Input devices

Input device enables the user to send data, information, or control signals to a
computer. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer receives the input
and processes it to produce the output.

1) Keyboard

The keyboard is a basic input device that is used to enter data into a computer
or any other electronic device by pressing keys. It has different sets of keys for
letters, numbers, characters, and functions. Keyboards are connected to a
computer through USB or a Bluetooth device for wireless communication.

Types of keyboards: There can be different types of keyboards based on the

region and language used. Some of the common types of keyboards are as
follows:

i) QWERTY Keyboard:

It is the most commonly used keyboard with computers in modern times. It is

named after the first six letters of the top row of buttons and is even popular in
countries that do not use Latin-based alphabet. It is so popular that some people
think that it is the only type of keyboard to use with computers as an input
device.

ii) AZERTY Keyboard:

It is considered the standard French keyboard. It is developed in France as an

alternative layout to the QWERTY layout and is mainly used in France and other
European countries. Some countries have manufactured their own versions of
AZERTY.

Its name is derived from the first six letters that appear on the top left row of
the keyboard. The Q and W keys in AZERTY keyboard are interchanged with A
and Z keys in QWERTY keyboard. Furthermore, in AZERTY keyboard M key is
located to the left of the L key.

AZERTY keyboard differs from QWERTY keyboard not only in the placement of
letters but also in many other ways, e.g., it gives emphasis on accents, which is
required for writing European languages like French.

iii) DVORAK Keyboard:

This type of keyboard layout was developed to increase the typing speed by
reducing the finger movement while typing. The most frequently used letters
are kept in a home row to improve typing.

2) Mouse
The mouse is a hand-held input device which is used to move cursor or pointer
across the screen. It is designed to be used on a flat surface and generally has
left and right button and a scroll wheel between them. Laptop computers come
with a touchpad that works as a mouse. It lets you control the movement of
cursor or pointer by moving your finger over the touchpad. Some mouse comes
with integrated features such as extra buttons to perform different buttons.

The mouse was invented by Douglas C. Engelbart in 1963. Early mouse had a
roller ball integrated as a movement sensor underneath the device. Modern
mouse devices come with optical technology that controls cursor movements
by a visible or invisible light beam. A mouse is connected to a computer through
different ports depending on the type of computer and type of a mouse.

Common types of the mouse:

i) Trackball Mouse:

It is a stationary input device that has ball mechanism to move the pointer or
cursor on the screen. The ball is half inserted in the device and can be easily
rolled with finger, thumb or the palm to move the pointer on the screen. The
device has sensor to detect the rotation of ball. It remains stationary; you don't
need to move it on the operating surface. So, it is an ideal device if you have
limited desk space as you don't need to move it like a mouse.

ii) Mechanical Mouse:

It has a system of a ball and several rollers to track its movement. It is a corded
type of mouse. A mechanical mouse can be used for high performance. The
drawback is that they tend to get dust into the mechanics and thus require
regular cleaning.

iii) Optical Mouse:

An optical mouse uses optical electronics to track its movement. It is more
reliable than a mechanical mouse and also requires less maintenance. However,
its performance is affected by the surface on which it is operated. Plain non-
glossy mouse mat should be used for best results. The rough surface may cause
problems for the optical recognition system, and the glossy surface may reflect
the light wrongly and thus may cause tracking issues.

iv) Cordless or Wireless Mouse:

As the name suggests, this type of mouse lacks cable and uses wireless
technology such as IrDA (infrared) or radio (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) to control the
movement of the cursor. It is used to improve the experience of using a mouse.
It uses batteries for its power supply.

