Eman Sabry

CHAPTER 2
Input & Output Devices
Input Devices & their uses
Keyboards
Types of Keyboards:

Advantages:
o Enables fast entry of new text into a document.
o Well-tried technology & well-known method of entry
o Most people find them easy to use.
o Easy to do verification check as data is entered, as it appears on the screen
simultaneously.

Disadvantages:
o Users with limited arm/wrist use can find keyboards hard to use.
o Entering data is slow when compared to direct data entry (e.g. Optical mark
recognition)
o They use up desk space as they are quite large.

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Numeric Keypads
o A numeric keypad is used to enter numbers only.
o Although some have function key to allow input of
alphabetical characters
Uses:

o Used in Automatic teller machines (ATMs), where

customers can key in their personal identification
number (PIN), or an amount of money.
o Used to key in phone numbers into telephones.
o Electronic point of sale (EPOS) terminals has numeric keypads in case the
barcode reader fails.
o Used in Chip and PIN devices to key in PIN, or amount of money.
o Used to enable fast entry of numeric data into a spread sheet.

Advantages:
o Numeric keypads are faster than standard keyboards for entry of numeric data.
o Since many are small devices (e.g. mobile phones), they are easy to carry around.

Disadvantages:
o Can be difficult to use due to the very small keys.
o Difficult to use for entering text.
o Sometimes the order of numbers isn’t very intuitive.

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Mouse
o An example of a pointing device
o The ball underneath the mouse is used to detect movement.
o The left button is for selecting by double on it and the rights to bring drop-
down menus.
o There is usually a scroll button which speeds up the process of moving
through a document.
Uses
o Used for opening, closing, and minimizing software.
o Used for grouping, moving, and deleting files.
o Useful when editing images (e.g., controlling the size and position of the
image)
o Used for controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow: Selection
from a menu.
o Selecting an icon
o Scrolling up/down and right/left
Advantages
o Faster to select an option by a mouse than a keyboard.
o Enables rapid navigation through applications and the internet.
o Mice are small and don’t take much area.

Disadvantages
o People with restricted hand/wrist movement can
find it hard to operate a mouse.

o Easily damaged and can easily be clogged up with dirt.

o They are hard to use if there is no flat surface available.

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Touchpad
o Touchpads are used in many laptop computers as a pointing device.
o The pointer is controlled by the user moving their finger on the touchpad.
Uses
o Used for opening, closing, and minimizing
software.
o Used for grouping, moving, and deleting files.
o Useful when editing images (e.g., controlling
the size and position of the image)
o Used for controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow: Selection
from a menu.
o Selecting an icon

Advantages
o Faster to select an option by a touchpad than a keyboard.
o Enables rapid navigation through applications and the internet.
o Since the touchpad is integrated into laptop computer, there is no separate
mouse, aiding portability.
o They can be used when no flat surfaces are available.

Disadvantages
o People with limited hand/wrist movement can find touchpads hard to use.
o It can be more difficult to control the pointer when compared to a mouse.
o They are more difficult when doing operations such as ‘drag and drop.’

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Tracker Ball
o Tracker ball is like a mouse except that it has a ball on the top of the device.
o Users control the pointer on the screen by rotating the ball.
Uses
o Have the same pointing/cursor control
capability as a mouse.
o Used in applications where the user has a
disability (RSI)
o Used in a control room environment, where it
is faster than a mouse to navigate through
process screens and more robust than a mouse.

Advantages
o Tracker balls don’t need the same fine control as a mouse.
o People with limited hand/wrist movement find it easier to use than a mouse.
o The pointer can be positioned more accurately on the screen than with a mouse.
o They take up less desk space than mice since they are stationary.

Disadvantages
o Tracker balls are not supplied with the computer as standard, so they are more
expensive.
o Users may need training since they are not standard equipment.

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Remote Control
o A remote control is used to control the operation of other devices remotely by
using infra-red signals.
Uses
o In home entertainment devices such as Televisions, DVD player/recorder,
and satellite system
o Used to control multimedia systems.
o Used in industrial applications to remotely control processes, stop, and start
machinery.

