COMPUTER HARDWARE

Computer hardware refers to the physical or tangible components or parts of a computer that you
can touch, see or pickup.

Computer hardware components are categorized basing on their uses into four categories: input,
processing, output or storage devices

INPUT DEVICES
An input device is any hardware component that aids users to enter data and

instructions into a computer in a form that it can use.

Different types of data are entered into a computer using a special input device thus input devices
can be grouped into the following:

  Text input devices

  Pointing devices
  Imaging devices
  Gaming devices and controllers
  Audio and voice input devices
  Biometric input devices and
 Other specialized input devices

a) Text input devices

Text input devices are those used to enter data and instructions in form of characters, numbers
and symbols. The common text input device is the computer keyboard.

The computer keyboard

It has keys that users press to enter data and instructions into a
computer. It is the primary input device for most computers. A
standard model has between 102 – 105 keys.

Keyboard exists in different forms and types such as on-screen, wireless, corded, virtual,
ergonomic, mini keyboards ad keypads.

  They are common, commonly supplied with computers

  Entering data and commands with a keyboard is faster
  Keyboards are more reliable
  They are relatively cheap

b) Pointing devices
A pointing device is an input device that allows a user to move a pointer and make selections on the
computer screen.

Common pointing devices are described below:

The mouse

It is a hand held pointing device that aids the user to point to and make select item on the computer
screen. Mice exist in different forms and types i.e. optical, laser, mechanical, optical mechanical and
air mouse.

A Mechanical mouse uses sensors that detect the direction of a rubber or metallic ball on its
underside that can roll in all directions.
An optical mouse uses devices that emit light to detect the mouse's movement. It is much more
expensive than a mechanical modal.

A laser mouse uses a laser to detect the movement of the pointer

An air mouse is a newer model that allows the user to control objects, control media players or
slide shows by moving it in predetermined directions in the air. For example raising the mouse
might increase the volume of a media player.

A wireless mouse runs on a battery. When the user moves the mouse, it sends an infrared beam to
a sensor which moves the pointer to.

Common terminology associated with the use of a mouse

1. Clicking: pressing and releasing the left hand button of the mouse once.
2. Right clicking: pressing and releasing the right mouse button once
3. Double clicking: pressing the left button in quick succession
4. Dragging: pointing at an item and then hold down the left button as

you move the mouse.

5. Scrolling: navigating the window page up or down by moving the

wheel like button.

6. Dropping: This refers to the release of the left button mouse after

dragging an item.

Trackball

A trackball is a stationary pointing device with a ball on it top or side, that is rotated with a thumb
or finger. It works like the mouse except that it remains stationary as the user roll the ball.

Touchpad

It is a small flat rectangular pointing device sensitive to pressure and motion. The user slides a
finger on it to use it. This is the best substitute of a mouse and it is common on notebook or laptop
computers.

Touch-sensitive pads

Works more like a touch screen but enable users to scroll through and play music. It contains keys
or wheels operated with the finger or thumb.

Light pen

Is a light-sensitive device that is used with only CRT monitors. It allows the user to point to
displayed objects, or draw on the screen, in a similar way to a touch screen but with greater
positional accuracy.

Touch screens

A touch screen is a touch-sensitive input and display device. Users can interact with these devices
by touching the surface of the screen it is common on smartphones, laptops, terminals, etc.
Track point

Also called a pointing stick – it is a pressure sensitive pointing device shaped like a pencil eraser,
positioned between the G, H, and B keys on a keyboard. To move the pointer, the stick is pushed in
the desired pointer direction.

c) Pen input devices Stylus pen

It is a small metal or plastic ink pen – like device that uses pressure instead of ink. It writes and
draws on a flat device called the Graphics tablet.

Digital pen

Is slightly larger than a stylus and has more functionality such as an electronic eraser and
programmable buttons. It also writes and draws on a Graphics tablet.

A graphics tablet

It is a flat, rectangular, electronic plastic board that users can use with a stylus or digital pen to
write on or sketch from.

d) Gaming devices or Game controllers

These are devices specifically designed to be used for playing computer and video games. They
include the following:

Gaming keyboard
Gaming keyboards include programmable keys so that users can customize it to be used in a
computer game. Some have small displays that show game statistics, such as time to targets
remaining.

Gaming wheels

A gaming wheel is a steering wheel-like device that users turn to simulate driving a vehicle using
programs on a computer. Most wheels have foot pedals for acceleration and braking actions.

Joystick

It is a handheld vertical lever mounted on a base. A user moves the lever in different directions and
presses the buttons to control actions of a stimulated player or vehicle.

Gamepad

A gamepad controls the movement and actions of players or objects in video games or computer
games.

Light gun

A light gun is used to shoot targets and moving objects after the user pull the trigger on the device.

Dance pad

A dance pad is a flat electronic device divided into panels that users press with their feet in
response to instructions from a music video game.

