Chapter- 5

Input Devices
Main Hardware Components of a
computer
 lnput devices and their
uses
 Manual input devices are used by people to capture data.
 Automatic data capture devices enable data to be entered
without human intervention (involvement).
 We use them to enter large amounts of similar data.
 Sensors can collect data automatically.
Keyboards

 A user enters values and commands into a

computer by pressing buttons (keys) on a
keyboard.
 On a standard keyboard, each key has a
value (a letter, numeral, punctuation mark
or other symbol) printed on it.
 When the user presses the key, it sends
the computer a standard signal
corresponding to the value on the key.
 Typically, a monitor displays what has been
typed, to give immediate feedback to the
user.
Qwerty Keyboard
 Users of English usually type on a
QWERTY keyboard.
 It gets its name from the arrangement
of letters on the top row of keys.
 This layout was originally used on a
typewriter to prevent keys jamming
when the user was typing rapidly.
 When computers became widespread,
most users were familiar with using a
typewriter and designers kept the
QWERTY layout to avoid the need to
re-train the users.
Keyboard
 Keyboard
 The keyboard is the oldest and most familiar of all
input devices.
 Keyboards are intelligent devices and contain their
own chips.
 Basically each key acts as a switch which closes
when the key is pressed.
 The microprocessor scans the keyboard hundreds
of times a second to see if a key has been pressed;
if it has, a code that depends on which key has been
pressed is sent to the processing unit.
 Keyboard

The CPU translates this code into an ASCII code (the code that
computers use to represent characters on the computer
keyboard), which is then used by the computer program.

A standard keyboard is called a QWERTY keyboard because of the
arrangement of the letters of the top row of the alphabet keys.
 Concept keyboard
• New keyboards, called concept keyboards,
have been developed which make use of the
latest research into ergonomics.

•Concept keyboards are

less tiring to use and
higher typing speeds can
be achieved.
 A concept keyboard
 A concept keyboard may consist of a rectangular grid of
keys.
 The program designer decides the value or command that
each key enters.
 A flat, flexible, overlay sheet covers the keyboard; it has
a suitable picture, symbol or word printed for each key.
A concept keyboard
 concept
keyboard
 A concept keyboard

 Point of sale (POS) computers often

use a concept keyboard.
 It allows the user to enter products
quickly, without having to remember or
type codes.
 The concept keyboard can include letters
and numbers, if required.
 Young children and people with learning
disabilities or other difficulties may have
trouble using an ordinary keyboard.
 Public information touch screen systems
often display a concept keyboard.
Virtual keyboard
Virtual keyboard
 Special keyboards for the disabled
Braille keyboards

• Braille keyboards make it easy for blind

users to input data into a computer.
Braille keyboard
Braille keyboard
 Special keyboards for the disabled

•
For visually-impaired users who have-some vision,
there are also keyboards with large colored keys that
are easier to see. Each key is about one inch square.
 Mouse
A mouse is an input device that translates its
movements on the desktop into digital
information.
 This is fed to the computer which in turn
causes the cursor to move on the screen.
Underneath the mouse is a ball which rotates
as the mouse is moved on the desk, and
sensors pick up this movement.
 Mouse

•
Mouse usually have one, two or three
buttons, which are used to make
selections on the screen.
 Tracker ball
• A tracker ball is like an upside
down mouse. The ball is
rotated by the user but in this
case the ‘mouse’ stays still. The
advantage of a tracker ball
compared with a conventional
mouse, is that it takes up much
less space, and this is why
tracker balls are often seen on
laptop computers.
 Touch sensitive pad

• Touch sensitive pads

or track pads are
commonly found on
notebook computers.
• We move a stylus (or
finger) across a pad
and this moves the
cursor on the screen.
 Joystick
• A joystick is similar to a
tracker ball. Whenever the
stick is moved, the cursor
moves in a similar direction
on the screen.
• Joysticks are mainly used for
games but we can also see
them being used with, for
example, scanners in
hospitals.
 Light pen

