Input and Output Devices

The computer will be of no use unless it is able to communicate with the outside
world. Input and Output devices are required for users to communicate with the
computer. In simple terms, input devices bring information into the computer and
output devices bring information out of a computer system. These input/output
devices are also known as peripherals since they enclose the CPU and memory of a
computer system.

A hardware device that accepts inputted information and also has the capability of
outputting that information. Good examples of an input and output devices are a
floppy diskette drive and a hard disk drive.

An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to

communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing
system (such as a computer) to the outside world.

In computing, input and output, refers to the communication between an

information processing system (such as computer), and the outside world. Inputs are
the signals or data sent to the system, and output are the signals or data sent by the
system to the outside.

The most common input devices used by the computer are the keyboard and mouse.
The keyboard allows the entry of textual information while the mouse allows the
selection of a point on the screen by moving a screen cursor to the point and
pressing a mouse button. The most common outputs are monitors and speakers.

Output devices
Examples of output devices

Any peripheral that receives and/or displays output from a computer. To the right is
a picture of an inkjet printer and a good example of an output device. Below is a
listing of all the different types of computer output devices found on a computer.

Sound card

Video card

Projector
Monitor

Speakers

Printer

Features and Functions

Sound Card

A sound card (also known as an audio card) is a computer expansion card that
facilitate the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control
of computer programs. Typical uses of sound cards comprise providing the audio
component for multimedia applications such as music composition, editing video or
audio, presentation, education, and entertainment (games). Many computers have
sound capabilities built in, while others necessitate extra expansion cards to provide
for audio capability.

Video

A video card, video adapter, graphics-accelerator card, display adapter or graphics

card is an extension card whose function is to generate and output images to a
display. Many video cards offer added functions, such as accelerated rendering of 3D
scenes and 2D graphics, video capture, TV-tuner adapter, MPEG-2/MPEG-4
decoding, FireWire, light pen, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors
(multi-monitor). Other modern high performance video cards are used for more
graphically demanding purposes, such as PC games.

Projector

A video projector takes a video signal and projects the corresponding image on a
projection screen using a lens system. All video projectors use a very bright light to
project the image, and most modern ones can correct any curves, blurriness, and
other inconsistencies through manual settings. Video projectors are widely used for
meeting room presentations, classroom training, home theatre and live events
applications. Projectors are widely used in many schools and other educational
settings, connected to an interactive white board to interactively teach pupils.

Monitor

A monitor or display (sometimes called a visual display unit) is an electronic visual

display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an
enclosure. The display device in modern monitors is typically a thin film transistor
liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), at the same time as older monitors use a cathode ray
tube (CRT).
Computer speakers, or multimedia speakers, are speakers external to a computer
that disable the lower fidelity built-in speaker. They often have a low-power internal
amplifier. The standard audio connection is a 3.5mm (1/8 inch) stereo jack plugs
frequently colour-coded lime green (following the PC 99 standard) for computer
sound cards. A plug and socket for a two-wire (signal and ground) coaxial cable that
is generally used to connect analogy audio and video components. Also called a
“phono connector,” rows of RCA sockets are found on the backs of stereo amplifier
and numerous A/V products. The prong is 1/8″ thick by 5/16″ long. A few use an RCA
connector for input. There are also USB speakers which are powered from the 5 volts
at 200 milliamps provided by the USB port, allowing about half a watt of output
power.

In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a hard copy (permanent

readable text and/or graphics) of documents stored in electronic form, usually on
physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are first and
foremost used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most
new printers, a USB cable to a computer which serves as a document source. Some
printers, commonly known as network printers, have built-in network interfaces
(typically wireless and/or Ethernet), and can serve as a hardcopy device for any user
on the network. Person printers are frequently designed to support both local and
network connected users at the same time. In addition, a small number of modern
printers can directly interface to electronic media such as memory sticks or memory
cards, or to image capture devices such as digital cameras, scanners; some printers
are combined with a scanners and/or fax machines in a single unit, and can function
as photocopiers. Printers that include non-printing features are sometimes called
Multifunction printers (MFP), Multi-Function Devices (MFD), or All-In-One (AIO)
printers. Most MFPs include printing, scanning, and copying in the middle of their
features.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Output Devices

No
Output devices
Advantages
Disadvantages
1
Monitor

Comparatively cheap and reliable, can display text and graphics in a wide range of
colures. They are also quiet and do not squander paper.

No enduring copy to keep and unsuitable for users with visual problems.

2
Printer

The purchase cost is low and the running costs are very low.

They can print fairly quickly, particularly if you remember that multiple copies are
being printed in one print run.

They are robust and can operate in harsh environments.

