Input devices

What is an input device?

• Input devices are hardware components that allow users to interact with a computer system

• They enable the user to input data or commands into the system, which the computer then processes to produce an output

Types of input devices

Input device Use Advantages Disadvantages

• Easy method of entering • Repetitive strain injury

Keyboard Entering data into a computer data
• Slow to enter data compared
• Very common to direct data entry

• Intuitive and precise • RSI (strain on wrist)

control • Requires flat surface
Mouse To select on screen objects
• Fast to make on-screen • People with disabilities can
choices find them difficult to use

• Enhances
gameplay/simulation • Expensive
experience
Joystick Moves sprites/characters around a game • Limited use outside of
• Improve realism gaming and simulators
• Accurate

• Precise • Cost

Graphics tablet Use a stylus to draw or write • Natural feel • Learning curve

• Ergonomic • Battery life

• Quality depends on
• Accurate reproduction resolution
Scanner Convert paper documents to electronic
• Easy to share and store • High quality means can be
slow
 • Combined with
barcodes becomes a
DDE

• Vast amounts can be • Storage compression can

captured lead to a loss in quality
Digital camera Taking photos/videos
• No developing • Need to be tech-savvy to use
• Easy to share effectively

• Real-time
communication • Image quality
Webcam Streaming images/video
• Cheap • Privacy concerns
• Multipurpose

• Variable quality
• Hands-free input
• Verbal inputs can be
• Can be used for voice
Microphone Input speech, sensor to pick up sounds inaccurate
recognition
• Need to remember key words
• Fast
and/or phrases

Resistive Pressure causes layers to 'touch'

• Intuitive
touchscreen Durable • Screens can get dirty
• No need for a separate
Conduct electricity • Easily scratched
pointing device
Capacitive
Finger causes a change in electrical • Less precise than a mouse
touchscreen • Easy to keep clean
charge and can be measured precisely

• Limited to specific forms

OMR
• Fast processing • Cannot read handwriting
Optical Mark Read marks on exam paper in pen/pencil
• Reduced human error • Form must be completed
Recognition
accurately
 • Can struggle with complex
layouts
OCR • Fast data entry
• Font dependent
Optical Character Text to digital data • Accurate and less error
Recognition prone • Not always 100% accurate

• Expensive

• Fast and accurate • Requires line-of-sight

• Low cost • Barcodes are easily damaged
Barcode scanner Reads barcode labels • Allows for automatic • Barcodes can be
stock control swapped/altered by
• Tried & trusted consumers

• Easier than passwords

Biometric • Privacy concerns
Fingerprint/facial/voice/iris recognition • More secure
scanner • Expensive
• Speed

• Magnetic stripes can get

• Fast damaged and become
Magnetic stripe unreadable
Debit/credit cards • Simple to use
reader
• Secure (unreadable) • Reader must be in close
contact

• Requires PIN input

Chip and PIN • Secure • Potential for skimming

Retail card payments
reader • Reduced fraud risk • High payment limits an issue
for stolen cards

• Fast transaction (no pin) • Transaction limit is smaller

RFID reader Contactless payments • Data wirelessly • RFID signals can be
transferred securely read/intercepted
 • Retailers don't have to
access customer
credit/debit information

• Generally accurate

• Provides real-time • May require calibration

information • Data must be converted to
Measure environmental data e.g.
Analogue sensors • Automatic digital data (ADC)
temperature, light, sound, humidity etc.
• Can collect data from • Data may need to be
places where they may checked for accuracy
be threat to human life

Output devices

What is an output device?

• Output devices are hardware components that receive information from a computer system and present it to the user in a
comprehensible form

• They enable the computer to communicate the results of processed data or commands

Types of output devices

Output device Use/features Advantages Disadvantages

• Run hot
• Large viewing angles
• Heavy
CRT monitor Display output from a computer • Can be used with light
pens • Consume more power (than
Screen size is measured diagonally in
other monitor types)
inches
• Low power
Resolution is the number • Motion blur/ghosting
of pixels measured horizontally across • Lightweight
LCD monitor • Colour & contrast variable
the screen
• No flickering from different viewing
angles
• No image burn-in
 • No motion blur/ghosting
• More expensive (than LCD)
LED monitor • Low power
• Contrast can be poor
• Long life

High volume printing • Fast

• Expensive initial cost
Laser printer Electronically charged toner • High-quality prints
• Limited to flat surfaces
Dry ink • Lower cost per page