• A screen cursor can be moved by touching the

screen with a light pen. Light pens are mainly
used for design work and need special
software to make them work.
 Scanner

• Scanners are used to

scan text or pictures
into a computer’s
memory where they
can then be
manipulated in
some way before
being printed. They
can be cheap hand
held ones, or flatbed
A4 size or larger.
 Scanner

•
Optical character recognition (OCR) involves
scanning in the image of a page of text with a
scanner and then using special software to
recognize each of the characters separately, so
that they can be altered, if needed, using a word
processor. Scanners often have OCR software
included in the price.
 Scanner

•
Scanners are also used to scan in photographs
and pictures for use in desktop publishing. One of
the main problems we encounter when scanning
images is the amount of space they take up on
the disk.
•
However, special file compression software, can
be used to reduce file sizes.
 Optical character readers and
optical character recognition
(OCR)
1 .Optical character recognition is a method of
inputting text using a scanner along with special
software to turn the scanned image into standard
ASCII code.
In other words, the text is no longer treated as a
picture, since each individual letter is recognised on
its own and can therefore be edited using
wordprocessing software.
 Optical character readers
and
2. Sinceoptical character
OCR software must be able to
distinguish between an S and a 5 or a B and
an 8,recognition
the original text(OCR)
really needs to be
typed. As well as recognising the different
characters, optical character readers must
be able to read different fonts (i.e. different
patterns of letters), different type sizes and
upper and lower case letters.
3. OCR software can also be used to scan
financial documents such as company
accounts directly into spreadsheets, as well
as to scan text directly into wordprocessors.
Magnetic ink character reader and optical
character recognition (MICR)
Magnetic ink characters are the rather strange
looking numbers that we see at the bottom of
cheques.
The characters are printed using an ink which
contains iron and may be magnetised.
The magnetic pattern of the numbers is read
by a special reader called a magnetic ink
character reader.
 Magnetic ink character reader and
optical character recognition (MICR)

When a cheque is printed,
the account number,
branch code and cheque
number are all printed in
magnetic ink.

When someone writes a
cheque, the receiver
takes it to their bank and
pays it into their account.

The bank then has to
type the amount onto the
cheque using magnetic
ink before the cheque is
dealt with.
 Magnetic ink character
reader and optical

character
only for very recognition
Magnetic ink character recognition uses expensive equipment and
is suitable large scale applications.
 The expense of the(MICR)
system is an advantage in banking since it is
unlikely that people would be able to build the equipment and
start to print their own cheques.
Optical mark readers and optical mark
recognition (OMR)

• Optical mark readers are able to sense marks

made on a special form in certain places.
• Uses for optical mark readers include multiple
choice answer sheet marking, capturing data
from questionnaires and enrolment forms,
and the checking of football pools coupons.
Optical mark readers and
optical mark recognition
(OMR)
Optical mark readers and optical
mark recognition (OMR)
Disadvantages:
 1. If the forms are being filled in by the general public
then very clear instructions are needed. A couple of
examples should be chosen as an illustration. No
matter how your instructions are you will find that a
high proportion of forms are filled in incorrectly. The
rejection rate is found to be around 30%.
 2. If the forms are creased or folded then they may be
rejected or foul the machine. This will add to the time
needed to read the forms. Badly damaged forms will
need to be rewritten or keyed in manually.
Optical mark readers and optical
mark recognition (OMR)

