Input devices

Barcode scanner
. What is a barcode?
A barcode is a series of dark and light parallel lines of varying thickness. The numbers 0 to 9 are each represented by
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a unique series of lines.

. How to draw a barcode

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. How a barcode is read
– A barcode is read by a barcode scanner.
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– It shines a laser light at the barcode and the light is reflected back
– The black bars reflect less light than the white bars
– Sensors are used to capture the amount of reflected light
– Different reflections are converted to binary values and different patterns give different binary values
 – Microprocessor detects the data
– It uses check digit error checking

4. Explain how the barcode is read at the supermarket checkout and how the price of the product is found.
– A barcode is read by a barcode scanner
– It shines a laser light at the barcode and the light is reflected back
– The black bars reflect less light than the white bars
– Sensors are used to capture the amount of reflected light
– Different reflections are converted to binary values and different patterns give different binary values
– Microprocessor detects the data
– It uses check digit error checking

– Database of the supermarket stores barcodes and product prices

– Barcode is transmitted to the database
– the barcode is searched in that database system until the price is found and returned back to the checkout

. How stock level is controlled by the barcode system

– The barcodes are read at the checkout and sent to the stock database
– The number of stock items in the record is reduced by 1 each time the barcode is read
– This new value for number of stock is written back to the stock item record
– The number of stock items is compared to the re-order level
– If it is less than or equal to this value, more stock items are automatically ordered
– Once an order for more stock items is generated, a flag is added to the record to stop re-ordering every time
the stock item barcode is read
– When new stock items arrive, the stock levels are updated in the database

Advantages of management of using barcodes

– easier and faster to change prices on stock items
– more up-to-date sales information
– automatic stock control
– check customer buying habits more easily

Advantages of customers of using barcodes

– faster checkout queues
– staff don't need to remember prices of items
– errors in charging customers is reduced
– the customer is given an itemised bill
– better track of 'sell by dates' so food should be fresher

Uses of barcodes
. Supermarket checkouts
. Libraries

QR code scanner

. What is a QR code?
A quick response (QR) code consists of a block of small squares (light and dark) known as pixels. The three large
squares at the corners of the code are for alignment. The remaining small corner square is used to ensure the correct
size and correct angle of the camera shot when the QR code is read.
 . How a QR code is read
– QR code is read by a built-in camera on a mobile smartphone or tablet and by downloading a QR app
– The phone or tablet camera is pointed at the QR code
– The app processes the image taken by the camera
– It also converts the squares into readable data
– The browser software on the mobile phone or tablet reads the data from the app
– It also decodes any web addresses within the QR code
– (if it is a web address) the user is sent to a website automatically
– (if it is a phone number) the user is sent to the phone app automatically

. Advantages of QR codes compared to barcodes

– can hold more information
– have fewer errors as QR codes have built-in error-checking systems
– easier to read
– don't need expensive laser or LED scanners as they can be read by the cameras on smartphones or tablets
– can encrypt QR codes so greater protection

. Disadvantages of QR codes compared to barcodes

– more than one QR format is available
– can be used to transmit malicious codes known as attagging

. What is frame QR code?

Frame QR codes are used to add advertising logos. They have a canvas area to include graphics or images inside the
code itself.

Digital camera

How a digital camera works

– A button is pushed to take a photograph,
– An aperture opens at the front of the camera
– The light comes in through the lens
– This is captured by a sensor called a charged-couple device
– The analogue-to-digital converter converts each pixel into a digital value

Keyboard

How a keyboard works

– A keyboard has a key matrix underneath the keys
– When a key is pressed, it presses a switch that completes a circuit
– This allows a current to flow
 – The location of the key pressed is compared to a character map to find the binary value for the key that has
been pressed

Advantages of keyboards
– cheap
– easy method for data entry
– ergonomic keyboards can be used to prevent repetitive strain injury (RSI).

Disadvantages of keyboards
– slow method for data entry
– prone to errors
– frequent uses can lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI) in hands and wrists

Microphone

How a microphone works

– When sound is created, it causes the air to vibrate
– When a diaphragm in the microphone picks up the air vibrations, the diaphragm vibrates
– A copper coil is wrapped around the cone which is connected to the diaphragm
– As the diaphragm vibrates, the cone moves in and out
– It causes the copper coil to move backwards and forwards
– It causes the coil to cut through the magnetic field around the permanent magnet
– It induces an electric current.
– The electric current is either amplified or sent to a recording device or to a computer
– The electric current is analogue
– In the computer, a sound card (contains ADC) converts the current into a digital signal
– It can then be stored in the computer
Optical mouse

How an optical mouse works

– A red LED is in the base of the mouse
– The red light is bounced off the surface
– The reflection is picked up by a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
– The CMOS generates electric pulses
– The pulses are sent to a digital signal processor (DSP)
– The processor works out the coordinates of the mouse
– The computer can move the on-screen cursor to the coordinates sent by the mouse

Advantages of an optical mouse

– There are no moving parts, therefore it is more reliable
– Dirt can't get trapped in any of the mechanical components
– There is no need to have any special surfaces.

