CHAPTER 3 – INPUT & OUTPUT 

DEVICES
Input and output devices allow the computer system to interact with the outside world by
moving data into and out of the system.
An input device  is used to bring data into the system. 
An output device  is used to send data out of the system

Input devices :
• scanners
• barcode readers/scanners
• quick response (QR) code readers
• digital cameras
• keyboards
• pointing devices (such as a mouse)
• microphones
• touchscreens
• sensors
• interactive whiteboards.
 Input device : Scanners:
a scanner is an electronic device that can scan handwritten or printed documents and pictures and
transforms them into a digital file format (soft copy) which can be stored in electronic form in a computer
or mobile device.
This is an input device that works by shining a light onto the surface of a document. The light source is
automatically moved across the document and the reflected light is captured by mirrors and lenses.

Two types :
1. Two-dimensional (2D) :
Flatbed scanner Sheet-fed scanners  Handheld scanners 

2. Three-dimensional (3D):
X-rays CT scanners computerized tomography, radio frequencies MRI magnetic resonance imaging
and gamma rays SPECT single photon emission computed tomography.
 Input device : 2D scanner
Stages of scanning a document : (optional)

1.The document is places on the glass panel of a scanner and the cover is closed.

2.A lamp is used to illuminate the document.

3.The entire mechanism (mirrors, lens, filter and CCD array) make up the scan head. The scan head is

moved slowly across the document by a belt that is attached to a stepper motor.

4.Using a series of mirrors and lenses ,the light is bounced back at the sensory array CCD

5. the brighter the light reflected the greater electrical charge .

6.These electrical measurements are converted into binary code

7.Software produces a digital image from the electrical form (binary code )
 Input device : 2D scanner
OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION (OCR) software :
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a software technology that can convert images of text into an
actual text file that can then be edited (e.g. using word-processing software). The result is just as if the
text had been typed in by hand.
• OCR is typically used after a page of a book has been scanned. The scanned image of the page is
then analyzed by the OCR software which looks for recognizable letter shapes ,compare them with the
saved letters , and generates a matching text file.
• Advanced OCR software can recognize normal handwriting as well as printed text - this is usually
called handwriting recognition.
 Input device : 2D scanner
Applications of 2D scanners at an airport :
2D scanners are used at airports to read passports.

1. They make use of OCR technology to produce digital images. The OCR software is able to review
these images, select the text part and then automatically put the text into the correct fields of an
existing database.
2. a. At many airports the two-dimensional photograph in the passport is also scanned and stored as
a jpeg image.
b. The passenger’s face is also photographed using a digital camera .
c. A 2D image is taken so it can be matched to the image taken from the passport.
d. The two digital images are compared using face recognition/detection software.
 Input device : 3D scanner
Three dimensional scanner
• A 3-D scanner is an imaging device that collects distance point measurements from a real-world object and
translates them into a virtual 3-D object.
• This is an input device where a laser or a light source is moved across an object. The width, height and depth
of the object are measured to allow a model to be created.

• 3-D scanners are used for creating life-like images

• There are numerous technologies used in 3D scanners – lasers, magnetic , resonance( frequency),
white light, and so on.
• Applications :
o animation in movies and video games.
o reverse engineering(producing 3-D images of manufactured parts when a blueprint is not available in
order to remanufacture the part.)
o prototyping("hand-built" model )
o architectural and industrial modeling,
o 3-D printers can use data from 3-D scans to create physical objects using Computer Aided Design CAD
o medical imaging , medical device modeling :
 Input device : 3D scanner
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.
• Each slice is built up by use of X-rays, radio frequencies or gamma imaging;
• Each ‘slice’ is then stored as a digital image in the computer memory.
• The whole of the solid object is represented digitally in the computer memory.
• Depending on how the image is formed, the type of tomographic scanner can have
different names. For example:
• X-rays CT scanners computerized tomography
• radio frequencies MRI magnetic resonance imaging
• gamma rays SPECT single photon emission computed tomography
 Input device : Barcode readers/scanners ( handheld scanner)

Definition : Is an optical scanner that can read printed barcodes, decode the data contained in the barcode

and send the data to a computer . 

• A barcode is a series of dark and light parallel lines of varying thickness.

• can hold up to 30 digits

• The numbers 0 to 9 are each represented by a unique series of lines.

• Various barcode methods for representing these digits exist.

