What is Input?

Input | Input is any data and instructions entered into the

computer

Lecture 5

What is Input? Input Devices

| Hardware component that allows users to enter
| Instructions can be entered into the computer in and data and instructions into a computer.
the form of programs, commands, and user
z Keyboard
responses
z Pointing Devices (Mouse, Trackball, touchpad
z A program is a series of instructions that tells a
etc)
computer what to do and how to do it.
z Controllers for gaming and media players
z A command is an instruction that causes a
program to perform a specific action z Voice Input
z A user response is an instruction a user issues z Digital Cameras
by replying to a question displayed by a z Video Input
program. z Scanners and Reading devices
z Terminals
z Biometric input

1
Keyboard Keyboard

| Most desk top computers have

z Between 101-105 keys
z Numeric keypad
z Function keys
z Arrow keys
z Ctrl, Alt and Additional keys
z Windows key – displays start menu
z Application key – displays short cut menu
z Toggle keys

Keyboard Pointing Devices

Input device that allows the user to control the pointer on
| Insertion Point the screen.

z Blinking vertical bar that indicates where Mouse

• fits under the palm of your hand comfortably
next character you type will be displayed
• Can be wired or wireless
| Connections
z Wired Keyboards – USB Port
z Wireless Keyboards – Bluetooth (receiver),
IrDA
| Keyboards on mobile computers and
devices are small and/or have fewer keys.

2
Other Pointing Devices Other Pointing Devices
| Trackball | Touchpad
z Stationary pointing z A small, flat,
device with a ball on rectangular pointing
its top or side. device that is
z Also has buttons that sensitive to pressure
work like mouse and motion.
buttons. | Pointing Stick
z Pressure sensitive
pointing device,
positioned between
keys on a keyboard.

Other Pointing Devices Other Pointing Devices

| Light Pen
z Handheld
z Detect presence of light
| Touch Screen
z Touch sensitive display device
| Pen Input
z Stylus is a small metal or
plastic pressure sensitive pen
z Digital Pen are either pressure
sensitive or have a built-in
digital camera.
Graphic tablet

3
Controllers for Gaming and
Voice Input
Media Players
| Video games and | Process of entering input by speaking into a
computer games use microphone
game controllers as input z Voice over IP enables users to speak to other
devices to direct users over the internet
movement and actions of
on screen objects.
z Voice Recognition is computer’s capability of
distinguishing spoken words.
| Gamepads
z Audio Input – entering any sound in the
| Joysticks and wheels computer
| Light Guns z MIDI devices such as electrical piano using the
| Dance pads MIDI port.
| Touch sensitive pad z Connect to sound card on the computer.

PDA, Tablet PCs Digital Cameras

| Take pictures and store photographed images

digitally
z Internal flash memory to store images
z Additional storage media: flash memory card
z Connect through USB port/FireWire port of
Primary input: stylus
computer
Built-in mini keyboard
| Camera Quality
Pressure sensitive digital pen Portable Keyboard
z Resolution: number of horizontal and vertical
Removable Keyboard Built in cameras
pixels in a display device
Docking station- external device, Scanners can be attached
contains power connections and Built in microphones
connection to peripherals

4
Digital Cameras Video Input

| Process of entering full motion images into the

oSharpness and clarity of computer
image
oThe higher the resolution, | Video Capture card is an adapter card that
the better the image quality, converts analog signals to digital signals that a
but the more expensive the computer can use
camera
oPixel (picture element) | Digital Video camera records video as digital
is single point in signals
electronic image | PC video cameras -
oGreater the number of | Web Cameras – displays output on a webpage
pixels, the better the | Video Conferencing
image quality

Scanner and Reading Scanner and Reading

Devices Flatbed
Devices
| Scanner
z Device that captures data from a source | Bar Code Readers
z Reading device that uses laser beams to read bar
document
codes
z Optical Scanner is a light sensing input that z Bar code represents data of manufacturer and item
reads printed text and graphics
| RFID Readers
• Flatbed scanner,
z Radio frequency identification uses radio signals to
• Pen, communicate with a tag
• Sheet-fed, z Tag contains a memory and antenna, embedded in
• Drum glass, labels cards
z RFID reader reads information via radio signals

5
Scanner and Reading
Terminal
Devices
| Magnetic Stripe Card readers | Consists of a keyboard, a monitor, a video card,
z Reads the magnetic strip on the back of the and a memory
cards z Dumb terminal, smart terminal, special-purpose
z Stores information about name, account number, terminal
expiration date etc z Smart terminal has a processor, performs some
z POS terminals functions
| Data collection devices z Special purpose – perform specific tasks
z Obtains data directly at the location where the • Point of Sale Terminals
transaction or event takes place • Automatic Teller Machines
z Wirelessly transmits data

Biometric Input Biometric Input

| Biometric is the technology of authenticating | Face Recognition Systems

person’s identity by verifying a personal z Captures live face image
characteristics z Law enforcement, surveillance systems, airports
z Biometric identifier – fingerprints, hand | Hand Geometry Systems
geometry, facial features, voice, signatures, z Verify student's identity, day care centers
eye pattern | Voice verification Systems
z Biometric device translates the personal z Used as time and attendance devices or access
characteristics into a digital code to sensitive files
z Compares the code with the stored code | Iris Recognition Systems/Retinal Scanners
z Fingerprint Scanner
z Government security orgs, military

6
Putting It All Together Putting It All Together

| Recommended input devices for small | Recommended input devices for mobile users
office/home office users:
• Wireless mouse for notebook computer
• Enhanced keyboard • Trackball, touchpad, or pointing stick on
• Mouse notebook computer
• Stylus and portable keyboard for PDA or • Stylus and portable keyboard for PDA or
smart phone, or digital pen for Tablet PC smart phone, or digital pen for Tablet PC
• 36-bit 600 × 1200 ppi color scanner • 2- or 3-megapixel digital camera
• 2-megapixel digital camera • Headset that includes a microphone
• Headset that includes a microphone • Fingerprint scanner for notebook
Small Office/ computer
• PC video camera
Home Office (SOHO) Mobile

Putting It All Together

| Recommended Input Devices for Power User

• Enhanced keyboard or ergonomic

keyboard
• Mouse
• Stylus and portable keyboard for PDA or
smart phone
• Pen for graphics tablet
• 48-bit 1200 × 1200 ppi color scanner
• 5- or 6-megapixel digital camera
• Headset that includes a microphone
• PC video camera Power