Advantages of an optical mouse with a USB connection to the computer

– no signal loss since there is a constant signal pathway (wire)
– cheaper to operate (no need to buy new batteries or charge batteries)
– fewer environmental issues (no need to dispose of old batteries)

2D scanners

How 2D scanners work

– The cover is raised and the document is placed on a glass panel and the cover is closed
– A bright light shines the document
– A scan head moves across the document until the whole page has been scanned.
– An image of the document is produced
– The image sent to a lens using a series of mirrors
– The lens focuses the document image
– The focused image now falls onto a charge couple device (CCD)
– CCD converts light into an electric current
– CCD is made up of thousands of light-sensitive elements (or pixels). Each element creates an electric charge
when light falls on it
– The scanned image is turned into an electronic form
– Software produces a digital image from the electronic form

*2D scanners with optical character recognition OCR can convert the scanned text into a text file*

Uses of 2D scanners at airports

 – read passports using OCR technology
– scan passengers’ passport pictures to match with the real passenger

3D scanners

How 3D scanners work

– 3D scanners scan solid objects
– They produce a three-dimensional image
– They use a laser or a white light source
– The width, height and depth of the solid object are measured to create a 3D model
– 3D models can be used in computer aided design (CAD)

Uses of 3D scanners as computed tomographic (CT) scanners

What is a CT scanner and how does it work?
– Computed tomographic (CT) scanners are used to create a 3D image of a solid object
– It builds up an image of the solid object through a series of very thin slices
– Each of these 2D slices makes up the 3D solid object image

Touch Screen
3 types of touch screens are
. Capacitive
. Infrared
. Resistive (surface and projective)

Capacitive
How it works
– An electrical field spreads across the screen
– Sensors are used to read the electrical field
– When a user touches the screen, the charge is transferred to the user as it is affected by the conductivity of
the object
– Coordinates of touch are calculated

2 types of capacitive:
. Surface
. Projective

. Surface capacitive screen

– Sensors are placed at the corners of a screen
– Small voltages are applied and it creates an electric field
– When the user touches the screen, it will draw current from each corner reducing the capacitance
– Coordinates of touch are calculated
– This system only works with a bare finger or stylus

. Projective capacitive screen

– Conductive layer has an X-Y matrix pattern
– It creates a three dimensional (3D) electrostatic field
– When the user touches the screen, it disturbs the 3D electrostatic field
– Coordinates of touch are calculated
– This system works with bare fingers, stylus and thin surgical or cotton gloves
– It allows multi-touch facility (for example, pinching or sliding)
Advantages of capacitive screens
– Better image clarity than resistive screens, especially in strong sunlight
– durable because they have high scratch resistance
– Projective capacitive screens allow multi-touch

Disadvantages of capacitive screens

– Surface capacitive screens only work with bare fingers or a special stylus
– They are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation (Such as magnetic fields or microwaves)

Infrared
How it works
– Infrared touch screens use a glass screen with an array of sensors and infrared transmitters
– The sensors detect the infrared radiation
– When the user touches the screen, the infrared beams are broken
– The infrared radiation reaching the sensors is reduced
– Coordinates of touch are calculated

Advantages of infrared screens

– Allows multi-touch facilities
– Has good screen durability
– The operability isn't affected by a scratched or cracked screen

Disadvantages of infrared screens

– sensitive to water or moisture
– accidental activation can take place if the infrared beams are disturbed in some way
– sensitive to light interference

Resistance
How it works
– The screen has two layers
– When the user presses the top layer, the top layer is connected to bottom layer
– This creates a circuit
– Coordinates where the layers are connected are calculated

Advantages of resistance screens

– Good resistance to dust and water
– Can be used with bare fingers, stylus and gloved hand

Disadvantages of resistance screens

– Low touch sensitivity
– Doesn't support multi-touch facility
– Poor visibility in strong sunlight
– Vulnerable to scratches on the screen