Advantages
1. The use of OMR means that details do not have to be
typed in. Typing could introduce errors and takes time.
2. OMR reduces the cost of inputting large volumes of
data because people do not need to type the details.
3. The method is useful when results of tests are needed
very quickly.
3D scanner
 Biometric
devices
 Biometric
devices
Retinal scanning is a different, ocular-
based biometric technology that uses the
unique patterns on a person's retina blood
vessels and is often confused with iris
recognition. Iris recognition uses video
camera technology with subtle near
infrared illumination to acquire images of
the detail-rich, intricate structures of the
iris which are visible externally.
 Biometric
devices
fingerprint
A fingerprint sensor is an electronic device
used to capture a digital image of the
fingerprint pattern. The captured image is
called a live scan. This live scan is digitally
processed to create a biometric template
(a collection of extracted features which is
stored and used for matching.
Biometric devices
 Hand geometry system
 The devices use a simple concept of
measuring and recording the length,
width, thickness, and surface area of
an individual’s hand while guided on a
plate. Hand geometry systems use a
camera to capture a silhouette image
of the hand. The hand of the subject is
placed on the plate, palm down, and
guided by five pegs that sense when
the hand is in place
 Barcode scanner
• A barcode is used to encode
information in a visual pattern
readable by a machine. Barcodes
are used for a variety of reasons
including tracking products,
prices, and stock levels for
centralized recording in a
computer software system
• Barcode systems are now at an
advanced stage and readers can
record bar- codes at distances of five
meters or more.
 Barcode scanner
 A barcode scanner usually consists of three different parts
including the illumination system, the sensor, and the decoder.
 In general, a barcode scanner “scans” the black and white
elements of a barcode by illuminating the code with a red light,
which is then converted into matching text. More specifically, the
sensor in the barcode scanner detects the reflected light from the
illumination system (the red light) and generates an analog signal
that is sent to the decoder. The decoder interprets that signal,
validates the barcode using the check digit, and converts it into
text.
 This converted text is delivered by the scanner to a computer
software system holding a database of the maker, cost, and
quantity of all products sold
 Barcode
scanner
 A bee with a barcode

 In America, researchers
have painstakingly glued
barcodes to the backs of
some bees.
 These barcodes are scanned
every time a bee enters or
leaves its hive thus
providing valuable
information about
pollination. Imagine the
chaos this could cause if a
swarm of bees entered a
supermarket.
Q-R Scanner
 Q-R Scanner
A QR code consists of black squares arranged in a square grid on a
white background, which can be read by an imaging device such
as a camera, and processed using Reed–Solomon error correction
until the image can be appropriately interpreted. The required
data is then extracted from patterns that are present in both
horizontal and vertical components of the image.
Q-R Scanner
Q-R Scanner and its
use QR codes have become common
in consumer advertising.
Typically, a smart phone is used
as a QR code scanner,
displaying the code and
converting it to some useful form
(such as a standard URL for a
website, thereby obviating the
need for a user to type it into a
web browser . QR code has
become a focus of advertising
strategy, since it provides a way
to access a brand's website more
quickly than by manually entering
a URL.
 Digital cameras
Digital cameras are becoming very popular for a number of
reasons:

• No film is needed.

• There are no expensive developing costs.

• We can put photographic images directly into a document

without the need for a scanner.

• The pictures, since they are in digital form, can be sent

immediately over the Internet.

• We can size (enlarge and reduce) the image as well as crop it

our self using software without the need for professional dark
room work.
Digital cameras
 Digital cameras
Memory: Digital cameras look just like traditional
cameras except they have no film as such. Instead they have a
memory which stores the image and many of them have special
memory cards to give extra storage.
 The more memory they have, the greater the number of pictures
which can be taken before downloading. Storage varies widely
between cameras from 40 to 100 pictures.
 Digital cameras

Resolution: The amount of memory

taken up by a picture depends on its resolution.
 The resolution is determined by the number of
dots which make the picture; the greater the
number of dots, the crisper the image.
 Higher resolution photographs take up
more memory so the camera will store fewer
of them.
 Digital cameras

Software: As well as the camera, we also need special

software to edit, store and display our pictures on a
computer.
• Using this software we can also remove things which
we did not spot when taking the photograph.
• We could for instance, remove a telegraph pole
which looks as though it is sticking out of someone’s
head, correct red-eye and adjust the color and
contrast.
• It is even possible to take the outline of a person and
put them into an entirely different picture or
 How a digital
camera works
 Touch screen
 A touch screen is a special kind of screen which is sensitive to touch.

A selection is made from a menu on the screen by touching part
of it.