3) Scanner
The scanner uses the pictures and pages of text as input. It scans the picture or a
document. The scanned picture or document then converted into a digital format or
file and is displayed on the screen as an output. It uses optical character recognition
techniques to convert images into digital ones. Some of the common types of scanners
are as follows:

Types of Scanner:

i)Flatbed Scanner:It has a glass pane and a moving optical CIS or CCD array. The light
illuminates the pane, and then the image is placed on the glass pane. The light moves
across the glass pane and scans the document and thus produces its digital copy. You
will need a transparency adapter while scanning transparent slides.

ii)Handheld Scanner: It is a small manual scanning device which is held by hand and
is rolled over a flat image that is to be scanned. The drawback in using this device is
that the hand should be steady while scanning; otherwise, it may distort the image.
One of the commonly used handheld scanners is the barcode scanner which you
would have seen in shopping stores.

iii) Sheetfed Scanner:

In this scanner, the document is inserted into the slot provided in the scanner. The
main components of this scanner include the sheet-feeder, scanning module, and
calibration sheet. The light does not move in this scanner. Instead, the document
moves through the scanner. It is suitable for scanning single page documents, not for
thick objects like books, magazines, etc.
iv) Drum Scanner: Drum scanner has a photomultiplier tube (PMT) to scan images.
It does not have a charge-coupled device like a flatbed scanner. The photomultiplier
tube is extremely sensitive to light. The image is placed on a glass tube, and the light
moves across the image, which produces a reflection of the image which is captured
by the PMT and processed. These scanners have high resolution and are suitable for
detailed scans.

v) Photo Scanner: It is designed to scan photographs. It has high resolution and

color depth, which are required for scanning photographs. Some photo scanners
come with in-built software for cleaning and restoring old photographs.

4) Joystick
A joystick is also a pointing input device like a mouse. It is made up of a stick
with a spherical base. The base is fitted in a socket that allows free movement
of the stick. The movement of stick controls the cursor or pointer on the screen.

The frist joystick was invented by C. B. Mirick at the U.S. Naval Research
Laboratory. A joystick can be of different types such as displacement joysticks,
finger-operated joysticks, hand operated, isometric joystick, and more. In
joystick, the cursor keeps moving in the direction of the joystick unless it is
upright, whereas, in mouse, the cursor moves only when the mouse moves.

5) Light Pen
A light pen is a computer input device that looks like a pen. The tip of the light
pen contains a light-sensitive detector that enables the user to point to or select
objects on the display screen. Its light sensitive tip detects the object location
and sends the corresponding signals to the CPU. It is not compatible
with LCD screens, so it is not in use today. It also helps you draw on the screen
if needed. The first light pen was invented around 1955 as a part of the
Whirlwind project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

6) Digitizer
Digitizer is a computer input device that has a flat surface and usually comes
with a stylus. It enables the user to draw images and graphics using the stylus as
we draw on paper with a pencil. The images or graphics drawn on the digitizer
appear on the computer monitor or display screen. The software converts the
touch inputs into lines and can also convert handwritten text to typewritten
words.
It can be used to capture handwritten signatures and data or images from taped
papers. Furthermore, it is also used to receive information in the form of
drawings and send output to a CAD (Computer-aided design) application and
software like AutoCAD. Thus, it allows you to convert hand-drawn images into a
format suitable for computer processing.

7) Microphone
The microphone is a computer input device that is used to input the sound. It
receives the sound vibrations and converts them into audio signals or sends to
a recording medium. The audio signals are converted into digital data and stored
in the computer. The microphone also enables the user to telecommunicate
with others. It is also used to add sound to presentations and with webcams for
video conferencing. A microphone can capture audio waves in different ways;
accordingly the three most common types are described below:

i) Dynamic:

It is the most commonly used microphone with a simple design. It has a magnet
which is wrapped by a metal coil and a thin sheet on the front end of the magnet.
The sheet transfers vibrations from sound waves to the coil and from coil to
electric wires which transmit the sound like an electrical signal.

ii) Condenser:

It is designed for audio recording and has a very sensitive and flat frequency
response. It has a front plate called diaphragm and a back plate parallel to the
front plate. When sound hits the diaphragm, it vibrates the diaphragm and alters
the distance between the two plates. The changes in distance are transmitted
as electric signals.

iii) Ribbon:

It is known for its reliability. It has a thin ribbon made of aluminum,

duraluminum, or nanofilm suspended in a magnetic field. The sound waves
cause vibrations in the ribbon, which generate a voltage proportional to the
velocity of the vibration. The voltage is transmitted as an electrical signal. Early
ribbon microphones had a transformer to increase the output voltage, but
modern ribbon microphones come with advanced magnets to produce a strong
signal.
8) Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
MICR computer input device is designed to read the text printed with magnetic
ink. MICR is a character recognition technology that makes use of special
magnetized ink which is sensitive to magnetic fields. It is widely used in banks to
process the cheques and other organizations where security is a major concern.
It can process three hundred cheques in a minute with hundred-percent
accuracy. The details on the bottom of the cheque (MICR No.) are written with
magnetic ink. A laser printer with MICR toner can be used to print the magnetic
ink.

