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3.2 Input Devices

ICT

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12 views

3.2 Input Devices

ICT

Uploaded by

afraz abdullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Input Devices

Introducing peripherals
Peripherals are devices that are not the computer's core
architecture involved in memory and processing.
Peripherals include input hardware, output hardware and
storage devices.
A typical desktop computer could include:
Inputs - mouse, keyboard, webcam, games controller etc.
Outputs - screen, printer, speakers, headphones etc.
Storage - hard drive etc.
In computing, an input device is a peripheral
(piece of computer hardware equipment) used
to provide data and control signals to an
information processing system such as a
computer or information appliance.
Some of the most common input devices
include: keyboards, mice, scanners, digital
cameras and joysticks etc.
Keyboards: - The keyboard is the most common and
widely used input device. It is made up of buttons called
'keys'. The keys are arranged into sections:
Alphabet keys Function or F keys (F1, F2, F3) Numeric
keys Arrow keys Command keys (insert, delete, home,
end, page up/down) Most keyboards are called 'QWERTY'
keyboards. This name comes from the first six letters on
the top row of the alphabet keys.
Uses: - Keyboards are used to enter characters and data
into computers. A QWERTY keyboard uses the standard
layout for English-speaking countries.
Most people find the QWERTY arrangement best as they
have had some practice using it, but users trained on the
new keyboards can type faster than the fastest typists can
on QWERTY keyboards.
Operation of Keyboard:
Depending upon the working principle, there are two
main types of keys, namely, capacitive and hard-
contact.
Concept keyboard: - is a flat board that contains a grid
of buttons. Each button can be programmed to do
whatever you want. Concept keyboard uses icons or
phrases instead of standard letters.
Checkout tills such as McDonalds use symbols to make
ordering faster and easier.
PIN Pad: - This is a device with a
numeric keypad used to enter a
person’s Personal Identity Number
(PIN) e.g. when paying with a credit
card. PIN pads are also found on
electronic door locks – you enter a
PIN to unlock the door.
Mouse: it is one of the most common input
devices you will use. A mouse is also called a
'pointing device' because it enables you to
control what happens on the screen by moving
the mouse on your desk and pointing, clicking
and selecting items on the screen.
To connect this optical mouse, the necessity is
PS/2 or USB plug, and windows, Macintosh or
LINUX operating system installed in the
computer.
The main components of the optical mouse are:
• Inbuilt optical sensor
• High speed camera which can take 1000
pictures at a time
• LED
Touchpad / Track pad

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. Sensors
underneath detect the movement direction and
speed. The sensors only react to a fingertip and not
a pencil or other object. There are usually two
buttons next to the touchpad which are used to
replace the left and right mouse button.
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.
Touch Screen
A touch screen is an alternative to a separate
pointing device. With a touch screen the user
selects items on the screen by touching the
surface. This makes touch screen systems very
intuitive and simple to use. Often used for
information terminals in public places e.g. libraries
or museums where mice or keyboards may be
stolen or damaged.
Remote controls
A remote control is a hand-held device which is
used to control a machine from a short distance
away.
Remote controls need line-of-sight in order to send
their signals to the receiving device, obstacles such
as furniture or walls can block the signal.
Some remote controls allow text to be typed, for
example, making a note of the name of a TV
program which has been recorded.
Examples of use for remote controls: Televisions
Music systems Lighting systems Heating systems
Joystick
Joysticks were originally used by pilots as part of an aeroplane's
controls and the technology was developed to let computer
gamers experience a more realistic game environment.
You can move joysticks in many directions and the joystick tells
the computer which direction it has been moved into. They
also have one or more buttons whose position when pushed
can be read by the computer.
Joysticks can also be used for controlling machines such as
cranes, trucks and powered wheelchairs.

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