Information & Communication Technology (ICT) CHAPTER 2

INPUT AND
OUTPUT DEVICES

2.1 INPUT DEVICES

Ms. Masarrah
 Learning
Objectives
Explain what is meant by input devices and how
1 they are used.

Understand that manual input devices need a

2 person to enter the data, but direct data entry
systems do not need a human to enter data.
 Learning
Objectives
3 Explain what is meant by output devices and how
they are used.

4 Describe the advantages and disadvantages of

input and output.
 Introduction
Input devices are used to enter data into a computer. The processor processes the
data given by the input device.

There are two different categories of input device. They are:

❑ Manual input devices, which people use to enter data into a computer themselves.
❑ Direct data-entry (DDE) devices, which enable data to be entered directly without a
human having to input it manually.
 2.1 Input Devices – Input Reading Text Devices

Keyboards Numeric keypads

❑ Keyboards are the most common used ❑ Numeric keypads are to input their PIN
input devices and are used to enter fixed numbers (although some have a function
values, often characters, numbers, and key to allow alphabetic characters to be
instructions into the computer. Most use input).
the QWERTY layout (this name comes from ❑ Also, it is small, easy to use and are not
the keys on the top row, which spell out dependent on language.
'QWERTY'). ❑ Fast entry of numeric data into a
spreadsheet.
❑ Ergonomic keyboards are designed to
reduce the health-related problems
associated with standard keyboards, such
as carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive
strain injury (RSI).
 Keyboard

ADVANTAGES
• They are so common that everyone is familiar with them.
• They are easy to use and people quickly become familiar with their
layout.

DISADVANTAGES
• It is very easy to make an error when entering the data.
• Unless users learn how to touch type, it can be time consuming to enter
the data.
• Can cause strain injuries if used for long periods.
• Cannot be used for creating diagrams and artwork.
• Different keyboards are required for different countries as their languages
may use different characters.
 Numeric Keypads

ADVANTAGES
• Faster than standard
keyboards when entering
numeric data.
• Since many are small
devices (for example, cell
phones) they are very easy DISADVANTAGES
to carry around.
• Sometimes have small keys which
can make input more difficult.
• Sometimes the order of the numbers
on the keypad isn't intuitive.
 2.1 Input Devices – Input Pointing Devices

Pointing Devices
Mouse Touchpad Tracker ball
• Use with a computer • A flat area next to the The original, mechanical
with a graphical user keyboard of a laptop. mice turned upside down
interface to move the • Allow you to swipe, use so that the mouse remains
pointer on the screen. one, two of more stationary, and the user
• An optical mouse uses fingers for different moves the ball, which is
an optical sensor to functions and with obviously much larger in a
detect changes in some you can use your tracker ball.
reflected light. thumb and finger to
• A wireless mouse zoom in or out.
communicates with the
computer using Wi-Fi or
Bluetooth.
 Mouse
ADVANTAGES
• They provide a fast method of input.
• They are intuitive to use because they simply involve pointing at
things

DISADVANTAGES

• Mouse can be easily damaged or vandalised.

• Some people, particularly if they have physical disabilities, find mouse
difficult to use.
• Overuse of a mouse can lead to repetitive strain injury.
• Mouse need a flat surface to be moved around on.
 Tracker ball

ADVANTAGES
• A tracker ball is stationary and does not need a surface to be moved around on.
• It can be built into a computer and is not as likely to get lost or damaged like a
mouse can.
• It can also be used by disabled people who may have restricted movement.

DISADVANTAGES
• Can be difficult to use for some applications which need fine control.
 2.1 Input Devices – Input Pointing Devices
Remote controls Joysticks Driving wheel Touch screens
• A small, handheld • Carry out the • Designed for use • It is a display
device that can be same tasks as a in racing video screen that is
used to operate mouse as well as games, driving both an input and
equipment such as other functions and racing an output device.
a TV or stereo. such as controlling simulators.
the movement of • A touch screen
• It uses infrared a motorized • They are often can determine
signal send over wheelchair. packaged with where on the
the equipment. pedals for screen the user
• It consists of a acceleration and has touched and
stick that pivots also brakes. sends that
on a base and the information to the
top of the stick processor.
can be moved in
any direction.
 Joystick

ADVANTAGES
• Give the user the impression of being in control and receive direct and
immediate result of the player's actions that adds to the enjoyment of
the game.
• They are easy to use in a very complex environment such as operating
aircraft.
• They allow the user to give many different commands with very little
physical movement such as motorised wheelchair

DISADVANTAGES
• It is more difficult to control the fine movement of the pointer on the
screen than with a mouse
 Driving Wheel

ADVANTAGES

• Allows users to control movement far

more accurately that a mouse or
joystick.
• Force feedback can also be added to
provide simulated road resistance.
DISADVANTAGES

• Can only be used for one purpose. It would be

very difficult, for example, to write a document
using a driving wheel as the input device.
• Adding mechanical elements, such as force
feedback and gear levers, increases
manufacturing costs.
 Touch Screen

Resistive: sensitive to pressure from finger or another object pressed onto the screen. The point of
contact is detected because two metallic layers touch at that certain point resulting in a change in voltage.
Capacitive: sensitive to static electricity on an exposed finger. This is detected by sensors placed at the
four corners of the screen allowing it to detect the touch point.

