Input devices Flashcards
What are input devices?
Allow data to be input into the computer
Keyboard?
Common type of input devices
It’s used to input text, commands and number into the computer. QWERTY is the most common type and ergonomic keyboards are designed to reduce Health related problems such as repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome
Concept Keyboard?
Uses icons and phrases instead of standard letters. Is used in restaurants and fast food chains.
Mouse?
It’s a pointing device by which the user controls the movement of a pointer on the monitor. Has a left button to select, right for drop down and middle to scroll through documents easily and faster.
Touchpad
It’s a pointing device found in laptops. The pointer is controlled by the user moving their finger on it.
Trackerball?
Similar to a mouse but it’s operated by the user using a rotating ball on the left or the side of the device
Remote control
Used to control the operation of other devices such as a TV using infrared signals. The buttons on the keypad are used to select options.
Joystick
Like a mouse. By gripping the stick a pointer on the screen can be controlled. Buttons are used to make selections.
Driving wheel
It connects to a computer via a USB port. The wheel allows you to simulate the turning of a steering wheel and there are brakes and accelerators.
Touch screens
The user simply touches icons or options on the screen and the selection is made without the need of a pointing device
Scanners
Used to enter data from hard copy into a computer. The most common type of scanner is a flatbed scanner with a glass panel and lid. The hard copy is scanned by a light source and converted to a computer readable image
Digital cameras
The images clicked at high quality photos and are stored in a SSD.
Microphones
Sounds are inputted and manipulated. Analogue signals for the user’s voice is converted to digital signals, a language the computer understands (binary) This is usually done by an ADC (analogue to digital converter)
Sensor
Inputs data of a physical quantity that continuously changes. Data is converted by ADC
Graphics tablet
Used with a stylus to produce free hand drawings.
Webcams
Webcams are directly connected to the computer and have no memory. They’re like video cameras
Light pens
They contain sensors that send signals to a computer when light changes are detected. They only work with CRT monitors. They are refreshed 50/secs to determine the position of the light pen.
Advantages and disadvantages of Keyboard
Fast data entry
Easy to use
Can be difficult if user has limited wrist movements
Uses valuable desk space
Uses of keyboard
To enter text or numbers in the computer
Advantages of concept keyboard
Fast data entry
Waterproof
Temper resistant
Numeric keypad
Faster than standard keyboard
Small so portable
Small keys make typing different
Order of numbers isn’t intuitive
Uses of numeric keypad
In ATM
POS
Chip and pin devices
Advantages and disadvantages of mouse
Don’t need large desk space
Faster than keyboard
Difficult for people with restricted hand movements
Easy to damage and clogged up with dirt
Uses of mouse
Controlling position of pointer on screen
Opening, closing software
Advantages and disadvantages of touchpad
Faster than keyboard
Since it’s in one unit it doesn’t need a separate mouse
People with limited hand movements find it hard
More difficult to drag and drop
Advantages and disadvantages of trackerball
Needs less desk space
More robust than mouse
Costly
User may need training as it isn’t standard
Uses of tracker ball
When user has disabilities
Used in luxury cars
Advantages and disadvantages of remote control
Can be operated from any reasonable distance
Chemical processes are hazardous so easier to use from distance
Difficult if user has limited wrist movement
Signal easily blocked
Uses of remote control
To operate TV
To control multimedia
Uses of joystick
Used in simulators
Used in computer games
Advantages and disadvantages of joystick
Easier to navigate screen than keyboard
Control is more realistic than mouse
More difficult to control on screen pointer
Uses of driving wheels
Used in video games
Used in simulators
Uses of touch screen
Self service tills
Interactive white boards in education
Advantages and disadvantages of touch screen
Fast data entry
User friendly
Limited number of options available
Screen can get constantly dirty
Uses of scanner
Scan documents
Scan barcodes
Advantages and disadvantages of scanners
Images can be stored for editing later
Faster and accurate
Quality is limited as it depends on resolution of scanner
Fairly slow at scanning if color scanning mode chosen
Advantages and disadvantages of digital cameras
HD photos
Easier and faster to upload photos
Need to be computer literate in using cameras properly
Images to be compressed to reduce amount of memory
Uses of microphones
Input speech
Used in video conferencing
Advantages and disadvantages of microphone
Faster to read texts than to type
Can manipulate sound in real time
Uses lot of memory
Voice recognition software isn’t accurate
Advantages and disadvantages of sensor
Accurate readings
Readings are automatic
Faulty sensors give inaccurate results
Uses of graphics tablet
To produce drawings
In Computer Aided design
Advantages and disadvantages of graphics tablet
Accurate method of drawing
Record levels of pressure
Expensive
Menus not user friendly
Uses of webcams
Chatting online
Video conferencing
Advantages and disadvantages of webcams
Can be left on constantly
Allow people to be in contact with people living far away
Poor quality
Need to be connected to a computer
Uses of light pens
Select objects on CRT screens
Drawing on screen
Advantages and disadvantages of light pens
Greater accuracy than touch screen
Easy to use
Slow when drawing on screen
Only works with CRT monitors