•These screens are ideal for

use in banks and building
societies, where customers
who are not used to with
using keyboards can obtain
information about the
services offered.
• We can also see such
screens in restaurants and
bars.
 Graphics tablets (digitizers)
 Graphics tablets are rather
like electronic tracing paper
and, like paper, they come in
all sizes from a modest A4
size to a very large A0 size
which will occupy the best
part of a desk.
 A cursor or puck is used on a
graphics tablet to trace over
technical drawings put on the
screen using a computer aided
design package such as
AutoCAD.
 Magnetic stripe reader

we can see magnetic stripe readers at the side of

computerized tills (often called electronic point-
of-sale (EPOS) terminals).
 Voice recognition
•Withvoice recognition
we speak directly to the
computer.
•Itis particularly useful
for handicapped people
with limited movement.
• It is now popular for
inputting data into word-
processing or database
packages.
•A microphone is the
input device for such
systems.
 Microphone
• A microphone is used as the input device for a
speech recognition system.
• The voice pattern of the user is then converted
into instructions to the operating system or
applications software, or into text on the screen.
 Microphone
• A microphone may also be used as an
input device to a voice mail system.
• Voice mail uses the Internet to send, store
and receive voice messages.
• The system works in a similar way to the
e-mail system but instead of a text
message being stored on disk, the user’s
voice is stored instead.
• The company providing the connection to
the Internet, called the Internet service
provider (ISP) stores the voice message on
its server and when the user logs on the
system informs them that they have a
voice mail message.
• The user can then play the message back
using a loudspeaker as the output device.
Electronic point of sale (EPOS)
terminal
EPOS terminals are the cash
registers which also act as
terminals to a main computer
system. As well as providing
customers with itemised bills,
these systems also give useful
management information.
Electronic fund transfer at point of sale
(EFTPOS)

• EFTPOS terminals are similar to EPOS

terminals but with some additional features.
For instance, they are able to transfer funds
from your bank account directly to a store’s
account using a card called a debit card.
 Electronic fund transfer at point of sale

(EFTPOS)
A Switch card is an example of such a card. If you have a debit card
you can use it instead of a cheque and it is a faster method of
payment.
 Electronic fund transfer at point of sale

(EFTPOS)
The advantage to a store is that the money is instantly transferred
into its account, whereas with cheques and credit cards there is a
delay before the money reaches the shop’s account. One can also
get ‘cash back’ using their debit card.
 There are some disadvantages with such cards, they may be
stolen or forged and they are said to encourage people to spend
more money.
 Video Digitiser

A video digitiser is a combination of hardware

and software that converts an analogue video
signal into a digital signal in the computer’s
memory. Each frame from a video is
converted, using the video digitiser and it may
be played back in any required sequence.
Taking a video frame and digitising it is often
called image grabbing or frame grabbing.
 Video Digitiser

• Grabbed video images take up a lot of main

memory and when stored use a large amount of
disk space.
• Video digitising is used to convert a frame from a
video sequence into a picture, which can be
printed in isolation in a magazine or document.
Digitising is also used to make television adverts
and to produce pop videos.
 Web cameras (web cams)
• A web camera (web cam for
short) is simply a digital
camera that is used to
capture still images and
video images (moving
images).
• These images can then be
transmitted to a computer
where they are stored in a
suitable graphics format. If
required, pictures can be
used on a website.
 Web cameras (web cams)

 Web cams are often

included in complete
computer systems, with
the camera placed on
top of the screen.
 Such a system allows
videoconferencing.
 There are web cams
everywhere.
 Some uses of web cams

• Advertising: Cruise companies place them on ships

so that potential customers can see what is going on
inside a ship and where the ship is at a particular
time.

• Checking on children in nurseries:

All parents worry about child abuse. When they put
their children in nurseries they want to be sure that
the children are looked after properly. Some
nurseries have web cams so that parents can see
their children on a computer while they are at work.
 Some uses of Web Cams

 Checking on the weather in another part of

the world
There are web cams just about everywhere. It is
possible to see what the weather is like anywhere
in the world if we have access to a web cam
there.
Thank you