Ch.

2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 

Chapter 2
Input Devices

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 13 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
As the name suggests, input devices are hardware devices that allow data to be
input into a computer. Many such devices exist, ranging from the more common
ones, such as the keyboard, through to the more specialist devices, such as sensors
and barcode readers.

2.1 Pointing devices

They are used to move and control an on-screen pointer or cursor. They are
commonly used with graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Mouse  
The mouse is an example of a pointing device. The user controls the position of a
pointer on the screen by moving the mouse around.
Uses
• Move a pointer on the screen to select items and
options from drop-down menus.
• Draw objects on the screen.

Advantages
• Faster entry of chosen options.
• Faster navigation.
• Smaller than keyboard.

Disadvantages
• Difficult to use for people with disabilities.
• Not suitable to enter text or numeric data.

Touchpad  
A pointing device found on most laptops. Used
instead of a mouse since it takes up less
space.

Use
• Used with laptop computers instead of a
mouse.

Advantages
• Integrated within the laptop computer.
• Takes less space

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 14 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
Disadvantage
• More difficult to control compared to a mouse.

Tracker  ball  
This pointing device has a large ball that the user spins.

Uses
• For use by people with limited motor skills, e.g.
young children or people with disabilities.
• Used by people with disabilities or RSI.

Advantage
• Easier to use than a mouse.

Disadvantage
• Slower to use compared to a mouse.

2.2 Other input devices

Keyboard  
Allows text (abc...), numbers (123...) and symbols (%$@...) to be entered into a
computer

Uses
• Entering text for word processing.
• Applications where text has to be created rather
than copied.

Advantages
• Allows accurate entry of data.
• Quick entry of original text.

Disadvantages
• Constant use can lead to Repetitive Strain Injury.
• Must learn how to type to achieve high input speed.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 15 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 

 
Numeric  keypad  
A small keyboard that only has numbers.

Uses
• Applications where only numeric data is to be
entered.
• Inserting pin numbers for chip and pin
credit/debit cards.
• When using an ATM machine.

Advantages
• Small, compact and easy to carry.
• Easy to cover up when entering a PIN.

Disadvantage
• It is impossible to enter text.

Remote  control  
Used to control devices remotely by emitting an infrared signal
to the external device.

Use
• To operate TVs, video players/recorders, DVD
players/recorders, satellite receivers, HiFi music
systems, data or multimedia projectors.

Advantages
• Operate devices from a distance.
• Useful for people with walking difficulties.

Disadvantage
• Not useful for people with disabilities or RSI.
• Objects between the device and the remote control can prevent its operation.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 16 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 

Joystick  
Uses
• Used in video/computer games.
• Used in simulators (for example, flight simulators).

Advantages
• Easier than a keyboard to navigate the screen.
• Control is more realistic than using a mouse, for example.

Disadvantage
• More difficult to control a pointer than other pointing devices.

Driving  wheel  
A driving (steering) wheel is an example of an input
device that is similar to a joystick in many ways. It
connects to a computer (or games machine) usually
through a USB port. The wheel allows you to
simulate the turning of a steering wheel, and there
are associated devices (such as buttons or pedals),
which allow you to accelerate and brake. Sensors
are used to pick up left/right movement so that the user gets the sensation of
steering a car on the road.

Uses
• Used in video/computer games.
• Used in simulators (for example, flight simulators).

Advantages
• Easier than a keyboard or joystick to control steering movements as it is more
natural.
• The ‘driving experience’ is nearer to how an actual steering wheel and other
controls operate in real life.

Disadvantages
• It can be rather expensive input device compared to mouse or joystick.
• Movements in the steering can be too sensitive, giving an unrealistic ‘feel’.

 
 

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 17 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 

Touch  screen  
Selecting from a limited list of options e.g. certain POS
uses such as cafes, tourist information kiosks, and public
transport enquiries.

Uses
• ATMs by bank customers.
• EPOS terminals in cafes and shops
• Tourist information and public-transport information.

Advantages
• Easier to select options than by using a mouse.
• Easier to use for people with disabilities.

Disadvantage
• RSI could result from continual use of a finger to select options.

Microphone  
Microphones are devices that input sound to a computer.
Uses
• To input speech/sound to be used in various
applications (for example, in presentations).
• Input in voice-recognition software:
o The software converts the speech into text that
can be used in, for example, a word processor
or to input commands into a computer.
o To recognize commands. For example, some cars now have voice-
activated systems to switch on the lights, turn the radio volume up, etc.
• Microphones can also be used as a sensor to pick up sound.
• Used in video conferencing or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
applications.

Advantages
• Faster to read text than to type it in using a keyboard.
• It is possible to manipulate sound in real time using special software rather
than work on a recording done at some earlier stage.
• If used in a voice-activation system, it has the advantage of improving safety
(since the car driver, for example, doesn’t need to take their hands off the
wheel to operate a switch or alter the radio station, etc.).

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 18 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
Disadvantages
• Voice recognition is not as accurate as using a keyboard.
• Sound files can use up a lot of computer memory.

