Input By Hollee Smalley What is Input Input

Input By Hollee Smalley

What is Input? • Input is any data or instructions entered into the memory of a computer.

What are input devices? • An input device is any hardware component that allows users to enter data or instructions. • Popular input devices include: the keyboard, mouse, stylus, digital pen, microphone, digital camera, and scanner.

The keyboard • A keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to enter data into a computer. • Computer keyboards have a typing area that includes letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation marks, and other basic keys. • Function keys are programmed to issue commands.

Keyboard connections • Desktop computer keyboards are usually attached via a cable to a small serial port. • A cordless keyboard is a battery powered device that transmits data using wireless technology, such as radio waves or infrared light waves.

Keyboard Ergonomics • An ergonomic keyboard has a design that reduces the chance of wrist and hand injuries. • The goal of ergonomics is to incorporate comfort, efficiency, and safety into the design of the items in the workplace.

Pointing devices • A pointing device is an input device that allows a user to control a pointer on the screen. • A pointer is a small symbol on the screen whose location and shape change as the user moves a pointing device.

Pointing devices cont. • A mouse is a pointing device that allows users to control the movement of the pointer. It is the most widely used pointing device on the desktop computer. – A mechanical mouse translates the movement of a ball in its underside into signals the computer can process, – An optical mouse uses devices that emit and sense light to detect the mouse’s movement. – A cordless mouse transmits data using wireless technology.

Other pointing devices • A trackball is a stationary device with a ball that one rotates to move the pointer. • A touch pad is a flat, pressure-sensitive device that you slide your finger across to move the pointer. • A pointing stick is a device positioned on the keyboard that you push to move the pointer.

Other pointing devices cont. • A joystick is a steering wheel type device that you turn to stimulate driving a vehicle. • A light pen is a light-sensitive device that you press at the screen to select an object. • A touch screen is a touch-sensitive display device that you interact with by touching areas if the screen. • A stylus or digital pen uses pressure to write text and draw lines.

Voice input • Voice input is the process of entering data by speaking into a microphone. • Voice recognition is the computer’s capability of distinguishing spoken words. • Most voice recording programs are a combination of speaker-dependent software, which makes a profile of your voice, and speaker-independent software, which has a built-in set of word patterns.

Audio input • Audio input is the process of entering any sound into the computer such as speech, music, and sound effects.

Input devices for mobile users • The primary input device for a PDA is a basic stylus. • The primary for a tablet PC is a digital pen, with which you can write on the device’s screen.

Digital cameras • A digital camera allows users to take pictures and store the photographed images digitally. • Resolution describes the sharpness and clearness of an image. • The image is downloaded to a computer’s hard disk via cable or copied from the camera’s storage media.

Video input • Video input is the process of capturing fullmotion images into a computer and storing them onto a storage medium, like a hard drive. – A PC video camera enables users to capture video and still images and then send or broadcast the images over the internet. – A web cam displays its output on a web page.

Scanners and reading devices • A scanner is a light-sensitive input device that reads printed text and graphics and translates the results into a form the computer can process. – A flat-bed scanner works like a copy machine except it creates a file of the document. – An optical reader uses a light to read marks and codes and converts them into digital data.

Data collection devices • Data collection devices obtain data directly at the location where the transaction or event takes place. • Data collection devices are used in factories or warehouses, anywhere cleanliness is not easily controlled.

Terminals • A terminal consists of a keyboard, monitor, video card, and a memory. • Terminals have three basic categories: – Dumb terminal-has no processing power, therefore, cannot function as an independent device. – Smart terminal- has a processor, giving it the capability of performing some functions independent of the host computer. – Special-purpose terminal- perform specific tasks and contain features uniquely designed for use in a specific industry.

Biometric input • A biometric device translates a personal characteristic into digital code that is compared with a digital code stored in the computer to identify an individual. – Fingerprint scanner- captures curves and indentations of a fingerprint. – Face recognition system- capture a live face image. – Voice verification- compares live speech with a stored voice pattern, – Iris recognition system- reads patterns in the iris of the eye.

Input devices for the physically challenged users • The Americans with Disabilities Act requires any company with 15 or more employees to make reasonable attempts to accommodate the needs of physically challenged workers. • Some example to help those who are physically challenged: – Voice recognition – On-screen keyboards – Keyguards- allows one to rest hands on the keyboard without accidentally pressing any keys.