Niyantaa Parekh – 21st sept 2024

CHAPTER 2 – INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES

Input devices and their uses
1. Keyboard
- Most common method for data entry
- Used on computers, tablets, phones etc.
- Computer: connected through USB or wireless
- Phones/tablets: virtual touchscreen technology
- When the character on the keyboard is pressed, it is converted into a digital signal
which the computer interprets.
- Slow method of data entry
- Prone to errors
- Easy to use
- Frequent use of these devices can lead to injuries such as repetitive strain injury in
the hands and wrists.
- Ergonomic keyboards can help to overcome this problem, they are designed to give
more support to wrists and hands while typing.
- How the computer can recognize a letter pressed on the keyboard:
• Membrane/circuit board is at the base of the keys
• Pressing the key completed the circuit
• CPU can determine which key has been pressed
• CPU refers to an index file to identify which character the key press
represents
Uses Advantages Disadvantages
Input data into Fast entry of new text Difficult for people who
applications software have limited wrist use
Typing commands to Well known method Slow method when
the computer compares to direct data
entry
User-friendly Large device

2. Numeric Keypads
- Only enters numbers
- Some have a function key to allow alphabetical characters to be input
Uses Advantages Disadvantages
ATM – customer can key Faster the standard Smal keys make input
in their PIN or amnt. Of keyboards for numeric hard.
money data.
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POS (point of sale) – Small device Order of numbers is not

incase barcode reader intuitive
fails; the number must be
keyed in manually.
Chip and PIN devices
when paying by.
credit/debit cards
Fast entry of numbers
into a spreadsheet

3. Pointing devices
- Mouse: controls the position of the pointed using the mouse, usually 2 buttons
which have different functions (left – select items by double clicking) (right – brings
drop down menus)
- Optical Mouse + Wireless Mouse: used on modern computers, it had no moving
parts, improves performance because it can’t skid on surfaces.

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Opening, closing, Fast method to choose Difficult for people who
minimizing software things have limited wrist use
Grouping, moving, Quick navigations Easy to damage
deleting files
Selecting icons No need of large desk area Only use on flat surfaces

4. Touchpad
- Pointing device on many laptops’ computers
- Controlled by moving finger
- Tap it to simulate left button (selection)

Uses Adv Disadv

Same of mouse No need for separate Difficult to do drag and
mouse drop
Fast and easy Difficult for people who
have limited wrist use

5. Trackerball
- Pointing device
- Ball in on top or side of device
- Control pointed by rotating ball
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Uses Adv Disadv

Alternative to mouse Does not need fine control Not standard
Used in industrial control More accurate positioning May need training to use
rooms
Used in luxury cars More robust than mouse

6. Remote Control
- Operation of other devices using infrared signals
- Buttons on the keypad are used to select options
Uses Adv Disadv
TV, satellite, DVD players Operated from distance Difficult for people who
easily have limited wrist use
Multimedia systems Easy for the signal to get
blocked

7. Joysticks
- Gripping stick, a pointer can be controlled
- Buttons are used to make selections

Uses Adv Disadv

Video games Easier than keyboard Difficult to control the on
screen pointer
simulators Control is realistic

8. Driving Wheel
- Connects through USB port
- Allows you to simulate the steering of a wheel
- Sensors are used to pick up left/right movement so that the suer gets the
sensation of driving.

Uses Adv Disadv

Video games Easier than joystick Expensive
simulators Gives driving experience Can be over sensitive

9. Touch Screens (an input device)

- Simple touching of a button/icon
- Selection is automatically Made

Uses Adv Disadv

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self-service stations faster entry of options limited number of input

options
ATM easy method can lead to problems like
RSI
point of sale terminal user friendly screen can get very dirt
mobile phones option to expand the size of
display if necessary

10. Scanners
- used to enter information from hardcopy
- the hard copy document of photo is scanned by a light source and produces a
readable image

Uses Adv Disadv

Convert a hardcopy to a images can be stored for quality can be limited
soft copy editing depending on the
resolution of the scanner
protect originals by accurate with no type in fairly slow
scanning hardcopy errors
scan barcodes at POS recover damaged
terminals documents and
photographs by scanning

11. Digital cameras

- images are stored on a memory card and can be transferred to the computer by:
• directly reading a memory card
• connecting the camera to the computer with the USB
• using wireless data transfer like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Images can be uploaded from camera and stored in a file
- user can select which photos to upload and which to discard