Graphics  tablet  
A graphics tablet is used with a stylus to produce
freehand drawings. The images produced can then be
stored in a file on a computer.

Uses
• Used to produce drawings, computer graphics,
etc.
• Used in computer-aided design (CAD) work.
• In countries where the written language uses
complex characters (for example, China and Japan), graphics tablets are
used as a form of input as it is faster than typing in the characters with a
keyboard.

Advantages
• More accurate in drawing than using a mouse.
• It is possible to modify drawings before they are input.
• They can record levels of pressure, unlike other point-and-click devices.

Disadvantages
• More expensive than other pointing devices.
• Menus are often not very user-friendly.
• Larger drawings (such as A4) are expensive to produce.
• The touch screens are damaged easily.
• It takes longer to produce a drawing using this equipment than doing it with
pen and paper.

Light  pen  
A light pen is a device used as a pointing device or to
'write' on a CRT monitor.

Uses
• Selecting objects on CRT screens.
• Drawing on screen (for example, with CAD
packages).

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 19 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
Advantages
• Greater accuracy than touch screens.
• Small, thus it can be used where space is an issue.
• Easy-to-use technology.

Disadvantages
• Problems with lag when drawing on screen.
• Only works with CRT monitors.
• Considered an old technology.

Digital  camera  
Digital cameras have largely replaced traditional film-based cameras. The images
are uploaded from the camera and stored in a file on the computer.

Advantages
• Better quality photographs than traditional
cameras.
• Memory cards can hold several hundred
photographs.
• Easier and faster to upload photographs to
computer rather than having to scan in hard
copies when using traditional methods.
• No need to develop film and print out photographs anymore, which saves
money.

Disadvantages
• More expensive than traditional cameras.
• Need to be computer literate in using the cameras properly. Also, the
transferring, storing and manipulating of the images via a computer requires
some understanding of how computer works.
• The resolution still isn’t as good as many expensive traditional cameras.
• Images often need to be compressed to reduce the amount of memory used.

Video  camera  
Video cameras are used to input moving pictures, often pre-
recorded, into a computer. Video cameras are used widely for
security purposes.

Advantages
• Very high quality video output.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 20 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
Disadvantages
• Expensive in terms of initial cost and the cost of memory cards.
• The produced video files consume large storage space.

Webcam  
Webcams are similar to video cameras but connected directly
to the computer (through a USB port or built in) and they
don’t have memory. Whatever information the webcam picks
up is transmitted directly to the computer. Many computer
systems now have webcams built in to their monitors as
standard.

Uses
• Many people use webcams as a more personal way of having a conversation
while chatting online.
• They are used to enable video conferencing to take place.

Advantages
• Elderly or disable people can stay in touch visually with relatives without
leaving their home.
• They can be online constantly.

Disadvantages
• Limited in their features (no zoom facility, for example).
• Poor quality.
• They need to be connected to the computer.

Scanners  
Scanners are mainly used to input hard copy images into a computer.

Uses
• Scan in documents and convert into a format
for use in various software packages.
• Scan in photographs.

Advantages
• Allows images to be stored for further editing.
• Much faster and more accurate than typing in documents again.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 21 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
Disadvantage
• Quality can be limited depending on how good a resolution the scanner is
capable of.
• They can be fairly slow.

2.3 Direct Data Entry (DDE) devices

Optical  Character  Reader/Recognition  (OCR)  

OCR is the name given to the device/software
than takes scanned text and converts it into a
computer-readable form.

Uses
• Inputting text to computer from a hard copy
paper.
• One of the most recent uses is the processing of passports and identity cards.

Advantages
• It is much faster data-entry system than manually keying in data.
• Since no manual data entry, errors are reduced.

Disadvantage
• Not a very accurate technique especially when it comes to reading
handwriting.

Optical  Mark  Reader/Recognition  (OMR)  

OMR is a device that can read the position of
marks (called lozenges) written in a pen or pencil.
These positions are stored in the computer’s
memory after being read by the OMR device.

Uses
• OMR is mainly used to read questionnaires, multiple choice examination
papers and other types of form where responses are registered in the for of
shaded areas.

Advantages
• Very fast way of inputting the results of a survey, multiple choice examination
paper, etc.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 22 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
• Since there is no typing, there are more accurate than keying in the data.
• They are more accurate than OCR methods.

Disadvantages
• The forms need to be carefully designed to make sure that the marks/shading
are correctly positioned to gather accurate information.
• There can be problems if the forms haven’t been filled in correctly; sometimes
they have to be checked manually before being read, which is both time
consuming and expensive.

Magnetic  Ink  Character  Reader/Recognition  (MICR)  

MICR is a system that can read characters printed in special ink (magnetic ink
characters).
The system is used primarily to process cheques in
banking operations. This is done by reading the
characters at the bottom of a bank cheque (the code of the
cheque) and converting these characters into a form that
the computer can understand and store.

Advantages of using MICR

• Offers greater security than OCR since the printed
characters cannot be altered.
• There is no manual input, so errors are reduced.
• The magnetic ink characters on bank cheques can still be read even if
somebody writes over them (for example, a signature).

