IGCSE ICT 0983 Information & Communication Technology

Chapter 02
Input and Output Devices

Created by:
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
01098569912
www.mahmoudmoussa.com

Outline
Input devices and their uses

Direct data entry and associated devices

Output devices and their uses

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Input Devices

Hardware devices that allow data to be input into a computer.

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Keyboard

Used to enter text into word-processed documents

Used to enter numbers into spreadsheet
Typing in commands to the computer (eg. Ctrl+P to print out)
Ergonomic keyboards are designed to to reduce health
problems linked with typing. (RSI).

Ergonomic
QWERTY
Keyboard
Keyboard
Reduce RSI

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Advantages of a Keyboard

Fast entry of new text into a document

Easy to use for most people
Easier to do verification checks as data is entered, can immediately
compare the source document with typed data on the screen
Most computers come with them so there is no extra hardware to buy

Disadvantages of a Keyboard
Slow method when compared to direct data entry (e.g. Bar code reader)
Fairly large and take up desk space
Typing for a long time can cause repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Can be difficult to use if the user has limited arm use

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Concept Keyboard

Uses icons or phrases instead of standard letters

Used in fast-food restaurants

Advantages

Allows for fast data entry

Waterproof so useful in a restaurant environment

Tamper resistant, preventing people from keying in information that could
potentially corrupt the computer system

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Numeric Keypad
Used where only numeric data is to be entered (although some have a
function key to allow input of alphabetic characters)
Uses
Automatic teller machines (ATMs)
Where the customer can key in their PIN, amount of money

Mobile phones
To allow phone numbers to be keyed in

Point of sale terminals (POS)

In case the barcode reader fails to read the barcode – the number has to be
keyed in manually by the operator

Chip and PIN devices

When paying by credit or debit cards (key in PIN, amount of money)
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages of a Numeric Keypad

Faster than standard keyboards when entering numeric data

It is smaller, making it easier to carry or move, e.g. at a shop counter

Disadvantages of a Numeric Keypad

Small keys which can make input more difficult

Sometimes the order of the numbers on the keypad is not intuitive

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Mouse
Ball Mouse
The left mouse button is used to make selections Ball detects
The right mouse button is used to display a movement
dropdown menu
Optical Mouse
A scroll wheel is used to help move quickly
Light detects
through long documents
movement
Optical mouse
Movement is detected by reflected light rather Wireless Mouse
than the position of a moving ball
Cordless or wireless mouse

Which transmits signals to a USB wireless receiver plugged into the compute
Advantage of an optical mouse
It also doesn’t pick up any dirt, this makes it more Has no moving parts
robust and improves its performance Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Uses
Opening, closing and minimising software
Grouping, moving and deleting les.
Image editing
Controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow selection from a menu
or selecting an icon, and for scrolling up and down, left and right

Advantages of a Mouse

Take up very little space

Faster to select an option compared to using a keyboard
Enables fast navigation through an application, e.g. a web browser

Disadvantages of a Mouse
Needs a flat surface so can’t be used "on the move"
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Hard to use if the user has limited wrist or finger movement Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Touchpad
Used as a pointing device in many lap top computers
Advantages of a Touchpad

Can be used on the move where there is no flat surface on which to move
a mouse
Faster than a keyboard for choosing options

There is no extra device to carry as the touchpad is built into the computer
Touchpads enable easy navigation around applications and Internet

Disadvantages of a Touchpad
Can be more difficult to control the pointer when compared to a mouse (e.g
drag and drop)
Long use of touchpads could lead to health problems, e.g RSI
Hard to use if the user has limited wrist or finger movement
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Trackerball

Pointer is moved on the screen by rolling your

hand over the ball
Uses
In applications where the user has a disability
In a control room environment

In some luxury cars

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Advantages of a Trackerball
Doesn't need the same fine control as a mouse
Easier to use than a mouse if the operator is disabled
Take up less desk space than a mouse as they do not need to be moved around
Pointer can be positioned more accurately on the screen than with a mouse