Advantages
o Enable devices to be operated from any distance, which is useful for people with
disabilities.
o Some chemical processes are hazardous, so it is safer to operate equipment from
a distance.

Disadvantages
o People with limited hand/wrist movement
can find them hard to use.
o The signal between the control and the
device can be easily blocked.

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Joystick
o By gripping the stick, a pointer on the screen can be controlled.

o Buttons are used to make selections.

Uses

o Video/computer games are often controlled by joysticks.

o They are used in simulators to mimic actual controls.

Advantages

o Easier to navigate round a screen compared to a keyboard.

o Control is in three dimensions.

Disadvantages

o More difficult to control the on-screen pointer with a joystick than with other
devices such as mice.

Touch Screen

o Users can choose an option by simply touching a button/icon on the screen.

o The selection is automatically made without the need for any pointing device.

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Use
o Used for service tills e.g., petrol stations.
o Used where selections are made on a screen e.g. ATMs, public information
systems, airports and railway stations
o Used in PDA’s
o Used in Interactive white boards.
o Used in computer-based training (CBT)

Advantages
o Enable faster entry of options than a keyboard/mouse Very easy to choose
options.
o User friendly method for inputting data
o They are tamperproof, preventing people from keying in information (which
could corrupt the system)

Disadvantages
o There is a limited number of options available.
o Using touchscreens often can lead to health problems. (straining of arm muscles
and RSI)
o The screen can get very dirty with constant touching.

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Scanners

o Used to input information on hardcopy e.g., text document.

Uses
o Used to scan in documents and convert them into a format for use in various
software packages.
o Old and valuable documents and books can be scanned, protecting the original
copies from damage.
o Non-digital photographs can be scanned for storage on a computer.

Advantages
o Images can be stored for editing later.
o Scanners are much faster and more accurate than typing in documents again.
o It is possible to recover damaged documents and photographs by scanning them
and then using appropriate software to produce an acceptable copy.

Disadvantages
o The quality can be limited depending on how good the scanner resolution is.

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Digital Cameras
o Photographs are stored in memory.
o They can be easily transferred to a computer using a USB.
Uses
o Digital cameras can produce photographs for direct transfer to a computer or to
print out.
o Digital cameras allow short video clips to be produced.
o Photographs can be uploaded directly into application
software such as word processor.

Advantages
o Easier to produce better quality photographs than with a traditional camera.
o Easier and faster to upload photographs to a computer
o There is no need to develop film and print out photographs (saves paper and no
longer needs the chemicals to produce photographs from films)
o Easy to delete an image from the memory if it’s not satisfactory.
o The memory card can store several hundred photographs.

Disadvantages
o The camera user needs to be computer literate to use the camera properly.
o There is some artistry lost since clever software corrects errors in the
photographs.
o The resolution is not yet as good as traditional cameras.
o Images often need to be compressed to reduce the amount of memory used.
o It is possible to fill up computer memory very quickly with several photos of the
same subject (to find the perfect snapshot)
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Video Camera
o DV (digital video) camera stores compressed photo frames at 25 MB/s – motion
jpeg.
o Light turned into electronic signal through light sensitive sensors and
automatically converted to a digital file format.
Advantages
o Easy to edit footage in a video editing.
o High quality video captured, therefore.
Disadvantages
o Storage medium (Memory cards) is more
expensive to buy than films.
Microphone
o Can be connected directly to a computer.
o Sounds can be inputted and manipulated.
Uses
o Microphones are used to input speech/sounds to be used in various
applications.
o They are used in voice recognition software- for conversion of speech into text,
and recognition of commands.
Advantages
o Faster to read text than to type it using a keyboard Possible to manipulate sound
in real time using special software.
o If used in a voice activation system, this has the advantage of improving safety.

Disadvantages
o Sound files can use up a lot of computers memory.
o Voice recognition software isn’t as accurate as typing in manually.

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Sensors
Type of
Applications
sensor
Automatic washing machines, central
Temperature heating systems, automatic greenhouses,
ovens.

Burglar alarm systems, robotics,

Pressure environmental monitoring, Automatic
washing machines.

