INPUT DEVICES

An Input device is a peripheral device used to gather and translate input into a form that the
computer can process.

1) Keyboards
The keyboard is the most common and simplest input device. It is used for typing/keying in
characters into the computer.

It consists of four main areas: the function keys, the typewriter keys, the numeric keypad, and
special-purpose keys. The central area of the keyboard contains the standard typing keys (A, B, C, D,
etc.) and the spacebar. The standard keys consist of letters, numbers, and special characters such as
the semicolon and the dollar sign. Fig. 2.2 shows a sample keyboard
Function keys Numeric pad keys

Caps lock Alphabet keys Shift key Enter key Arrow keys

2) Optical Character Reader( OCR)

It is an input device used to detect the characters. It detects only standard fonts which can be read
by human or machine. The reading is done by light scanning technique in which each character is
illuminated by a light source and the reflected images of the characters are analyzed in terms of
light, dark pattern produced.

Advantages:
 Documents can be read directly into a computer without any typing.
 Fast in capturing the data.
Disadvantages:
 Handwritten characters and unusual fonts may be difficult to recognize
 Device is expensive to buy.

3) Optical Mark Reader(OMR)

It is an input device used to read the answer sheet of multiple choice question paper by means of
light. It emits the light on multiple choice answer sheet and detects the marks present on one of the
option either circle or cross.
Advantages
 The use of OMR means that details do not have to be typed in; typing could introduce
errors and takes time.
 OMR reduces the cost of inputting large volumes of data because people do not need to
type the details.
 The method is useful when results of tests are needed very quickly.
Disadvantages
 If the forms are creased or folded then they may be rejected or foul the machine.
 Badly damaged forms will need to be rewritten or keyed in manually

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4) Magnetic Ink Character Reader(MICR)
It is an input device that uses special ink to print characters. Only this device can detect this
characters. This system is widely used by banks for processing cheques. Cheque numbers are printed
with this ink containing magnetized particle of iron oxide.

Advantages
 MICR makes it difficult to forge cheques
 Makes it easy to process cheques
Disadvantages
 MICR readers and encoders are very expensive to buy and maintain.
 The machine can only accept a few different characters.

Barcode
This is a pattern of parallel lines of different thickness used to represent a code number,
which can then be read automatically. Often the number represented by the bars is also
printed above or below the barcode. It is often used by shops to identify a product at the
point-of-sale terminal.

5) Barcode reader or barcode scanner

This is an input device used to read information in barcode form. Sometimes the reader is built into
equipment such as a supermarket checkout terminal, where it is usually referred as a scanner. This
form of reader shines laser light beams onto the object being scanned and interprets the patterns
reflected by the barcode.
Points to note
1. Barcodes on shop goods are used to store the following information about the product.
 Country of origin
 Manufacturer
 An item number for the product
 Product name
2. The price is not included in the data on the barcode. The price is stored in a computer.
Advantages:
 Data can be input directly into the computer
 Barcode readers are fast and accurate in capturing data provided that the bar-code has
been printed clearly.
Disadvantages:
 Barcodes readers are expensive to buy and maintain.
 If barcodes are broken, or which has ink where a space should be or smudged by dirty
hands, may cause errors when an attempt is made to read the code.
(In such situations bar codes have to be entered using code number by a
keyboard.)

Application (Areas of use):

 At the supermarket
 Recording loans of library books
 Luggage handling systems at the airports
 Stock control at the warehouses.
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6) Sensors
These are instruments that are capable of directly encoding a physical event into data. Sensors can record
speed, motion, heat, pressure etc

Examples of the uses of sensors are:

 Some traffic lights are triggered by a sensor hidden under the street surface. The sensor senses when a
car passes over it and inputs the data to a microcomputer that controls the traffic lights.
 Sensor monitor the temperature in buildings which are air conditioned and sends the data to
microprocessors that control the temperature.

Electronic point of sale (EPOS) terminal

EPOS terminals are the cash registers which also act as terminals to a main computer system. As well as
providing customers with itemized bills, these systems also give useful management information.