Disadvantages of a Trackerball

User may need training since it isn't standard equipment

Not supplied with computers as standard, therefore more costly

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Remote Control

Use infrared signals

Uses
Televisions Satellite Systems
DVD or blu-ray players Hi-Fi music systems
Multimedia Projectors
Advantages of a Remote Control
Can control devices safely from a distance
Enables people with disabilities to operate devices at a distance

Disadvantages of a Remote Control

People with limited hand or wrist movement can find them difficult to use
It is easier to block the signal if, for example, the walls in the building are
very thick
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Joystick
The stick moves on-screen in the same way as a mouse, and
buttons are used to select items
Uses
Used for playing computer games
Used in simulators (e.g. flight simulators) to mimic actual controls
Used in car driving simulators

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages of a Joystick
Easier than a keyboard to navigate the screen

Control is more realistic than using a mouse

Disadvantages of a Joystick

More difficult to control the on-screen pointer than with other devices

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Driving Wheel
Connects to a computer (or games machine), usually through a USB port

Allows you to simulate the turning of a steering wheel, and there are
associated devices (such as buttons or pedals) which allow you to accelerate
and brake
Sensors are used to pick up left/right movement

Uses
Used in video or computer games (for example, car-racing games)
Used in simulators (for example, car-driving simulators) to mimic actual
vehicle controls

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages of a Driving Wheel

Easier than a keyboard or joystick to control steering movements

The ‘driving experience’ is nearer to how an actual steering wheel and other
controls operate in real life

Disadvantages of a Driving Wheel

It can be a rather expensive input device compared to mouse or joystick

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Touch Screens
Uses
Automatic teller machines (ATMs)

Petrol stations - to select the fuel grade and payment method

Point-of-sale terminals – in restaurants

Public information systems at airports

Satellite navigation
Mobile phones
Interactive white boards in education
Computer-based training (CBT)

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages of a Touchscreen

Faster entry of options than using keyboard or mouse

Very easy method for choosing options

User-friendly method – no training necessary in its use

Option to expand the size of the display if necessary

Disadvantages a Touchscreen

Limited number of options available

Using touchscreens too much can lead to health problems like arm strain or RSI

On small screens the icons can be hard to see or select

The screen can get very dirty with constant touching (giving a risk of spreading
infections, and reduce its responsiveness which makes it more difficult to read
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in strong sunlight
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Scanners

Used to scan in hard copy documents to convert them into a digital format

Uses
Scan in barcodes at POS terminals

Scan in photographs
Scan in old or valuable documents

Handheld Scanner Flatbed Scanner

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages of Scanners
Images can be stored for editing at a later date
When used with OCR, much faster and more accurate (no typing errors) than
typing in documents again
They can be used with software to repair/improve old photos

Disadvantages Scanners

They can be fairly slow at scanning

Quality can be limited depending on how good a resolution the scanner is
capable of
It can take a long time to digitize all the pages in a long document

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Digital Camera
The images are stored on a memory card (solid-state
memory) and can be transferred to a computer by:
Directly reading the memory card (by slotting it into a
card reader attached to a computer or a printer)
Connecting the camera to the computer using a USB port

Using wireless data transfer (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)

Uses
Taking photographs

Used as a data-capture device in a car

Dentists use digital cameras to take photos of a patient’s teeth

Used in the creation of virtual reality tours around houses, historical buildings
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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages
Memory cards can store several hundred photographs

Easier and faster to upload photographs rather than

having to scan in hard copies
Images can be viewed immediately and unwanted images can be deleted

Can use software to improve photo (e.g. remove red-eye).