Automatic doors, street lighting control,

Light Burglar alarm systems, automatic
greenhouses.

Burglar alarm systems, monitoring liquid

Sound
and powder flow in pipes

Automatic greenhouses, environmental

Humidity/
monitoring, factories where moisture
moisture
levels are crucial

Automatic greenhouse, chemical

pH processes, environmental monitoring

Advantages

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o Readings by sensors are more accurate than taken by humans.

o Readings are continuous, there is no break in monitoring.

o Because it is a continuous process any necessary action or warning will be

initiated immediately

o The system can be automatic, removing the need for human intervention, this is

particularly important if the process is hazardous.

Disadvantages
o Faulty sensors can give false results.

Graphic Tablet
o A graphic tablet is used with a stylus to produce
free hand drawings.
Uses
o Graphics tablets are used to produce drawings
and computer graphics.
o In countries where characters are complex e.g.,
Japan, they are used as a form of input.
o They are used in computer aided design (CAD) work.

Advantages
o It is possible to modify drawings before they are input.
o They offer an accurate method of drawing.

Disadvantages
o They are more expensive than other pointing devices.
Web Cam

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o Connected directly to a computer via a USB port.

Uses

o While chatting online webcams can be used to have conversations

o Used to enable video conferencing to take place.

Advantages

o Can be left on constantly and activated when required.

o Allow people to keep in contact with each other without the need to travel,
particularly useful for disabled or elderly people.

Disadvantages

o Webcams have limited features and the picture is often of poor quality.

o They need to be connected to a computer.

Direct Data Entry & AssociatedDevices

Magnetic Stripe Reader
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o Used to read information on the magnetic stripe.
o The stripe contains useful information such as start and expiry date.
Uses
o Credit and debit cards have magnetic stripes that are used by ATMs or EFTPOS
(electronic funds transfer point of sale) terminal.
o Security cards for entering a building e.g., hotel rooms.
o Travel systems e.g., train and underground tickets

Advantages
o Data entry is fast compared with keying in using a keyboard or keypad.
o The system is error free, no typing involved.
o Information is secure since there is no typing, and the information can’t be read
directly by a person.
o Can prevent access to restricted/secure areas.
o Magnetic stripes are unaffected by oil water and moisture.
o No moving parts therefore physically robust

Disadvantages
o If the magnetic stripe is damaged the data is lost
o Card needs to be in close contact with the reader.
o Since the information is not human readable, they need to find a way to show the
information to the customer (e.g., hotel room number not printed on cards)

Chip & PIN readers

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o The device has a slot where the card is placed, and the chip is read.
o A small screen is part of the reader which gives instructions to the operator.
Uses
o Chip and PIN readers are used where payments are made using cards e.g., travel
agents.

Advantages
o Provide a more secure payment system than requiring a signature or using
magnetic stripe, since the PIN typed in must match up with the PIN stored on
the chip
o Provide a more robust system than magnetic stripe since the chip does not need
to be in contact with the reader.

Disadvantages
o Customer needs to be careful when typing in the PIN, so nobody reads it giving
an opportunity for Fraud.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Readers

o RFID readers work in similar ways to a bar code reader.
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o An RFID tag is attached to/inside a surface.
o The reader reads the data held on the tag which is then input into the computer
system for processing.
o Radio waves are used to transmit data thus can be used through most materials.
Uses
o Used in retail or supermarkets as barcode alternatives.
o Used to identify pets.
o Used in passports.

Advantages
o Can hold a lot of data.
o Can be read from long distances.
o Does not require direct line of sight.
o Information can be read faster than
barcodes.
o Can alter information.

Disadvantages
o Thieves can steal information easily.
o RFID tags are expensive.
o Radio waves can experience interference.

Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)

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o Magnetic ink character recognition is a system which can read characters printed
in a special ink.
Uses
o Used to process cheques in banking operations –cheque is read using a batch
processing method.

Advantages
o MICR offers greater security than OCR since the oriented characters cannot be
altered.
o There is no manual input, thus errors are reduced.
o If somebody writes over magnetic ink characters, it can still be read.

Disadvantages
o Only certain characters can be read, and the number of different characters is
very limited.
o It is a more expensive method than other methods used for direct data entry.

