IT 1.2 Hardware input devices

IT 1.2 Hardware input devices

1. input devices

   • keyboard entry
     • most common type of input device. QWERTY keyboard is the most common and the rest of the letters are ergonomically placed to reduce RSI
     • specialised or concept keyboards are used in pubs and fast food restaurants where the keyboard is made up of small pictures of the items available
   • mouse and other pointing devices
     • a mouse is the most popular device used, touchpads and trackballs are also pointing devices. it is mainly used as a selection tool
   • touch screeens
     • it can detect exactly where on its surface it has been touched. they are quick and easy and even give the option for an onscreen keyboard
       • used for ticket purchase at train stations, in tourist information centres or in shopping centres in store locators
   • joysticks
     • they are mainly used for playing on computer games. they control movement of something on the screen in the side to side motion or up and down
   • digital cameras
     • they can store many more pictures than an ordinary camera. the pictures are stored inside a memory card and are transferred to the computer by connecting the camera to the computer with a USB
   • webcams
     • they are used as input to the computer as part of video conferencing. they are usually situated above the screen of a computer
   • digital video recorders
     • they are used to take films which can then be transferred on the computer via a USB stick
   • microphone
     • they are used to input sound into a computer and are often used in voice recognition which convert voice commands made by the user into instructions the computer can read and carry out.
   • remote control
     • they can be used to switch on and make selections on electronic devices such as TVs. they issue commands from the prre-printed buttons
   • scanner
     • they are used to input text or pictures into the computer

2. input devices

   • MIDI interface
     • this input device is used to connect musical instruments into a computer. the music is stored as a file of instructions rather than a series of audio.
   • graphic tablet
     • it consist of a flat surface and a stylus. it allows the user to produce free hand drawings which can then be converted on the computer screen.
   • automatic devices
     • barcode recognition
       • barcode readers are designed to input the data automatically from barcodes. they scan the barcode using visible red light which is used to identify the product
     • chip and pin/magnetic strip
       • the magnetic strip is usually found on the back of a credit/debit card. it contains personal information related to the card number. the information is fed into the computer when the card is swiped.
     • sensors
       • they are used to detect physical variables for input. such as, light, heat and pressure.
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