INPUT DEVICES

Input Devices
 These are devices which enable data,
(signals, messages or information) to be
sent or entered into a computer system.
 In other words these devices are used to
“put” data “in” (“put in”) a computer
system
 Users usually have to interact (do
something to) with input devices. This
includes typing, clicking, speaking into,
writing on, swiping and scanning.
 Keyboard
 Keyboards are used to enter (type)
textual data and instructions into a
computer by pressing various
labelled keys.
 Mouse
 A mouse is a handheld device that
controls an onscreen pointer and
allows the user to make selections
and move items on the computer
screen. It is often referred to as the
main pointing device.
 Trackpoint
 A trackpoint is a small knob shaped device
commonly found on a portable computer,
that is used to control the pointer. It is
usually about the size and shape of a pencil
eraser and is fixed between the keys on the
keyboard. It is operated by moving with a
fingertip.
 Touchpad
 A touchpad is flat device commonly found on
laptops that can sense points on its surface that
are touched. It allows a screen pointer to be
controlled by gliding fingers along its surface.
 Trackerball Or Trackball
 A trackball is an inverted mouse with the
ball facing upwards. The ball is rotated
by fingers or palm to control the
movement of the screen pointer.
 Joystick
 A joystick is a device that allows the user to
control the screen pointer by manipulating
an upright rod. Joysticks are most
commonly used to control video games.
They are also used in simulation systems,
such as flight training programs that create
virtual aircraft on the computer.
 Light Pen
 A light pen is a handheld input device
which is used to select objects on a
display screen. The user points it at the
screen to move a pointer and choose
objects.
 Scanner
 A scanner is a device that converts existing (paper-
based) images or documents into a digital format
which can be manipulated (edited, formatted) using a
computer. Scanners work by bouncing a beam of light off
the document and record the reflected light as a series of
binary digits or bitmaps.
 With Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software,
printed documents can be converted to text that can be
used in word processing programs.
 Graphics Tablet
 A graphics tablet or digitising pad allows the
user to draw on a flat pad (the tablet) using a
stylus or special pen. Some models display the
drawings on the tablet itself, while others send
the drawings to a computer screen.
 Barcode Reader
 A bar-code is a series of printed vertical lines of
differing widths that represent numbers. The
bars are read by an optical scanner called a bar-
code reader and software is used to identify
product pricing and stock control.
 Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
(MICR)
 MICR (the “R” can also mean “Reader”) is a
device that can read characters which are
printed with magnetic ink. This ink is often
used in the numbering of cheques and to
identify account numbers.
 Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

 An OMR reads marks made by a pencil on a

printed form. OMR systems read pre-printed
forms such as applications, questionnaires and
multiple choice examination papers. They
enable data to be captured quickly (without
typing or writing) by reading precisely placed
dark marks (made by a pencil) on the prepared
form.
 Touch Screens

 A touch screen is an electronic visual display

that can detect the presence and location of a
touch within the display area. The term
generally refers to touching the display of the
device with a finger or hand. Touch screens can
also sense other passive objects, such as a
stylus. They are common in devices such
games, all-in-one computers, tablets, and
smartphones.
 
 Microphones (Mics)
 A mic is a device used for recording or
transmitting sounds to a computer and other
systems.
 
 
 
 
 Digital Camera
 This is a device which takes digitals
photographs and allows the images to be
uploaded, manipulated and stored on a PC.
 Digital cameras operates independent of a
computer.