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Optical Mark Reader
o Optical mark recognition is a system which can read marks written in pen or
pencil.
Uses
o OMR devices are used to read
questionnaires, multiple choice
examinations papers and other types of
forms in the form of lines or shaded areas.

Advantages
o A very fast way of inputting results of a survey
o Since there is no typing, it is more accurate than keying in data.
o OMR is more accurate than OCR.

Disadvantages
o Forms need to be carefully designed to make sure that the marks/shadings are
correctly positioned to gather accurate information.
o There can be problems if forms aren’t filled in correctly, sometimes they must be
checked manually before being read by OMR, this is both time consuming and
expensive.

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Optical Character Reader
o Optical Character recognition is software that takes scanned text and converts it
into a computer readable form.
Uses
o Processing of passports and Identity cards
o OCR is used when scanning documents to modify them using suitable software.

Advantages
o Much faster data entry system than manually keying in data
o Since there is no manual data entry, the number of errors is reduced.

Disadvantages
o The system has difficulty reading handwriting.
o It is still not a very accurate technique.

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Barcode readers
o Used to read information in the form of a barcode.
o Handheld scanners or wands are very common for reading barcodes.
Uses
o Used in supermarkets and other shops where the goods are marked with a barcode.
o Used in libraries to scan user’s library card and barcodes on books (to keep track of
books on loan)
o Used as a safety function in many companies to ensure that electrical equipment is
checked on a regular basis.

Advantages
o Faster than keying in information, and fewer mistakes are made.
o Used as a way of recording data, can improve safety.
o Barcodes enable automatic stock control.
o Barcode scanning is a tried and trusted technology.
o When an item price is changed, only the central database needs to be updated,
there is no need to change the prices individually on each item.

Disadvantages
o Barcode scanning is an expensive system to
administer since every item in the shops needs
a barcode and every barcode needs to be
entered into the system.
o Also, there is a need to invest in computer technology together with staff
training, which can all be expensive.
o The system is not fool proof- barcode can be swapped around on items.

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Output Devices & their Uses
CRT Monitor
o Cathode Ray Tube monitors
o Least expensive type of monitor, becoming rarer as TFT monitors takeover.
o Come in various sizes.
o Picture created is made up of tiny dots (red, green, or blue), the intensity of the
colour of the dot determines the colour perceived by the eye.
Uses
o Primary output device for computers, user can immediately see what they are
typing in.
o Used with light pens to allow designs to be created onscreen.

Advantages
o Produce higher quality images than TFT monitors.
o Angle of viewing is better than a TFT monitor.
o They work with light pens in CAD and CAM
applications (Computer Aided
Design/Manufacturing)

Disadvantages
o Tend to be heavy, weight hazard if not supported
properly.
o Run very hot, can cause fi res if left unattended –especially if they are old.
o Consume more power than TFT monitors.
o They can flicker, this leads to headaches and eyesight problems with prolonged
use.

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TFT Monitor
o Thin Film Transistor monitors
o Taking over from CRT monitors as the main output
device
o The progress in TFT technology is one of the reasons
for the rapid development of laptop computers.
o The screen is made up of thousands of tiny pixels which are made up of
transistors controlled by a microprocessor.
o Each pixel has three transistors-red, green, or blue; the intensity of each
determines the colour of the pixel seen.
Uses
o Primary output device for computers, user can immediately see what they are
typing in.
o Integral part of laptop computers

Advantages
o Lightweight, so no weight hazards like CRT monitors.
o Less glare produced than in CRT monitors; also emit less radiation.
o Consume much less power and generate less heat than CRT monitors.

Disadvantages
o The angle of viewing is critical; image appears unclear if viewed slightly from
the side.
o This is an issue if several people are looking at the screen at the same time.
o They cannot yet be used with light pens.

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IPS/LCD Monitor
o Front layer made from liquid crystal diodes; grouped together to form pixels
(RGB or RGBY-more vivid colours)
o Receive analogue and digital signals, although most modern projectors only
work with digital inputs.
o IPS (In-plane switching) is the technology used in LCD monitors.