The device reads the details and sends to a computer for processing. A
document printed in magnetic ink is required to pass through a machine which
magnetizes the ink, and the magnetic information is then translated into
characters.

9) Optical Character Reader (OCR)

OCR computer input device is designed to convert the scanned images of
handwritten, typed or printed text into digital text. It is widely used in offices
and libraries to convert documents and books into electronic files.

It processes and copies the physical form of a document using a scanner. After
copying the documents, the OCR software converts the documents into a two-
color (black and white), version called bitmap. Then it is analyzed for light and
dark areas, where the dark areas are selected as characters, and the light area
is identified as background. It is widely used to convert hard copy legal or historic
documents into PDFs. The converted documents can be edited if required like
we edit documents created in ms word.

10) Digital camera:

It is a digital device as it captures images and records videos digitally and then
stores them on a memory card. It is provided with an image sensor chip to
capture images, as opposed to film used by traditional cameras. Besides this, a
camera that is connected to your computer can also be called a digital camera.
It has photosensors to record light that enters the camera through the lens.
When the light strikes the photosensors, each of the sensors returns the
electrical current, which is used to create the images.

Output Devices
The output device displays the result of the processing of raw data that is
entered in the computer through an input device. There are a number of output
devices that display output in different ways such as text, images, hard copies,
and audio or video. They bridge the gap between digital data and human
perception, letting users engage with computer-generated information.
Understanding the many forms of output devices and their importance in
computing is essential for making informed decisions while selecting the right
devices for certain applications.

Categories of Output Devices

Output devices can be categorized into four main types based on the nature of
their output.

o Visual Output Devices: These devices display processed data as text,

images, or video. Examples include monitors and projectors, which allow
users to view information on screens or project it onto larger surfaces.
o Data Output Devices: These devices provide machine-readable output for
further processing or storage. Plotters and 3D printers fall into this
category, allowing users to create physical representations of data or
objects.
o Print Output Devices: Printers produce hard copies of processed data,
such as documents, images, or graphics. They allow for physical
documentation and distribution of information.
o Sound Output Devices: These devices deliver audio output for listening or
communication purposes. Speakers and headphones/earphones enable
users to hear the sound, whether Music, speech, or other audio content.

Visual Output Devices

Visual output devices are components of computing systems that enable the
visual presentation of processed data. Monitors and projectors, for example,
play an important role in displaying information to users through text, pictures,
or video.

Users can view and analyze information more effectively with visual output
devices. They allow for the intelligible display of text, making reading papers,
emails, and online sites simpler. These devices also excel in picture presentation,
allowing users to see photographs, graphics, and illustrations with accuracy and
detail. Video material is additionally improved by visual output devices, resulting
in a fascinating viewing experience.

Some of the popular visual output devices are:

1. Monitor
o CRT Monitor
o LCD Monitor
o LED Monitor
o Plasma Monitor
2. Printer
o Impact Printers
A. Character Printers
i. Dot Matrix printers
ii. Daisy Wheel printers
B. Line printers
i. Drum printers
ii. Chain printers
o Non-impact printers
A. Laser printers
B. Inkjet printers
3. Projector

1) Monitor
The monitor is the display unit or screen of the computer. It is the main output
device that displays the processed data or information as text, images, audio or
video.
The types of monitors are given below.

CRT Monitor CRT monitors are based on the cathode ray tubes. They are like
vacuum tubes which produce images in the form of video signals. Cathode rays
tube produces a beam of electrons through electron guns that strike on the
inner phosphorescent surface of the screen to produce images on the screen.
The monitor contains millions of phosphorus dots of red, green and blue color.
These dots start to glow when struck by electron beams and this phenomenon
is called cathodoluminescence.