If several sheets of self-carbonating paper are placed into the printer then the impact
will produce duplicate copies.

The printing quality is low – these printers produce low to medium quality black and
white printing and can only print low resolution graphics.

Because of the impact of the pins against the paper, these printers can be quite
noisy.

3
Projector

Enables a lot of people to be able to see something even from a distance

Image quality may not be as good when projected.

4
Speakers

Cheap and generally available.   Capable of producing very high quality sound.

They are an analogue device so the digital sound signal has to be converted, usually
by a sound card.
Input Devices
A hardware device that sends information to the computer. Without any input
devices a computer would simply be a display device and not allow users to interact
with it, much like a TV. To the right are a Logitech trackball mouse and an example of
an input device. Below is a listing of all the different types of computer input devices
found on a computer.

Example of Input Devices

Keyboard

Gamepad

Digital camera

Mouse (pointing device)

Microphone

Webcam

Joystick

Scanner

MIDI Keyboard

Features and Functions for input devices

In computing, a keyboard is an input device, partially modelled after the typewriter
keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers
or electronic switches. A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on
the keys and each press of a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol.
However, to produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys at the
same time or in sequence. While most keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or
signs (characters), other keys or real-time key presses can produce actions or
computer commands.

Gamepad

A gamepad (also called Joypad or control pad), is a type of game controller held in
the hand, where the digits (especially thumbs) are used to offer input. Gamepads
generally feature a set of action buttons handled with the right thumb and a
direction controller handled with the left. The direction controller has traditionally
been a four-way digital cross (also named a Joypad, or alternatively a D-pad), but
most modern controllers as well (or as a substitute) feature an analog stick.

Digital Camera

images
Most digital cameras function in much the same way as a traditional camera that
uses film to record images, except that in place of the film, images are captured and
preserved in the digital memory, which may be built-in or which may be on a
detachable memory card.

In computing, a mouse (plural mice, mousses, or mouse devices.) is a pointing device

that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting
surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user’s hands,
with one or more buttons. It sometimes features other elements, such as “wheels”,
which allow the user to perform a variety of system-dependent operations, or extra
buttons or features can additional control or dimensional input. The mouse’s motion
typically translates into the motion of a cursor on a display, which allows for fine
control of a Graphical User Interface.

Microphone

A microphone (colloquially called a mic or mike) is an acoustic-to-electric transducer

or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal .Microphones are used in many
applications such as telephones, tape recorders, karaoke systems, hearing aids,
motion picture production, live and recorded audio engineering, FRS radios,
megaphones, in radio and television broadcasting and in computers for recording
voice, speech recognition, VoIP, and for non-acoustic purposes such as ultrasonic
checking or knock sensors.

Web

A webcam is a video capture device connected to a computer or computer network,

frequently using a USB port or, if connected to a network, Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The
mainly popular use is for video telephony, permitting a computer to act as a
videophone or video conferencing station. This can be used in messenger programs
such as Windows Live Messenger, Skype and Yahoo messenger services. Other
popular uses, which include the recording of video files or even still-images, are
accessible via numerous software programs, applications and devices. Webcams are
known for low manufacturing costs and flexibility, making them the lowest cost form
of video telephony. The term ‘webcam’ may also be used in its original sense of a
video camera connected to the Web ceaselessly for an indefinite time, rather than for
a particular session, generally supplying a view for anyone who visits its web page
over the Internet. Some of these, for example those used as online traffic cameras,
are expensive, rugged professional video cameras.

A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its
angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks are often used to control
video games, and usually have one or more push-buttons whose state can also be
read by the computer. A popular variation of the joystick used on modern video
game consoles is the analogy stick. The joystick has been the principal flight control
in the cockpit of many aircraft, chiefly military fast jets, where centre stick or side-
stick location may be employed. Joysticks are also used for controlling machines such
as cranes, trucks, submerged unmanned vehicles, wheelchairs, surveillance cameras
and zero turning radius lawn mowers. Miniature finger-operated joysticks have been
adopted as input devices for smaller electronic equipment such as mobile phones.

In computing, a scanner is a device that optically scans images, printed text,

handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples
found in offices are variations of the desktop (or flatbed) scanner where the
document is placed on a glass window for scanning. Hand-held scanners, where the
device is moved by hand, have evolved from text scanning “wands” to 3D scanners
used for industrial design, overturn engineering, test and measurement, orthotics,
gaming and other applications. Mechanically driven scanners that move the
document are typically used for large-format documents, where a flatbed design
would be impractical.