 Input device : Barcode readers/scanners ( handheld scanner)
So what happens when a barcode is scanned? (optional)
• The barcode is first read by a red laser or red LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE).
• Light is reflected back off the barcode; the dark areas reflect little or no light which
allows the bars to be read.
• The reflected light is read by sensors (photoelectric cells).
• As the laser or LED light is scanned across the barcode, a pattern is generated which is converted into digital data
– this allows the computer to understand the barcode.
• For example: the digit ‘3’ on the left generates the pattern
L D D D D L D (whereL = light and D = dark);
this has the binary equivalent of 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 (where L = 0 and D = 1).
 Input device : Barcode readers/scanners ( handheld scanner)

Barcode readers/scanners some uses :

1. Fast checkouts :  improves the shopping experience in shops or malls on POS (point of sale terminal)
2. Business tracking : Businesses use barcode readers to protect their property from being stolen.
3. Library management : where barcodes are used in books and on the borrower’s library card. Every time a
book is taken out, the borrower is linked to the book automatically. This allows automatic checking of when the
book is due to be returned, for example.
4. Inventory control and management: Barcode scanners are very useful in tracking the flow of goods from the
manufacturers to the warehouses and so on.
5. Ticket verification
 Barcode reader : checkout (POS) in supermarkets.
Input and Output devices at the checkout:
Input devices
Barcode reader - to scan item bar codes
Touch Screen : to select items by touching an icon
Keypad  : to key in the number of items bought, a weight ,or the barcode if it cannot be read by the barcode reader/scanner
Chip and PIN reader - used by customers to enter PIN number for electronic fund transfer (EFT) payments
Magnetic Stripe Reader - used scan customer loyal cards (Tesco club card, Shukran card etc.)/ read customer ‘s credit/debit
card

Output devices
Screen / Monitor - to view scanned items
Speaker - to output sound that item has been scanned properly
Printer - to print the customer receipt
 Barcode reader : checkout (POS) in supermarkets.
How does the stock system work using barcode reader at POS?

• The barcode number is looked up in the stock database (the barcode is known as the KEY FIELD in the stock item
record); this key field uniquely identifies each stock item.
• When the barcode number is found, the stock item record is looked up.
• The price and other stock item details are sent back to the checkout (or POINT OF SALE TERMINAL (POS)).
• The number of stock items in the record is reduced by one each time the barcode is read.
• This new value for number of stock items 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.
 Barcode reader : checkout (POS) in supermarkets.
Advantages of using barcodes to the management include:
• much easier and faster to change prices on stock items
• much better, more up-to-date sales information/sales trends
• 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 include:

• 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
 Input device : 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.
• The QR code may contains message
• QR codes can hold over 7000 digits. This gives greater scope for the storage of information.
• QR codes can be scanned anywhere using application . This allows advertising of products on
trains, buses, shopping malls and many other places.
• QR code can be saved for future reference
• The code may contain a website link or some form of advertising

How does it works : (option)

– Read/scanned using app (on mobile device) and camera to scan the code
– The three large squares are used to define the alignment // uses alignment targets/modules
– Squares reflect light differently ,Black squares reflect less light // white squares reflect more light
– The app/device processes the image
– Each small square/pixel is converted to a binary value
 Barcode reader vs Quick response (QR) codes

Barcode reader QR reader

Dark and light parallel lines of varying thickness. Matrix of filled-in dark squares on a light background.
Can hold up to 30 digits can hold over 7000 digits.

Doesn’t contain website links may contain a website link or some form of
advertising
Holds less information Holds more information

Isn’t used for advertisement Used for advertisements everywhere

Barcode can be read in one direction only As QR codes can be read from any direction, they are
much easier and quicker to scan.
Barcode is 1D scanner(linear) Is 2D scanner(matrix)
 Input device : Digital cameras :
• Modern digital cameras simply link to a computer system via a USB port or by using Bluetooth
• A digital camera uses a sensor ( light sensitive ) called a charge-coupled device.
• The photograph is captured when light passes through the lens onto (CCD) which change the light to electrical
charge .
• The quality of the image depends on the number of pixels that the charge-coupled device can use. A
professional camera could have about 28 megapixels.
• The number of pixels determines the size of the file used to store the photograph.
• The quality of the photograph also depends on many other factors, such as:
• the type of lens used
• the lighting

How do they work? (optional)

• Digital cameras work by recording the incoming image on a special electronic sensor called a CCD (charge
coupled device).
• Image is converted from analogue to digital (using ADC)
• The sensor is made up of millions of pixel elements that are now recording light falling on its surface The more
pixels within the CCD the better the resolution of the image(Image is pixels) .
• The recorded image is stored as a compressed file within the camera, ready to be uploaded.
• The files are usually JPG files but other formats may also be used.
 Input device : Digital cameras :
Advantages:
• No processing delay
• Easier and quicker to edit
• A backup copy can be made of any digital images taken
• Can be shared easily

Disadvantages:
• Uses a lot of power
• If the memory card gets corrupted, photos can be lost and deleted
• If user has lots of images, they may need more additional storage space
 Input devices : Keyboards
• Keyboards are 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.
• The keyboard is connected to the computer either by using a USB connection or by wireless connection.
• In the case of tablets and mobile phones, the keyboard is often VIRTUAL or a type of TOUCHSCREEN technology.