Electronic fund transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS)

EFTPOS terminals are similar to EPOS terminals but with some additional features. For instance, they are able
to transfer funds from your bank account directly to a store's account using a card called a debit card. If you
have a debit card you can use it instead of a cheque and it is a faster method of payment.

The advantage to a store is that the money is instantly transferred into its account, whereas with cheques
and credit cards there is a delay before the money reaches the shop's account. You can also get 'cash back'
using your debit card.
There are some disadvantages with such cards: they may be stolen or forged and they are said to encourage
people to spend more money.

7) Microphone
A microphone is used as the input device for a speech recognition system. The voice pattern of the user is
then converted into instructions to the operating system or applications software, or into text on the screen.

8) Magnetic stripe reader

You can see magnetic stripe readers at the side of computerized tills (often called electronic point-of-sale
(EPOS) terminals). Figure shows one being used to read information contained in the magnetic stripe of a
credit card.

9) Graphics tablets
An interesting method of input which is used for making maps is the digitizer, graphic tablets 'or digitizing
tablet. Graphics tablets are rather like electronic tracing paper and, like paper, they come in all sizes from a
modest A4 size to a very large A4 size which will occupy the best part of a desk. Each surface is covered by a
grid of many tiny wires which are connected to the computer. Drawings placed over this grid can be traced
and entered into the computer by the usage of a special pen or mouse-like device with a cross-hair that
'Opens and closes electrical circuits in the grid and thus identifies x-y coordinates. Original drawings may also
be entered. As it progresses, the drawing is displayed on the screen; it can later be stored 'Or printed out.
Digitizers are also used in commercial designing and in engineering operation such as those that develop
aircraft or computer chips.

10) Mouse
The mouse is an input device that controls a pointer on the screen. When you move the mouse around the
desktop, the rubber-coated ball on the bottom of the mouse moves. The ball's movement is translated into
signals that tell the computer how to move the screen pointer. On top of the mouse are two buttons that are
used to make selections from items on the screen.
11) Tracker ball
A track ball is a pointing device that you might use as an alternative to a mouse. You roll the ball to position
the pointer on the screen. Unlike a mouse, a track ball doesn't move on the desk and therefore requires less

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space.

Advantages
A tracker ball does not require a large flat surface.

12) Touch Sensitive Pad

Touch sensitive pads or track pads are commonly found on notebook computers. The cursor moves by touching
different parts of the pad, such as left, right, up or down.

13) Joystick
A joystick is similar to a tracker ball. Whenever the stick is moved, the cursor moves in a similar direction on
the screen. Joysticks are mainly used for games, but it can also be used in other places like scanners in
hospitals.

14) Light Pen

Light Pen is used as a pointing device. A person can point the pen and perform drawing 'Of a line 'or curve on
the screen. It may be noted that light pen does not emit light. The light sensitive diode at the tip 'Of the pen
will sense the light coming from the screen. The light pen is also useful for graphics work. Far example, the
user at the computer-aided design (CAD) terminal can "draw" directly on the screen with the pen.

15) Scanners
Scanners provide the ability to convert regular pictures and text into computer files that can be added to
Internet pages or any other computer application. Scanners come in three basic varieties: hand held
scanners, page scanners, and flat bed scanners. Some can change 'only black and white images while others
can convert full color graphics.
The resolution 'Of a scanner is measured by the number 'Of dots per inch (DPI) that the scanner reads. The
higher the resolution, and thus DPl, the clearer the resulting scanned image.

16) Touch screen

A touch screen is a special kind of screen which is sensitive to touch. A selection is made from a menu on the
screen by touching part of it. These screens are ideal for use in restaurants,banks and building societies,
where customers who are not used to keyboards can obtain information about the services offered.

INPUT DEVICES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

1) Braille Keyboard
Braille keyboards make it easy for blind users to input data into a computer. All the characters on the keys of
the keyboard are embossed. So that a blind person can feel the character by touching it.

4) Microphone
A microphone is used as the input device for a speech recognition system. The voice patterns of the user are
then converted into instructions to the operating system or application software, or into text on the screen.
A microphone may also be used as an input device to a voice mail system. The user can then play the message
back using a loudspeaker as the output device. This device is also suitable for visually handicapped person to
input data.