Input Devices

Input Devices

1. Optical Mark Reader

   • Used to enter data into a computer - reads pen/pencil marks and processes
     • eg. The Lottery
   • Advantage - it can input huge amounts of data quickly into a computer.

2. Graphics Tablet

   • Using a graphics tablet, a designer can produce much more accurate drawings on the screen than they could with a mouse or other pointing device.
   • Advantage - It is much more natural to draw diagrams with a pencil type implement (the stylus) rather than with a mouse

3. Sensors

   • Infrared
     • A passive infrared sensor is an electronic sensor that measures infrared light radiating from objects in its view.
       • eg. motion detectors linked to alarm systems
     • Advantage - low power requirements
   • Pressure
     • Pressure sensors are used for control and monitoring in thousands of everyday applications. Pressure sensors can also be used to indirectly measure other variables such as fluid/gas flow, speed, water level, and altitude.
     • Advantage - very accurate in measuring

4. Optical Character Reader (OCR)

   • Used to convert handwritten document into computer text using a scanner
   • Advantage - much faster and cheaper than someone entering huge amounts of text

5. Magnetic Strip Reader

   • Magnetic Strips are used on the back of credit cards, loyalty cards, etc. It can hold a number of personal details, stored magnetically. When swiped through a magnetic strip reader, the information is read by the computer
   • Advantage - simple to use

6. Touch Pad

   • Usually a device found on laptop computers. By dragging your finger over the surface of the touchpad, sensors underneath detect the movement direction and speed.
   • Advantage - very practical, only short movements needed to work

7. Tracker Ball

   • A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down mouse with an exposed protruding ball. The user rolls the ball with the thumb, fingers, or the palm of the hand to move a pointer.
   • Advantage - uses less space than that of a traditional mouse