The main components of a CRT monitor include the electron gun assembly,
deflection plate assembly, fluorescent screen, glass envelope, and base.The
front (outer surface) of the screen onto which images are produced is called the
face plate. It is made up of fiber optics.

There are three electron beams that strike the screen: red, green, and blue. So,
the colors which you see on the screen are the blends of red, blue and green
lights.The magnetic field guides the beams of electrons. Although LCDs have
replaced the CRT monitors, the CRT monitors are still used by graphics
professionals because of their color quality.

LCD Monitor The LCD monitor is a flat panel screen that is compact and light-
weight as compared to CRT monitors. It is based on liquid crystal display
technology which is used in the screens of laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc.
An LCD screen comprises two layers of polarized glass with a liquid crystal
solution between them. When the light passes through the first layer, an electric
current aligns the liquids crystals. The aligned liquid crystals allow a varying level
of light to pass through the second layer to create images on the screen.

The LCD screen has a matrix of pixels that display the image on the screen.Old
LCDs had passive-matrix screens in which individual pixels are controlled by
sending a charge. A few electrical charges could be sent each second that made
screens appear blurry when the images moved quickly on the screen.

Modern LCDs use active-matrix technology and contain thin film transistors
(TFTs) with capacitors. This technology allows pixels to retain their charge. So,
they don?t make screen blurry when images move fast on the screen as well as
are more efficient than passive-matrix displays.

LED monitor The LED monitor is an improved version of an LCD monitor. It also
has a flat panel display and uses liquid crystal display technology like the LCD
monitors. The difference between them lies in the source of light to backlight
the display. The LED monitor has many LED panels, and each panel has several
LEDsto backlight the display, whereas the LCD monitors use cold cathode
fluorescent light to backlight the display.Modern electronic devices such as
mobile phones, LED TVs, laptop and computer screens, etc., use a LED display as
it not only produces more brilliance and greater light intensity but also
consumes less power.

Plasma Monitor The plasma monitor is also a flat panel display that is based
on plasma display technology. It has small tiny cells between two glass panels.
These cells contain mixtures of noble gases and a small amount of mercury.
When voltage is applied, the gas in the cells turns into a plasma and emits
ultraviolet light that creates images on the screen, i.e., the screen is illuminated
by a tiny bit of plasma, a charged gas. Plasma displays are brighter than liquid
crystal displays (LCD) and also offer a wide viewing angle than an LCD.

Plasma monitors provide high resolutions of up to 1920 X 1080, excellent

contrast ratios, wide viewing angle, a high refresh rate and more. Thus, they
offer a unique viewing experience while watching action movies, sports games,
and more.

2) Printer

o Impact Printers
o Character Printers
o Dot Matrix printers
o Daisy Wheel printers
o Line printers
o Drum printers
o Chain printers
o Non-impact printers
o Laser printers
o Inkjet printers

A printer produces hard copies of the processed data. It enables the user, to
print images, text or any other information onto the paper. Users can pick from
various printer types, such as inkjet, laser, or dot matrix, to meet their printing
demands. Printers enable the generation of tangible copies for record-keeping,
presentations, marketing materials, and other purposes, from household to
professional settings. Printers are essential for personal and commercial use due
to their simplicity and adaptability.

Based on the printing mechanism, the printers are of two types: Impact Printers
and Non-impact Printers.

o Impact Printers: They are of two types:

A. Character Printers
i. Dot Matrix printers
ii. Daisy Wheel printers
B. Line printers
i. Drum printers
ii. Chain printers
o Non-impact printers: They are of two types:
A. Laser printers
B. Inkjet printers

Impact Printer

The impact printer uses a hammer or print head to print the character or images
onto the paper. The hammer or print head strikes or presses an ink ribbon
against the paper to print characters and images.

Impact printers are further divided into two types.

