Input Devices
Aldo and Nadia
What are input devices?
Input devices are any machine that feeds data into your
computer.
Keyboard
Pointing Devices
Scanner
OMR (Optical Mark Recognition)
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition)
Magnetic Strip Card
Digital Cameras, Digital Video Cameras And Webcams
Biometric Scanners
Sensors
Audio Input Devices And Technology
Keyboard
The keyboard is a common input device.
There are different types of keyboards but
the most used keyboard is the QWERTY
keyboard.
There are other keyboards like the Numeric
keyboard which only have keys that input
numbers. E.g. ATM (Automated Teller
Machine)
Some QWERTY keyboards might have numeric
keypads on the right-hand side.
Keyboard
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
• Keyboards are very
useful and are often
used at work.
• You need to know the
layout to be able to
touch- type.
• Majority of people know
how to use a QWERTY
keyboard so it’s most of
the time available and
helpful.
Pointing Devices
Point devices are used to select and point at
objects that are shown on the monitor
screen.
Mouse
Joystick
Trackpad
Graphic Tablet
Pointing Devices
MOUSE – A mouse is used to control the pointer on the screen.
This can be controlled by a ball underneath or a optical mouse
with controls the pointer using light.
JOYSTICK – A joystick is a lever commonly used in a game pad.
Such as car games so that gaming is more accurate as it depends
on how you use the joystick.
TRACKPAD – A track pad is like a mouse but it’s a square pad that
lets you control the pointer with your fingers.
GRAPHIC TABLET – A graphic tablet is a rectangular or square
pad that lets you draw on any editing software with a stylus.
Pointing Devices
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
• It’s easier to use it rather • It can be difficult to
than using a keyboard.
control the on screen
pointer.
• It’s easier to access most
features of the software • It can take longer to
that is being used.
input text with a
pointing device rather
than a keyboard.
Scanners
A scanner reads printed data into the
computer.
HANDHELD SCANNER - A handheld scanner scans the image
or document as it’s dragged over it.
FLATBED SCANNER - A flatbed scanner is a scanner that is
usually on top of a printer simply used for photocopying.
SHEET-FED SCANNER - A sheet-fed scanner scans the image
or document as it goes through the roller.
BARCODE SCANNER - A barcode scanner reads a pattern of
Scanners
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
● It is easier and faster to ● It’s not very accurate
scan printed
since the data input
information and images
may not be confirmed.
on paper to an
electronic form.
OMR (Optical Mark Recognition)
OMR is a process of capturing physically
marked data from a document form. Such
as a survey or test.
The OMR reader is suppose to detect the
marked areas on the paper. It will
determine the meaning of the data where
the mark is positioned on the paper.
OMR (Optical Mark Recognition)
ADVANTAGES
● It is faster and less
expensive.
DISADVANTAGES
● The OMR should be
used accurately as the
position of the paper
● The person filling in the
affects the precision of
form is responsible for
the way you input it.
their accuracy to doing
the survey.
● There are no
verification checks so
mistakes can’t be
detected.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
The OCR identifies printed or written text
characters by a computer. Which the
computer will attempt to recognise the
characters as accurately as possible.
Then the data is stored as text that can be
word-processed.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
● Texted printed on paper ● It is not alway accurate
can be converted to
so the text has to be
electronic form and
checked and verified
edited rather than
carefully.
copying out the word
one by one which
would take longer.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
Magnetic ink character recognition
identifies data printed using a special
magnetic ink.
Instead of using a scanner that relies on
reflected like to detect characters, the
would depend on on the magnetic
behaviour of the ink.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
ADVANTAGES
● It saves time and it’s
accurate.
DISADVANTAGES
● Magnetic ink is
expensive.
● Any character printed
in normal ink will not
be detected.
Magnetic Stripe Card
A magnetic stripe card reader reads
information from a magnetic stripe on a
card. This is commonly used to access
buildings or used as bank or credit cards.
The stripes store permanent value, such as
an account number or a changeable value,
such as the amount of cash you are
allowed to withdraw from a cashpoint.
Magnetic Stripe Card
ADVANTAGES
● A portable form of
identification.
● The data recorded can
easily and quickly be
input directly into a
computer.
DISADVANTAGES
● It can be affected by
electromagnetic
radiation.
● Data on the magnetic
stripe can be record. So
it gives an open
opportunity for
criminals to commit
identity theft.