MIDI

A MIDI keyboard is a piano-style digital keyboard device used for sending MIDI
signals or commands to other devices connected to the same interface as the
keyboard. MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface (protocol). The
basic MIDI keyboard does not produce sound. In its place, MIDI information is sent
to an electronic module capable of reproducing an array of digital sounds or samples
that resemble traditional analog musical instruments. These samples are also referred
to as voices.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Input Devices

No
Input Devices
Advantages
Disadvantages
1
Digital Camera

No film is needed and there are no film developing costs

Unwanted images can be deleted straight away

Images are already digital and can easily be transferred to a computer and edited or
transferred over the Internet

Special image editing software can allow a huge range of adjustments and special
effects to be tried

Images often have to be compressed to shun using up too much expensive memory.

2
Joystick

Easy to learn to use.  Very simple design so they can be reasonably priced.

Control can be a bit crude as the directions in simple joysticks are limited to forward,
backwards, left and right.  Better models offer diagonal movement or better.

3
Keyboard

dependable for data input of text and numbers.

Usually supplied with a computer so no additional cost.

Specialized keyboards are available.

Users may be slow for not very accurate typists.

Slow for accessing menus etc. and difficult to use if you want to move objects around
the screen.
Difficult for people unable to use keyboards through paralysis or muscular disorder.

4
Microphone

Voice recognition software can be used to convert your voice into text or to control
menu options on a phone system.

Stored audio files can take up a lot of memory.

Voice commands can be difficult to recognise by the software.

5
MIDI keyboard

Data from a musical instrument is easily captured and edited with a computer.

MIDI files are small.

MIDI files can be recorded on one type of instrument and played back on another.

Audio cannot be recorded directly as an audio file such as MP3.

The playback depends on the instrument/computer sound card so may not sound
the same as the original.

Only the note and the timing are stored.

6
Mouse

Ideal for use with desktop computers.

more often than not supplied with a computer so no additional cost.

All computer users tend to be familiar with using them.

They need a flat space close to the computer.

The mouse cannot easily be used with laptop, notebook or palmtop computers.
(These need a tracker ball or a touch sensitive pad called a touch pad).
7
Scanner

Flat-bed scanners are very accurate and can produce images with a far higher
resolution than a digital camera.

Can produce very large image files which need a lot of computer memory to view
and edit.

Types of Pointing Devices

The is a small number of examples of pointing devices are pointing stick, touch
screen, touch pad, joystick. A pointing stick is a pressure sensitive small nub used like
a joystick. It’s more frequently than not found on laptops embedded between the ‘G’,
‘H’, and ‘B’ keys. It operates by sensing the force applied by the user. The
corresponding “mouse” buttons are commonly placed just below the spacebar. It is
also found on mice and some desktop keyboards.

Touch Screen

A touch screen is a device embedded into the screen of the TV Monitor, or System
LCD monitor screens of laptop computers. Users interrelate with the device by
physically pressing items shown on the screen, either with their fingers or some
helping tool. Touch screens could be used in couple with stylus pointing devices,
while those powered by infrared do not require physical touch, but just differentiate
the movement of hand and fingers in some minimum range distance from real
screen.

A touchpad or track pad is a flat surface that can detect finger contact. It’s a
motionless pointing device, commonly used on laptop computers. At least one
physical button normally comes with the touchpad, but the user can also generate a
mouse click by tapping on the pad. Advanced features include pressure sensitivity
and special gestures such as scrolling by moving one’s finger along an edge.

Joysticks are often used to control video games, and usually have one or more push-
buttons whose state can also be read by the computer. A popular variation of the
joystick used on modern video game consoles is the analog stick. Joysticks are also
used for controlling machines such as cranes, trucks, and underwater unmanned
vehicles.

Types of Keyboard
What is Keyboard? Keyboard is a set of typewriter that enable to you to enter data
into the computer. The key on the computer keyboard got alphanumeric keys,
punctuation keys, and special keys. There are several types of keyboard. For
examples, notebook keyboard, PDA stylus, Tablet PCs, Wireless keyboard, and
Ergonomic keyboard. For notebook keyboard will with the screen and the CPU.
Keyboards on laptops and notebook computers more often than not have a shorter
travel distance for the keystroke and a reduced set of keys. They may not have a
numerical keypad, and the function keys may be placed in locations that different
from their placement on a standard, full-sized keyboard. The layout is based on the
104-key Windows design, except the keys are “crammed” into the available space.
There is no numeric keypad, but you can see the labels on keys in the middle of the
keyboard where it is superimposed (the letter “J” has the numeral “1” on it, K is “2”,
and so on). The “Fn” key in the lower left is used to activate particular options when
used in combination with the function keys at the top of the keyboard.

PDA Stylus

PDA stylus is a touch type keyboard. That a keyboard is needed for extensive typing,
a person can use a fold up keyboard. The fold-up keyboards have all of the room of
usual keyboards, yet still compact.