Disadvantages of using MICR

• Only certain characters can be read and the number of different characters is
very limited.
• Expensive.

Barcode  reader  
Barcode readers are used to read information in the
form of a barcode. The readers are usually in the form
of barcode scanner and are often built into POS
terminals in supermarkets.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 23 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
Uses
• Used in supermarkets and other shops where the goods are marked with a
barcode.
• Used in libraries to keep track of books on loan.

Advantages
• Much faster than keying in data manually and fewer mistakes will be made.
• If used as a way of recording data, they can improve safety.
• They allow automatic stock control.
• They are a tried and trusted technology.

Disadvantage
• Relatively expensive system to administer.
• Not foolproof (barcodes can be swapped around on items).
• Can be more easily damaged than RFID tags or magnetic strips.
 

Radio  Frequency  Identification  (RFID)  Reader    

RFID readers use radio waves to read and capture
information stored on RFID tag. This tag can be read
from a distance of several meters. The RFID tag is
composed of two components:
1. Microchip to store and process data/information
2. Antenna to receive and transmit data/information
RFID tag can be passive or battery powered. Passive tag
uses the RFID reader’s radio wave energy to send data. Battery powered tag uses a
small battery to power the RFID and send radio waves to be captured by the RFID
reader.

Uses
• Livestock tracking (so that the whereabouts of each
animal on a farm is known; it also identifies which
farm owns the animal).
• Retail.
o Similar to barcodes but no scanning is
needed, as all information can be stored on
the tag.
o Several tags can be read at the same time,
thus speeding up the checkout process.
• Admission passes.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 24 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
o For example in theme parks RFID cards eliminate the need to scan or
swipe people before ‘rides’, reducing the waiting time. It also allows the
tracking of people in the theme park and certain information, such as
height or age, can be stored to prevent entry to certain rides as a
safety measure.
• Passports.
• Libraries.
o Books can be tracked in and out automatically by RFID readers at the
library entrance. Which means that no need to scan barcodes or
magnetic stripe cards, making the process faster and more accurate.

Advantages
• No line-of-sight contact is necessary as the tags can be read from a distance
of several meters. This is one advantage over the barcode system.
• Robust and reliable technology.
• Very fast read rate (takes less than 100 milliseconds to respond).
• Allows read and write operations to occur (Bidirectional data transfer).
• Several RFID tags can be detected at the same time.

Disadvantages
• Tag collision may occur. This can happen when the signals from two or more
RFID tags overlap or interfere with each other.
• Easy to interrupt or jam as RFID technology uses radio waves.
• Easy to hack into the data/signal transmitted by the tag.
• RFID is more expensive than the barcode system.

Magnetic  Stripe  Reader  

These are used to read information on the magnetic
stripe found on, for example, the back of a credit/debit
card.
The stripe contains useful information, for example:
account number, expiry date and start date.

Uses
• On credit/debit cards for use at ATMs or
EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of
Sale) terminals.
• Security devices to allow entry to buildings, hotel rooms, etc.

Advantages
• Fast data entry compared with keying in with a keyboard or keypad.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 25 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 
• Error free since no typing is involved.
• Secure, as the information is not typed.
• Prevents access to restricted/secure areas.
• Not affected by oil, water, moisture, etc.

Disadvantages
• If the magnetic stripe gets damaged, the data will be lost.
• Doesn’t work at a distance. The card needs to be in close contact with the
reader.
• Since the information is not human readable, this can be a disadvantage in
some applications.
 
Chip  and  PIN  Reader  
Chip and PIN readers are used at EFTPOS
terminals. The device has a slot into which the
card is placed and the chip is read; the PIN is
entered using the keypad. The reader also has a
small screen which gives instructions to the
operator.

Uses
• Where payments are made using cards (restaurants, supermarkets, travel
agents, etc.).

Advantages
• More secure system (PIN typed in must match up with PIN stored on chip).
• More robust system than magnetic stripe cards.
Disadvantages
• Subject to fraud – need to be careful to ensure PIN isnt read by somebody
else while typing it in.

2.4 Sensors
A sensor is a device that measures and inputs physical quantities that is
continuously changing to a computer. Sensors are used in both monitoring and
control applications.

Type of sensor Applications

Used in automatic washing machines, central heating
Temperature
systems, automatic glasshouses, ovens

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 26 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty
Ch.2: Input Devices  
I.C.T.
 

Used in burglar alarm systems, washing machines, robotics,

Pressure
environmental monitoring
Used in automatic glasshouses, automatic doors, burglar
Light
alarm systems, street lighting control

Advantages
• More accurate readings taken when compared to human operators.
• Readings are continuous – no break in the monitoring.
• Because it is continuous process, any necessary action (control system) or
warning (measurement system) will be initiated immediately.
• Systems can be automatic, removing the need for human intervention.
Disadvantages
• Faulty sensors can give false results.

Eng. Mustafa El-Komy 27 Theory Notes

Eng.   Omar El Safty