Input Devices
Input Devices
Input Devices
Numeric Keypad
Applications where only numeric data is to be entered. Inserting personal identification number (PIN) for Chip and PIN credit/debit cards, or when using an ATM machine to withdraw money or check a bank balance
Mouse
A pointing device found on most PCs. Sensors on the bottom of the mouse detect when the mouse is moved. Data about this movement is sent to the computer. Often used to control the pointer in a GUI.
-Clicking on files -Double Clicking icons -Dragging and dropping Icons -Right clicking on Icons or files.
Touchpad / Trackpad A pointing device found on most laptops. Used instead of a mouse since it takes up less space. The user moves a finger across the touch pad and this movement data is sent to the computer. Usually used to control the pointer in a GUI.
Trackball / Tracker Ball This pointing device is not moved about like a mouse, instead it has a large ball that the user spins. Data about which direction the ball is spun is passed to the computer. It can be used to control a GUI pointer. Tracker balls are often used by people with limited movement (disabled) or by the very young since they are easier to use than a mouse.
Using remote control devices to operate TVs, video players / recorders, DVD players/ recorders, satellite receivers, HiFi music systems, data or multimedia projectors
JOYSTICK Used by a pilot to fly an aeroplane or flight simulator. Used in car driving simulators and for playing games
TouchScreen Selecting from a limited list of options e.g. certain POS uses such as cafes, tourist information kiosks, public transport enquiries. May be used for handwriting recognition in a PDA or Tablet PC
Digital Camera Taking photographs for input to computers, for input to photo printers
Microphone
Recording of voices for presentation software ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL CONVERTER (ADC) DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTER (DAC)
Automatic washing machines, automatic cookers, central heating controllers, computercontrolled greenhouses, scientific experiments and environmental monitoring
Pressure Sensor
Burglar alarms, automatic washing machines, robotics, production line control, scientific experiments and environmental monitoring
Light Sensor Computer controlled greenhouses, burglar alarm systems, robotics, production line control, scientific experiments and environmental monitoring
Graphic Tablet
Inputting pencil marks on a form such as a school register, candidate exam answers, any application involving input of a choice of options
VIDEO CAMERA
WEBCAM
LIGHT PEN
Where desktop space is limited, it is used instead of a mouse or for drawing applications where a graphics tablet might be too big
Barcode Reader Inputting code numbers from products at a POS terminal, library books and membership numbers
The banking Industry use MICR to read data on checks. Data such as check number, bank branch code and account number are printed at the bottom of the cheque using special magnetic ink.
OCR (Optical Character Reader) Inputting text to a computer ready for processing by another software package such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases etc.
OUTPUT DEVICES
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CRT MONITOR Applications where space is not a problem. Applications where more than one user may need to view screen simultaneously such as in design use, e.g. when several designers may need to offer suggestions on a prototype
TFT MONITOR
Applications where space is limited such as small offices. Applications where only one person needs to view the screen such as individual workstations
Multimedia Projector Applications such as training presentations, advertising presentations and home cinema it displays data from computers, pictures from televisions and video/DVD recorders
Laserjet Printer
Applications which require low noise and low chemical emissions, e.g. most networked systems. Applications which require rapid, high quality and high volumes of output, e.g. most offices and schools
Inkjet Printer Applications which require portability and low volume output, where changing cartridges is not an issue e.g. small offices and stand alone systems. Applications which require very high quality output and where speed is not an issue, e.g. digital camera applications
DotMatrix Printer Applications where noise is not an issue and copies have to be made, e.g. industrial environments (multipart forms, continuous stationery, labels etc.), car sales and repair companies, manufacturing sites
PLOTTER
SPEAKER Any application which requires sound to be output such as multimedia presentations and websites including encyclopaedias. Applications that require musical output such as playing of music CDs and DVD films
MOTORS Automatic washing machines, automatic cookers, central heating controllers, computer-controlled greenhouses, microwave ovens, robotics, production line control
BUZZERS
HEATERS Automatic washing machines, automatic cookers, central heating controllers, computercontrolled greenhouses
DOCUMENT PRODUCTION
How to: load/Open Files enter and edit text Place and manipulate images Incorporate data from other sources Set the page size Set the page orientation Set the top, bottom, left and right margins Set columns Set and handle page, section and column breaks Create and edit headers and footers
Set fonts
Emphasize text Format text including lists
aligned and centered) Indent text Proof read and correct documents Using spell check facilities