HARDWARE INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES

Input devices
Barcode scanners (readers)
A barcode is a series of dark and light parallel lines of varying thickness. The
numbers 0 to 9 are each represented by a unique series of lines. Various barcode
methods for representing these digits exist. The example we shall use adopts
different codes for digits appearing on the left and for digits appearing on the
right of the barcode:

Fig. 2 Sample barcode

Each digit in the barcode is represented by bars of 1 to 4 blocks thick as shown in
Figure 3. Note there are different patterns for digits on the left-hand side and for digits
on the right-hand side.

Figure. 3 Barcode pattern digit

Each digit is made up of 2 dark lines and two light lines. The width representing each
digit is the same. The digits on the left have an odd number of dark elements and
always begin with a light bar; the digits on the right have an even number of dark
elements and always begin with a dark bar. This arrangement allows a barcode to be
scanned in any direction.
So what happens when a barcode is scanned?
❖ The barcode is first of all 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:
LDDDDLD
(where L = light and D = dark), this has the binary equivalent of:

0111101

Barcodes are most commonly found at the checkout in supermarkets. There are several
other input and output devices at the checkout:

Table 1.1 Input and output devices at a checkout

Input and output devices at a How it is used

checkout

Keypad to key in the number of same items bought; to

key in a weight, to key in the number under the
barcode if it cannot be read by the barcode
reader/scanner

screen/monitor to show the cost of an item and other information

speaker to make a beeping sound every time a barcode

is read correctly; but also to make another sound
if there is an error when reading the barcode

printer To print out a receipt/itemized list

Card reader/chip and PIN to read the customer’s credit/debit card (either
using PIN or contactless)

touchscreen to select items by touching an icon (such as

fresh fruit which may be sold loose without
packaging)
So the barcode has been read, then what happens?
❖ 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 1 each time the barcode is
read
❖ this new value for number of stock 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 reordering every time the stock item barcode is read
❖ When new stock items arrive, the stock levels are updated in the database.

Advantages to the management of using barcodes

❖ much easier and faster to change prices on stock items
❖ much better, more up-to-date sales information/sales trends
❖ no need to price every stock item on the shelves (this reduces time and cost to
the management)
❖ allows for automatic stock control
❖ possible to check customer buying habits more easily by linking barcodes to, for
example, customer loyalty cards.

Advantages to the customers of using barcodes

❖ faster checkout queues (staff don’t need to remember/look up prices of items)
❖ errors in charging customers is reduced
❖ the customer is given an itemized bill
❖ cost savings can be passed on to the customer
❖ better track of ‘sell by dates’ so food should be fresher.

The barcode system is used in many other areas. For example, barcodes can be
utilized in libraries where they 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.

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. For example, the QR code in Figure 4 is a
website advertising rock music merchandise. It includes a web address in the code.

figure .4 scan me
QR codes can hold considerably more information than the more conventional barcodes
described earlier.

Description of QR codes
❖ A QR code consists of a block of small squares (light and dark) known as
pixels.It can presently hold up to 4296 characters (or up to 7089 digits) and also
allows internet addresses to be encoded within the QR code. This compares to
the 30 digits that is the maximum for a barcode. However, as more and more
data is added, the structure of the QR code becomes more complex.
❖ The three large squares at the corners of the code function as a form of
alignment; the remaining small corner square is used to ensure the correct size
and correct angle of the camera shot when the QR code is read.

Because of modern smartphones and tablets, which allow internet access on the move,
QR codes can be scanned anywhere. This gives rise to a number of uses:
❖ advertising products (for example, the QR code in Figure 4)
❖ giving automatic access to a website or contact telephone number
❖ storing boarding passes electronically at airports and train stations

By using the built-in camera on a mobile smartphone or tablet and by downloading a

QR app (application), it is possible to read QR codes on the move using the following
method:
❖ point the phone or tablet camera at the QR code
❖ the app will now process the image taken by the camera, converting the squares
into readable data
❖ the browser software on the mobile phone or tablet automatically reads the data
generated by the app; it will also decode any web addresses contained within the
QR code
 ❖ the user will then be sent to a website automatically (or if a telephone number
was embedded in the code, the user will be sent to the phone app )
❖ if the QR code contains a boarding pass, this will be automatically sent to the
phone/tablet.

Advantages of QR codes compared to traditional barcodes

❖ They can hold much more information
❖ There will be fewer errors; the higher capacity of the QR code allows the use of
built-in error-checking systems – normal barcodes contain almost no data
redundancy (data which is duplicated) therefore it isn’t possible to guard against
badly printed or damaged barcodes
❖ QR codes are easier to read; they don’t need expensive laser or LED (light
emitting diode) scanners like barcodes – they can be read by the cameras on
smartphones or tablets
❖ It is easy to transmit QR codes either as text messages or images
❖ It is also possible to encrypt QR codes which gives them greater protection than
traditional barcodes.

Disadvantages of QR codes compared to traditional barcodes

❖ More than one QR format is available
❖ QR codes can be used to transmit malicious codes – known as attagging. Since
there are a large number of free apps available to a user for generating QR
codes, that means anyone can do this. It is relatively easy to write malicious code
and embed this within the QR code. When the code is scanned, it is possible the
creator of the malicious code could gain access to everything on the user’s
phone (for example, photographs, address book, stored passwords, and so on).
The user could also be sent to a fake website or it is even possible for a virus to
be downloaded.

