Chapter No 2: Components of Computer-Input Devices

Chapter No 2
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
INPUT DEVICES
REVISION:
Data: Raw Facts, figures, events and transactions are called data
Information: Meaning full data is called information or processed data is
called information”
Computer: Computer is an electronic device which takes some input, process it, and
produce output.
Components of computer: Input, Output, CPU

WHAT IS INPUT?

Input is any data or instructions entered to the computer. Input can be in the form of audio,
video, graphics and animations and instructions

WHAT ARE INPUT DEVICES?

Any hardware component used to enter data, programs, commands, and user responses into
a computer

Examples

• Key Board
• Mouse
• Digital Camera
• Webcam
• Scanner etc

WHAT IS HARDWARE?

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The term hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer. Computer hardware is
versatile-what it does depends on the computer program you use. All components which are
tangible (touchable) are called Hardware

Examples: Mic, Keyboard,Hard Disk, Scanner, Printer etc

WHAT IS SOFTWARE?

Software is the set of instructions (also called a program) that guides the hardware through its
job. That tells the computer what to do? And how to do it? All components which are non
tangible (Not Touchable) are called software.

Examples: Ms Office, Operating Systems, Adobe photo shop etc

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1) KEYBOARD
Definition:

“Keyboard is an input device, that contain keys user press to enter data or instructions in to
the computer”.

You enter most input data into the computer by using a keyboard. This input method is
similar to typing on a typewriter.

Most typewriter and computer keyboards are QWERTY keyboards. The alphabetic keys are
arranged so that the upper-left row of letters begins with the six letters Q W E R T Y.
Designers of other keyboards claim that their boards are easier to learn than the QWERTY
keyboard.

KEYS OF KEYBOARD

Computer keyboards include keys that are designed to perform specific tasks. These keys
enable the user to perform complex tasks easily when using the application. For example,
many applications use a function key to access online help for the user.

Keyboard keys consist of

• Alphabetic keys
• Numerical keys
• Symbols
• Functional keys
• Extra keys

Alphabetic keys contain alphabets from A-Z & a-z

Numerical keys contain numbers 0-9

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Symbols keys contain many symbols like !, @, #, $, % etc

Functional keys contain f1-f12, design for special purpose will discuss latter.

Extra keys contain Esc, Alt, Ctrl, Backspace, Enter etc

2) POINTING DEVICES

Definition:

A pointing device is an input device which is used to control a pointer on a screen. Pointer is
a small symbol on a screen.

A pointing device is an input interface (specifically a human interface device) that allows a
user to input spatial (i.e., continuous and multi-dimensional) data to a computer. CAD
systems and graphical user interfaces (GUI) allow the user to control and provide data to the
computer using physical gestures — point, click, and drag — for example, by moving a hand-
held mouse across the surface of the physical desktop and activating switches on the mouse.
Movements of the pointing device are echoed on the screen by movements of the pointer (or
cursor) and other visual changes.

2.1) MOUSE
Definition:

“Mouse is an input device that fits under palm of hand and Controls movement of pointer,
also called mouse”

The mouse is a palm-size device with a ball built into the bottom. The
mouse is usually connected to the computer by a cable (computer wires are
frequently called cables) and may have from one to four buttons (but
usually two). Mice come in many shapes and sizes. When you move the
mouse over a smooth surface, the ball rolls, and the pointer on the display
screen moves in the same direction.

With the mouse, you can draw, select options from a menu, and modify or move text. You issue
commands by pointing with the pointer and clicking a mouse button. In addition to minimizing typing
errors, a mouse makes operating a microcomputer easier for beginning.

TYPES OF MOUSE

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There are three types of mouse

1. Mechanical mouse

2. Optical mouse

3. Wireless mouse

MECHANICAL MOUSE:

The mouse that contains a metal or rubber ball on its under side. When the ball is rolled in
any direction, sensors inside the mouse detect this motion and move the on-screen mouse
pointer in the same direction (picture above).

OPTICAL MOUSE:

An optical mouse uses a light-emitting (laser) to detect movement relative to the underlying
surface.

WIRELESS MOUSE:

Wireless mice usually work via radio frequencies commonly referred to as RF. RF wireless
mice require two components to work properly a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.

2.2) JOY STICK

A joystick is a pointing device often used for playing games. The
joystick has a gearshift-like lever that is used to move the pointer on
the screen. On most joysticks, a button on the top is used to select

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options. In industry and manufacturing, joysticks are used to control robots. Flight simulators
and other training simulators also use joysticks.

2.3) TRACKBALL
A trackball is like an upside-down mouse. Used similarly to the mouse, the trackball is
frequently attached to or built into the keyboard.

The main advantage of a trackball is that it requires less desk space than a mouse. (Some
individuals in the computer industry believe that the mouse will soon be replaced by devices
that do not require as much space to use.)

