Input Devices

Input Devices:
Computer systems would be of little real use without a method of input or output. This chapter
reviews how a number of input and output devices work. It also considers a variety of
applications which make use of these devices.
The input devices covered include:

● scanners barcode readers/scanners
● quick response (QR) code readers
● digital cameras
● keyboards
● pointing devices (such as a mouse)
● microphones
● touchscreens
● sensors
● Interactive whiteboards.
The output devices covered include:

● inkjet printers
● laser printers
● 3D printers
● 2D/3D cutters
● actuators
● loudspeakers
● LCD/LED monitors
● Projectors (LCD and
DLP).
Scanners
Scanners are either
two-dimensional (2D) or
three-dimensional (3D).
TWO-DIMENSIONAL
SCANNERS
These types of scanner are
the most common form and
are generally used to input
hard-copy (paper)
documents. The image is
converted into an electronic
form which can be stored in a
computer.
Computers equipped with OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION (OCR) software allow the
scanned text from the document to be converted into a TEXT FILE FORMAT. This means the
scanned image can now be edited and manipulated by importing it into a word processor. If the
original document was a photograph or image, then the scanned image forms an image file
such as JPEG.
Application of 2D scanners at an airport:
2D scanners are used at airports to read passports. They make use of OCR technology to
produce digital images which represent the passport page.
It is also used in facial recognition.
Application of 3D scanning – computed tomographic (CT) scanners:
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC (CT) SCANNERS are used to create a 3D image of a solid

object. This is based on TOMOGRAPHY technology which basically builds up an image of the
solid object through a series of very thin ‘slices’. Together these 2D ‘slices’ make up a
representation of the 3D solid object.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNERS:
3D scanners scan solid objects and produce a three-dimensional image. Since solid objects
have x, y and z coordinates, these scanners take images at several points along these three
coordinates. A digital image which represents the solid object is formed.
BARCODE READERS/SCANNERS:
A barcode is a series of dark and light parallel lines of varying thickness. The numbers 0 to 9
are each represented by a unique series of lines. Various barcode methods for representing
these digits exist. The example we shall use adopts different codes for digits appearing on the
left and for digits appearing on the right (known as UPC (Universal Product Code) version A).
Input/Output Device How it is used
Keypad to key in the number of same items bought; to key in a

weight; to key in the number under the barcode if it cannot
be read by the barcode reader/scanner
Screen/Monitor to show the cost of an item and other information
Speaker to make a beeping sound every time a barcode is read

correctly; but also to make another sound if there is an error
when reading the barcode
Printer to print out a receipt/itemized list
Magnetic Stripe to read the customer’s credit/debit card
Touch Screen to select items by touching an icon (such as fresh fruit which
may be sold loose without packaging)
Advantages of using barcodes to the management:

● much easier and faster to change prices on stock items
● much better, more up-to-date sales information/sales trends
● no need to price every stock item on the shelves (this reduces time and cost to the
management)
● allows for automatic stock control
● Possible to check customer buying habits more easily by linking barcodes to, for
example, customer loyalty cards.
Advantages of using barcodes to the customers:

● faster checkout queues (staff don’t need to remember/look up prices of items)
● errors in charging customers are reduced
● the customer is given an itemized bill
● cost savings can be passed on to the customer
● better track of ‘sell by dates’ so food should be fresher.
QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODES
Another type of barcode is the QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODE.

This is made up of a matrix of filled-in dark squares on a light
background.
KEYBOARDS
Keyboards are by far the most common method used for data entry. They are used as the input
device on computers, tablets, mobile phones and many other electronic items.
Each character on a keyboard has an ASCII value. Each character pressed is converted into a
digital signal, which the computer interprets. Keyboards are a relatively slow method of data
entry and are also prone to errors. But they are probably still the easiest way to enter text into a
computer.
TOUCHSCREENS
Touchscreens are now a very common form of input device. They allow simple touch to launch
an application or to carry out many of the functions of pointing devices such as a mouse.
One of the main uses of touchscreen technology is in mobile phones. At present, there are three
major types of touchscreen technologies applied to mobile phone screens:
● Capacitive
● Infra-red
● Resistive.
Capacitive Touchscreen:
Features
● It is made up of many layers of glass that act like a capacitor, creating electric fields
between glass plates I layers.
● When the top glass layer is touched, the electric current changes and the coordinates
where the screen was touched is determined by an on-board microprocessor.
Benefits
● This is a medium cost technology. Screen Visibility is good even in strong sunlight.
● It permits multi-touch capability.
● The screen is very durable; it takes a major impact to break the glass.
Drawbacks
● Allows only the use of bare fingers as the form of input; although the latest screens
permit it a special stylus to be used.
Resistive Touchscreens:
Features
● This makes use of an upper layer of polyester (a form of plastic) and a bottom layer of
glass.
● When the top layer and the bottom layer complete a circuit.
● Signals are then sent out which are interpreted by a microprocessor, the calculations
determine the coordinates of where the screen was touched.
Benefits
● It is relatively inexpensive technology.
● It is possible to use bare fingers, gloved fingers or a stylus to carry out an input
operation.
Drawbacks
● Screen visibility is poor in strong sunlight.
● It doesn’t permit multi-touch capability. The screen durability is only fair; it is vulnerable
to scratches and the screen wears out through time

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Input Devices:

The input devices covered include:

The output devices covered include:

Application of 2D scanners at an airport:

It is also used in facial recognition.

Application of 3D scanning – computed tomographic (CT) scanners:

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC (CT) SCANNERS are used to create a 3D image of a solid

Keypad to key in the number of same items bought; to key in a

Screen/Monitor to show the cost of an item and other information

Speaker to make a beeping sound every time a barcode is read

Printer to print out a receipt/itemized list

Magnetic Stripe to read the customer’s credit/debit card

Advantages of using barcodes to the management:

Advantages of using barcodes to the customers:

QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODES

Another type of barcode is the QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODE.

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