Disadvantages
Quality images can be quite large in size and can take up a lot of memory

A photographer needs to have computer skills to use digital photographs properly

Digital cameras can be very expensive (especially for the high quality ones)
Require regular charging or battery replacement

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Microphones

Input sound is analogue signal and then

converted into a digital signal

The computer’s sound card acts as an analogue

to digital converter (ADC)
Uses
To input speech in presentations

In voice-recognition software

Software converts the speech into text in word processor

To recognise commands; for example, some cars now have voice-
activated systems to switch on the lights, turn up the radio volume
Used as a sensor to pick up sound in burglar alarm system
Video conferencing
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages of Microphones

Faster to read in text rather than type it in using a keyboard

It is possible to manipulate sound in real time using special software

rather than work on a recording done at some earlier stage

Disadvantages of Microphones

Sound files can use up a lot of computer memory

Background noises can cause problems with voice recognition systems

Voice recognition is not completely accurate so mistakes may occur

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Sensors

Input devices which measure physical quantities that is

continuously changing such as temperature, pressure

Data is analogue at the point it is detected

Computers only understand digital data (1s and 0s)
The data from the sensors needs to be converted

This is done using an analogue to digital converter (ADC)

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Analogue vs Digital
Difference between analogue and digital data

Analogue data
Continuous data

Non-discrete data

e.g. data such as a sound wave

Needs to be converted to be processed or stored by a computer

Digital data

Discrete data that has only two values

e.g. binary data (1’s and 0’s)

Can be processed by a computer without conversion

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Uses
Temperature sensor used in
Automatic washing machines Central heating systems
Automatic glasshouses Ovens

Pressure sensor used in

Burglar alarm systems Washing machines
Robotics Environmental monitoring

Light sensor used in

Glasshouses Automatic doors

Intruder alarm systems Street lighting control

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Sound (acoustic) used in
Intruder alarm systems
Monitoring liquid and powder flow in pipes
Humidity (moisture) used in

Automatic glasshouses

Environmental monitoring

pH used in

Automatic glasshouses

Chemical processes
Environmental monitoring

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Advantages

More accurate readings taken when compared to human operators

Readings are continuous – no break in the monitoring
They work when a human is not present so cost less

Readings will be recorded immediately

Won’t forget to take readings

More frequent readings can be taken

Disadvantages
Cost to purchase

Dirt and grease may affect performance

Most sensors are analogue, therefore they require conversion using an ADC
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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Light Pens

They contain sensors that send signals to a computer

whenever light changes are detected
Uses
Selecting objects on CRT screens.
Drawing on screen (e.g, with CAD packages)
Advantages
Greater accuracy than touch screens
Small (can be used where space is an issue)
Easy-to-use technology

Disadvantages
Problems with lag when drawing on screen
Not that accurate when drawing
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Direct Data Entry and Associated Devices

Data is contained on a machine-readable card or form

Data can be input directly into the computer by the input device

Examples:
Magnetic Stripe Readers Chip Readers and PIN Pads

Contactless card readers Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Readers

Bar Code Reader Quick Response (QR) Codes

Optical Character Reader (OCR) Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Magnetic Stripe Readers

The stripe contains account number, sort code, expiry date and start date
Uses
Reading data off credit or debit cards by ATM, EFTPOS
In ID cards to gain access of buildings and rooms

Magnetic Stripe

Magnetic Stripe reader

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Advantages of Magnetic Stripe Readers

Fast data entry compared with keying in with a keyboard

Error free (since no typing is involved)
Stripes are not affected by water so they are robust.
Prevents access to secure areas
Information held on the Magnetic Stripe cannot be read by the eye so there
is no chance of someone being able to read your bank details

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Disadvantages of Magnetic Stripe Readers
Stripes can be damaged by magnetic fields

Stripes can store only a small amount of data

Magnetic stripes can be duplicated relatively easily (called card cloning)
and this leads to card fraud

The card needs to be in close contact with the reader, so magnetic stripe
readers don’t work at a distance

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Contactless card readers
No PIN
Have a small chip that emits radio waves
Card is held within a few centimetres of the payment terminal
Advantages
Faster transaction
Retailers no longer have access to the customer’s credit
Do not have to worry about incorrectly typing PIN
The contactless card system uses 128-bit encryption systems to protect the data

Disadvantages

More expensive than normal credit or debit cards

Transactions are usually limited to a small maximum value
If customer lost card a thief could make purchases without having to know a PIN
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Chip and PIN readers

