers).
o Survey and feedback forms.
• Advantages:
o Extremely fast and accurate for processing large volumes.
o Reduces human error in grading or data entry.
• Disadvantages:
o Requires carefully printed and aligned forms.
o Errors can occur if marks are faint or placed incorrectly.
Optical Character Recognition/Reader (OCR)
OCR devices convert scanned images of text into editable digital text.
• Characteristics:
o Uses software to recognize characters from scanned documents or images.
o Works with typewritten, printed, or handwritten text.
• Uses:
o Digitizing printed books and documents.
o Automating data entry from printed forms.
• Advantages:
o Saves time by eliminating manual typing.
o Enables search and editing in digitized text.
• Disadvantages:
o Struggles with poorly printed or handwritten text.
o Requires high-quality scanners for accurate results.
Barcode Reader
Barcode readers scan and interpret barcodes to retrieve information.
• Characteristics:
o Uses a laser or camera to read black and white lines on barcodes.
o Converts the barcode into a numerical or alphanumeric code.
• Uses:
o Retail stores for product pricing and inventory management.
o Tracking shipments and packages.
• Advantages:
o Fast and efficient for scanning multiple items.
o Low-cost technology widely used across industries.
• Disadvantages:
o Barcodes can become unreadable if damaged.
o Limited data storage compared to QR codes or RFID.
QR Scanner
QR (Quick Response) scanners read two-dimensional QR codes that store more information than
barcodes.
• Characteristics:
o Uses a camera or laser to scan square-shaped QR codes.
o Can store URLs, contact details, and other data.
• Uses:
o Mobile payments (e.g., scanning QR codes with apps like PayPal or WeChat).
o Advertising (QR codes on posters or flyers).
o Ticketing (airline boarding passes or event tickets).
• Advantages:
o Can store much more information than a barcode.
o Quick and easy to scan with smartphones.
o Resilient to minor damage or distortion.
• Disadvantages:
o Requires a specialized scanner or smartphone camera.
o May not work well in low-light conditions
2.3 Output Devices and Their Uses
Monitors (Screens)
Monitors are one of the most common output devices, used to display visual information.
• Characteristics:
o Comes in various types: CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED (Light
Emitting Diode), and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode).
o Resolutions and refresh rates vary, influencing the clarity and smoothness of visuals.
• Uses:
o Viewing text, images, videos, and software interfaces.
o Essential for workstations, gaming, and media editing.
• Advantages:
o High-quality visuals (especially with LED and OLED screens).
o Wide range of sizes to suit different needs.
o Modern monitors consume less power (especially LED).
• Disadvantages:
o CRT monitors are bulky and outdated.
o High-resolution monitors can be expensive.
o Long usage can cause eye strain.
Touch Screen (as an Output Device)
Touch screens double as input and output devices, allowing interaction with displayed content.
• Characteristics:
o Combines a display with touch-sensitive input.
o Available in resistive, capacitive, and infrared technologies.
• Uses:
o Smartphones, tablets, ATMs, and self-service kiosks.
o Interactive displays in education and business presentations.
• Advantages:
o Eliminates the need for additional input devices.
o Intuitive and easy to use.
o Compact and portable for devices like phones and tablets.
• Disadvantages:
o Susceptible to damage from scratches or drops.
o Fingerprints and smudges can reduce screen clarity.
Multimedia Projector
Projectors display content from a computer onto a larger surface, such as a screen or wall.
• Characteristics:
o Uses lenses and light to project visuals.
o Comes in types like DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCD projectors.
• Uses:
o Presentations in classrooms and meetings.
o Watching movies in a home theater setup.
• Advantages:
o Allows sharing content with a large audience.
o Portable and can project onto various surfaces.
• Disadvantages:
o Requires a dark room for optimal quality.
o Bulbs can be expensive to replace.
Printers
Printers convert digital information into a physical form, producing text and images on paper. Types of
printers include laser, inkjet, dot matrix, and 3D printers.
1. Laser Printer
o Characteristics: Uses laser technology and toner to produce high-quality prints.
o Uses: Office printing for documents and reports.
o Advantages: Fast, high-quality output, cost-effective for bulk printing.
o Disadvantages: High initial cost, limited to black-and-white for cheaper models.
2. Inkjet Printer
o Characteristics: Sprays liquid ink onto paper to create images.
o Uses: Printing photos and high-quality images.
o Advantages: Affordable, good for color printing.
o Disadvantages: Slower than laser printers, ink cartridges are expensive.
3. Dot Matrix Printer
o Characteristics: Uses pins to strike ink ribbons, creating an image.
o Uses: Printing invoices and receipts in industrial settings.
o Advantages: Can print through multiple layers (carbon copies).
o Disadvantages: Noisy and produces lower-quality output.
4. 3D Printer
o Characteristics: Builds objects layer by layer using materials like plastic or resin.
o Uses: Manufacturing prototypes, medical implants, and custom tools.
o Advantages: Creates complex, customizable objects.
o Disadvantages: Expensive and time-consuming for large objects.
Speakers
Speakers output sound generated by the computer.
• Characteristics:
o Converts digital audio signals into sound waves.
o Comes in various forms, from basic computer speakers to surround sound systems.
• Uses:
o Playing music, watching videos, and video conferencing.
o Alert systems (notifications and alarms).
• Advantages:
o Wide range of quality and price options.
o Enhances multimedia experiences.
• Disadvantages:
o Sound quality depends on the speaker's build and size.
o Can disturb others in shared spaces.
Actuators
Actuators are mechanical devices controlled by computers to perform physical actions.
• Characteristics:
o Converts electrical signals into movement.
o Examples include motors, pumps, and valves.
• Uses:
o Robotics, industrial automation, and smart homes (e.g., automatic doors).
o Operating equipment like robotic arms or conveyor belts.
• Advantages:
o Enables automation of complex physical tasks.
o Highly accurate and reliable in industrial settings.
• Disadvantages:
o Expensive to set up and maintain.
o Requires proper programming and calibration
