INPUT/ OUTPUT DEVICES

1
Input
■ Anything given to the computer is called input. The data and instructions are
given to the computer as input.
(i) Direct Input
– A method in which data is entered directly into the computer from a
source.
– The devices that are used for direct input are called source data input
devices.
– Source data input devices: scanning devices (scanners), microphone,
and digital camera.

(ii) Indirect Input

– A method in which data is entered into the computer after intermediate
handling is called indirect input.
– Examples: The data entered into the computer through keyboard and
mouse.
Input Devices
■ The devices that are used to enter data and instructions into the computer are
called input devices.
■ It is a hardware component.
■ It takes input from user and converts it into a form that a computer can use.
■ General types of input devices:
(i) Keyboards
(ii) Pointing devices
(iii) Source data-entry devices
■ Most popular and commonly used input devices:
– Keyboard
– Mouse
– Scanners
– Digital camera
Keyboard
■ It is mostly used to enter text and numeric type data into the computer.
■ The buttons on the keyboard are called keys.
■ Keys: alphabetic characters, numeric digits, and special characters, some special
keys known as function keys.
■ A standard keyboard contains more than 100-keys.
■ The standard keyboard is also called QWERTY keyboard.
■ Parts of Keyboard:
– Function keys
– Main keyboard
– Numeric keys
– Additional keys
Keyboard
■ Parts of Keyboard:
Function keys Main keyboard Numeric keys Additional keys

F1, F2, ……., • Alphabetic character • Arrow Keys

F12 keys • Insert, Delete,
• Numeric keys Home, End, PgUp,
F1: help • Special command keys PgDn
Esc Tab • Print screen
Caps Lock Shift • Scroll Lock
Ctrl Alt • Pause
Backspace Enter • Windows
Pointing Devices
■ A pointer represents a small symbol on the screen. It usually appears on the
screen in Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment.
■ Purposes of pointing device:
– To select the text, graphics, and other objects (like buttons/ icons, menus,
commands, etc.)
– To open a file/folder
– To run a program
– Drawing graphs or maps etc.
Names of Some Pointing Devices
1- Mouse 2- Trackball
3- Pointing Stick 4- Joystick
5- Touch pad 6- Touch screen
7- Light pen 8- Digitizing/Graphic tablet
Mouse
■ Control the cursor or pointer on the screen and to give
commands to the computer.
■ As a user moves a mouse, the pointer on the screen also moves.
■ Connected with the computer by a cable or wireless connection, connected to the
USB port on the system unit.
■ One wheel and 2 or 3 buttons.
■ Also allows the user to create graphics such as lines, curves, and freehand
shapes, on the screen.
Mouse
Mechanical Mouse:
■ It has a small rubber or metal ball at the bottom.
■ The movement of the pointer depends on the rotation of the ball.
■ The mouse pad is a small rectangular rubber pad.
■ Rarely used.

