Input Devices What is an input device? ny are peripherals used to provide data and control signals to a computer. Input devices allow us to enter raw data for processing ‘There are many examples of input devices, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Mouse What is a mouse? mouse that allows you to control the coordinates and movement of the onsereen, cursor/pointer by simply moving the mouse across a flat surface with your hand. Items can be selected or moved using the left mouse button, whilst the right button usually displays additional menus. Most mice are now optical which means they use a laser to detect and track movement across the surface, Mice can be wired or wireless. Typical applications for a mouse + Used in everyday computing to control the pointer in GUIS. Benefits of a mouse + Simple and easy to use + Efficient way to navigate Drawbacks of a mouse # Requires a flat surface + Requires space to operateTrackball What is a trackball? t is an input device used to control a pointer/cursor, Unlike a mouse, the device stays stationary whilst the user moves the ball within its socket. Trackballs can be stand-alone devices or combined into a keyboard or control panel. Some people prefer using a trackball over a mouse as they believe it gives them a finer degree of control over the pointer. They are also handy for people with limited hand motor skills as they are less demanding then a mouse, ‘Typical applications for trackballs + Computer Aided Design (CAD) for fine control + Situations when space is limited + Disabled people with limited motor skills Benefits of trackballs + Needs little desk space + Fine control over the pointer + Can be integrated into a keyboard Drawbacks of trackballs + May take some getting used to KeyboardWhat is a keyboard? Keyboards are input devices that allow the entry of data and commands by simply pressing down keys on the keyboard. Keyboards are a common place input device, often used alongside a mouse. They can be wired or wireless. Typical applications for keyboards + Used in everyday computing to manually enter data and commands, e.g. writing a report in a word processor Benefits of keyboards + Simple and easy to use + Potentially a fast way to enter data Drawbacks of keyboards + A slow way to enter lots of data if not a trained typist ‘* Mistakes can be made if not careful MicrophoneWhat is a microphone? Microphones are input devices that take analogue sound waves and converts them into electrical signals, suitable for a computer to understand, Microphones play an important role in speech recognition, a technology that is gaining in popularity and usage. Typical applications for microphones * Mobile phones, e.g. for traditional phone calls or VoIP « Tablets and laptops, e.g. for video conferencing or VoIP * Voice recognition systems, e.g. to input data and commands using spoken words Benefits of microphones + Allows disabled users to give instructions to a computer + Enables the use speech recognition software * Allows voice calls and the audio in video calls (VoIP) Drawbacks of microphones ‘+ Speech recognition accuracy can sometimes be hit and miss 2D ScannersWhat is a 2D scanner? 2D scanners perform the task of turning a 2D document or image into a digital file. ‘They come in two varieties, flatbed or handheld. Some printers have inbuilt flatbed scanners. ‘The functionality of 2D scanners is enhanced when combined with OMR and OCR software, For example, OCR software can convert scanned in text into a computer readable form, Typical applications for 2D scanners + Converting a hard copy of a document into an electronic / digital form for storage, sending or editing + Reading passports Benefits of 2D scanners + Can produce high quality digital copies of a document + Digital copies of documents can be sent electronically, stored securely, or edited on the computer Drawbacks of 2D scanners * Scanned documents use a lot of computer storage space 3D ScannersWhat is a 3D scanner? A 3D scanner is an input device that creates a 3D model of the object scanned. Scanning can be achieved either by using lasers, light, radio waves or x-rays. Typical applications for 3D scanners * Security screenings to check for weapons or restricted objects + Creating a computer model ready for 3D printing + Biometric devices 1g real people into gaming characters Benefits of 3D scanners + The technology can scan through clothing and other materials + 3D scanning provides accurate 3D computer models Drawbacks of 3D scanners + Repeated exposure to x-rays can be harmful Touchscreens‘hat is a touchscreen? t is an electronic visual display that also incorporates an input device that responds to touch. ‘This allows users to select options from a screen by simply touching