PIN is entered using the keypad

Card
The chip contains data such as card number, containing the
expiry date, type of card, PIN and security number Electronic Chip

Advantages
Chips are more robust than magnetic strips
Data more difficult to copy on the chip
Larger amount of information can be stored on the chip Chip Reader and
the PIN Pad
More secure system (PIN typed in must match up with
PIN stored on chip)
Disadvantages
People sometimes forget their PIN
Other people can look when the PIN is being entered
(called "shoulder surfing"). Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Recently mobile phones have been used to pay for goods in stores and supermarkets.
One method of payment involves holding the phone close to a reader in the store.
Advantages and disadvantages of this method of payment compared with other methods
of credit/debit card transactions.

Advantages
Simple to use as all have to do is hold the phone by the reader
No swiping of a card so less damage to the card
Faster method than swiping the card
No PIN No signature Stops shoulder surfing
As the credit card does not have to be physically present it cannot be stolen
The credit card number is not used in transactions stores do not gain access to
names and numbers No tracking of the data as there is no card
Several cards can be stored and selected
Everyone carries a phone nowadays
Doesn’t matter if you forget credit or debit card Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Disadvantages
Need a compatible phone

Not available online

Stores need the reader
May be issues with connectivity as a phone is used

Hackers accessing the phone signal

Phones can run out of battery

There is a limit on how much can be paid
Older people may not have phones

More difficult for older people to use

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Radio Frequency Identification Readers (RFID)

Use radio waves to read and capture information stored on a tag

Tag can be read from a distance of several metres
Tags can be:

Passive - use the reader’s radio wave energy to relay the information
Battery-powered - use a small embedded battery to power the RFID

How RFID technology reads the details from the chip

The chip is presented near a computer with a radio-frequency scanner

The scanning antenna puts out radio-frequency signals in a relatively short range
It provides a means of communicating with the RFID tag
The scanning device provides energy so that the chips can broadcast the
information in them for the computer to read
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
RFID chip consists of:

An integrated circuit
Which contains an aerial
Which receives and transmits data

Uses

Livestock tracking

So that the whereabouts of each animal on a farm is known; it

also identifies which farm owns the animal
Libraries
Books can be tracked in and out automatically by readers at the
library entrance
Retail
Details, such as price, can be stored on the tag and then 43
automatically read at a checkout Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
How RFID will be used as a person passes through automated passport control gates
Person places his passport against the RFID reader

Fingerprint scanner is used

His fingerprints are compared with those stored on the RFID chip

Items of information about the passport holder that are stored on the RFID chip are

Passport number Date of birth

Place of birth Nationality

Issue date Expiry date

Biometric measurements (face)
Gender
Signature

Facial characteristics, photograph, fingerprint or retina scan 44

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Advantages of RFID
Tags can be read at a distance
Compared to barcodes tags store more data
RFID systems can scan multiple items simultaneously
Greater security
Read at faster rate More robust
Don’t need to be positioned in line of sight

Disadvantages of RFID

The readers and tags are expensive

It is relatively easy to hack into the data transmitted by the tag

Tag collision

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Example of using RFID - An automatic washing machine contains a device to read RFID
chips sewn into clothing. When an item of clothing is placed in the washing machine it is
scanned. How the data is read from the RFID chip.

The washing machine sends out radio signal to read the data from the RFID

They act as a passive transponder OR

The clothing has a battery attached to the RFID
The radio signal is given out by the chip read
by the receiver using its antenna
Benefits of using RFID technology in a washing machine
It stops material being incorrectly washed
It stops coloured items of clothing being in the wrong wash
It stops clothing of different material being washed with others
It allows the wash cycle to be set automatically
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It will know the amount of water to use so won’t waste water Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Compare and contrast the use of RFID chips with bar codes
Comparisons
Both are direct data entry systems
Both are used to communicate with the reader

Contrasts
RFID chips can be read from a greater distance; bar codes need to be closer to the
reader
Bar codes need to be in line of sight with the reader; RFID chips do not need to be
RFID chips can be updated easier; bar codes require a brand new code
RFID chips read at a faster rate
RFID chips are more robust
RFID chips are more secure