Optical Mouse:
■ No ball at the bottom.
■ It uses laser technology to detect the mouse movement.
■ Nowadays, it is commonly used in personal computers (PCs).
Trackball
■ Pointing input device.
■ It performs functions like a mouse but stationary device.
■ Moveable ball on its top, rotated or rolled with fingers (or palm of the hand) to
move the pointer on the screen.
■ Like mouse, a trackball also has buttons used to send the commands to
computer.
■ Availability: with laptop computer, fixed on its keyboard. Also available as
separate input device.
Touch Pad
■ Pressure-sensitive pointing input device.
■ Also known as track pad.
■ Stationary device like trackball but no moving parts. It is a small, flat surface (or
sensitive pad) over which a user slides fingertip to move the pointer on screen.
■ One or two buttons located near the pad. These buttons work like mouse buttons.
■ Normally used with laptops and are built-in on their keyboards.
Pointing Stick
■ Pressure-sensitive pointing device.
■ Looks like a pencil eraser.
■ Exists between keys of keyboard.
■ It is used to control the movement of a pointer on the screen. The pointer on the
screen moves in the direction in which the pointing stick is pushed.
■ Normally used with laptop or notebook computers.
Joystick
■ Pointing device.
■ Consists of a vertical handle or handheld stick. The stick is mounted on a base.
The handheld stick is used to control the movement of pointer on the screen.
■ Contains one or two buttons. The button of the joystick is pressed to activate
certain event or action.
■ Basically used to play video games. Also used in some computer-aided design
(CAD) systems.
Touch Screen
■ Touch-sensitive display device.
■ Input is given to the computer directly by touching the screen with the user’s
fingertip or stylus.
■ Uses: to make a selection from a menu of choices displayed on the screen.
■ Examples: mobile computers and mobile devices such as smartphones and
tablets. Laptop screens, Automated Teller Machines (ATM) interface.
■ Multi-touch Screens. For example, a user can use his/her two or more fingers to
enlarge or rotate an image on the screen
Light Pen
■ Handheld pointing input device, looks like a pen.
■ It is a light-sensitive input device.
■ Connected with the computer by a wire. The tip of pen contains a light-sensitive
element. This device also contains a button.
■ It detects or senses a position on display screen. The user points the object and
then presses a button on the light pen.
■ Usually used by engineers and graphic designers.
■ Requires special monitor.
■ Light pen is used in Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and other types of handheld
computers.
Pen-Based System
■ Pen-based system uses a pen-like input device. Called stylus.
■ This system allows the user to enter handwriting and marks into computer using
stylus.
■ Special software translates handwritten information or marks into a form that can
be stored and processed by the computer.
■ Example: The handheld computer PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Digitizer or Graphics Tablet
■ Some computers do not have touch screens. In these computers, data can be
entered using stylus or puck through graphics tablet.
■ A graphics tablet (digitizer) consists of a flat, rectangular, electronic board (or
pad).
■ The stylus or puck is connected to the graphics tablet by a wire.
■ Applications: mainly used for making maps and engineering drawings. It makes it
easy to enter free-hand drawing into the computer.
■ A graphics tablet can be attached to a computer.
■ Each location on the rectangular board points to the corresponding position on the
computer screen.
■ The input device puck or stylus or cursor looks like a mouse.
■ Purpose of Cursor
– To copy an image.
– Tracing old images.
Source Data Entry Devices
■ The devices that are used for direct data entry to the computer
system are called source data-entry devices. These devices are
also known as direct input devices. These devices provide quick
and efficient way to input data into the computer.

Scanning Devices Audio Devices

1- Barcode Reader 1- Audio input

devices
2- Mark and character recognition devices: 2- Video input
devices
– MICR (Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition) 3- Digital
Camera
– OMR (Optical Mark Recognition)
– OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
Barcode & Barcode Reader
■ Unique identification code.
■ Consists of vertical lines with spaces between them of different widths.
■ Popular and commonly used bar code: UPC (Universal Product Code).
Barcode Reader
■ Bar code scanner: Optical scanning device.
■ Used for reading (or decoding) barcode printed on the products.
■ It uses laser beams to read the barcode and translates it into digital signals.
Mark and Character Recognition
Devices
■ Used to scan (or read) information printed on the paper. These devices read the
information and convert into digital signals.
(i) MICR
■ Stands for Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition.
■ Reads the characters printed with magnetic ink and converts them into digital
signals. These signals are then input to the computer for further processing.
■ Uses: in banks for processing cheques.
(ii) OMR
■ Stands for Optical Marks Recognition. Also called mark sensing device.

• Read handwritten marks such as circles or rectangles on

the specially printed sheet.
• It uses a light beam to scan the marks and converts them
into digital signals.
• Application: in education field to check (or mark) the
objective type answers of the questions e.g. SAT and GRE
Mark and Character Recognition
Devices
(iii) OCR
■ Stands for Optical Character Recognition.
■ Reads printed characters in a particular font and
converts them into digital code.
■ The characters printed on paper can be typewritten,
computer-printed, or handwritten.
■ Handwritten characters: Standard size.
■ Typewritten or computer-printed characters: OCR
font.
■ Accepted OCR fonts: OCR-A (American standard)
and OCR-B (European standard).
■ Applications: To process utility bills and price tags
(codes) printed on the products in departmental
stores.
Mark and Character Recognition
Devices
(iv) Magnetic-Stripe Card
■ Plastic card having magnetic stripe on its back.
■ Information can be stored magnetically on the
magnetic stripe e.g. personal identity cards.
■ A magnetic stripe card reader is used to read the
information stored on the magnetic stripe cards.
(v) Smart Card
■ Looks like a credit card or ATM card. This card contains
a thin microprocessor and memory chip that is
embedded in it. The card is inserted into a card reader.
It can also store and update some basic information.
■ Examples: Mobile SIM card, ATM card
Fax Machine
■ Facsimile transmission machine.
■ Send and receive information printed on a paper through the telephone line.
■ Sending side fax machine:
– Scans information printed on paper.
– Converts the information into digital/analog signals and sends these signals
over the telephone line to a fax machine at the receiving side.
■ Receiving side fax machine:
– Receives information in the form of digital/analog signals.
– Converts these signals into the original form of the information and prints on
the paper.

(i) Dedicated Fax Machine

(ii) Fax Modem
Fax Machine
(i) Dedicated Fax Machine
■ An independent normal fax machine.
■ It can send and receive information to and from the other fax machines.

(ii) Fax Modem

■ Fax modem is a circuit board inside the system unit of computer.
■ It is used to send and receive information to and from the other computers.
■ We can also send information directly to other fax machines.
■ The fax modem is mostly used inside the computers to send and receive
information on the Internet.
Image Scanner
■ Also called graphic scanner.
■ It reads text, drawing and photographs printed on the paper. It
converts them into digital form and stores inside the computer for
further processing.
■ Scans the image of information printed on paper with light.
■ Breaks image into light and dark dots if image is black and white.
■ In case of color image, it breaks the image into color dots.
■ These dots are then converted into digital form.
■ The technique of representing a graphic image as a matrix of dots is
called raster graphics.
Audio Input Device
■ Audio input is the process of entering any sounds into the computer. It may
include speech, and music, or any other sound.
■ The device that is used to enter/record sound (audio input) into computer is called
audio input device.
■ Example: Microphone
■ Sound Card
– Receives sound in analog form.
– Converts the analog signals of sound into digital form
– Stores it inside the computer for further processing.
Video Input Device
■ The process of entering video data into a computer is called video input or
video capture.
■ Video input consists of full motion images that create actions and movements.
■ Video input devices are used for recording movie films and video images.
■ Examples of video input devices: VCR and video camera.
■ Video Capture Card
– Special circuit board.
– Video input device connected to video capture card.
– This card converts the video signals into digital signals that a computer can
use.
■ Types of video capture cards
– Frame-Grabber Video Card
– Full-Motion Video Card
 Video Input Device
Types of video capture cards

1- Frame-Grabber Video Card

■ Convert video signals into digital signals only a single frame at a time.
■ A frame represents an image or picture of film at a specific event.