them, There are three main types of touchscreen technology, all of which are outlined below. Typical applications for touchscreens ‘+ Smartphones and tablet computers, e.g. easy input of data and selection of apps/icons + Ticket / Information kiosks, e.g. allows limited options that can be selected easily Benefits of touchscreens ‘+ Save space as both input and output are combined + Simple and easy to use ‘+ Works well with icons, allowing options to be selected easily Drawbacks of touchscreens + Difficult to complete tasks that require precision accuracy + Difficult to use if damaged Capacitive touchscreens Electrical current is sent from the four corners of the screen. ‘When your finger (or stylus) touches the screen, the current changes. This allows the location of the touch to be calculated. Benefits Drawbacks Good visibility in sunlight Glass screen can shatter/break on impact Very durable surface Cannot use wearing standard gloves Allows multi-touch Resistive touchscreens Resistive touchscreens use multiple layers of material that transmit electrical currents.When the top layer of the screen is pushed/touched into the bottom layer the electrical current changes. This allows the location of the touch to be found. Benefits Drawbacks Inexpensive to manufacture Poor visibility in sunlight Can use stylus, finger, gloved finger or pen to operate Vulnerable to scratching Wears through time Does not allow multi-touch Barcode Reader What is a barcode? is a machine readable code represented by an image consisting of black and white lines. The lines in relate to numbers 0 to 9. Black and white surfaces reflect light differently, this is how the digits from the lines. is able to identify the corresponding Scanning a barcode is easier and faster than typing in the series of numbers by hand. A barcode identifies an item, it does not store any further information relating to it, this is achieved by looking up the value in a ‘When used in retail, you no longer need to trust sales staff to remember or key in the prices of products. Accurate receipts can be given to customers whilst the business benefits from reliable sales and stock reports. Prices can be changed immediately without changing any barcodes. Typical applications for barcodes Tracking/identifying items in warehouses and factories, Retail checkouts, e.g. to find product prices and descriptions, allowing automatic stock control Airports, e.g. tracking luggage Library systems, e.g. tracking books and borrowers Benefits of barcodes+ Quick and easy to identify products ‘Additional information can be easily retrieved from a database ‘+ Allows the use of automated stock control and sales reports, + Related information (e.g. product price) is changed in the database, meaning the barcode always remains the same Drawbacks of barcodes + Difficult to use if damaged ‘+ Requires expertise to setup a database QR Code Reader What is a QR code? is a computer generated pattem capable of holding a modest amount of dat This data is accessed when the QR code is read by a QR scanner, We often see a smartphone used as the scanning device although this doesn’t have to be the case. QR codes often store simple data such as a URL address, contact information, calendar entries and product details (in factories and warehouses ete). Typical applications for QR codes + Packaging * Promotional materials. + Warehouses Benefits of QR codes ‘+ Data is stored within the pattem, so no need for a connected database ‘+ Simple and quick way to store and retrieve information + Can store a variety of information Drawbacks of QR codes ‘+ Changing the data alters the pattern, so not suitable for information that changes regularly, e.g. prices+ People need a device (and software) that can read the QR code Graphics Tablet What is a graphics tablet? A graphics tablet is an input device that uses a special pen like stylus to allow the user to “hand draw” images into a computer system, ‘This allows artists to dra to achieve with a mouse, a similar way to how they naturally would using pen and paper; something difficult Graphics tablets can also be used for day to day data input and are especially useful for capturing handwritten signatures. Some graphic tablets also incorporate an LCD screen for a more realistic experience, Typical applications for graphics tablets + Graphic design and drawing + Digital signatures Benefits of graphics tablets + Allows artists to draw in a fashion close to how they naturally would, giving them finer control + Some models are pressure sensitive (which mice are not) + Can be used for signatures and other general computing tasks + Come in a range of sizes and suitable for many budgets Drawbacks of graphics tablets + High end versions can be expensive