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (Reader) (MICR)

Characters read by magnetic reader

Converted to text for entry into system

Characters read by MICR on
a bank cheque.
Uses
Bank cheques

Advantages
Cheque details are read with 100% accuracy
MICR machine
Difficult to forge
Even if overwritten can still be read by computer
Disadvantages
The equipment is very expensive
Limited number of different characters can be read
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Optical mark recognition /reader (OMR)

System which can read marks written in pen or pencil

OMR reader shines a light onto the form

Light is reflected back to sensors
OMR can be used to
Shaded Marks reflect less light mark answer sheets to
multiple-choice questions
So sensors used to identify position of marks in exams.

Computer compares these with correct answer positions

Uses
Marking multiple choice question
OMR
Voting forms
School or college attendance registers

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
Advantages of OMR
Since there is no typing, they are more accurate than keying in the data

Very fast way of inputting the results of a survey

Less expensive than employing workers to type the answers in
OMR is more accurate than OCR

Disadvantages of OMR
If the marks don't fill the space completely they may not be read correctly
If the marks are not in a dark enough pencil they may not be read correctly
Have to use prepared forms which may be expensive
Only suitable for recording one out of a selection of answers, not suitable
for text input

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Optical Character Recognition / Reader (OCR)
Text is read by scanner
Image compared with characters stored in computer
Converted to text for use with other software
OCR Software

Uses
Reading account numbers and details on utility
bill (gas, electricity, water or telephone)

Used in processing of passports

OCR reads data
from a passport
Used in processing of identity cards

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 Input Devices
Advantages of OCR
Much faster data-entry system than manually keying in data
Since no manual data entry, the number of errors is also reduced
Avoids having to type the text in, which reduces the risk of RSI
Cheaper than paying someone to manually enter information
Disadvantages of OCR
The system still has difficulty reading handwriting

Still not a very accurate technique

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
A company has decided to produce a questionnaire to gain information from customers.
What features of OCR or OMR need to be considered when designing the data capture
form?

Comparison of OCR and OMR

OCR OMR
answers can be extended to questions information obtained is limited
can read handwriting detect where marks have been made
converting printed documents to reads the position of marks, ideal
an editable electronic format for multiple-choice exam papers
requires a complex recognition system requires complex and expensive forms
but the recognition system is simpler
Fewer instructions are needed to fill
requires more instructions to fill forms
forms
faster to complete OMR forms
problems recognising all types of
handwriting more accurate method for reading
data than OCR
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Compare Optical Mark Readers (OMRs) with Optical Character Readers
Similarities
Both scan data using optical methods
Both use direct data entry
Both are input devices

Both read data from printed documents

Both input large amounts of data
Both read data very quickly

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Differences
OMR does not need to read the characters written only the marks
OMR is unable to recognise machine or hand-printed characters
For OMR to read, marks need to be within a specified area
The OMR marks have to be in the correct location
OCR is more accurate at reading detailed data

Data read from an OCR can be manipulated by word processing software

OCR requires manual intervention to change the scanned words

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Barcode Readers
Uses
In supermarkets
Barcode readers is
In libraries at Point-of-Sale
Luggage labelling at airports (POS) in a shop.

Advantages
Much faster than keying in data
Bar Code
Greater accuracy – compared to typing in

Enable automatic stock control

Bar Code
Reader
Disadvantages
Bar codes can sometimes be damaged than RFID tags or magnetic stripes
Relatively expensive system
Not fool-proof (barcodes can be swapped around on items)
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Quick Response (QR) Codes

QR codes contain ‘squares’

Hold more data than a barcode
Codes can be scanned anywhere
Allows advertising of products e.g on trains, buses
Using the built-in camera facility on modern phones, and
by downloading the appropriate application

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Input Devices
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 apps 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 apps; 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 apps

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Input Devices
Uses of QR codes