Uses Adv Disadv

taking photographs easy to produce better need to be computer
quality photos literate to use the cameras
properly
use as data capture device easy and fast to upload some artistry lost because
photos to computer clever software corrects
errors in photographs
creation of virtual reality no need to develop film images need to be
tours compressed Cortana
Niyantaa Parekh – 21st sept 2024

12. Microphones
- either built into computer or are external devices connected through USB
- microphone can convert sound waves into an electrical current
- How it works:

Uses Adv Disadv

Input speech Faster to read in text than Sound files are heavy
to type it in
Voice recognition Possible to manipulate Voice recognition is not
sounds in real time accurate
Video conference and Voice activation systmes
calls

13. Sensors
- Definition: Analog sensors measure continuous physical quantities (e.g.,
temperature, light, moisture).
- Data Conversion: Since computers only understand digital data (0s and 1s), analog
signals must be converted using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
- Applications: Used in monitoring and control applications.
- Data Transfer: Collected data is often sent directly to spreadsheet software for
analysis (e.g., in scientific experiments or environmental monitoring).
- Uses:
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Adv Disadv
Readings are continuous Faulty sensors can set off false alarms
Systems can be automatic Most sensors r analogue so they require
an ADC

14. Light Pens

- Definition: A light pen is a light-sensitive input device used with CRT monitors to
detect changes in brightness and determine its position on the screen.
- Functionality: It works by timing when the electron beam of the CRT monitor
scans the screen, allowing the computer to calculate the pen's position based
on when it detects the beam.
- Compatibility: Light pens are specifically designed for CRT monitors and do not
function with LCD monitors, as the technology behind LCDs does not support
their operation.
- Development: While systems to enable light pens to work with LCD monitors are
in development, they are not yet widely available.

Uses Adv Disadv

Selecting objects on CRT Greater accuracy than Problems with lag
screens touch screens
Drawing on screen Small Only works on CRT
Easy to use dated
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Direct data entry devices

Used to input data into a computer without the need for human interaction.

1. Magnetic Stripe Readers

- Reads information on the magnetic stripe found on the back of the credit or
debit card.

Uses Adv Disadv

Credit debit cards Fast data entry If stripe gets damaged the
data is lost
Security devices Error free does not work at a
distance
Not affected by water/oil Not readable by humans

2. Contactless Card readers

- Allows customers to pay for items worth up to a certain amount of money
without entering a PIN
- All contactless cards have a small chip that emits radio waves embedded in tem

Adv Disadv
Fast transactions More expensive than normal cards
Don’t have to worry about typing errors Can take money twice if the customer
uses it as a chip and PIN card
Don’t have access to customers Usually limit transactions to a small
credit/debit cards value

3. Chip and PIN readers

- Used at EFTPOS terminals
- Device has a slit into which the card is placed, and the chip is read
- The PIN is entered using the keypad
- Small screen which gives instructions to the operator
- Like contactless system except: customer has to put their PIN, cards to not
make use of the radio frequency technology
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Uses Adv Disadv

Payments using cards Secure system Fraud – need to be careful
to ensure PIN is not read
by somebody else while
typing it in.
Robust system

4. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Readers

- Use radio waves to read and capture information stored on a tag
- Tag can be read from several meters
- RFID tag is made of: a microchip that stores and processes information and an
antenna which is used to receive and transmit information
- Tags are battery powered or passive
- Passive tags use the readers’ radio wave energy to relay back the info
- Battery powered tags use a small embedded battery to power the RFID

Uses Adv Disadv

Livestock tracking No line-of-sight contact Tag collision
is necessary, tags can be
read from a distance
Retail Very fast read rate RFID uses radio waves
and they are relatively
easy to jam or interrupt
Admission passes Bulk detection is possible Easy to hack
libraries Allows read and write expensive
operations to take place

5. Optical Mark Recognition/Reader (OMR)

- Reads marks written in pen or pencil on a form

Uses Adv Disadv

Read questionnaires Fast way for inputting the Forms need to be
results of a survey carefully designed
MCQ exams More accurate than OCR Problems occur if it
hasn’t been filled in
correctly.