2- Full-Motion Video Card

■ Also known as adapter.
■ Convert video signals into digital signals at the rate of up to 30 frames
per seconds.
■ It gives the effect of a continuously flowing motion picture.
 Digital Camera
■ Takes (captures) pictures and stores them in digital form.
■ The number of pictures that a digital camera can store depends upon its
memory size.
■ Flash memory cards are used inside digital cameras to store pictures.
■ An LCD for viewing the pictures.
■ Also record moving videos with sound.
■ Today, mobile phones (smartphones) and other mobile devices have built-in
cameras.
■ The pictures/videos stored in the camera’s memory card can be transferred
to a computer or other computing device using a wired or wireless
connection.
■ Advantages of Digital Camera
– Making photos is inexpensive and fast because it does not require any film processing.
– The pictures taken by a digital camera can directly be inserted into the documents.
 Output
■ The data processed into a useful form is called output.
■ Output received: on a screen or print on the paper through printer.
■ Audio output received: through speaker or headphones.
Softcopy Output:
– The output received on the display screen.
– Audio or video or file stored on disk.
– Not tangible (cannot be touched).
– Softcopy output devices: display screen and speaker (for audio output).
Hardcopy Output:
– The output printed on the paper.
– In the form of text and graphics.
– Hardcopy output devices: printers and plotters.
 Output Devices
■ A hardware component which is used to receive the output from the computer is called
an output device.
■ It takes information from computer and converts it in a form that a user can
understand.
■ Output devices
– Monitors
– Printers
– Plotters
– Speakers
 Display Screen
■ Also called monitor or simply a screen, Softcopy output device. The output may be in the
form of text, graphics and video.
Characteristics / Features of Display Screen
(i) Size
– Measured diagonally in inches.
– Available from 17 to 30 inches, laptop screens from 14 to 17 inches, and tablet screens
from 7 to 10 inches.
(ii) Color
– Multiple colors: RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) monitors, 256 colors and thousands of
variations.
– Single color: Monochrome screens, Rarely used.
(iii) Resolution
– The display screen is divided into small dots → pixels.
– The pixels are arranged horizontally and vertically.
– The number of pixels on a screen is called its resolution.
– The monitor’s screen that has large number of pixels has high resolution.
 Video Display Adapter
■ Must be installed on the computer to display graphics.
■ Also called video graphics card.
■ It is a circuit board that determines the resolution, number of colors, and
speed with which images appear on the display screen.
VG •Video Graphics Array.
A •Supports 16 to 256 colors, depending upon screen resolution.
•Supports 16 colors for a screen having resolution 320  200 pixels.
•Similarly, it supports 256 colors for a screen having resolution 640 
480 pixels. Called 4-bit color.
SVG • Super Video Graphics Array.
A • Two graphic modes such as 800  600 pixels and 1024  768 pixels.
• Supports 256 (28 = 256) colors. It is called 8-bit color.
XG • Extended Graphics Array.
A • Supports up to 16.7 (i.e., 224) million colors at a resolution of 1024 
768 pixels. It is called 24-bit color.
• The 24-bit color is also called true color.
 Types of Display Screens
(i) CRT Monitor
■ Cathode-Ray Tube, looks like a standard TV set screen.
■ Cathode ray tube (CRT), vacuum tube, creates the image of the output and displays on
the screen.
■ The front of the tube is the screen. The back of the screen is coated with phosphor
(chemical material that lights up when electron beam falls on it).
■ The screen is organized into a grid of tiny dots of phosphor material. These dots are
called pixels.
 Flat Panel Monitor
■ Lightweight, takes less desk space.
■ Consumes less power, expensive than a CRT monitor.
■ Made up of two plates of glass, contain a substance in between them which is
activated in different ways.

Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD)

■ Uses liquid crystal between the glass plates. The output image is formed by liquid
crystal.
■ When an electric current passes through the liquid crystal, its molecules are lined up in
such a way that some light waves behind the screen is blocked while others passed
through.
■ Commonly used with desktop computers and mobile devices such as PDA, mobile
phones, and digital cameras.
 Types of Display Screens
ELD
■ Stands for Electroluminescent Display.
■ Thin film of phosphorescent substance between two plates.
■ This substance glows when it is charged by electric current.
■ Not commonly used, as LCD technology has become a popular standard.

