INPUT DEVICES

In this lecture, you learn what input is and what input devices are. The
keyboard is presented and different keyboard types are described. You
are introduced to various pointing devices, such as the mouse, trackball,
touchpad, pointing stick, joystick, touch screen, and pen input. Scanners
and reading devices, including optical scanners, optical readers, magnetic
ink character recognition readers, and data collection devices are
explained. You learn about digital cameras, audio input, speech
recognition, video input, and videoconferencing. Finally, input devices for
physically challenged users are explored.

Describe the two types of input

Input is any data or instructions entered into the memory of a computer.

Two types of input are data and instructions.

Data is a collection of unorganized items that can include words,

numbers, pictures, sounds, and video. A computer processes data into
information, which is organized, meaningful, and useful.
Instructions can be in the form of programs, commands, or user
responses.

A program is a series of instructions that tells a computer how to perform

the tasks necessary to process data into information.

A command is an instruction given to a computer program.

A user response is an instruction you issue to the computer by

responding to a question posed by a computer program.

Any hardware component that allows you to enter data, programs,

commands, and user responses into a computer is an input device.
Classification of Input Devices in a Computer

Input devices are hardware components that allow users to interact with a
computer by entering data, commands, or responses. They can be
classified into several categories based on their functionality, interaction
method, and data type.

1. Manual Input Devices

 Definition: Require direct physical interaction from the user.

 Examples:

o Keyboards: QWERTY, ergonomic, or virtual keyboards for text

input.
o Pointing Devices: Mouse, trackball, touchpad, and stylus (for
graphic tablets).
o Touchscreens: Allow direct interaction via touch (e.g.,
smartphones, ATMs).
o Game Controllers: Joysticks, gamepads, and steering wheels
for gaming.

2. Automated/Sensor-Based Devices

 Definition: Capture data automatically with minimal human

intervention.
 Examples:

o Scanners: Barcode/QR scanners, document scanners, and 3D

scanners.
o Biometric Devices: Fingerprint scanners, facial recognition
systems.
o Sensors: Temperature, motion, or light sensors (common in
IoT devices).
o Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Converts printed text to
digital format.

3. Audio Input Devices

  Definition: Capture or process sound.
 Examples:

o Microphones: For voice input or recording.

o MIDI Keyboards: Convert musical notes into digital signals.
o Voice Recognition Systems: Enable voice commands.

4. Visual/Imaging Devices

 Definition: Capture images, video, or visual data.

 Examples:

o Digital Cameras/Webcams: For photos or video conferencing.

o Optical Mark Readers (OMR): Scan pre-filled forms (e.g.,
surveys).
o Document Scanners: Convert physical documents to digital
images.

List the characteristics of a keyboard

The keyboard is an input device that contains keys you press to enter
data into a computer. Desktop computer keyboards usually have from 101
to 105 keys, while keyboards for smaller computers contain fewer keys.

All keyboards have a typing area used to type letters of the alphabet,
numbers, punctuation marks, and other basic characters.
Many desktop computer keyboards also have

 a numeric keypad designed to make it easier to enter numbers,

 function keys programmed to issue commands and accomplish
certain tasks,
 arrow keys used to move the insertion point (a symbol on the
screen that indicates where the next typed character will
display), and
 Toggle keys that can be switched between two different states.

Identify various types of keyboards

A standard computer keyboard sometimes is called a QWERTY
keyboard because of the layout of its typing area.

An enhanced keyboard has 12 function keys along the top row, 2 ctrl
keys, 2 alt keys, and a set of arrow and additional keys between the
typing area and the numeric keypad.

Cordless keyboards transmit data via infrared light waves.

Keyboards for notebook and handheld computers usually have smaller

and fewer keys than desktop computers.

A portable keyboard is a full-sized keyboard you can attach to and remove

from a handheld computer.

Some manufacturers have designed ergonomic keyboards to reduce the

chance of workplace injuries. The goal of ergonomics is to incorporate
comfort, efficiency, and safety into the design of workplace items.
Identify various types of pointing devices
In a graphical user interface, the pointer is a small symbol on the screen.
A pointing device is an input device that allows you to control the pointer.
Common pointing devices include the mouse, trackball, touchpad,
pointing stick, joystick, touch screen, light pen, and a stylus.

 A mouse is a pointing device, designed to fit comfortably under

the palm of your hand, that is moved across a flat surface. (as
shown below):

 A trackball is a stationary pointing device with a ball

mechanism on its top. (as shown below):
  A touchpad is a flat, rectangular pointing device that is
sensitive to pressure and motion (as shown below)

 A pointing-stick is a pressure-sensitive pointing device shaped

like a pencil eraser that is positioned between keys on the
keyboard (as shown below):

 A joystick is a vertical lever mounted on a base (as shown

below)

 A light pen is a handheld device that contains a light source or

can detect light.
 A touch screen is a touch-sensitive display on the screen.
 A stylus looks like a ballpoint pen but uses pressure, instead of
ink, to write text and draw lines.
 An electronic pen can be used on a graphics tablet, which
consists of a flat, rectangular, electronic plastic board used to
input graphical data.