How does keyboard work ?: (optional)

• The key matrix is a grid of circuits underneath the keys.
• When you press a key, it presses a switch, completing the circuit and allowing a tiny amount of current to flow through. 
• The location of the keypress is calculated
• When the processor finds a circuit that is closed, it compares the location of that circuit on the key matrix to
the character map 
• An index of characters is searched to find the corresponding keypress , Each character has an ASCII / Unicode value
• The ASCII / Unicode value has a binary value
• Keypress generates an interrupt
• Each character / keypress is added to a buffer to wait to be processed
• The binary can then be processed by the CPU to action the key press
 Input devices : Keyboards
Keyboards types :
•  Basic Keyboard: keyboard which uses physical buttons for each key is called a mechanical keyboard.
It makes noise when each key is pressed
Ex: QWERTY Keyboard , AZERTY……, multimedia keyboard (contains multimedia keyboard), Keypad ……
Advantages : the easiest way to enter text .
Disadvantage : slow method for data entry ,
and risk of RSI (repetitive strain injury ) in hands and wrists
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• Virtual Keyboard: The keyboard used in touchscreen devices is called a virtual keyboard. This keyboard appears when
needed and disappears when typing is completed. There is no physical object to carry for a virtual keyboard.
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• Ergonomic Keyboard: This keyboard is mainly designed for users who use both hands for typing.
The advantage of this keyboard is less muscle strain and reduce RSI for users.
The keyboard is built with the view of ergonomics to give support to the wrist and hand.
Disadvantage : This keyboard is expensive and not affordable for common people.
 Input devices : Pointing devices
Pointing device is An input device used to move the pointer (cursor) on screen.

Types of pointing devices : Mouse , Trackball , Touchpad , Joystick , Light Pen, Stylus ……….

Optical Mouse
• The most common pointing device.
• Wired and wireless : has a small optical sensor uses LED light on the bottom This light can detect mouse
movement and translate it into cursor movement.
• It will require : an area of desk space to allow movement., a mouse mat
• Mouse has : buttons (left , right) to allow for selection and other functions . Many designs of
mouse have a scroll wheel to allow rapid movement up and down the screen.
 Input devices : Pointing devices
Pointing devices : Mouse ?:(optional)
• Special Sensors used in computer mice are specifically designed to be used in them.
• It Takes the pictures of the surface at very high frame rates .
• After taking these pictures it sends them to a chip called DSP (Digital Signal Processor) is an IC
(Integrated Circuit) whose main job is to process information.
• It calculates the direction and speed of the mouse and sends those movements as a digital signal
of the corresponding cursor coordinates to the computer through the USB Outlet.
 Input devices : Microphones
• Microphones are used to input sound to a computer.
• A microphone is n input device that captures audio( analog signals) by converting sound waves into an electrical
signal.
• How does it work? (optional)
• When a microphone picks up sound,
• A diaphragm vibrates producing an electric signal.
• This signal goes to a sound card and is converted into digital values and stored in the computer.

• Uses of microphones :
• doing a ‘voice over’ in a presentation : Adding a voice to PowerPoint slides
• part of a speech recognition system
• part of a voice recognition system
• enabling a disabled person to communicate with a computer. : ex Siri, Alexa
 Input devices : Microphones
VOICE RECOGNITION system
• Is a computer software program or hardware device with the ability to decode the human voice.
Voice recognition can be used in :
• Security systems.
• In cars to allow the driver to say commands: ‘make warmer’, ‘switch on GPS’ or ‘open window’. Key words
have to be used so that the software can compare voice patterns with the limited dictionary of words already
stored.

How does it work ? (optional)

1. The user’s voice is detected and then converted into digital.
2. A few words spoken produce a digital wave pattern.
3. Software compares this wave pattern to wave patterns stored in memory ( authorized people) to see if they
match.
4. If they match, then the person has been correctly identified.
5. Only certain words can be used since the system is designed to recognize only a few key phrases (e.g. a user
may be asked to say their name).
 Input devices : Microphones
Speech Recognition system
• SPEECH RECOGNITION is a different and more complex technology.
• This again uses a microphone to input words spoken by a user.
• The spoken words are recognized and converted into a text .

• How does it works : (optional)

1. a person says the word ‘HUT’; the sound card in the computer will convert the sound wave into a digital form(binary code)
2. The software takes the digital image and breaks it up into phonemes (these are the smallest elements that make up a
language); in this case ‘HUH T’.
3 These phonemes are compared with words found in the built-in dictionary:

4. The word ‘HUT’ would then be suggested by the software in whatever application
is being run.
 Input devices : Interactive whiteboards
• Interactive whiteboards are devices that allow computer images to be displayed on a whiteboard using a digital projector.
• They also allow a user to write on the whiteboard and the text or drawings produced are then stored in an electronic form for
later use.
• This is a large input device that is usually fixed to a wall. A user can calibrate the device to make sure the. sensors align with
a projected image. The user can use either their finger or a special pen to make selections.

Advantages :
• Basically the information which is hand-drawn or hand-written can be stored so nothing be lost.
• Any application that runs on a computer can be used on an interactive whiteboard.
• It is even possible to surf the net, annotate a spreadsheet or demonstrate a drawing package,