Used in advertising to contain data such as business addresses, phone

numbers, email addresses and website addresses
Contain links to apps

Wi-Fi authentication

QR codes can be used to deliver augmented reality

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Input Devices
Advantages of QR Codes
There is no need for the user to actually write down or key in a website address;
this is done automatically by scanning the QR code

They can hold much more information than normal barcode

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
More than one QR format is available
QR codes can be used to transmit malicious codes; known as attagging

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Output Devices

Hardware devices that allow information to be output from a computer

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Output Devices
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitors
Uses
Used with light pens
Advantages
Angle of viewing is still better than with most TFT monitors

Disadvantages
Large, heavy old-fashioned monitors that are not energy efficient
They run very hot and can cause fires if left unattended

They can flicker, which can lead to headaches and eyesight problems with
prolonged use

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Uses of LCD Screens
Used as the main output device for most modern computers
Many LCD screens offer touch-screen input
Mobile phones, tablets, laptops and portable video games all
use LCD screens

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Advantages
Lightweight
Consume much less power
Don't generate as much heat as a CRT
Do not suffer from a flickering image, unlike CRT monitors
They can be easily positioned to suit the user because they are light
Disadvantages
Narrow viewing angle
The LCD panel may not be uniformly illuminated by the back light, resulting in
uneven intensity and shading over the screen

Motion blur is a common issue (fast-moving objects appear blurry)

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Most modern televisions and computer screens are LCD and use LED back-lit technology.
Advantages of using LED back-lit technology rather the older CCFL (fluorescent
lamp) technology

No need to warm up

Whiter colours image

Higher resolution

Much thinner monitors possible

More reliable technology

Uses much less power

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Multimedia Projectors

Uses
Training presentations
Advertising presentations
Projecting the images from a DVD or television

Advantages
Many people can view what is being presented
Avoids the need for several networked computers

Disadvantages
Images can sometimes be fuzzy.

Expensive to buy
Setting up projectors can be a little difficult
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Laser Printers

Uses toner to transfer the print image to plain paper

Type of page printer Non-Impact printer

Uses
Used for networks, which require rapid, high quality and high volume printing

Used where low noise is required

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Advantages of Laser Printers

High printing speed

The toner cartridge lasts longer than inkjet cartridges

Cheaper to buy than a dot matrix

High quality printouts
Laser has a larger paper tray than inkjet
Very quiet – important when used as a network printer in an office where
phones are also being used

Disadvantages of Laser Printers

Expensive to buy than inkjet

Colour laser printers tend to be expensive to run

Produce ozone or other harmful compounds which can cause
health problem 68
Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Inkjet Printers
A printer that sprays tiny droplets of ink
directly onto the paper

Do not have large buffers

Uses

Used where low output volumes are required

Used in small offices and stand alone computers

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Advantages of Inkjet Printers

Cheaper to buy than laser printers

Don't produce ozone and volatile organic
compounds, unlike laser printers
Relatively quiet compared with dot matrix printer
They are very lightweight and have a small footprint (i.e. take up little space)

Disadvantages of Inkjet Printers

Ink cartridges don’t last long and so are not suitable for large print jobs
Slow printing rates
Printouts can easily smudge if document is not left to dry properly

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Dot Matrix Printers

Type of impact printer where a print head presses

against an inked ribbon
Uses
Used in noisy environments (e.g. garage workshops)

Used in applications where print quality is not that

important
Used in applications where multi-part stationery e.g.
producing wage slips

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Advantages of Dot Matrix Printers
Carbon copies or multi-part outputs can be produced
Very cheap to run and maintain
Can be used with continuous stationery – this makes it ideal for stock lists,
invoices
Useful for dusty and dirty environments where laser or inkjet printers could
easily be damaged
Disadvantages of Dot Matrix Printers
Very noisy Very slow, poor-quality printing
Cost more than an inkjet printer to buy
Unsuitable for printing graphics

Very slow to print (slowest of all the types of printers)

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Plotters Printers

Wide format printers can use laser or

inkjet technology
Uses

Ideal for printing designs, plans, and maps.