6. Optical Character Recognition/Reader

- converts the text on hard copy documents into an electronic form.
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- OCR software converts this electronic data into a form that can then be used in
various application packages, such as word processors or presentation software

Uses Adv Disadv

Converting hard copies Fast data entry Difficulties reading some
into electronic form handwriting
Processing of passports No manual data entry Not very accurate

7. Barcode readers
- Barcode readers are used to read information in the form of a bar code
- built into POS terminals in supermarkets
- Handheld scanners or wands

Uses Adv Disadv

Supermarkets to give info Way of recording the safety Expensive
about the product testing of components
Libraries to keep track of Allow automatic stock Not fool-proof
book on loan control
Safety function in Tried and trusted Easily damaged
companies technology

8. Quick Response (QR) code scanners

- made up of a matrix of filled-in dark squares on a light background
- It includes a web address in the code.
- QR codes can hold considerably more information than the more conventional
barcodes described earlier.
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Description of a QR code

• Definition: QR codes (Quick Response codes) are two-dimensional barcodes

made up of black and white squares (pixels) that can store a significant amount
of information, such as URLs, text, and contact details.
• Data Capacity: A QR code can hold up to 4296 characters or 7089 digits,
significantly more than traditional barcodes, which typically hold a maximum of
30 digits.
• Structure:
o Composed of small squares (pixels).
o Features three large squares in the corners for alignment.
o Contains a smaller square to ensure correct size and angle during scanning.
• Scanning Process:
o Using a smartphone or tablet camera, users can scan QR codes.
o A QR app processes the image and converts the squares into readable data.
o The device's browser automatically reads the data, directing users to
websites or dialing phone numbers if encoded.
• Applications:
o Advertising: Used in print ads, posters, and product packaging to engage
consumers interactively.
o Access Information: Provides quick access to websites, contact numbers, or
promotional content.
o Travel: Stores boarding passes electronically for easier check-in at airports
and train stations.
• Usage Method:
o Point the camera at the QR code.
o The app decodes the information and performs actions like opening a
webpage or saving contact details.

Uses Adv Disadv

Advertising to contain data Can hold more info than a More than one QR format is
such as business normal barcode available
addresses, phone numbers,
etc.
Contain links to apps No data redundancy Can transmit malicious
codes like attagging
Wifi authentication Easy to transmit QR codes
as texts
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Output devices and their uses

1. Monitors (screens)

CRT monitors

- Least expensive
- Rare
- Various sizes
- Make use of an electron gun firing against green or blue and the intensity of each
colored dot makes up a vast range of colors interpreted by the eye.

Uses Adv Disadv

Used only in specialist Clearly screen at a wide Heavy in weight
areas such as computer range of viewing angles
aided design
Used with light pens Allow use of light pens Consume a lot of power

LED and LCD screens

- Made of tiny light emitting diodes which are either red, blue or in color
- Used for large outdoor displays due to the good colours produced.
- Definition: Many monitors and televisions labeled as LED are actually LCD
screens that use LEDs for backlighting, rather than being pure LED displays.
- LCD Technology:
• LCD screens consist of liquid crystals arranged in pixels that require backlighting to
display images.
• Backlighting is essential for visibility, particularly in low-light conditions.
- Backlighting Methods:
• LED Backlighting: Utilizes a matrix of tiny blue-white LEDs behind the LCD screen,
enhancing contrast and brightness.
• CCFL Backlighting: Previously used cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), which
involved two fluorescent tubes behind the screen.
- Advantages of LED Backlighting Over CCFL:
• Immediate Brightness: LEDs reach maximum brightness almost instantly without a
warm-up period.
• Color Quality: LEDs emit a whiter light, improving image sharpness and color
vividness; CCFLs tend to have a yellowish tint.
• Brightness: LEDs produce brighter light, enhancing overall color definition.
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• Thin Design: LED-backlit screens are significantly thinner than those using CCFL
technology.
• Longevity: LEDs have an extended lifespan, making them more reliable and
consistent.
• Energy Efficiency: LEDs consume less power, resulting in lower heat production and
energy usage.
- Common Misconceptions:
• Products marketed as "LED TVs" are typically LCDs with LED backlighting, not true
LED displays.
- Performance Limitations:
• LED-backlit LCDs cannot achieve true blacks because some light leaks through
even when pixels are off.
• Local dimming zones can enhance contrast but may cause blooming effects around
bright areas.

