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Input-devices

The document provides an overview of various input devices used to interact with computers, including keyboards, mice, sensors, scanners, and touch screens. Each device is described with its uses, advantages, and disadvantages, highlighting aspects such as speed, ease of use, and potential limitations. The information serves to inform users about the functionality and considerations of different input methods.

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Saung Hnin Phyu
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5 views

Input-devices

The document provides an overview of various input devices used to interact with computers, including keyboards, mice, sensors, scanners, and touch screens. Each device is described with its uses, advantages, and disadvantages, highlighting aspects such as speed, ease of use, and potential limitations. The information serves to inform users about the functionality and considerations of different input methods.

Uploaded by

Saung Hnin Phyu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Input devices

An input device is any hardware device that


sends data to a computer, allowing you to
interact with and control it.
Type of input devices are:
• Keyboards
• Mouse
• Sensors
• Scanners
• Touch screen [as an input devices]

Keyboard
A keyboard is an input device that contains
keys users press to enter data and
instructions into the computer.
Uses of keyboards
» Input of data into applications software
(for example, text into word
processors, numbers into spreadsheets,
and so on).
» Typing in commands to the computer
(for example, Prnt Scrn, Ctrl+P to print
out, and so on).

Advantages of keyboards
» Fast entry of new text into a document.
» Well-known method.
» 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).

Disadvantages of keyboards
» Can be difficult to use if the user has
limited arm/wrist use.
» Slow method when compared to direct
data entry (for example, Optical Mark
Recognition).
» Fairly large device that uses up valuable
desk space.
Mouse
A mouse is a small hardware input
device used by hand. It controls the
movement of the cursor on the
computer screen and allows users to
move and select folders, text, files,
and icons on a computer.
There are usually two buttons which have
different functions; the left button is used
to select items by double clicking, while the
right button brings up drop-down menus.
Many also have a scroll button, which
speeds up the process of moving through a
document.

Advantages
» Faster method for choosing an option
rather than using a keyboard.
» Very quick way of navigating through
applications and the internet.
»It is quicker to work with a mouse
»It takes less time to learn how to use a
mouse
»Mouse requires less space
»Mouse can be used to draw graphics
»Mouse is light to carry. Therefore it is
portable
Disadvantages
» Can be more difficult for people with
restricted hand/wrist movement than
using a keyboard for data entry.
» Easy to damage, and the older type of
mouse quickly becomes clogged up with
dirt.
» Difficult to use if no flat surface readily
available (for example, on an
aeroplane).

Sensors
A sensor is a device that measures physical
input from its environment and converts it
into data that can be interpreted by either a
human or a machine. Sensors are used in
monitoring and control applications – various
types of sensors are used depending on the
application.

Advantages of using sensors


» More accurate readings taken when
compared to human operators.
» Readings are continuous – no break in
the monitoring.
» Because it is a continuous process, any
necessary action (control system) or
warning (monitoring system) will be
initiated immediately.
» Systems can be automatic, removing the
need for human intervention
(very important if the process is hazardous
or needs precise control/
monitoring).

Disadvantages of using sensors


» Faulty sensors can give spurious results –
for example, sensors on the rear
bumper of a car that monitors obstacles; if
these become dirty, they may
either not identify an obstacle or give a
continuous alarm.
» Most sensors are analogue, therefore
they require conversion using an ADC.
Scanner
A scanner is an input device that scans
documents such as photographs and pages
of text. When a document is scanned, it is
converted into a digital format.
The most common type is the flatbed
scanner, which is made up of a glass panel
and lid. The hard copy document or photo is
scanned by a light source and produces a
computer-readable. There are also
specialist scanners which are designed to
carry out a specific task, for example,
barcode scanners.
Uses of scanners
» Scan in documents and convert into a
format for use in various software
packages.
» Scan in photographs
» Scan in barcodes at POS terminals.
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.
» It is possible to recover damaged
documents and photographs by scanning
in
and then using appropriate software to
produce an acceptable copy.
Disadvantages of scanners
» Quality can be limited depending on how
good a resolution the scanner is
capable of (most scanners have a range of
resolutions you can choose from).
» They can be fairly slow at scanning,
especially if the colour scanning mode is
chosen or if the chosen scanning resolution
is high.
Touchscreen
A touch screen is a display device that
allows users to interact with a
computer using their finger or stylus.

Uses
» Automatic teller machines (ATMs) to
choose from on-screen options.
» Point of sale terminals such as in
restaurants.
» Public information systems at airports,
railway stations, tourist offices, etc.
» Mobile phones, tablets and satellite
navigation systems.
» Interactive white boards in education.

Advantages of touch screens


» 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 of touch screens
» Limited number of input options
available.
» Can lead to problems if an operator has
to use the system frequently
(straining of arm muscles, RSI, etc. are all
possible).
» The screen can get very dirty with
constant touching

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