Advantages
o Colour can be seen accurately from different viewing angles.
o No lightening on touching

Disadvantages
o Expensive
o High power consumption
o Slow response time
o Note: Old LCD monitors used CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) technology
to light up the screen.

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LED Monitor:
o Front layer made from liquid crystal diodes; grouped together to form pixels
(RGB or RGBY-more vivid colours)
o For the image to show up on-screen a light source of LED backlight is used.
Advantages (over LCD monitors)
o Lighter and thinner
o Longer life
o Lower power consumption
o Greater contrast and more vivid colour
o Relatively more robust
Disadvantages
o Glare gives viewers headaches.
o Images are too sharp, so can cause eye strain.
Touch Screen
o Automatic selection without a pointing device
Uses
o Automatic teller machines
o EFTPOS (electronic fund transfer point of sales)
o PDA
o Smartphones
o Public information points
Advantages
o Faster data entry
o Easy to choose options.
o User-friendly and intuitive
Disadvantages
o Limited options.
o Frequent usage can lead to RSI, etc.
o Constant usage results in the screen getting dirty, visibility and sensitivity
decreases.

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Multimedia Projector
o Receive analogue and digital signals, although most modern projectors only
work with digital inputs.
o The signal source is usually from a computer, television, or DVD player.
o The image from the source is magnified and projected onto a large screen.
o The devices usually work with a remote control, but can also use virtual mouse
technology – cordless PC mouse (has a laser pointer)
o It is then possible to direct the presentation without being tied to the computer.
o Most multimedia projectors take input from various types of video format e.g.,
PAL, NTSC, or SECAM
Uses
o Used for training presentations (allows the whole audience to see the images
from a computer)
o Also used for advertising presentations (shown at exhibitions, shopping malls
etc.)
o Home cinema systems (projecting the images from a DVD or television) use
multimedia projectors.
o
Advantages
o Enables many people to see a presentation rather than all of them crowded
around a small computer screen.
o Avoids the need for several networked computers, e.g., when looking at a video
clip on the internet, everybody can see the video on the large screen rather than
logging on to several computers.

Disadvantages
o Images can sometimes be fuzzy.
o Expensive to buy.
o Setting up projectors can be a little difficult.

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Laser Printer
o Produce very high-quality hard copy output.
o Print rate per page is fast if many pages are being printed.
o Rely on large buffer memories – the data for the whole document is stored before
pages can be printed out.
Uses
o Used where noise levels need to be kept low e.g., in an office.
o The best option for fast, high-quality, high-volume printing

Advantages
o Printing is fast for high volumes, slightly faster than inkjet, only a few pages are
to be printed.
o Can handle very large print jobs.
o Quality is consistently high.
o Toner cartridges last for a long time;
laser printers can be cost-effective option
if colour outputs are not required.

Disadvantages
o Expensive to buy.
o Only fast if several copies are being made.
o Colour laser printers tend to be expensive to run since four cartridges are needed
as well as diffuser kits, etc.
o Produce ozone and volatile organic compounds because of their printing method
and type of toner/ink used.
o These have been linked to health hazards in the office.

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Inkjet Printer
o Used to produce good quality hard
copies – the quality is not as good as in
laser printers but much better than that
of dot matrix printers.
o Do not have large buffers like laser printers, so printing is done a bit at a time.
o Therefore, printing is sometimes paused – the whole page can’t be stored in the
buffer, it must wait for the computer to send more data.
Uses
o Used where low volume outputs are needed.
o Ideal for high quality printing for small print jobs or single pages e.g., for photo
quality printouts

Advantages
o High quality output
o Cheaper to buy than laser printers.
o Very lightweight and take up little space (small footprint)
o Do not produce ozone and volatile organic compounds, unlike laser printers.

Disadvantages
o Output is slow if several copies are needed – there is little buffer capacity to store
the pages.
o The ink cartridges run out too quickly to be used for large print jobs.
o Printing can smudge if the user is not careful.
o Can be expensive to run if they are used a lot –original ink cartridges are
expensive.

