1. Input devices

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.

3. 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)

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

5. Pointing devices
Pointing devices include:
Mouse
Touchpad
Trackerball

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

7. Microphones
Used to enter voice, sounds, live music, etc.

8. Remote controls Issue instructions to enable devices to be controlled
Sometimes allow characters to be typed

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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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