Topic 2 Input devices

Topic 2 Input devices Are used to get raw data into the computer so that it can be processed Include common input devices such as keyboard, mouse, joystick, etc. Include specialist input devices such as bar code reader, magnetic stripe reader, etc.

Topic 2 Input devices: Keyboards Most popular method for entering text Slow Prone to human error Need typing skills Can lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI) Can be specialist (e.g., Braille keyboard)

Topic 2 Input devices: Numeric keypad Used to enter just numeric data Used in ATMs to enter PINs and amounts Used in chip and PIN machines

Topic 2 Pointing devices Pointing devices include: Mouse Touchpad Trackerball

Topic 2 Joysticks Used mainly for computer games Stick moves on-screen like a mouse Buttons are used to make selections

Topic 2 Microphones Used to enter voice, sounds, live music, etc.

Topic 2 Remote controls Issue instructions to enable devices to be controlled Sometimes allow characters to be typed

Topic 2 Web cams Digital cameras that can take both still and video images Used for simple videoconferencing Picture quality can be poor

Topic 2 Touch screens User touches buttons and icons on the screen to make selections Used in many mobile devices such as phones, MP3 players, tablet computers

Topic 2 Digital cameras Many can take both still and video images Storage is a memory card Many mobile phones and computers can take video and still images

Topic 2 Scanners Used to scan in old photographs Can digitize hard copy Can use with optical character recognition software to input text

Topic 2 More specialized input devices Bar code readers – used for recording goods in supermarkets, tracking library books, luggage handling in airports, etc. Chip and pin readers – used in stores and restaurants, etc., to read information off credit/debit cards Magnetic stripe readers – used to read credit card details (where there is no chip and PIN), loyalty card details, etc.

Topic 2 Bar code readers A code is stored as a series of light and dark bars Uses a scanner to read the bars Used on items in stores, parcels, luggage handling at airports, etc. Fast to read Accurate Can be read at a distance

Topic 2 Magnetic stripe reader Read data stored on magnetic stripes by swiping Used for reading credit card data where a chip and PIN reader is not available Used for pre-payment cards

Topic 2 Chip and PIN Used to capture credit/debit card details Details are encrypted on a chip User has to enter a PIN that only they know The PIN is checked and proves the user is authentic

Topic 2 Optical character reader Able to read typed or handwritten text Image of text is scanned or input by writing on a tablet computer Special recognition software recognizes individual characters Text can then be used with other software

Topic 2 Optical mark recognition (OMR) Automatically reads marks made on a form Forms are read/scanned at high speed Readers are relatively cheap Can be high reject rate owing to people not filling in the form correctly If forms are folded they cannot be read

Topic 2 Graphics tablets Are flat boards or tablets Draw or write on them using a stylus Ideal for inputting hand-drawn drawings Used in CAD

Topic 2 Sensors Measure physical quantities (e.g. temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.) Send signals to be processed by the computer Data can then be used to control devices