Motion sensing game controllers

These allow the user to guide onscreen elements by moving a handheld input device in
predetermined directions through the air. Examples include the power glove, play station movie
gadgets, balance boards, golf clubs, baseball bats, music instruments, among others.

e) Voice recognition equipment

It converts spoken words to text. Computers with speech recognition are programmed to recognize
a vocabulary of words. The common VRE is a microphone.

f) Audio input devices

Audio input devices enter data into a computer in form of sound effects, music, and speech.
The common audio input devices include MIDIs such as electronic keyboards, pianos,
guitars, electronic drums, etc., Microphones, Tape recorders, Radio and TV receivers

g) Video input devices

These input data in form of full motion pictures and images and storing them on computer
memory. Common video input devices are digital video cameras, web cameras – cameras
that capture videos that display on webpage, camcorders, etc.

h) Scanning and reading devices

These devices capture data directly from source documents such as credit cards, cheques,
forms, invoices, adverts, brochures, photos, etc.

They include the following examples:

1. Optical readers

These are devices that use light to read characters, marks, codes, then converts them into digital
data that the computer can process. These are Optical Mark Recognition readers and Optical
Character Recognition readers
   Optical Character Recognition (OMR) reader reads type-written; computer- printed,
or hand written characters from ordinary documents to a form a computer can process.

 Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) device read hand-drawn marks such as small circles
or rectangles on preprinted forms.

A person places these marks on a form, such as a test, survey, or questionnaire, answer
sheet.

2. Barcode readers or Barcode scanners

It is an optical reader that uses laser beams to read barcodes that are printed on items
usually in super markets.
A bar code is an identification code that consists of a set of vertical lines and spaces of
different widths and other images. Barcodes represent some data that identifies the item
such as price and the manufacturer.

3. Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)

It is used to read text printed with magnetized ink and converts it into a form that the computer can
process. They are mainly used in banks to process cheques. A check is inserted into a MICR reader,
which sends the check information to a computer for processing.

4. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers

(RFID) is a technology that uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic tag, attached to or
in an object, through a reader to identify and track the object. RFID readers can work over a long
distance.

An RFID tag can be affixed to cars, computer equipment, books, mobile phones, and person.

5. Magnetic strip card reader

It reads magnetic strips on Credit cards, bank ATM cards, SIM cards, and other similar cards.
Exposure to a magnet or magnetic field can erase the information and contents of a card's magnetic
strip.

i. Imaging devices

These are devices that input images such as still photos, motion pictures, graphics, video etc. into
the computer for processing.
They include the following:

 Image scanner

A scanner is a light-sensing input device that converts hardcopy documents, drawings, or pictures
to an electronic version (softcopy), which can then be stored on a disk and processed.

Common types of scanners

 A flatbed scanner works like a copy machine except that it creates a file of the document rather
than a paper copy.

 A sheet feed scanner has motorized rollers that can feed the source document across the
scanning head during the scanning process.

 A handheld scanner is manually passed over the image to be scanned.

Digital camera

A digital camera allows users to take pictures and store them digitally instead of storing them on a
traditional film. Digital cameras are replacing film ones that store images on micro films.

Digital Camera Web Camera Flatbed Scanner

Handheld Scanner

j. Biometric input devices

A biometric device identifies and analyzes a human biological characteristic and translates it into a
digital code that is stored or compared with a digital code stored in the computer.

They include:

 A Fingerprint scanner - captures curves and indentations of a fingerprint. Some grocery

and retail stores now use fingerprint readers as a means of payment, where the customer's
fingerprint is linked to an account or credit card.

  Face recognition systems - captures a live face image and compares it with a stored
image to determine if the person is a legitimate user. Some buildings use face-recognition
systems to secure access to rooms.
  Hand geometry system - measures the shape and size of a person's hand using a hand
geometry system. Some large companies use this system as time and attendance devices or
as security devices. Day-care centers use this system to verify parents who pick up their
children.
  A signature verification system - recognizes the shape of your handwritten signature,
as well as the pressure exerted and the motion used to write the signature. Signature
verification system uses a specialized pen and tablet.
  Iris recognition system - reads patterns in the iris of the eye. These patterns are as
unique as a fingerprint. Iris recognition systems are used by government security
organizations, the military and financial institutions that deal with highly sensitive data.
   Retinal scanners – scan patterns of the tiny blood vessels in the back of the retina in
the eye.

j) Terminals

These are computer devices that allow users to send data to or receive information from a host
computer. These include:

1. (i) Electronic Point Of Sale (EPOS) – a machine from where customers can pay for goods
or services from. It records purchases, processes credit or debit cards and updates
inventory. They are commonly used in super markets and large shopping halls.

(ii) Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) – a self-service machine from where bank
customers can withdraw cash, deposit money, transfer funds, or inquire about their account
balances. The user inserts a bank card into the machine. The machine prints a receipt when
transactions are over.

k) Other specialized input devices

There are many other special input devices that are used for doing special customized tasks such
as:

  Remote controllers - devices that emit a beam of infrared light, which carries data
signals, commonly used with TVs and modern laptops.
  Sensors - Various sensors can be used to measure heat, light, pressure, acidity, oxygen
concentration, water flow, metals, alcohol, etc.