Hardware Lecture 2

Computers:
Input and Output: The User

Connection
Copyright © 2003 by Prentice Hall

Objectives
Describe the user relationship with
computer input and output
Explain how data is input into a computer
system and differentiate among various
input equipment
Describe how a monitor works and the
characteristics that determine quality
List and describe the different methods of
computer output
Copyright © 2003 by Prentice Hall 2
Objectives
Differentiate among different kinds of
printers
Explain the function of a computer terminal
and describe the types of terminals
Describe the ethical considerations
involved in handling computer data

How Users See Input and Output
Users submit data (input) to the computer
to get processed information (output)
 Output can be instant reaction to input
 Also can be separated by time, distance, or
both

Instant Reaction
Items scanned at supermarket
 Produce item name and price at counter
Sales rep enters an order on a pad
 Characters displayed as “typed” text and
stored in pad
Factory workers punch a time clock as
they go from task to task
 Produce weekly paychecks and management
reports
Return
Input and Output Separated
Data on checks input into bank computer
 Computer processes entries once a month to
prepare statements
Charge-card transactions provide input
 Processed monthly to produce customer bills
Water samples collected and input into
computer
 Used to produce reports that show patterns of
water quality
Return
Input: Getting Data from the User to
the Computer
Keyboard
Pointing devices
Source data automation

Keyboard
Similar to typewriter keyboard
 May be part of a personal computer
 May be part of a terminal connected to a
computer in another location
Can be unique to an industry
Return
Ergonomic Keyboards
Designed to reduce or
minimize repetitive
strain injury of wrists
 Provide more natural,
comfortable position of
wrists, arms, and
hands
Return
Anatomy of a Keyboard

Pointing Devices
Used to position a pointer on the screen
Communicate commands to operating
system by clicking a button
Common devices
 Mouse
 Devices used in laptops
 Others
Return
Mouse
The most common pointing device
 Movement on flat surface causes
movement of pointer on screen
Several types
 Mechanical - small ball on underside rolls
as mouse is moved
 Optical - uses a light beam to monitor
mouse movement
 Cordless - uses either infrared or radio
waves, rather than a cord, to connect to
computer
Return
Trackball and Joystick
Trackball
 Variation on mechanical mouse
 User rolls the ball directly
 Often built into laptop computers
Joystick
 Pressing trigger causes actions to
take place
Return
Touchpad and Pointing Stick
Touchpad
 Rectangular pressure-sensitive pad
 Sliding finger across pad moves pointer
 Tapping with finger recognized as click
Pointing stick
 Small pressure-sensitive post mounted
in center of keyboard
 Pushing post in any direction moves
pointer
Return
Other Pointing Devices
Graphics tablet
 User moves stylus across board
 Used to create or trace precise drawings
Touch screen
 Allow user to touch items on screen
 Position of finger on screen determines
item to be input into system
 Used in public places such as malls
Pen-based computing
 Use pen-like stylus to input data
 Often used in PDAs or pocket PCs
Return
Source Data Automation
Use of special equipment to collect data at
the source
Primary areas
 Magnetic-ink character recognition (MICR)
 Optical recognition devices
 Other sources
Return
MICR
Uses a machine to read
characters made of
magnetized particles
Banking industry is
predominant user
 Characters preprinted on
lower left-hand side of
check
 Amount added by MICR
inscriber when check is
cashed
Return
Optical Recognition
Uses a light beam to scan data and
convert to electrical signals
Common uses
Scanners are the most common form
Other optical recognition methods
Return
Common Uses
Scanners at supermarkets
Document imaging - converts
paper documents to electronic
versions
 Documents stored on disk
 Can be edited or processed by
software

Scanners
Flatbed scanner
 Typically scans one page at a time
 Can be used to scan large bound
documents
Sheetfed scanner
 Motorized rollers feed sheet across
scanner head
Handheld scanner
 Smallest and least accurate
Optical character recognition (OCR)
software required to convert picture
into characters
Return
Other Optical Recognition Methods
Optical character
recognition
 Wand reader reads
characters in special typeface
Bar Codes
 A series of vertical marks
 Represents a unique code
Universal Product Code (UPC)
used as standard in
supermarkets
Return
Other Sources
Voice input
Digital cameras
Video input
Return
Voice Input
User speaks to computer
 Speech recognition devices
convert spoken words into
binary digits
Most are speaker-dependent
 System “learns” user’s voice
Types of systems
 Discrete word systems - user
must pause between words
 Continuous word systems - user
can speak normally
Return
Digital Camera
User takes photo that is stored
on a chip
Photo can be downloaded to
computer
 Use photo-editing software to
enhance
 Store permanently on CDs or
DVDs
Photos composed of many
pixels of color
Photos stored on removable
memory card
Return
Video Input
Digital video consists
of series of still
frames
Web cam used to
transmit video over
the Internet
Return
Output: Information for the User
Computer screens
Printers
Voice output
sound output

Computer Screen Technology
Screen is part of computer’s monitor
 Screen output known as soft copy
 Intangible and temporary
Common forms
 Cathode ray tube (CRT)
 Flat-panel screens
 Smart displays
Return
CRT Screens
Display text and graphics
 Most are in color
 Some monochrome monitors are
used in applications that have no
need for color or graphics
Graphics card converts
signals from the control unit
into the image the user sees
Return
Flat-Panel Screens
Liquid crystal display (LCD)
 Originally used for laptops, but
making their way to desktop
computers
Very thin (only a few inches)
Produce sharper text images
than CRTs
Easier on eyes than CRTs
Return
LCD Technologies
Active-matrix
 Uses many thin-film transistors (TFT)
 Produces brighter image and can be viewed from
wider angles
Passive-matrix
 Uses fewer transistors
 Cheaper and uses less power
Gas plasma
 Supports very large displays
 Has brilliant color display
 Viewable at very wide angles
Return
Smart Displays
Based on flat-panel technology
Each contains its own processor
Wireless transmitter-receiver allows user
to control desktop from anywhere in the
house
Return
Printers
Produce information on paper output
 Printed output known as hard copy
Orientation settings
 Portrait - vertical alignment
 Landscape - horizontal alignment
Return
Voice Output
Voice synthesizers convert data to vocalized
sounds
Two approaches
 Synthesis by analysis - analyzes actual human voice,
records and plays back as needed
 Synthesis by rule - uses linguistic rules to create
artificial speech
Used in automated telephone-based customer
service applications
 Useful when an inquiry would be followed by a short
reply, such as a balance inquiry
Return
sound Output
The ability of the computer to output sound
two components are needed
> Speaker
> Sound card
Return
Terminals
Combine input and output capabilities
Dumb terminal
 Keyboard for input and monitor for output
 No processing capability
Intelligent terminal
 Has limited memory and a processor
Point-of-sale (POS) terminal
 Captures retail sales data when transaction
takes place

Computer Graphics
Business graphics
Video graphics
Computer-aided design/computer-aided
manufacturing (CAD/CAM)

Business Graphics
A powerful way to impart
information
 Colorful graphics, maps, and
charts help managers
compare data, spot trends,
and make quicker decisions
 As underlying data changes,
charts and graphs are instantly
updated
Return
Video Graphics
A series of video images
 Displayed rapidly to give the impression of
motion
Used extensively in television
Also used in computer games.
Return
Computer-Aided Design/
Computer-Aided Manufacturing
Performs engineering tests
such as stress tests
Serves as bridge between
design and manufacturing
Return

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Input and Output: The User

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