Home printing & photographs

• Lower initial cost • Slower
Uses wet ink separated into black, cyan,
Inkjet printer • High-quality prints • Higher cost per page
magenta & yellow
• Ink can be refilled • Ink may smudge
Tiny dots sprayed onto paper

• Low cost
Useful when printing multiple copies • Noisy
• Can print multi-part
Dot matrix
Paper is impacted through a ribbon of forms • Low print quality
printer
ink • Very good for long print • Slow
runs

• Limited materials
• Customisable designs • Slow process
Create real-life versions of digital
3D printer • Rapid prototyping • Counterfeit items easier to
models
• Medical benefits produce

• Very expensive

• High accuracy
• Slow
• Can print on various
Plotters Create drawings & blueprints • Expensive to buy
materials
• Large size
• Inexpensive to run
 • Requires darkened room
• Large display
Multimedia Output computer usually to much larger • Expensive bulbs
• Good for presentations
projector display • Need separate audio
• Space saving
• Quality is variable

• Range of sizes and

power outputs • Expensive for higher quality
Speakers Output audio • Immersive audio output

• Helps people with • Varying sound quality

disabilities

• Precise movement
• Requires power
• Programmable
Actuators Control motors, pumps, switches etc. • Potential mechanical wear
• Allow automatic control
• Requires DAC interface
of many devices

Classwork

List four peripheral devices that could be used to input text by people who are unable to use a mouse and keyboard

Input Devices

Topic: Input Devices

Class: SSS One

WAEC

Definition of Input Device

Input device is any hardware component that allows a user to enter data and instructions into a computer.
Any peripheral used to provide data and control signals to a computer.
Without any input devices, a computer would only be a display device and not allow users to interact with it. Before computer processing,
data must be entered into the computer by an input device so that they can be translated into machine-readable form.
Some input devices include the following:
Keyboard
Mouse
Joy Stick
Light pen
Track Ball
Scanner
Graphic Tablet
Microphone
Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR)
Optical Character Reader (OCR)
Bar Code Reader Optical Mark Reader (OMR), etc.

Keyboard
Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps in inputting data to the computer. The keyboard looks very
similar to the keyboards of electric typewriters, with some additional keys. Keyboards allow a computer user to input letters, numbers,
and other symbols into a computer.

Mouse
The mouse is a device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. The mouse is important for graphical user
interfaces because a user can simply point to options and objects and click a mouse button.

Touchpad
A touchpad is a small, touch-sensitive pad used as a pointing device on some portable computers. By moving a finger or other object
along the pad, you can move the pointer on the display screen.

Touch screen
A touch screen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area.

Trackball
A trackball is a mouse lying on its back. To move the pointer, you rotate the ball with your thumb, your fingers, or the palm of your hand. It
does not require much space to use it.
Light Pen
A light pen is a computer input device in the form of a light-sensitive pen used in conjunction with a computer's CRT display. It allows the
user to point to displayed objects or draw on the screen in a similar way to a touch screen but with greater positional accuracy.

Stylus
A stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet.

Joystick
A joystick allows an individual to move an object in a game such as navigating a plane in a flight simulator.
A gamepad, game controller, joypad, or video game controller is a peripheral device designed to be connected to a computer or console
gaming system. It has multiple buttons and may have one or two mini joysticks.

Digital Camera
A camera that stores the pictures or video it takes in electronic format instead of film.

Webcam
A webcam is a camera connected to a computer that allows anyone connected to the Internet to view either still pictures or motion video
of a user or other object.

Optical Scanner
An optical scanner is a hardware input device that allows a user to take an image or text and convert it into a digital file, allowing the
computer to read or display the scanned object.

Barcode Reader
A barcode reader or scanner is a hardware device capable of reading a barcode and printing out the details of the product or logging that
product into a database.

Microphone
A microphone is a hardware peripheral that allows computer users to input audio into their computers.