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Dot Matrix Printer
o A type of impact printer
o A print head made up of a matrix of pins presses against an inked ribbon.
Uses
o Can be used in noisy environments e.g., garage workshops.
o Can be used in applications where the print quality is not very important.

Advantages
o Can be used in environments which would be a problem for laser and inkjet
printers – dusty, dirty, or moist atmospheres.
o Carbon copies or multi-part outputs can be produced.
o Very cheap to run and maintain.
o Easy to use if continuous stationary is required e.g., long print jobs such as wage
slips

Disadvantages
o Very noisy – not good in an office environment
o Cost more than an inkjet printer to buy.
o Very slow
o Printing is of poor quality.

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Wide Format Printer
o Devices that produce hard copies but operate in a different way to printers.
o Not limited to normal printer paper size and can produce highly accurate, very
large drawings and posters
o The most common types are pen plotters, electrostatic (similar method to laser
printers) and inkjet plotters with pen plotters, coloured pens are controlled by a
computer and the paper can move backwards and forwards to allow accurate
shapes to be drawn.
Uses
o Used to produce large drawings e.g., blueprints of buildings; are often used with
CAD applications.
o Used to produce large pictures for use on billboards or giant posters.
o They can also print on plastic coated paper.
o If the pens are replaced by cutting tools, it is possible to make large signs.

Advantages
o Can produce huge printouts.
o Print quality is extremely high.

Disadvantages
o Slow in operation
o Expensive to buy and maintain.

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3D Printer
o A new type of printer that produces solid 3D
models using modified inkjet technology called
tomography.
o Very thin layers of fine powder (plaster, resin,
starch) are bonded together as a 3D model is
slowly built up.
o Items produced are known as prototypes.
Uses
o Used to produce prototypes which work from CAD packages, photograph
images, stored drawings etc.
o Scale models are produced in colour before the real thing is manufactured.
o The ultimate objective is to produce organic objects using this layering
technology (such as replacement human organs)

Advantages
o Save a lot of money, other methods of making prototypes are very time
consuming and expensive.
o The powders used can often be ground up and reused.
o Physical scale models are produced with working parts, which gives a better
idea of how the product will look.

Disadvantages
o Expensive to buy.
o Slow at producing their output.
o Product is sometimes a little rough, often further work needs to be done.

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Speakers
o Can be connected directly to a computer or
are built into the monitor or casing (as in
laptop computers)
o Uses a digital to analogue converter (DAC)
to convert digital data from the computer to analogue from so the speakers can
process it; the signal is then amplified through the speakers.
Uses
o Used to output sound from multimedia presentations.
o Used in home entertainment centers.
o They can help blind people through audio output of text on the screen (together
with speech generation software)
o Used to play downloaded sound files.

Advantages
o Usually long lasting and durable (if operated within their intended power levels)
o Often provided with the computer/laptop although these may not be the best
quality.

Disadvantages
o Can take up a lot of desk space, compared to headphones.
o Can distract people around you, everyone can hear what you are playing.
o May not be able to hear the full sound spectrum, this requires multiple speakers.

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Actuators
o A type of controlling device
o Transducers are used to take signals from a computer and convert them into
some form of motion e.g., Operating motors, pumps, switches, and valves.
o Digital signals are sent from the computer to an actuator operating a device.
o Conversion of the digital signal to analogue is required first (using a DAC)

Motors
o Turned on or off by the actuator.
Uses
o Used in many domestic appliances.
o Automatic washing machines (to make the drum rotate)
o Cookers (to switch on fans)
o Water pumps in central heating systems
o Automatic greenhouses to open windows and switch on fans
o Used to control robot arms in the industry.
o Operate fans, disk drives and DVD drives in computers.

Buzzers
o Switched on or off by the actuator.
Uses
o Used in cookers and microwave ovens to tell the operator when the cooking
process is complete.
o Used in burglar alarm systems to warn if intruders are present.

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Heaters
o Actuators are connected to switches which turn the heater on or off.
Uses
o Used in automatic washing machines, cookers, and central heating systems.
o Used in automatic greenhouses to control the temperature.

Lights
o The actuator is connected to the switch that turns the lights on or off.
Uses
o Security lights
o Used in greenhouses to control the lighting conditions.

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