Gas-Plasma Display
■ Gas plasma technology; uses a layer of gas between two glass plates.
■ The gas emits ultraviolet light when an electric current is supplied. This light causes
the pixels on the screen to glow and form the image.
■ Offer a large size screen.
■ Display quality is better than LCD monitors.
■ Expensive than LCD monitors. That is why not commonly used.
 Difference Between CRT monitor and LCD monitor
LCD Monitor CRT Monitor
■ It is lightweight than CRT. ■ It is heavier than LCD.
■ It is commonly used in mobile ■ It is only used with some desktop
computers and devices. computer.
■ It consumes less electric power than ■ It consumes more electric power than
CRT. LCD.
■ It uses liquid crystal technology to ■ It uses cathode rays tube to display
display output. output.
■ It can operate with a charged battery. ■ It operates with electric power only.
■ More expensive. ■ Less expensive.
■ Takes less desk space. ■ Takes more desk space.
■ Emits harmful radiation. ■ Does not emit harmful radiation.
 Printers
■ Used to print the output on the paper.
■ The output printed on the paper is called hardcopy or printout.
■ The output may be in the form of characters, symbols, and graphics.
■ The printout resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi).
 Printers
(i) Impact Printers
■ A printer that produces output on paper by striking a print hammer or set of pins
against an inked ribbon.
■ Works like a typewriter. It can print characters and graphics on the paper.
■ Slower in printing and produce low-quality output.
■ Printing speed measured in characters or lines per minute.
■ Produce more noise during printing. Not commonly used.
■ Examples of impact printers
– Dot matrix printer
– Daisy wheel printer
– Line printer
 Printers
(ii) Non-Impact Printers
■ The printers that produce output on paper without striking the paper are known as
non-impact printers.
■ Use electrostatic, inkjet, and thermal technologies for printing.
■ Faster and produce high quality output than impact printers.
■ Print up to 24 pages per minute.
■ Produce no noise, and costly.
■ Examples of non-impact printers
– Laser printer
– Inkjet printer
– Thermal printer
 Impact Printers
(1) Dot Matrix Printers
■ Impact character printer.
■ Print one character at a time.
■ Printing speed: from 300 to 1000 or more characters per minute
■ Print-head: 9, 18 or 24 pins.
■ Dot Matrix printer produces output on paper by striking pins (with different
combination of pins) against an ink ribbon.
■ Uses 100 to 300 dots per inch (DPI)
■ Less expensive.
■ More noisy.
■ Printout quality is not better.
 Impact Printers
(2) Daisy Wheel Printer
■ Impact character printer, similar to typewriter.
■ Print wheel (daisy wheel) with a series of petals contains a character at its end.
■ Working:
– A motor rotates the wheel.
– When the desired character reaches at the print position on the paper
– A hammer strikes a petal against the ribbon.
■ Slower than dot-matrix printer.
■ Print quality is better than dot matrix printer.
 Impact Printers
(3) Line Printer
■ Very fast printer.
■ Prints a complete line of characters at a time.
■ Printing speed is measured in lines per minute (lpm).
■ Can print 3000 lines per minute.
■ Normally used with mainframe and mini computers.
■ Examples: chain printer and band printer.
 Non-Impact Printers
(1) Laser Printer
■ Stands for Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation.
■ Works like a photocopier.
■ Uses a LASER beam and ink powder called toner
■ Working:
– Image of output is created on the special drum
– Then transferred from drum to paper.
■ Resolution of a black-and-white laser printer is up to 1200 dpi (dpi means dots per inch
and these dots refer to microscopic dots) or more.
■ Resolution of a color printer is up to 2400 dpi or more.
■ Prints one page at a time; page printer.
■ Printing speed of a black-and-white laser printer is up to 200 pages per minute or
more.
■ Printing speed of color laser printer is up to 100 pages per minute.
 Non-Impact Printers
(2) Ink-Jet Printer
■ Creates output on paper by spraying tiny drops of liquid ink.
■ Can print text and graphics in both black-and-white and color.
■ Printing speed is measured by the number of pages per minute (ppm); page printer; can
print 12 to 36 pages per minute. However, they print graphics and colors at a slower rate.
■ Working:
– Print-head that can spray very fine drops of ink.
– Cartridges: filled with liquid ink (black ink and color ink).
– Each cartridge has small nozzles in the form of a matrix.
– Like a dot-matrix printer, the combination of nozzles is activated to form the shape of
characters or images on the paper by spraying the liquid ink through holes of nozzles.

