IN P UT

D EVICE S

By ADEFILOLA K.O
 WHAT A R E I N P U T D E V I C E S ?
They are hardware devices that allow data to be input into
the computer system. This can be done manually (using
Manual Input Devices) or automatically (using Automatic
Input Devices).
Manual Input Devices: Automatic Input Devices:

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Keyboard M.I.C.R
Mouse O.M.R
Touchpad O.C.R
Joystick Barcode Reader
Scanner Magnetic Stripe Card
Touchscreen Sensors
Digital Camera
Microphone
Graphics Tablet
Keyboards

The ideal input devices that is used to input texts,

numbers and instructions (eg CTRL+V) into the
computer
Most keyboards have QWERTY layout.

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There are different types of keyboards
1. Ergonomic keyboards:- Designed to reduce
health related problems like RSI.

2. Concept keyboards:- Uses icons or phrases

instead of standard letters.
 Advantages: Disadvantages:
1.Fast entry of texts into
1.People with limited
documents. arm/wrist may not find it
easy to use.
2.A well known method of
data entry. 2. Data entry may be slow.

3.Most people find it easy to

3.They use up valuable
use. desk space.
4.Easy to do verification
test.
MICE
Pointing devices that are used to control the position of a
pointer on the screen, selecting commands, resizing
images as well as opening, closing and minimising
applications.
Mice
Advantages:
1. Faster to select options.
2.Rapid navigation through
applications.
3. Take up little desk space.
Disadvantages:
1.People with restricted
hand/wrist movement may
not find it easy to use.
2. They get damaged easily.
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3.They are difficult to use
where there is no flat
surface.
 JOYSTICKS
Used in playing computer games and simulations to mimic actual controls.

Advantages: Advantages:

1.Easier to navigate round a screen 1.A mouse is better and easier in

more than a mouse controlling on-screen pointers

2.Control is in three dimensions.

 TOUCH SCREENS
Allows a user to simply touch the touch the button/icon on the screen to
select a text, task or action. It is mostly used on phones, ipads, petrol
stations, ATMs, Interactive boards and other payment methods.
Advantages: Advantages:

1.Fast entry of options than 1.Limited number of options

keyboards. are available.

2.Very easy to choose 2.Can lead to RSI.

options.
3.Screen can get damage or
3.User friendly method of dirty.
inputting options
4..
5.They are tamper proof.
Magnetic Stripe Readers
Used to read information on the magnetic stripe found on the back of credit
cards, debit cards, security card, etc.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.Data entry is faster. 1.Data are lost when card is

damaged.
2.Data entered are error free.
2.Card readers do not work in a
3.Information held on magnetic distance.
stripe is secured.
4.It can not be damaged by oil, 3.Information are not readable by
water or moisture. card users.

5.They are no moving parts, so

the are physically robust.
Chip and PIN Readers
Used where payment are made using cards (e.g. hotels, restaurants,
supermarkets, travel agencies.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.Provides more secure 1.Someone else may read the PIN

payment system than magnetic while a user is typing in his PIN.
stripe.

2.Chip does not need to be in

contact with the reader.
Scanners
Used to scan documents and pictures and convert them into a format for use in
various application software.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.Images can be scanned and 1.Quality can be limited, depending

edited. on how good the scanner resolution
is.
2.They are faster and more
accurate in data entry.

3.It makes it possible to recover

damaged images and
documents
Barcode Reader
Used in supermarkets, shops, libraries and other companies to read information
in the form of barcodes marks on product casings.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.Faster in data entry. 1.It is relatively expensive to setup.

2.Less data entry error. 2.It is relatively expensive to manage.

3.Enables automatic stock 3.Works with computers or POS

control. terminals

4.When the price of an item

changes, only the central
database needs to be updated
Optical Mark Recognition
Reads marks written in pen and pencils. OMR devices are used to read
questionnaires, multiple choice examination papers and many other types of
forms where responses are registered in the form of lines or shaded areas.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.Very fast way of inputting the
results of a survey/research.
2.It is more accurate than
keyboards and OMR.
3. Reduce cost of inputting.
1.Input data may not be accurate if
forms are not carefully handled or
shaded.
2.There may be need for manual
check if forms are not properly filled
and this may lead to a waste of time

4.Very useful where results of

tests are needed very fast.
Optical Character Recognition
Takes scanned text and converts it into a computer readable form. The text can
then be used in various application packages.

Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.It is a more faster data entry 1.It usually have difficulties reading
system than manually keying in handwritings.
data.
2.It is not a very accurate technique.
2.Number of errors is reduced.
Reduce cost of inputting
Results of tests are needed very
fast
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
Reads characters printed in a special ink (containing iron particles). MICR is
primarily used to process cheques in banking operations.

Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.It offers greater security than 1.Only certain characters can be

OCR since the printed characters read.
cannot be altered.
2.It is a more expensive method of
2.There is no manual input, thus data entry.
errors are reduced.

3.Characters can still be read

even when somebody write on
them.
Digital Cameras
Used to produce photographs for transfer to a computer directly or to
print out by connecting directly to a printer. Photographs can also be
uploaded directly into applications software such as word processors,
DTP, etc.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.It produces better quality 1.User needs to be computer literate.

photographs.
2.There is some artistry lost since
2.Easier and faster to upload some clever software can make
photographs to a computer. corrections to photographs.

3.No need to develop 3.Quality of photograph depends on

photographs before printing. quality of camera lens.

4.It is easy to delete unwanted 4.Images can easily fill up computer

images. memory.

5.Memory card used can store

several photographs.
Web Cameras (WEBCAMS)
Used in video conferencing. That is, chatting online and at the same time
displaying the images of the people in the conversation.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.Can be left on constantly on 1.Pictures are often of poorer quality.

the computer rather than using a
digital camera. 2.Some webcam need to be
connected to the computer before
2.Allows images of someone use.
faraway to be viewed while
chatting.
Microphones
Used to input speech/ sounds to be used in various applications and also in
voice recognition software.
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.It is faster to read-in text than 1.Sound files can use up a lot of
to type it in using a keyboard. computer memory.

2.Sound can be manipulated in 2.Voice recognition software is not as

real time rather than a recording accurate as typing manually. For
done at earlier stage. instance, it may not be able to
3.It can improve safety and distinguish the difference between
security when used in voice ‘there’ and ‘their’.
activation systems. E.g.
switching on a radio while
driving.
Graphic Tablet
Like an electronic tracing paper used for graphic designing.

Advantages: Disadvantages:

1.It