New developments
Newer QR codes (called frame QR codes) are now being used because of the
increased ability to add advertising logos (see Figure 5). Frame QR codes come with a
‘canvas area’ where it is possible to include graphics or images inside the code itself.
Unlike normal QR codes, software to do this isn’t usually free.
Figure. 5

Output device

Inkjet and laser printers

Inkjet printers
Inkjet printers are essentially made up of:
❖ a print head, which consists of nozzles that spray droplets of ink onto the paper
to form characters
❖ an ink cartridge or cartridges; either one cartridge for each colour (blue, yellow
and magenta) and a black cartridge or one single cartridge containing all three
colours + black (Note: some systems use six colours)
❖ a stepper motor and belt, which moves the print head assembly across the page
from side to side
❖ a paper feed, which automatically feeds the printer with pages as they are
required.

The ink droplets are produced currently using two different technologies:
Thermal bubble – tiny resistors create localized heat which makes the ink vaporize.
This causes the ink to form a tiny bubble; as the bubble expands, some of the ink is
ejected from the print head onto the paper. When the bubble collapses, a small vacuum
is created which allows fresh ink to be drawn into the print head. This continues until the
printing cycle is completed.
Piezoelectric – a crystal is located at the back of the ink reservoir for each nozzle. The
crystal is given a tiny electric charge which makes it vibrate. This vibration forces ink to
be ejected onto the paper; at the same time more ink is drawn in for further printing.
When a user wishes to print a document using an inkjet printer, the following sequence
of events takes place. Whatever technology is used, the basic steps in the printing
process are the same.

Table 2 Steps in inkjet printing process

Stage Description of what happens

in
process

1 the data from the document is sent to a printer driver

2 the printer driver ensures that the data is in a format that the chosen printer
can understand

3 a check is made by the printer driver to ensure that the chosen printer is
available to print (e.g. is it busy, is it offline, is it out of ink, and so on)

4 the data is then sent to the printer and it is stored in a temporary memory
known as a printer buffer

5 a sheet of paper is then fed into the main body of the printer; a sensor detects
whether paper is available in the paper feed tray – if it is out of paper (or the
paper is jammed) then an error message is sent back to the computer

6 as the sheet of paper is fed through the printer, the print head moves from side
to side across the paper printing the text or image; the four ink colours are
sprayed in their exact amounts to produce the desired final colour

7 at the end of each full pass of the print head, the paper is advanced very
slightly to allow the next line to be printed; this continues until the whole page
has been printed

8 if there is more data in the printer buffer, then the whole process from stage 5
 is repeated until the buffer is finally empty

9 once the printer buffer is empty, the printer sends an interrupt to the CPU in
the computer; this is a request for more data to be sent to the printer; the
whole process continues until the whole of the document has been printed

Laser printers
Laser printers use dry powder ink rather than liquid ink and make use of the properties
of static electricity to produce the text and images. Unlike inkjet printers, laser printers
print the whole page in one go. Colour laser printers use 4 toner cartridges – blue, cyan,
magenta and black. Although the actual technology is different to monochrome printers,
the printing method is similar but coloured dots are used to build up the text and
images.
The following table describes briefly the stages that occur when a document is printed
using a laser printer:

Stage in Description of what happens

process

1 the data from the document is sent to a printer driver

2 the printer driver ensures that the data is in a format that the chosen
printer can understand

3 a check is made by the printer driver to ensure that the chosen printer is
available to print (e.g. is it busy, is it off-line, is it out of ink, and so on)

4 the data is then sent to the printer and it is stored in a temporary

memory known as a printer buffer

5 the start of the printing process involves a printing drum being given a
positive charge; as this drum rotates, a laser beam is scanned across it
removing the positive charge in certain areas; this leaves negatively
charged areas that exactly match the text/images of the page to be
printed
 6 the drum is then coated with positively charged toner (powdered ink);
since the toner is positively charged, it only sticks to the negatively
charged parts of the drum

7 a negatively charged sheet of paper is then rolled over the drum

8 the toner on the drum now sticks to the paper to produce an exact copy
of the page sent to the printer

9 to prevent the paper sticking to the drum, the electric charge on the
paper is removed after one rotation of the drum

10 the paper finally goes through a fuser which is a set of heated rollers;
the heat melts the ink so that it fixes permanently to the paper

11 at the very end, a discharge lamp removes all the electric charge from
the drum making it ready to print the next page

Applications of inkjet and laser printers

The choice of whether to use an inkjet printer or a laser printer depends on which
features make it the most appropriate output device for the given application.
Inkjet printer – inkjet printers are often used for printing one-off photos or where only a
few pages of good quality colour printing is needed; the small ink cartridges or small
paper trays would not be an issue with such applications.

Laser printer – these devices produce high quality printouts and are very fast when
making multiple copies of a document; any application that needs high volume printing
(in colour or monochrome) would choose the laser printer (for example, producing a
large number of high-quality flyers or posters for advertising). Laser printers have two
advantages: they have large toner cartridges and large paper trays (often holding more
than a ream of paper).

GLHF