Uses Adv Disadv

Main output device for most Very efficient with low Has motion blur
modern computers power consumption
LCD screens offer touch- Lightweight devices Lower color contrast that
screen input CRT
Phones, tables, laptops and Made in large variation of Weak pixels
portable video games all sizes
used LCD

2. Touch screen (as an output device)

Uses Adv Disadv

Smartphones and tablets Faster entry of options Limited number of options
available
ATMS and banks Easy method for choosing Not very good if large
options amounts of data are being
input or output because
they are not very accurate,
and the interface is not fast
Ticket collection machines User friendly Easier for a third party to
at theatres track a users interactions.
(security risk)
kiosks Option to expand the size of
the display if necessary
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3. Multimedia Projectors
- Receive signals that can be either analogue or digital
- Image from the source is magnified and projected on a screen
- Direct the computer presentation without being tied to the computer

uses adv Disadv

Training presentations Enables a larger group of Images can sometimes by
people to view fuzzy
presentations
Advertising presentations Avoids the need for several Expensive to buy
networked computers
Home cinema systems Setting up projectors can be
a little difficult.

4. Printers

Laser Printers

- High-Quality Output: Laser printers produce very high-quality hard copy output,
making them suitable for professional documents.
- Fast Printing: They offer a quick print rate per page, especially when printing
large volumes of pages.
- Data Storage: Laser printers utilize large buffer memories to store the entire
document's data before printing begins.
- Printing Process Overview:
• Charging the Drum: The printing drum receives a positive charge.
• Laser Scanning: A laser beam scans the drum, removing the positive charge in
specific areas to create negatively charged regions corresponding to the
text/images.
• Toner Application: The drum is coated with positively charged toner, which
adheres only to the negatively charged areas.
• Paper Transfer: A negatively charged sheet of paper rolls over the drum,
attracting the toner and transferring the image.
• Charge Removal: After one rotation of the drum, the electric charge on the paper
is neutralized to prevent sticking.
• Fusing Process: The paper passes through a fuser (heated rollers), melting the
toner to fix it permanently onto the paper.
• Drum Discharge: A discharge lamp removes all electric charge from the drum,
preparing it for the next print job.
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uses adv Disadv

Used where low noise is Printing is fast Only really fast if several
required copies are being made
If fast, high quality, high Handle very large print jobs expensive
volume printing is required
Quality is consistently high Produce volatile organic
compounds

Inkjet Printers

- Quality Output: Inkjet printers produce good-quality hard copies, suitable for text
and images.

- Printing Method: Unlike laser printers, inkjet printers do not have large buffer
memories, resulting in printing being done incrementally. This can lead to pauses as
the printer waits for more data from the computer.

- Components of Inkjet Printers:

• Print Head: Contains nozzles that spray droplets of ink onto paper to form
characters and images.

• Ink Cartridges: Can be individual cartridges for each color (cyan, magenta,
yellow, black) or a single cartridge containing all colors. Some systems may
use up to six colors.

• Stepper Motor and Belt: Moves the print head assembly across the page from
side to side.

• Paper Feed: Automatically feeds pages into the printer as needed.

- Ink Droplet Technologies:

• Thermal Bubble: Tiny resistors create localized heat that vaporizes the ink,
forming bubbles that eject ink onto the paper. When the bubble collapses, a
vacuum draws fresh ink into the print head.

• Piezoelectric: A crystal at the back of each nozzle vibrates when given an

electric charge, forcing ink out of the nozzle while drawing in more ink for
subsequent printing.

Uses adv Disadv

Used where low output High quality output Slow
volumes are required
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Good at producing photo- Cheaper to buy than laser Cannot do large print jobs
quality printouts printers
Used in industry to produce lightweight Printing can smudge
prototypes

Dot Matrix Printers

- Type of Printer: Dot matrix printers are a type of impact printer that uses a print head
consisting of a matrix of pins.

- Printing Mechanism: The print head presses against an inked ribbon, creating
characters and images by striking the ribbon onto the paper.

- Performance Characteristics:

• Speed: Generally slower than inkjet and laser printers.

• Noise Level: Tend to be noisy during operation.

• Output Quality: Produce lower-quality output compared to inkjet and laser

printers.

- Special Uses:

• Effective for printing multi-part stationery, such as carbon copies.

• Suitable for printing on continuous rolls of paper rather than individual

sheets.

- Environmental Suitability:

• Function well in dirty environments, such as factory floors, where inkjet or

laser printers may not perform reliably.