Smart Cards
A smart card is similar to a magnetic stripe
card except it uses a microprocessor chip
embedded in it.
It is very easy and most useful card because
it’s advance in use.
Smart Cards
ADVANTAGES
● Another portable form
of identification.
● The data recorded can
be input directly into a
computer easily.
● The data is harder to
hack and is more
secure.
● It can automatically
update data during
transaction.
DISADVANTAGES
● It can still be affected
by electromagnetic
radiation.
● Criminals can still have
an open opportunity to
commit identity theft.
Digital Cameras, Digital Video
Cameras And Webcams
Digital cameras store pictures on a memory
card and from there the pictures can be
input directly into the computer.
Digital Cameras, Digital Video
Cameras And Webcams
ADVANTAGES
● Back up is easier and
more reliable.
● Digital photos and
videos can be viewed
on other devices such
as phones and
television.
● You can email people
picture and videos.
DISADVANTAGES
● Uses up backing
storage.
● High quality photos and
videos can be in very
large files so emailing it
or broadcasting it over
the internet will slow
down the network.
Biometric Scanner
A biometric scanner is a pattern recognition
which recognises a person's physical
features.
This can be face recognition, fingerprint
matching, iris retinal scans, voice
recognition and hand geometry.
Biometric scanners can be used to access
buildings, rooms, safes and phones.
(Iphone 5S)
Biometric Scanners
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
● You don’t need to carry ● It’s not as accurate
any form of personal
because it won’t
identification but
recognise people at
yourself.
times making it hard to
access personal
● The person has to be
identification, places or
present so identity
important data.
theft is nearly
impossible.
Sensors
Sensors are a direct way of recording data
about the environment. For example,
sensors can be used to record light
intensity, temperature and pressure.
They can be used extensively for data
logging and control application such as
automatic washing machines and cookers,
air conditioning and central heating
controllers, burglary alarm systems,
control factory production lines etc.
Sensors
ADVANTAGES
● It is faster to input data
directly.
● It is more accurate than
someone manually
inputting the data.
● Sensors can record data
that people do not
sense/accurately (e.g.
heat)
DISADVANTAGES
● They can’t interpret the
data. Data must be
processed.
● Sensors detect a very
restricted range of
different types of data.
● May not be accurate
due to malfunctions of
the sensors.
Audio Input Devices And
Technology
Audio input devices allow you to input
sound directly into a computer.
Touch-Tone Telephone
Microphone
Voice Recognition
Speech Recognition
Natural Language Processing
Audio Input Devices And
Technology
TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE - Is the sound when you
press a button which helps assure you that you’ve
input the number correctly.
MICROPHONE - Records sound and voices to give
your voice commands or to communicate over the
internet.
SPEECH RECOGNITION - It is commonly used for
voice command systems. It is the translation of
spoken words into text.
NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING - It is when a
computer processes a sequence of instructions or
data through natural language.
Audio Input Devices And Technology
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
● People don’t have to
● Voice recognition might
know how to operate a
not be accurate because
keyboard and can just use
people’s accent and voice
an audio input device.
might not be recognised.
● It is faster to input text
● The computer might not
rather than using a
recognise the full range
keyboard.
of words used.
● It is useful for people
● Some words that are
with disabilities.
pronounced the same
might have different
meanings.
Remote Control
A remote control device is a handset device
that controls other devices. For example,
television, video player, recorders etc.
The transmitter in the remote sends out a
pulse of infrared light when a button is
pressed.
A receiver is built in the remote in a suitable
position to easily receive the infrared light
pulse varies.
Remote Control
ADVANTAGES
● Less movement and
energy needed to
operate the device.
● Hidden devices can be
controlled.
DISADVANTAGES
● If device is only
controlled by a remote
control, if the remote is
lost, then the device
can’t be used.
Quiz:
1. Which of these is not an advantage of OMR?
a. Input is faster and less expensive due to no requirement to type in
information written on the paper form.
b. The person who fills in the form is responsible for the accuracy of the
information.
c. Text printed on paper can be converted to electronic form and edited.
2.
a.
b.
c.
What does OCR stand for?
Optical Character Recognition
Optical Cipher Recognition
Optical Code Recognition
3. Which of these is an example of a pointing device?
a. Graphics Tablet
b. Hand-held Scanner
Answers:
1. C
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. B