INPUT & OUTPUT DEVICES WEEK 1& 2

Input Devices and Their Uses

An input device is any hardware device that allows a user to enter data or instructions into a
computer directly.

An input device can send data to another device, but it cannot receive data from another device.

Input devices are necessary for a computer to receive commands from its users and data to
process; they are under the user's control or can be direct data entry.
Input devices can be complicated because they must ensure the user can interact with the
computer correctly.

1. Keyboards:

Uses:
Input of data into applications software
Typing in commands to the computer

Advantages:
Fast entry of new text into a document.
Well-known method.
Easy to use for most people.
Easier to do veri cation checks as data is entered
(can immediately compare the source document with typed data on the screen).

Disadvantages:
It can be di cult to use if the user has limited arm/wrist use.
Slow method when compared to direct data entry.
It is a fairly large device that uses up valuable desk space.

2. Numeric keypads:

Uses:
Automatic teller machines (ATMs), where the customer can key in their PIN, amount of
money, etc.
Mobile phones allow phone numbers, etc., 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/debit cards.
Fast entry of numeric data into a spreadsheet.

Advantages:
Faster than standard keyboards when entering numeric data.
Because many are small devices, they are very easy to carry around.

Disadvantages:
Sometimes, they have small keys, which can make input more di cult.
Sometimes, the order of the numbers on the keypad is not intuitive.
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3. Mouse:

Uses:
Opening, closing and minimising software
grouping, moving and deleting les.
Image editing, for example, controls the size and position of a drawing pasted into a
document.
Controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow selection.

Advantages:
It is a faster method for choosing an option than a keyboard.
It's a very quick way of navigating through applications and the internet.
Does not need a large desk area when compared to a keyboard.

Disadvantages:
It can be more di cult for people with restricted hand/wrist movement than using a
keyboard for data entry.
Easy to damage, the older type of mouse quickly becomes clogged up with dirt.
Di cult to use if no at surface is readily available.

4. Touchpad:

Uses:
Opening, closing and minimising software
grouping, moving and deleting les.
Image editing, for example, controls the size and position of a drawing pasted into a
document.
Controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow selection.

Advantages:
Faster than a keyboard for choosing options.
Used to navigate applications and the internet.
Touchpad is integrated into the laptop computer, there is no need for a separate mouse;
this aids the portability and is a big advantage if no at surfaces are available.

Disadvantages:
People with limited hand/wrist movement nd the device di cult to use.
It can be more di cult to control the pointer when compared to a normal mouse.
Drag and drop operations are more complicated using a touchpad.

5. Tracker ball:

Uses:
A good alternative to a mouse for people with conditions such as RSI.
Used in an industrial control room environment.
Used in some luxury cars to select functions such as radio.

Advantages:
Does not need the same ne control as a mouse.
It is easier to use than a mouse if the operator has problems with their wrist.
More accurately position the pointer on the screen.
They are more robust than a mouse.
Needs less desk space than a mouse or keyboard.

Disadvantages:
It is not supplied with the computer as a standard; therefore, it is more costly.
Users may need training because it is not standard equipment.
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6. Remote Control:

Uses:
Televisions, satellite systems, DVD/Blu-ray players and Hi-Fi systems, to alter controls
such as volume, on/o , etc.
Used to control multimedia systems.
Used in industrial applications to remotely control processes.

Advantages:
It can be operated from any reasonable distance.
In some conditions, e.g., in chemically hazardous environments, we can control and
measure from safe distances.

Disadvantages:
Di cult to use for people with limited hand/wrist movements.
Physical obstacles can easily block the signal.

7. Joysticks:

Uses:
Used in video games.
Used in simulators to mimic the actual controls.

Advantages:
It is easier than keyboards for screen navigation.
In some applications, the control is more realistic than using a mouse.

Disadvantages:
The on-screen pointer is more di cult to use.

8. Driving wheel:

Uses:
Used in video games, especially car racing games.
Used in simulators to mimic actual vehicle controls.

Advantages:
It's a more realistic experience than both mouse and joystick.
Easier than a keyboard or joystick to control steering movements.

Disadvantages:
It is a rather expensive input device as compared to a mouse or joystick.
Steering movements tend to be over-sensitive, which gives an unrealistic feel.
Unless it is an expensive simulator, feedback to the steering wheel is non-existent.
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9. Touch screen (as an input device):

Uses:
Automatic teller machines (ATMs) to choose from on-screen options.
Point of sale terminals such as in restaurants.
Interactive whiteboards in education.
Computer-based training (CBT) where answers are selected during on-screen testing.

Advantages:
Faster entry of options than using a 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 limited number of input options are available.
This can lead to problems if an operator uses the system frequently (straining of arm
muscles, Repetitive Stain Injury[RSI].etc).
The screen can get very dirty with constant touching.

10. Scanners:

Uses:
Scanning documents and converting them into di erent formats
Scanning in old documents to protect them in case the original is lost/damaged.
Scanning in photographs for storage
Scanning in barcodes at POS terminals.

Advantages:
Images can be stored for editing at a later date.
When used with OCR, they are much faster and more accurate than typing the
documents in.
It is possible to recover damaged documents by scanning and producing an acceptable
copy.

Disadvantages:
Limited quality, depending on how good the scanner’s resolution is.
Fairly slow input method, especially if colour mode is selected.

11. Digital Cameras:

Uses:
Taking photographs is still better than using smartphones and tablets.
Data-capture device, e.g., as a reversing aid in cars.
Dentistry, to help capture pictures for better diagnosis.
The creation of virtual reality tours around houses, buildings, etc.

Advantages:
Easier to produce better-quality photographs than with a traditional camera.
Uploading photographs to a computer is faster than scanning hard copies.
Memory cards can store many thousands of photographs.
There is no need to develop lm and printouts; it saves money and is more
environmentally friendly.
Unwanted images can quickly be deleted from a memory card.

Disadvantages:
Need to be computer literate to know proper use.
Loss of artistry due to clever software doing all the work.
Images need to be compressed to reduce the amount of memory used.
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12. Microphones:

Uses:
To input speech to be used in various applications.
Input in voice recognition software for authentication.
As a sensor to pick up sound in an intruder alarm system.
Used in audio conferencing or VoIP applications.

Advantages:
It is faster to read text than it is to type it in.
It is possible to manipulate sound in real time rather than working on a completed
recording.
It improves security if used as an authentication system.

Disadvantages:
Sound les use up a lot of computer memory.
Reading data is more error-prone than typing in.

13. Sensors:

Uses:
Temperature sensors are used in automatic washing machines, central heating systems,
ovens, and glasshouses.
Pressure sensors are used in intruder alarm systems and washing machines.
Light sensors are used in automatic glasshouses, doors, and street lighting control.
Sound/acoustic sensors are used in intruder alarm systems, monitoring liquid and
powder ow in pipes.
Humidity/moisture sensors are used in automatic glasshouses, environmental
monitoring, and in factories where moisture levels are crucial.
pH sensors are used in automatic glasshouses, chemical processes and environmental
monitoring.

Advantages:
Readings are more accurate as compared to human operators.
Readers are continuous, with no breaks in the monitoring.
Because it is a continuous process, any action or warnings needed will be initiated
immediately.
Automatic systems don’t need human intervention.

Disadvantages:
Faulty sensors can give spurious results.
Most sensors are analogue; therefore, they require conversion using Analogue to Digital
Convertors (ADC).
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