Explain how a mouse works

As you move a mouse across a flat surface, the movement is translated
into signals that are sent to the computer, and the pointer on the screen
also moves. When you move the mouse to the right, the pointer moves to
the right on the screen. For Windows users, the top of a mouse has at
least two buttons and sometimes also a wheel. Generally, you use a
mouse to move the pointer on the screen to an object and then press a
button, or click, to perform a certain action on that object. Other
operations you can perform using a mouse include right-click, double-
click, drag, right-drag, rotate wheel, and press wheel button.

Describe different mouse types

A mechanical mouse has a rubber or metal ball on its underside. When the
ball rolls in a certain direction, electronic circuits in the mouse translate
the movement into signals that are sent to the computer. For better
traction, you should place a mechanical mouse on a mouse pad.

An optical mouse has no moving parts; instead it uses devices that emit
and sense light to detect the mouse’s movement. An optical mouse can
be used on nearly all surfaces, is more precise than a mechanical mouse,
and does not require cleaning.

A cordless mouse, or wireless mouse, is a battery powered device that

transmits data using wireless technology, such as radio waves or infrared
light waves. A cordless mouse uses technology very similar to that of a
cordless keyboard.

Explain how voice recognition works

Voice input is the process of entering data by speaking into a microphone

that is attached to the sound card on a computer. Voice recognition is the
computer’s capability of distinguishing spoken words. The first voice
recognition programs were speaker dependent. With speaker-dependent
software, the computer makes a profile of your voice, which means you
have to train the computer to recognize your voice. Today, most voice
recognition programs use speaker-independent software, which has a
built-in set of word patterns and does not have to be trained to recognize
your voice. Some voice recognition software requires discrete speech,
meaning that you have to speak slowly and separate each word with a
short pause. Most voice recognition products, however, support
continuous speech, allowing you to speak in a flowing conversational tone.

Understand how to input data into a handheld computer

To satisfy the input needs of many different types of users, handheld

computers provide many different ways to input data. A handheld
computer typically includes a basic stylus. With the stylus, you can enter
data using an on-screen keyboard or using handwriting recognition
software that translates handwritten letters and characters into symbols
the computer understands. Other input alternatives available with some
handheld computers include attaching a full-sized keyboard, transferring
data from a desktop computer, using voice input, and attaching a digital
camera.
Identify the uses of a digital camera

A digital camera is used to take pictures and store the photographed

images digitally instead of on traditional film. Pictures are stored on a
storage medium, such as a floppy disk, SuperDisk, Clik! disk, PC Card,
compact flash card, memory stick, mini-CD, or microdrive. Many digital
cameras allow you to review and edit the images while they are in the
camera. You also can download, or transfer a copy of, the stored image to
a computer. Once on a computer, the pictures can be edited with photo-
editing software, printed, faxed, sent via electronic mail, included in
another document, or posted to a Web site.

There are three basic types of digital cameras.

A studio camera is a stationary digital camera used for professional

studio work.

A field camera is a portable camera, often used by photojournalists, that

has many lenses and other attachments.

A point-and-shoot camera is more affordable and lightweight and

provides acceptable quality photographic images for the home or small
business user.

Describe the various techniques used for video input

Video input, or video capture, is the process of entering a full-motion

recording into a computer and storing the video on a storage medium.

Many video devices use analogue video signals. To input video from these
devices, the device is plugged into a video capture card, an expansion
card that converts the analogue signal into a digital signal the computer
can understand.

A digital video (DV) camera is a new generation of video camera that

records video as digital signals, instead of using analogue signals, and
therefore does not require a video capture card. Video files can demand
huge amounts of storage space.

Video compression reduces the size of video files by recognizing that only
a small portion of an image changes from frame to frame. Instead of
storing every frame in its entirety, a video compression program might
store an initial frame and then store only the changes from one frame to
the next.

A video decoder is a card that decompresses video. A video digitizer can

be used to capture an individual frame from a video and save the still
picture in a file.

Describe the uses of PC video cameras and Web cams

A PC camera is a DV camera that allows home users to record, edit,

capture video and still images, and make video telephone calls on the
Internet. During a video telephone call, both parties can see each other as
they talk. Although usually placed on top of the monitor and attached to a
computer’s USB port, some PC cameras are portable and can be used
anywhere.