Uses adv Disadv

In noisy/dirty environments Carbon copies can be Very noisy
produced
Widely used in till receipts Cheap to run and maintain Costs more than inkjet for
upfront cost
In apps with multipart Easy to use Very slow, poort quality
stationary

5. Graph Plotters
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- Instead of toner or ink cartridges plotters use a pen, pencil or marker to draw
multiple continuous lines, rather than a series of dots like a printer
- Size of pen varies
- Produce vector graphic designs

uses adv Disadv

Producing architectural Very high-quality output slow
designs
Producing engineering Able to produce large, Expensive
drawings monochrome and colour
drawings to a high
accuracy
Drawing animation Able to print on a variety Large physical footprint
characters of materials

6. 3D Printers
- Primary Use: 3D printers are mainly utilized in computer-aided design (CAD)
applications to create solid objects.
- Technology Basis: They are based on technologies similar to inkjet and laser
printers, producing functional solid objects layer by layer.
- Materials Used: Common materials include powdered resin, powdered metal,
paper, and ceramic.
- Example Application: An alloy wheel made from powdered metal using binder
3D printing technology illustrates the capabilities of industrial 3D printers.
- Size Variability: 3D printers come in various sizes, ranging from the size of a
microwave oven to that of a small car.
- Additive Manufacturing:
• 3D printing employs additive manufacturing, where objects are built layer by
layer.
• This contrasts with subtractive manufacturing, which involves removing material
(e.g., carving a statue from solid stone).
- Direct 3D Printing Technology: Uses inkjet technology; the print head moves
horizontally and vertically to build layers, each less than 0.1 mm thick.
- Binder 3D Printing Method: Involves two passes for each layer: the first pass
sprays dry powder, and the second pass applies a binder (glue) to create a solid
layer.
- Emerging Technologies: Newer methods utilize lasers and UV light to harden
liquid polymers, expanding the range of products that can be manufactured.
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Uses Adv Disadv

Making of prosthetic Allows rapid prototyping Manufacturing of
limbs counterfeit items
Fashion and art Medical benefits Can lead to illegal
activities such as cloning
very easy
Making items to ensure Possible to manufacture Job loss
precision in ANY product a user
reconstruction surgery wants

7. Speakers
- Digital-to-Analog Conversion: Sound stored in digital files must be converted to
analog signals to be heard through loudspeakers. This process begins with a
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), which transforms binary data into an electric
current.
- Amplification: The electric current produced by the DAC is typically very small,
necessitating an amplifier to increase the current to a level sufficient to drive a
loudspeaker.
- Loudspeaker Functionality: The amplified electric current is sent to the
loudspeaker, where it is converted into sound. This occurs through the following
mechanism:
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• An electric current flow through a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core,
temporarily magnetizing it.
• A permanent magnet positioned near the electromagnet interacts with the
varying magnetic field induced by the current, causing the iron core to vibrate.
• The vibrating core is attached to a cone (made of paper or synthetic material), -
which vibrates and produces sound waves.
- Visual Representation: illustrate the process of digital sound conversion and
how loudspeakers convert electric currents into sound.

Uses Adv disadv

Used in all phones and Sound gets amplified Speaker output/feedback
computers can be disturbing
Outputs sound from Helps visually impaired High-quality sound
multimedia presentations requires a speaker that
would be expensive
Plays downloaded sound Very simple Takes up a lot of space
files

8. Actuators
- Solenoids are electromechanical devices that convert electrical signals into
linear motion through the use of an electromagnet.
- When an electric current flows through the coil of wire wrapped around the iron
core of a solenoid, it creates a magnetic field.
- The varying magnetic field causes the iron core to be attracted to or repelled
from the permanent magnet positioned near it, making the core vibrate.
- Since the iron core is attached to a movable plunger or shaft, the vibration of the
core produces linear motion of the plunger.
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- The strength of the magnetic field and resulting motion can be controlled by
varying the current and number of turns in the solenoid coil.
- Solenoids are commonly used as actuators in devices like valves, switches, and
relays to convert electrical signals into mechanical action.

uses adv disadv

Controls motors, pumps, Allow remote operation of Additional device in the
switches many devices system that could go
wrong
Control physical devices inexpensive Computer signals need to
that require analogue be converted using a DAC
inputs to enable computer
control