A. Character Printers
B. Line printers

A) Character Printers

Character printer prints a single character at a time or with a single stroke of the
print head or hammer. It does not print one line at a time. Dot Matrix printer
and Daisy Wheel printer are character printers. Today, these printers are not in
much use due to their low speed and because only the text can be printed. The
character printers are of two types, which are as follows:

i) Dot Matrix Dot Matrix Printer is an impact printer. The characters and images
printed by it are the patterns of dots. These patterns are produced by striking
the ink soaked ribbon against the paper with a print head. The print head
contains pins that produce a pattern of dots on the paper to form the individual
characters. The print head of a 24 pin dot matrix contains more pins than a 9 pin
dot matrix printer, so it produces more dots which results in better printing of
characters. To produce color output, the black ribbon can be changed with color
stripes. The speed of Dot Matrix printers is around 200-500 characters per
second.

ii) Daisy Wheel Printer

Daisy Wheel Printer was invented by David S. Lee at Diablo Data Systems.It
consists of a wheel or disk that has spokes or extensions and looks like a daisy,
so it is named Daisy Wheel printer. At the end of extensions, molded metal
characters are mounted. To print a character the printer rotates the wheel, and
when the desired character is on the print location the hammer hits disk and the
extension hits the ink ribbon against the paper to create the impression. It
cannot be used to print graphics and is often noisy and slow, i.e., the speed is
very low around 25-50 characters per second. Due to these drawbacks,these
printers have become obsolete.

B) Line Printers:
Line printer, which is also as a bar printer, prints one line at a time. It is a high-
speed impact printer as it can print 500 to 3000 lines per minute. Drum printer
and chain printer are examples of line printers.

i) Drum Printer:

Drum printer is a line printer that is made of a rotating drum to print characters.
The drum has circular bands of characters on its surface. It has a separate
hammer for each band of characters. When you print, the drum rotates, and
when the desired character comes under the hammer, the hammer strikes the
ink ribbon against the paper to print characters. The drum rotates at a very high
speed and characters are printed by activating the appropriate hammers.
Although all the characters are not printed at a time, they are printed at a very
high speed. Furthermore, it can print only a predefined style as it has a specific
set of characters. These printers are known to be very noisy due to the use of
hammering techniques.

ii) Chain Printer: Chain printer is a line printer that uses a rotating chain to print
characters. The characters are embossed on the surface of the chain. The chain
rotates horizontally around a set of hammers, for each print location one
hammer is provided, i.e., the total number of hammers is equal to the total
number of print positions.

The chain rotates at a very high speed and when the desired character comes at
the print location, the corresponding hammer strikes the page against the
ribbon and character on the chain.They can type 500 to 3000 lines per minute.
They are also noisy due to the hammering action.

Non-Impact Printer:

Non-impact printers don't print characters or images by striking a print head or

hammer on the ink ribbon placed against the paper. They print characters and
images without direct physical contact between the paper and the printing
machinery. These printers can print a complete page at a time, so they are also
known as page printers. The common types of non-impact printers are Laser
printer and Inkjet printer:

i) Laser Printer:

A laser printer is a non-impact printer that uses a laser beam to print the
characters. The laser beam hits the drum, which is a photoreceptor and draws
the image on the drum by altering electrical charges on the drum. The drum
then rolls in toner, and the charged image on the drum picks the toner. The
toner is then printed on the paper using heat and pressure. Once the document
is printed, the drum loses the electric charge,and the remaining toner is
collected. The laser printers use powdered toner for printing instead of liquid
ink and produce quality print objects with a resolution of 600 dots per inch (dpi)
or more.

ii) Inkjet Printer:

The inkjet printer is a non-impact printer that prints images and characters by
spraying fine,ionized drops of ink. The print head has tiny nozzles to spray the
ink. The printer head moves back and forth and sprays ionized drops of ink on
the paper, which is fed through the printer. These drops pass through an electric
field that guides the ink onto the paper to print correct images and characters.

An inkjet printer has cartridges that contain ink. Modern inkjet printers are color
printers that have four cartridges containing different colors: Cyan, Magenta,
Yellow, and Black. It is capable of printing high-quality images with different
colors. It can produce print objects with a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch
(dpi).