Advantages Disadvantages
• They are intuitive and easy to use. A user merely • Not suitable for inputting large amounts of data.
taps an image on a screen. • Not very accurate for selecting very small areas.
• Space-saving as input and output devices are the • Disabled people can find them difficult to use if
same. they cannot lift their arms or are sitting in a
• Cost effective for shops and restaurants as fewer wheelchair and the machines are placed too
staff are needed if customers can order and high.
serve themselves. • Hygiene problems with lots of people touching
the screen.
 2.1 Input Devices – Input Audio/Video Devices
Scanners Cameras Video Cameras Webcams

• Used to convert Capture digital • Used to record • A special category

text, diagrams and photographs that can moving pictures, of video camera
images into digital be stored on a or video, that are that have no
data so that they memory card or a stored storage capacity
can be hard disk and electronically. but are connected
manipulated by a displayed on a • A video camera directly to a
computer. screen. can store the data computer.
on a memory • Used to provide
The greater the card, or it can be live video pictures
number of pixels, the linked to a when chatting
more detailed the computer in order with friends ,
image. to feed the video family members or
directly into the meetings (video-
computer. conference).
 Scanners

ADVANTAGES
• Flatbed scanners are very accurate and can produce
reasonably high-quality images. DISADVANTAGES
• Hard-copy material can be changed into a form that
can be edited or stored on the computer system.
• Any material that is digitised by a scanner can then • Reduction in the quality of
be included on electronic documents the image, and scanned
• Scanned images can be imported into graphics diagrams can sometimes
applications, and enhanced, improved or changed as appear distorted.
needed. • Scanned images can take up
• Specialist scanners can convert old material such as a lot of space in storage.
35 mm negatives into digital files, which means
sentimental images can be kept safe - although not
in the original form.
 Digital Camera

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• The picture can be seen • The storage device, usually a

immediately and erased if it is memory card, may become full so
not good enough. that images are not saved.
• Digital images can be • The memory card may become
manipulated more readily than corrupted.
those on film. • The camera battery may run out
• The image can be used in other so that photographs cannot be
electronic documents. taken.
 Video Camera

ADVANTAGES
• Take moving images and not just
still ones.
• Record audio as well as images.
• Provide a more realistic record
of an event.
DISADVANTAGES

• File sizes can be very large.

• May need expensive software to
edit them.
 2.1 Input Devices
Sensors: A device that detects and responds to some type on input
Microphones from the environment
Temperature sensors Pressure sensors Light sensors
• Input sounds into a • Read the • Measure pressures • Measure the amount
computer by temperature of their and send the results of light falling on
converting sound surroundings and to the processor them.
waves into digital send the readings to where the decision is • Example: to decide
data. the processor. taken as to what to whether to turn the
• Used in video- • Used in many do. headlights on for car.
conference, add applications: • Example: burglar
speech to Regulating the alarm system.
presentation and etc. temperature of a
room, greenhouses
and controlling the
heat in reaction
vessels in a scientific
experiment.
 Sensors

ADVANTAGES
• They are more reliable than a
human being because a human
may forget to take readings.
DISADVANTAGES
• Readings are more accurate
than those taken by humans. • Digital sensors are active sensors and
• It is not possible for a human to need a power source. If there is a
go to some places where power cut or their battery dies, they
readings need to be taken, like will stop working. Passive sensors do
the inside of a reaction vessel, not need a power source, for
where chemical reactions take example, a mercury thermometer or
place. a barometer.
• If the sensors are left at a remote
location and malfunction, then their
users will not know.
 2.1 Input Devices
Light pen Stylus
• Light sensitive input devices that • Senses the progress of the pen moving over its
were used before the development surface and sends this information to the
of touch screens to select text, draw computer.
pictures and interact with user • The computer converts the drawing strokes into
interface. digital form, displaying them on the computer
• Often used with a graphics tablet to screen.
'draw' diagrams and illustrations. • A stylus can be used with both the resistive and
capacitive touch screens.
 Light Pen & Stylus

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Both are easy to use. • Light pens can only be used with
• Both provide accurate some screens.
positioning. • Light pens don't work on LCD
• Both are ergonomically screens.
designed for ease of hand • Both can impair the view of the
movement. computer screen that they are
• Both don't take up much space being used on.
on your desk. • Both are not good for basic
• Both are lightweight and have operations such as printing,
no moving parts. clicking and selecting from menus.
• Graphic tablets are relatively
expensive.