Tablet PCs Keyboard

Tablet PCs keyboard is the the majority common peoples in the world using. It use to
type any data into the computer. It have a place for number keys, alphanumeric keys,
punctuation keys, and special keys.

Wireless Keyboard

Wireless Keyboard is the newest keyboard that came out this few years. The
keyboard can use without wire, but the others function are same with the normal
keyboard that we use.

Ergonomic Keyboard
Ergonomic keyboard is computer keyboard designed with ergonomic considerations
to minimize muscle strain and a host of related problems. An ergonomic keyboard
may decrease muscle strain and reduce risk of Carpal Tunnel syndrome, but there is
no clear evidence of benefit. After a user takes the time to adjust to this style of
keyboard, these keyboards can make typing easier, faster and less awkward. The keys
separated into two or three groups, allowing the user to type at a different angle
than the typical straight keyboard.

Types of Printer
Printer is classified into 3 types. There are impact printer, nonimpact printer and
specialty printer. The example of impact printer is Dot-matrix. Dot matrix printers are
still commonly used in low-cost, low-quality applications like cash registers, or in
demanding, very high volume applications like invoice printing.

The nonimpact printers have Inkjet and Laser. For the Inkjet, operate by propelling
variably-sized droplets of liquid or molten material (ink) onto almost any sized page.
They are the most ordinary type of computer printer for the universal consumer. The
laser is a common type of computer printer that rapidly produces high quality text
and graphics on plain paper. But the price will more expensive than others.

Inkjet Printer Laser Printer

The specialty printers have multifunction, plotters and thermal printers. A

multifunction printer is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of
multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business
setting or to provide centralized document management/ distribution/ production in
a large-office setting. A typical multifunction printer may act as a combination of
some or all of the printer, scanner, photocopier, fax and email.

Plotter is a computer printing device for printing vector graphics. In the past, plotters
were generally used in applications such as computer-aided design, though they
have generally been replaced with wide-format conventional printers. It uses a pen
that moves over a large revolving sheet of paper.

Thermal Printerthermal.jpg

A thermal printer produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermo

chromic paper, or thermal paper as it is generally known, when the paper passes over
the thermal print head. The coating turns black in the areas where it is heated,
producing an image. Two-color direct thermal printers are capable of printing both
black and an supplementary color (often red), by applying heat at two different
temperatures.

Types of Monitor
Monitor is an output device that resembles the television screen and uses a Cathode
Ray Tube (CRT) to display information. The monitor is associated with a keyboard for
guide input of characters and displays the information as it is keyed in. It also
displays the program or application output. Like the television, monitors are also
available in different sizes.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

LCD was introduced in the 1970s and is now applied to display terminals also. Its
advantages like low energy consumption, smaller and lighter have paved its way for
usage in portable computers (laptops).

Devices used to get sound, video, and images into the

computer
Video capture is one of the most important hardware to be used for multimedia
work on a personal computer. Video-capture results will depend on the performance
and capacity of all of the components of your system working together. Video
capture from analog devices like video camera requires a special Video capture card
that converts the analog signals into digital form and compresses the data. Video-
capture card use various components of the computer to pass frames to the
processor and hard disk. For high-quality video, a video-capture card must be able to
capture full-screen video at a high rate. For example for a full-motion video, the card
must be capable of capturing about 35 frames per second at 720 by 480 pixels for
digital video and 640 by 480 for analog video. To determine what settings will
produce the best results for your projects, you must be careful in defining these
parameters.

A sound card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to enable the computer to
input, process, and deliver sound. The sound card generates sounds; records sound
from analog devices by converting them to digital mode and reproduce sound for a
speaker by reconverting them to analog mode. Creative Lab’s Sound Blaster is a
standard sound card, to the extent that some people use the name as a generic term.

A video adapter provides extended capability to a computer in terms of video. The

better the video adapter, the better is the quality of the picture you see. A high
quality video adapter is a must for you while designing your multimedia project.
Conclusion
Described is an input and output device for inputting or outputting data of an
electronic equipment. The input and output device is designed for being detachably
mounted to the electronic equipment in at least two different positions. The input
and output device features a first contacting arrangement which, independent of the
selected position in the mounted state of the input and output device on the
electronic equipment, electrically comes in connection with a second contacting
arrangement present on the electronic equipment. In one embodiment, orientation
of the device may be varied, thereby enabling it to be coupled to a receiver by a
bayonet connection and with a set of contacting arrangement engaging the second
contacting arrangement in any orientation. Furthermore, described is an operating
and display module, as well as to a combination of an electronic equipment and an
input and output device that can be detachably mounted thereto.