– Resolution: ranging from 1200 to 4800 dpi (dot per inch). A dot is
a drop of ink.
■ Low price, slower, and have low print quality than laser printers.
■ Faster and have high print quality than dot-matrix printers.
 Non-Impact Printers
(3) Thermal Printer
■ Can only print output on a special heat-sensitive waxy paper.
■ Working:
– Prints information on heat-sensitive waxy paper by pushing electrically heated
pins.
– For colored output, colored waxy sheets are used.
■ Not very expensive but their print quality is low.
■ Applications:
– To print receipts at ATMs and retail stores, electronic tickets at airports, tokens at
banks, and other public places.
■ Modern thermal printers produce high-quality printouts.
■ Faster than inkjet and laser printers.
■ Quite expensive than other non-impact printers.
 Printers
Impact Printers Non-Impact Printers
■ They print output by directly striking ■ They print output without striking the
the print hammer or wheel against an paper with a print hammer.
inked ribbon.
■ Slower in printing. ■ Faster in printing.

■ Low print quality. ■ High print quality.

■ Less expensive. ■ More expensive.

■ Rarely used. ■ Commonly used.

■ Produce more noise while printing. ■ Produce low noise while printing.

■ Use an ink ribbon for printing. ■ Use powdered ink or liquid ink for
printing.
■ Printing speed is measured in
characters or lines per minute. ■ Printing speed is measured in pages per
minute.
Plotter
■ Used for printing architectural drawings, maps, graphs, and charts.
■ Typically used to print large graphs or maps i.e. construction maps or engineering
drawings.
■ Normally a very slow output device.
■ Works on the principle of holding a pen in hand and moving it on paper for drawing
lines.
■ Types of Plotters
– Flatbed Plotter
– Drum Plotter
Plotter
(1) Flatbed Plotter
■ Table plotter. Plots on paper that is placed over a table-like surface.
■ Plot size is equal to the area of a bed; bed size varies according to the need.
■ Two robotic drawing arms, each of which holds a set of pens. (1-4 pens of
different colors).
■ Pens move across the paper to draw charts or graphs on the paper.
■ Movement of pens is controlled by the computer system.
■ Uses: in the design of cars, ships, aircraft, buildings, highways, etc.
■ Very slow in drawing or printing graphs.
■ Large and complicated drawing can take several hours to print.
Plotter
(2) Drum Plotter
■ Roller plotter.
■ It consists of a drum or roller on which a paper (a large paper sheet) rotates
during printing.
■ Also consists of a mechanical device known as a robotic drawing arm that holds a
set of pens or pencils.
■ The drum rotates back and forth to draw (or print) the graph on the paper.
■ The robotic drawing arm also moves side to side as the paper is rolled back and
forth through the roller.
■ The plotters are used to produce continuous output such as to record earthquake
readings.
Audio Output Device
■ Audio output: voice, music, or any other sound
■ Audio output devices: receive audio output (i.e. listen to music, speech, or
other sounds) from a computer or mobile device.
■ Commonly used audio output devices
– Speakers
– Headphones & Earphones
– Headsets.
Audio Output Device
(1) Speaker
■ Receive audio output from the computer or mobile device.
■ Produces softcopy output in the form of voice.
■ Built-in speakers into the monitor. And integrated or internal speakers.
■ Internal speakers: low-quality audio output.
■ External sound speaker (or stereo speaker) can be connected for high-quality
audio output.
– It is connected to the computer through the sound card on the motherboard.
■ Available in different shapes and sizes.
■ Wireless speakers are also available.
Audio Output Device
(2) Headphones & Earphones
■ Speaker problems:
– may create disturbance for others
– may create other privacy problems.
– Solution: headphones or earphones
■ Only the individual wearing the headphones or earphones hears the sound from
the computer or mobile device.
■ Headphones are placed outside the ears.
■ Earphones are inserted into the ear canal.
Audio Output Device
(3) Headset
■ Functions as both headphones and a microphone
■ Often used for making telephone calls or participating in video conferences or web
conferences.
■ Many headsets communicate wirelessly with a computer or mobile device.