Ideal for printing out designs that have been
produced using CAD software.

Ideal for printing out large printouts, for

example on A0-sized paper.

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Advantages of Plotters Printers
Produces high quality printouts
They can produce huge printouts.
Able to print on a variety of materials (for example, aluminium, cardboard,
plastic, steel and wood) as well as paper

Disadvantages of Plotters Printers

Slow to complete the image.
Expensive to buy and maintain

Have a very large physical footprint compared to a printer

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
3D Printers

Used in computer-aided design (CAD) applications

Produce solid objects
Solid object is built up layer by layer using materials such as
powdered resin, powdered metal, paper, ceramic or plastic

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Ways to produce solid objects

Additive
Object is built up layer by layer
Direct 3-D printing
Uses inkjet technology
Print head moves left to right and up and
down to build up layers
Binder 3-D printing
This method uses two passes for each
layer being built up
First pass sprays fine powder and second pass
sprays a binder (glue) to form a solid layer

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
3D printers can be used to produce models of a car
The process involved in producing the models.
3D digital copy is made and put in the software

Software slices the model into hundreds of layers

Printer creates the model layer by layer

Binds them together

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
3D Printers Uses
Surgical and diagnostic aids
Create Prosthetics and medical products
Tissue engineering Medical
Artificial blood vessels
Designs of medical tools and equipment
Create dental implants
Create customised tablets
Create skeletal model
Aerospace to make lightweight parts

Fashion and art to make one-off objects

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
How the surgeon would use a 3D printer to create the prosthetic hand

Both hand is scanned using CT or MRI scanners or X-ray

A 3D digital copy is made of the injured hand

The digital copy is loaded into the software

Software slices the model into hundreds of layers

3D printer creates the new hand layer by layer
Uses plastic
The printer binds the layers together
The new hand is compared to his other hand

Re-printed if necessary

The 3D printer prints the final version

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa
 Output Devices
Advantages of 3D Printers
Allows rapid prototyping
Parts for machinery that are no longer made could
now be manufactured using 3-D printers.
Even though the cost of 3-D printing is very high, it is
still less when compared to labour costs
Disadvantages of 3D Printers
Very difficult to trace the source of fake items
Copyright holders would also have great difficulty in
protecting their rights.

Could be used to manufacture dangerous items by

almost anyone

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Speakers

Connected directly to a computer

Or built into the monitor
Or casing as in a laptop computer
Analogue converter – DAC is required
A sound card interface is needed in the computer to 'drive' the speakers

Uses
Used to output sound from multimedia presentations
Used to play downloaded music files

Audio output of text on the screen (speech-generation software)

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Advantages of Speakers
Everyone in the room can hear the sound

They can help blind people use a computer because text can be
turned into sound
It can create a good atmosphere when making a presentation
Disadvantages of speakers
Output from speakers can disturb people trying to work

High quality speakers can be expensive

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

Output Devices
Actuators
An actuator is a mechanical or electromechanical device such motor

Take signals from a computer and convert them

into some form of motion
For example operating motors
Signals are sent from the computer to an
actuator to operate a device.

Digital signal to analogue is required first (using a DAC)

Uses of Actuators
They are used to control motors, pumps, switches, buzzers

They allow a computer to control physical devices that normally require

analogue inputs

Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

 Output Devices
Advantages of Actuators
Allow remote operation of many devices (for example, pumps in a
nuclear reactor where remote operation is a big safety factor

They are relatively inexpensive devices

Disadvantages of Actuators
They are an additional device in the system that could go wrong

Because they are usually analogue devices, computer signals need to

converted using a DAC to enable computer control

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Input and Output Devices

The differences between input and output devices

Input devices
Hardware device that allows a user to enter data or
instructions into a computer directly
Can send data to another device, but it cannot receive data from another device
Devices are under the control of the user or can be direct data entry

Output devices
Hardware device that takes the output data from a computer and puts it into a
human-readable format or uses it to control another device
Capable of receiving data from another device in order to generate an output,
but it cannot send data to another device

Devices under the control of the computer

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa