Chapter # 2A

Using the Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard
It is an input device to give computer some input. It is
like pen in writing. It is called keyboard because it is
comprised of a board with keys installed. Every key
sends unique information to the computer.
A standard keyboard includes about 100 keys; each
key sends a different signal to the CPU.
Standard Keyboard
Process of key pressing

A keystroke is a single press of a key on a keyboard.

Basic Keyboard keys
There are usually 104 keys on standard keyboard.
Pressing the key once and releasing it is called a
keystroke.
Keyboard Types
There are different types of keyboards. Standard
keyboard is the most commonly used keyboard. Key
arrangement can be different for these keyboards.
Some may have special keys for other tasks than just
typing. These special keyboards are usually used for
multimedia purposes like video editing, sound design
etc.
Types of Keys:
The Alphanumeric Keys
The area of the keyboard that looks like a typewriter's
keys are arranged the same way on almost every
keyboard. Sometimes this common arrangement is
called the QWERTY (pronounced KWER-tee) layout
because the first six keys on the top row of letters are
Q, W, E, R, T, and Y.
Along with the keys that produce letters and numbers,
the alphanumeric key group includes four keys having
specific functions. The tab, CAPS LOCK, backspace,
and enter keys.
Character keys

These are used to enter alphabetic characters. These

characters become uppercase when pressed with shift
key or caps lock is on.
The Modifier/Special Keys

Shift, ALT (Alternate), and Control (Ctrl) keys are called

modifier/special keys and when pressed with other keys,
perform special operations.
For example, Ctrl+C will copy the selected file or text,
shift+ any character key will type that character in
capital.
 For example, if you press the J key, you input a small
letter ‘j'. But if you hold down the shift key while
pressing the J key, you input a capital J.
Modifier keys are extremely useful because they give all
other keys multiple capabilities.
Numeric keys

There are 10 numbers or numeric keys (1, 2, 3 to 9 and

0) on standard keyboards. These are used in the same
fashion as typewriters’ keyboard to enter numbers.
These become symbols or punctuation marks when
pressed with the shift key.
For example
Shift + 8 will print *
Shift + 4 will print $
The Numeric Keypad

The numeric keypad is usually located on the right

side of the keyboard. The numeric keypad looks like a
calculator's keypad, with its 10 digits and
mathematical operators (+, -, *, and /).
The numeric keypad also features a NUM LOCK key,
which forces the numeric keys to input numbers. When
NUM LOCK is deactivated, the numeric keypad's keys
perform cursor movement control and other functions.
The Function Keys

F1, F2, …. F12 are called function keys. These are

used for different purposes. For example, F5 is used to
refresh the web page in internet browser. In most
programs, F1 will open help. When you press it, a
special window appears to display information about
the program you are using. Most IBM-compatible
keyboards have 12 function keys.
 Many programs use function keys along with modifier
keys to give the function keys more capabilities.
The Cursor-Movement Keys

Arrow keys
There are four keys (arrow keys) for cursor navigation.
Left arrow key
Right arrow key
Down arrow key
Up arrow key
Different Keys
Escape keys
It is used to escape/exit from certain type of applications.
Space Bar
It is horizontal wide key, in the lowermost row. It generates space between two
characters.
Punctuation keys
These are keys to enter punctuation and are located on the right side of alphabet
keys.
Enter key
Enter or return key cause cursor to go to next line, form or window to perform
its default function.
Application key
It launches the menu with the keyboard rather than the usual right mouse
button.
Toggle keys

Caps lock, Num lock and Scroll lock keys are toggle keys. At
the top right corner, there are three small lights to show the
status of these locks. When pressed one, corresponding light
is turned on.
The keys on the numeric keypad act as numbers and dot.
When this key is pressed again and the corresponding num
lock key light is switched off, the key act as arrow keys, home
key, pg up, pg down and end keys.
Characters become capital when the caps lock is on.
Scroll key modifies the functionality of arrow keys. When the
scroll lock is on, the arrows keys would scroll the window
instead of moving the cursor.
Other Keys
Print screen key
It is the key which is used to save (capture) all the contents of the
screen in a temporary area.
Home key / End key
It is used to go to start (home key) or end (end key) of the document.
Page up key / Page down key
It is used to go to previous (page up key) or next (page down key)
page.
Delete key
The key used to delete characters.
Backspace key
The key used to delete the preceding characters.
Con’t
Non-Typing Keys
Alt, Ctrl and shift keys are non-typing keys. They
don’t print anything when pressed. These when
pressed with other keys, modify the usual operation of
that key. For example, Alt + F4 close the active
window.
Tab key
Tab key is a typing key and used to put more than one
space within characters or words.
How the Computer Accepts Input from the Keyboard

You might think the keyboard simply sends the letter of a pressed
key to the Computer after all, that is what appears to happen.
Actually, the process of accepting input from the keyboard is
more complex.
When you press a key, a tiny chip called the keyboard controller
notes that a key has been pressed. The keyboard controller places
a code into part of its memory called the keyboard buffer, to
indicate which key was pressed. (A buffer is a temporary storage
area that holds data until it can be processed.)
The keyboard controller then sends a signal to the computer's
system software, notifying it that something has happened at the
keyboard. When the system software receives the signal, it
determines the appropriate response.
Pointing devices

Devices used to point things at the computer screen are

called pointing devices. For example, mouse, track
pad, etc.
The Mouse
A mouse is an input device that you can move around
on a flat surface (usually on a desk or keyboard tray)
and controls the pointer.
The pointer (also called the mouse pointer) is an on-
screen object, usually an arrow, that is used to select
text; access menus; and interact with programs, files,
or data that appear on the screen.
Mouse
Different features of Mouse
Mouse Buttons
There are two buttons on standard mouse
Right mouse button
Left mouse button
Single Click
Press mouse button one time
Double Click
Press mouse button two time instantly.
Con’t
Dragging
Drag an object such as an icon, first move mouse
cursor over it. Then press and hold left mouse button
and move object to the desired location.
Mouse Pad
Mouse pad is a surface used to sense the mouse
motion.
Mouse Pointer/Arrow/Cursor
shows the position and motion of mouse on screen use
button
The mechanical mouse
A mechanical mouse is a computer 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.
Mechanical Mouse
Optical mouse
Another popular type of mouse, the optical mouse, is non-mechanical.
This type of mouse emits a beam of light from its underside; it uses the
light's reflection to judge the distance, direction, and speed of its travel.
The mouse offers two main benefits.
The cursor accuracy of an optical mouse is typically high as it can
analyze changing positions faster than mechanical mouse.
First, the mouse lets you position the cursor anywhere on the screen
quickly without using the cursor movement keys. You simply move the
pointer to the onscreen position you want and press the mouse button;
the cursor appears at that location.
Second, instead of forcing you to type or issue commands from the
keyboard, the mouse and mouse-based operating systems let you
choose commands from easy-to-use menus and dialog boxes.
Optical Mouse
Using the Mouse

If you use a drawing program, you can use the mouse to
create graphics such as lines, curves, and freehand shapes
on the screen.
You use a mouse to move the pointer to a location on the
screen, a process called pointing. Everything you do with
a mouse is accomplished by combining pointing with
these techniques:
Clicking
Double-clicking
Dragging
Right-clicking
Variants of
the Mouse
Although the mouse is a handy tool, some people do
not like using a mouse or have difficulty maneuvering
one. For others, a mouse requires too much desktop real
problem when you are not working at a Desk For these
reasons and others, hardware makers have developed
devices that duplicate the mouse's functionality but
interact with the user in different ways.
 The primary goals or these “mouse variants'* are to
provide case of use while taking up less space than a
mouse. They all remain stationary and can even be built
into the keyboard.
Trackball
A trackball is a pointing device that works like an
upside-down mouse. You rest your index finger or
thumb on an exposed ball, then place your other
fingers on the buttons. To move the pointer around the
screen, you roll the ball with your index finger or
thumb. Because you do not move the whole device.
A trackball requires less space than a mouse.
Trackballs gained popularity with the advent of laptop
computers, which typically are used on laps or on
small work surfaces that have no room for a mouse.
Trackball
Trackball
Trackpads

The track-pad (also called a touchpad) is a stationary

pointing device that many people find less tiring to use
than a mouse or trackball. The movement of a finger
across a small touch-sensitive surface is translated into
pointer movement on the computer screen.
The touch-sensitive surface may be only 1.5 or 2
inches square, so the finger never has to move far. The
track-pad's size also makes it suitable for a notebook
computer. Some notebook models feature a built-in
track-pad rather than a mouse or trackball.
Trackpad
Pointers in the Keyboard

Many portable computers now feature a small joystick

positioned near the middle of the keyboard, typically
between the G and H keys. The joystick is controlled
with either forefinger, and it controls the movement of
the pointer on screen.
Ergonomics and Input Devices
Any office worker will tell you that working at a desk
all day can be extremely uncomfortable. Sitting all day
and using a computer can be even worse. Not only
does the user's body ache from being in a chair too
long, but hand and wrist injuries can result from using
a keyboard and mouse for long periods. Eyes can
become strained from staring at a monitor for hours.
Such injuries can be extreme, threatening the user’s
general health and ability to work.
Con’t
Much is being done to make computers easier, safer, and
more comfortable to use.
 Ergonomics, which is the study of the physical
relationship between people and their tools such as
computers addresses these issues. Now more than ever
before, people recognize the importance of having
ergonomically correct computer furniture and using proper
posture and techniques while working with computers.
(The term ergonomically correct means that a tool or a
workplace is designed to work properly with the human
body, and thus reduces the risk of strain and injuries.)
Ergonomics
Ergonomics
Repetitive Stress Injuries
The field of ergonomics did not receive much attention
until a certain class of injuries began appearing among
clerical workers who spend most of their time entering
data on computer keyboards. These ailments are called
repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) or repetitive strain
injuries and result from continuously using the body in
ways it was not designed to work.
 One type of RSI that is especially well documented
among computer users is carpal tunnel syndrome, a
wrist or hand injury caused by using a keyboard for
long periods of time.
Audiovisual Input Devices
Microphones
Video Input
Microphones
A microphone is a device that captures audio by converting sound waves into
an electrical signal. This signal can be amplified as an analog signal or may
be converted to a digital signal, which can be processed by a computer or
other digital audio device.
While all microphones (or "mics") serve the same basic function, they can
capture audio in several different ways.
microphones are becoming increasingly important as input devices to record
speech. Spoken input is used often in multimedia, especially when the
presentation can benefit from narration. Most PCs now have phone-dialing
capabilities. If you have a microphone and speakers (or a headset microphone
with an earphone), you can use your PC to make telephone calls.
Microphones also make the PC useful for audio and videoconferencing over
the Internet. For this type of sound input, you need a microphone and a sound
card. A sound card is a special device inside the computer; which translates
analog signal into digital signal.
Microphone
Video Input
computer users are adding video input capabilities to
their systems in great numbers.
 Applications such as videoconferencing enable people
to use full-motion video images, which are captured by
a video camera, and transmit them to a limited number
of recipients on a network or to the world on the
Internet.
Videos are commonly used in presentations and on
Web pages where the viewer can start, stop, and
control various aspects of the playback.
Video Input
Digital Camera
A digital camera is a hardware device that takes photographs and
stores the image as data on a memory card. Many digital cameras
are capable of recording video in addition to taking photos.
Digital cameras work much like PC video cameras, except that
digital cameras are portable, handheld devices that capture still
images. Whereas normal film cameras capture images on a
specially coated film, digital cameras capture images
electronically.
 The digital camera digitizes the image, compresses it, and stores
it on a special memory card. The user can then copy the
information to a PC, where the image can be edited, copied,
printed, embedded in a document, or transmitted to another user.
Digital Camera
Pen
Pen-based systems including many tablet PCs,
personal digital assistants, and other types of handheld
computers use a pen for data input. This device is
sometimes called a stylus.
You hold the pen in your hand and write on a special
pad or directly on the screen.
Con’t
Handwriting recognition is so complex
pen-based computers are not used generally to enter
large amounts of text
 They are used frequently for taking notes, creating
short messages, and writing annotations on electronic
documents.
PDAs and tablet PCs are popular for these kinds of
tasks, which do not require keyboarding.
Pen/Stylus
Touch Screens

Touch screens accept input by allowing the user to

place a fingertip directly on the computer screen,
usually to make a selection from a menu of choices.
Most touch screen computers use sensors on the
screen’s surface to detect the touch of a finger, but
other touch screen technologies are in use, as well.
Touch screens have become common in fast-food
restaurants, department stores, ATM, drugstores, and
supermarkets, where they are used for all kinds of
purposes.
Touch Screen
Game controller
A game controller can be considered an input device
because a computer game is a program, much like a
word processor: A game accepts input from the user;
processes data, and produces output in the form of
graphics and sound.
As computer games become more detailed and
elaborate, more specialized game controllers are being
developed to take advantage of their features.
Game Controller
Optical Input Devices
Computers may never see in the same way that
humans do, but optical technologies allow computers
to use light as a source of input. These tools fall into
the category of optical input devices.
Optical input devices allow computers to use light as a
source of input. Scanner is an example of optical input
device. Other common optical input devices are
magnetic ink character reader used for Magnetic Ink
Character Recognition (MICR), optical mark reader
used for Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), optical
character reader for Optical Character Recognition
(OCR) and Barcode Reader.
Barcode reader
A barcode reader, also called a price scanner or point-
of-sale ( POS ) scanner, is a hand-held or stationary
input device used to capture and read information
contained in a bar code
A barcode reader is an optical scanner that can read
printed barcodes, decode the data contained in the
barcode and send the data to a computer.
Barcode reader
Image Scanner
The image scanner is useful because it translates
printed images into an electronic format that can be
stored in a computer’s memory.
Then you can use software to organize or manipulate
the electronic image. For example, if you scan a photo,
you can use a graphics program such as Adobe
Photoshop to increase the contrast or adjust the colors.
Image Scanner
Optical character recognition

If you have scanned a text document, you might want

to use optical character recognition (OCR) software to
translate the image into text that you can edit. When a
scanner first creates an image from a page, the image
is stored in the computer’s memory as a bitmap.
A bitmap is a grid of dots, each dot represented by one
or more bits. The job of OCR software is to translate
that array of dots into text that the computer can
interpret as letters and numbers.
OCR
Thanks