Structure of the Keyboard

A standard computer keyboard is called a QWERTY keyboard because of the layout of its typing area which is similar to that of a
typewriter.
Parts of the Computer Keyboard

Keyboards will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but generally have the following areas:

Function Keys: These keys are assigned a special task or function. Here is a sample of common function keys and associated tasks.
F1 Get Help or visit Microsoft Office Online
F5 Find and replace
F7 Choose the Spelling command (Review tab)
F8 Usually used with LCD projector/dual monitor device.
F10 Show Key Tips
F12 Choose the Save As command (Microsoft Office Button)
Function keys are also used in combination with the Shift, Alt, and Ctrl keys.
Typewriter Keys or Alphanumeric Keys: letters, numbers, and punctuation keys. Additional keys include the space bar, shift key (for
capital letters and top symbol on keys), and Caps Lock key for a series of capital letters. Press the Enter key to begin a new paragraph in a
word processor program (also the same as clicking the OK button in a dialogue box. The Spacebar separates a series of letters and/or
numbers into Standard English text.
Cursor Control Keys: also called arrow keys, which move your text cursor in the direction of the arrow.
Numeric Keypad: similar to a calculator for entering numbers and doing mathematical operations quickly and easily. (You may also have
a calculator shortcut key on your keyboard.)
Arrow or Navigation keys: Arrow keys, Page Up/Page Down, Home, and End are convenient to move your cursor to the desired location.
Combination Keys:
1. Shift Key: The Shift key is used to make capital letters or to access the punctuation and other symbols on the number keys and other
keys. (Also used in combination with function and/or ctrl keys.)
2. The Alt key: It is used in combination with the command keys for special functions such as Ctrl+Alt+Dlt for task manager or ALT+F4 Exit
Office Word 2007
3. Control key: It is used in combination with other command keys. CTRL+F10 will maximize the document window. . Other Keys include:
i. Windows key: Shortcut for the start menu.
ii. PrtScn/SysRq Print Screen: pressing the print screen will capture the entire screen while pressing the alt key in combination with the
print screen will capture the currently selected window.
iii. Esc Escape: shortcut in dialogue boxes for No, Quit, Exit, Cancel, or Abort, as well as a common shortcut key for the Stop button in
many web browsers.
iv. Backspace: Erases text to the left of the cursor each time you click on the key.
v. Delete: Erases text to the right of the cursor each time you click on the key. Or click and drag your cursor over a line(s) of text to select
the text and click Delete. All the selected text will be deleted.

Types of Mouse
a) Mechanical Mouse: Mechanical mouse contains a rubber or metal ball inside it. The movement of the cursor depends on the
movement of the ball. This mouse is normally used on the mouse pad. A mouse pad is a- small flat pad made of rubber or foam to provide
easy movement for the mouse. It protects the mouse from dust and dirt.
b) Optical Mouse: Optical mouse contains no ball inside it. It uses a device that emits light to detect mouse movement. An optical sensor
or laser is used in these types of mice. It is more expensive than the mechanical mouse.
c) Wireless Mouse: Wireless or cordless mouse is a type of mouse that does not require a wire to work. It transmits data using wireless
technology like radio waves or infrared light waves. The receiver is connected to the computer through a serial or USB port.
Parts of a Computer Mouse
The parts of a computer mouse can vary by the type of computer mouse. Below is a general overview of the parts found on most computer
mice.
1. Buttons
2. Ball, Laser, or LED
3. Mouse wheel
4. Circuit board
5. Cable or wireless receiver

Functions of the mouse

The primary function of the mouse is to move the mouse cursor on the screen. Others include;
1. To open or execute the program - Once you've moved the cursor to an icon, folder, or other object clicking or double-clicking that object
opens the document or executes the program.
2. To select - A mouse also allows you to select text or a file or highlight and select multiple files at once.
3. To drag-and-drop - Once something is selected it can also be moved using the drag-and-drop method.
4. To hover - Moving the mouse cursor over objects with additional hover information can help discover the function of each object on the
screen. For example, hover the mouse over the hover link to see an example.
5. To scroll - When working with a long document or viewing a long web page you may need to scroll up or down which can be done using
the mouse wheel or clicking and dragging the scroll bar.

Differences between Mouse and Keyboard

Keyboard Mouse

Used to enter instructions Used to point and select

Keys are pressed Buttons are clicked

Combination of keys can be pressed Left or right button is clicked

Cannot drag and drop text Drags and drops text

It has keys It has buttons

Requires no mouse pad Requires a mouse pad

What are Output Devices

Output devices are devices that enable the computer to communicate the results of data processing carried out by it to the user.
These devices enable the computer to display text, graphics and produce sound.