Sound Output Devices

Sound output devices, which allow users to listen to audio material, are a
significant component of computing systems. Speakers and headphones, for
example, facilitate sound reproduction and improve the whole multimedia
experience. There are various advantages to using sound output equipment.
They let consumers experience high-quality audio with increased clarity, depth,
and richness. Sound output devices improve the entire audio experience by
bringing information to the existence, whether or not it is the minute specifics
in Music, the immersive sound effects in movies, or the clear voice during a
conference call.

These devices have several applications, which include use in homes, groups,
amusement venues, and academic institutions. They are used for personal
enjoyment, communication, professional audio work, and multimedia jobs.
Sound output devices link to other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and
televisions, increasing their versatility and utility.

Some of the popular sound output devices are:

Speakers

Speakers are important output devices that transform electrical impulses into
audible sounds. They're essential to many modern devices, including computers,
televisions, music players, and mobile phones. The audio system improves the
multimedia experience by providing high-quality audio output, whether
listening to the song, viewing films, playing video games, or participating in
virtual meetings. They help ensure that consumers enjoy audio material with
clarity and depth by contributing to clean and clear sound reproduction.

Data Output Devices

Data output devices are essential components of computer systems that allow
users to receive and analyze processed data intelligibly. These gadgets are
critical in displaying data meaningfully, making it accessible and valuable for
further analysis or decision-making.

Data output devices are required for data processing, visualization, and
transmission. They facilitate understanding complex information by presenting
it in a visually accessible format. Using data output devices, users can interpret
and make sense of data more effectively, leading to informed decision-making,
improved communication, and enhanced productivity in various fields and
industries.

Some of the popular Data output devices are:

Plotter

A plotter is a specialized output device used to generate high-quality, accurate,

and detailed graphics. It's popular in fields like engineering, architecture, and
graphic design. Unlike printers, which use ink or toner to create pictures or text
on paper, plotters utilize a pen or marker to draw continuous lines on diverse
media such as paper, vinyl, or film. Plotters are capable of creating intricate and
accurate drawings, maps, blueprints, and technical diagrams. They are valued
for their ability to handle large-format prints and deliver precise output, making
them essential tools in industries that require precise graphical representation.

Types of Plotters

Plotters come in different types, each with its own unique features and
applications. Here are some common types of plotters:

o Pen Plotters: Pen plotters are the most classic sort of plotter, drawing
continuous lines on paper or other media using a pen or marker. They
create precise and elaborate designs by sliding the pen horizontally and
vertically over the page. Pen plotters are known for their high accuracy
and can produce detailed line art, technical diagrams, architectural
blueprints, and engineering designs. They are commonly used in
industries that require precise and professional-looking graphical outputs.

o Electrostatic Plotters: Electrostatic plotters use an electrostatic charge to

attract toner or ink onto paper. They operate by selectively charging areas
of the paper and then applying toner or ink to those charged areas,
resulting in the formation of graphical output. Electrostatic plotters can
print high-resolution images with smooth gradients and solid fills. They
are frequently used in industries requiring accurate color reproduction,
including graphic design, advertising, and photography.
o Inkjet Plotters: Inkjet plotters work similarly to inkjet printers but are
designed for large-format printing. They generate the desired picture or
pattern by spraying small droplets of ink onto the paper. High-quality
printouts with brilliant colors and precise details may be produced using
inkjet plotters. They are frequently used in industries that need large-
scale printing, such as architecture, engineering, and signage.
o Cutting Plotters: Cutting plotters, also known as vinyl cutters, are
specialized plotters used to cut out shapes and designs on various
materials such as vinyl, paper, or fabric. They operate by cutting along the
outlines of the desired pattern using a sharp blade. Cutting plotters are
commonly used in sign making, vehicle graphics, apparel design, and
other industries that require precise cutting of materials for signage,
decals, or stencils.
o Laser Plotters: Laser plotters use a laser beam to create high-resolution
prints on various media. They work by directing the laser beam across the
surface of the media, selectively exposing it to heat, which creates the
desired image or design. Laser plotters are known for their high precision
and can produce detailed and intricate graphics. They are used in
industries such as prototyping, architectural modeling, and graphic arts,
where precise and complex designs are required.
o