The mouse is not practical for people using a laptop computer in a small space. Early
alternatives, such as trackballs clipped to the side of the keyboard, have not proved
satisfactory. The IBM ThinkPad replaces the trackball with a red plastic button, called a track
point, located in the middle of the keyboard. You move the button with your thumbs.

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2.4) TOUCHPAD
A touch pad is a device for pointing (controlling input positioning) on a computer display
screen. It is an alternative to the mouse. Originally incorporated in laptop computers, touch
pads are also being made for use with desktop computers. A touch pad works by sensing the
user's finger movement and downward pressure.

2.5) TOUCHSCREEN
A touch screen is a computer display screen that is also an input device. The screens are
sensitive to pressure; a user interacts with the computer by touching pictures or words on the
screen.

2.6) DIGITAL PEN

A digital pen is a battery-operated writing instrument that allows the user to digitally capture
a handwritten note or drawing. Typically, a digital pen comes with a Universal Serial Bus
(USB) cradle to let the user upload the handwritten notes to a personal computer (PC).

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The pen looks like a regular ball-point pen and can be used as such, but requires special digital paper
if the user wishes to digitally capture what he has written. A page of digital paper, which can be
purchased in traditional pad or sticky-note size, has small dots on it that allow the pen to "see" what
has been written.

2.7) LIGHT PEN

A light-sensitive stylus wired to a video terminal used to draw pictures or select menu
options. The user brings the pen to the desired point on screen and presses the pen button to
make contact. Contrary to what it looks like, the pen does not shine light onto the screen;
rather, the screen beams into the pen. Screen pixels are constantly being refreshed. When the
user presses the button, the pen senses light, and the pixel being illuminated at that instant
identifies the screen location.

2.8) WHEEL
Steering wheels are gaming devices used in driving games. All
steering wheel controllers come with a wheel, accelerator, and
brake; some steering wheel controllers allow "manual" (i.e., gear-to-
gear) shifting, while others only have high-low or forward-reverse
options. A whole range of racing wheels have been developed to
make the experience of driving more realistic. And with the
development of force feedback you can feel the actual resistance
particular types of steering have. For example, riding a motorcycle is
quite different than flying a helicopter or driving a car or tank.

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3) BIOMETRIC DEVICES
A "biometric device" is any device that measures a biological function or trait. it identifies
persons seeking access to a computing system by determining their physical characteristics
through fingerprints, voice recognition, retina patterns, pictures, weight, or other means.

3.1) VOICE RECOGNITION

A system in which the computer recognizes human speech and transforms the recorded words
into computer-readable digitized text or instruction.

The conversion of spoken words into computer text. Speech is first digitized and then
matched against a dictionary of coded waveforms. The matches are converted into text as if
the words were typed on the keyboard.

3.2) THUMB IMPRESSION

Biometrics can be defined as an automatic method for
identification or identity verification of individuals using
physiological or behavioral characteristics.

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3.3) SIGNATURE VERIFICATION

Digital signature unit capture and save signatures as people sign on the LCD touch screens.
These signatures can be saved for use to electronically sign documents, customer signature
verification for POS transactions, or employee authentication. Get your electronic signature
capture system today.

3.4) RETINA SCANNER

Retina scanner is used to map the unique patterns of a person's retina. it uses the unique
patterns on a person's retina to identify them.

It is used for authentication and identification purposes. Retinal scanning has been utilized by
several government agencies including the FBI, CIA, and NASA. However, in recent years,
retinal scanning has become more commercially popular. Retinal scanning has been used in
prisons, for ATM identity verification and the prevention of welfare fraud.

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3.5) FACE RECOGNITION

The ability to recognize people by their facial characteristics. The most advanced
technology , which maps the characteristics of a person's face into a multidimensional face
space. The computer can distinguish the same person with different appearances; for
example, with or without glasses, change of hair style and seasonal skin color changes. It also
uses in some secret agencies.

4) MIC/ HEAD PHONE

Both are input devices which are related to audio input. These device is used to enter sound in
to the system for processing. It can be used in chatting, video conferencing, music or
whenever we want to interact with the computer from voice input.

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5) DIGITAL CAMERA
A digital camera can be used to take pictures. It can be hooked up to a computer to transfer
the pictures from the camera to the computer. it use light sensitive processing chip to capture
pictures or images

We can save these images where ever we want can be a CD, Computer disk, USB drive or
can transfer from one computer to other computer or device.

6) DIGITAL SCANNER
A scanner is used to copy pictures or other things and save them as files on the computer. A
scanner is similar to a photocopier, except that instead of producing a paper copy of the
document you place on it, you get an electronic copy which appears on your computer screen.
This is very important input device use to convert a hardcopy file (printed paper) to a
softcopy (image or display file).

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