Examples of computer output devices

Theyinclude:
monitor
printer
speaker
plotter
Projector
braille embosser

Features and Uses of Output Devices

1. Monitor: The monitor, also called Visual Display Unit (VDU) is a TV-like structure attached to the System Unit through the VGA cable. It
displays text and graphics (pictures and images). The content showing on the monitor is called a soft copy.
2. Printer: A printer is a device attached to the System Unit through a USB cable or other types of cable. It is used to produce the
information (text, graphics, images, illustrations) showing on the monitor on paper, transparencies, and plastic. Such a printout is called a
hard copy.
3. Speaker: A speaker is a device used for producing sound captured by the microphone or music in mp3, wav, etc. formats. Speakers
come in different forms such as headphones, earphones, canal phones, headsets etc. and can also be used with portable devices such
as mp3 players, mobile phones etc.
4. Plotter: A special type of printer used for printing drawings, charts, maps etc. using multi-coloured automated pens. It is usually used
by architects, engineers and surveyors. They are rarely used now and are being replaced by wide-format conventional printers, which can
produce high-quality graphics.
5. Projector: A device that helps direct the content on a display screen (monitor) onto a particularly flat surface.
6. braille embosser: braille embosser functions the same as inkjet printers, It renders characters onto paper for tactile (sense of touch)
reading by a blind reader. They can be for personal use at home, in the office, or in mass production.
Structure of Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor

The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) used as a computer monitor was invented by Karl Ferdinand Braun. This monitor employs the CRT
technology used most commonly in the manufacturing of television screens. In this, a stream of an intense high-energy electron is used
to form images on a fluorescent screen. A cathode ray tube is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun at one end and a fluorescent
screen at another end. From this electron gun, a process called thermionic emission generates a strong beam of electrons. These
electrons travel through a narrow path within the tube at high speed using various electromagnetic devices and finally strike the phosphor
points present on the fluorescent screen, thus creating an image.
Today, CRT monitors are being replaced with flat Plasma screens, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), etc.

Types of Monitors (based on colour)

There are two types of monitor, namely:

1. Monochrome monitor: This monitor displays its characters in only one colour. The colour could be white, green or amber. Looking at
the monochrome monitor, one can see two colours; one colour for the background and one for the foreground. The two colour
combinations can therefore be black and white, green and black or amber and black.
2. Colour monitor: This monitor displays information in colours. It is similar to a colour television but it handles data more quickly and
has a sharper output.

Types of printer

There are two types of printers, namely impact and non-impact printers.
Impact Printers

This type of printer behaves like a typewriter whereby a character is printed when a metal slug strikes a carbon ribbon. Impact printers
have contact with the surface of the paper. Examples of impact printers include the following:
a. Dot matrix printer: This prints characters and graphic images by impacting a ribbon and transferring dots of ink onto the paper. It prints
dot matrix characters by pressing the end of selected wires against ribbon and paper. The dots are used to form the characters and
images on the paper.
b. Line printer: This prints a line of characters at a time. The output speed is between 200 to 3000 lines per minute (LPM)
c. Character printer: This prints one character at a time moving across the paper. The output speed range from 200 to 400 characters per
second (cps)

Non-Impact Printer

Non-impact printer creates images on paper like that of a photocopying machine. They do not have contact with the surface of the paper.
Examples include:
a. Inkjet printer: This prints by spraying small streams of quick-drying ink onto the paper and using it to form characters, shapes and
images. The ink is stored in disposable ink cartridges, which can be black or coloured. They are found in homes and offices.
b. Laser printer: This uses an electrically charged drum to transfer toner or dry ink onto paper as the photocopier does. It traces an image
by using a computer-controlled laser beam.
c. Thermal printer: This prints by transferring dots of ink or dye from a ribbon onto paper and passing the ribbon and the paper across a
line of heating elements. The characters are produced with a print head containing a matrix of small heating elements. This printer is very
quiet in operation because the printer head does not strike the paper.

Differences between Impact and Non-Impact Printer

S/N Impact Printer Non-Impact Printer

1. Makes noise while printing Does not make noise while printing

2. Produces low quality images Produces high quality images

3. Uses ribbon to print Uses ink (dry and wet) to print

4. Does not have heating element Has heating element that dries the ink on paper

5. Prints only one colour at a time Can print more than one colour at a time

6. Has striking pins/heads that strike the characters or dots on paper Does not have striking pin heads to strike characters on paper
Differences between the Monitor and the Printer

S/N Monitor Printer

1. Has screen Has no screen

2. Uses no ribbon, ink, cartridge or toner Uses ribbon, cartridge, ink or toner

3. Uses no paper Uses paper and printable medium

4. Display texts, images and pictures Prints text, images and pictures on paper

5. Some have vacuum tubes or a liquid crystal Has no vacuum tube or a liquid crystal

6. Has no paper tray Some have paper tray