CHAPTER 2 - INPUT & OUTPUT DEVICES

input devices:
Output devices: b,d
both: a,c,e

Input devices: Input devices are used to enter data into a computer. The
processor processes the data given by the input devices.

There are two types of input devices:

Manual input devices, which people use to enter data into a computer
themselves.
1.​ Keyboards and keypads
2.​ Mice
3.​ Touchpads
 4.​ Trackerballs
5.​ Remote controls
6.​ Joysticks
7.​ Driving wheel
8.​ Touch screens
9.​ Scanners
10.​Cameras
11.​Microphones
12.​Sensors
13.​Light pen

Direct data entry devices, which enable data to be entered directly without a
human having to input it manually.
1.​ Magnetic Stripe readers
2.​ Chip and PIN readers
3.​ RFID readers
4.​ OCR and OMR
5.​ Bar code readers
6.​ QR Scanners
Keyboards and Keypads
Keyboards are input devices used to enter fixed values , often characters
and numbers, into the computer system.

There are many different types of keyboard.

​ QWERTY Keyboard
​ Numeric keyboard

A QWERTY keyboard is the most common type of keyboard and is used

to type letters, numbers and punctuation into a computer. It gets its name
from the arrangement of letters on the top line of keys: Q W E R T Y.

Numeric keypads are also provided on their own for people to input their
PIN numbers where they pay for something by card, to input phone
numbers on a telephone keypad, or for any entry code. Numeric keypads
are small, easy to use and not dependent on language.

Advantages and disadvantages of keyboards

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.
POINTING DEVICES

MICE
A mouse is a pointing device that is used with a computer with a
graphical user interface.
The user controls the position of a pointer on a screen by moving the
mouse around.
There are usually two buttons which have different functions.
Left button - it is used to select items by double clicking.
Right button - brings up drop-down menus.

3 types of mice
Mechanical mouse - used to use a ball and a sensor to detect
movement.
Optical mouse - use an optical sensor to detect changes in reflected
light.
Wireless mouse - communicates with the computers using WI-Fi or
Bluetooth. They are most convenient and versatile as they are not
connected to the computer by a cable.

Uses of Mouse:
Opening, closing and minimising software.
Grouping, moving and deleting files
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 using mice as pointing devices

They provide a fast method of input.
They are intuitive to use because they simply involve pointing at
things.
Disadvantages
Mice can be easily damaged or vandalised.
Some people, particularly if they have physical disabilities, find mice
difficult to use.
Overuse of a mouse can lead to repetitive strain injury.
Mice need a flat surface to be moved around on.
Touchpads - Pointing device (Input device)

Similar to a mouse but uses a flat panel below the keyboard on a

laptop computer.

Advantages Disadvantages
They provide a fast method of People with limited hand/wrist
input. movement find the device difficult
to use
They are intuitive to use because Can be difficult to control the
they simply involve pointing at pointer when compared to normal
things. mouse

Since it is integrated into a More difficult to use when doing

laptop, there is no need to carry a certain operation such as drag
mouse around with you. and drop
 Trackerball - Pointing device (input device)

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Used in control rooms where More accurate More expensive to buy

desk space is at a premium (and positioning of pointer than a
has more on screen than a mouse
accurate control than a mouse) mouse.
Used in luxury cars to select More robust and May require training to
functions such as operating the doesn’t use properly since it is a
Global Positioning System, need any special less well- known type of
allowing use of smartphone and surface to pointing device
so on work properly
Requires less desk
space
than a mouse
Less prone than a
mouse at
causing RSI
 Remote Control - Input device

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Used to control Can operate from a reasonable Easy to lose the device
functions on distance unlike, for example, a
televisions, wired mouse
Blu-ray
players, hi-fi Easy-to-use interface Batteries need replacing on a
equipment regular basis (an environmental
and so on. issue)
(using infrared The remote’s infrared signal can
signals) be blocked and may not work well if
not in direct line of device
 Joysticks - Pointing device (Input device)

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Joysticks have similar Easier than a keyboard to

functions to a mouse and a navigate the screen.
trackerball.
Used in video/computer
games They are easy to use in a More difficult to
very complex environment. control the fine
Used in simulators (for
example flight movement of the
simulators/aircraft) pointer on the screen
than with a mouse.
To control wheelchairs that They allow the user to give
have motors. many different commands.
 Driving wheel - Pointing device (Input device)

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

To use in racing video Allow users to control Can only be used for
games,driving and racing movement far more one purpose.
simulators. accurately than a mouse or
joystick.
Force feedback can also be Adding mechanical
added to provide simulated elements, such as
road resistance force feedback and
gear levers increases
manufacturing costs.
 Touch screens - Input device & Output device

The user can choose an option by simply touching a button/icon on the

screen. It is a display screen that is both an input and an output device.Two
types of touch screens - Resistive and capacitive
Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Self-service tills (e.g. at a Fast data entry and Limited number of

petrol station) easy-to- possible
use interface choices available
ATMs to enter PIN,amount it is easy to expand Screens can get very dirty
of money required and so screen size as necessary quickly and can cause
on with no need to change issues at fast food menu
software or entry method screens, for example, if
not cleaned on a regular
basis
Public information kiosks Easier to keep clean Screens can get
(e.g. at an airport) since the surface is glass scratched,
(keypads and keyboards causing them to
are more difficult to keep malfunction
clean)
Mobile phones and
tablets
Computer-based training

scanners - Input device

Scanners are used to enter information from hard copy (eg: text, documents,
photographs etc.) into a computer.

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Scanning in paper documents Converts written text into Quality of photos and text
and photos to be saved in electronic format, allowing depends on the scanner
electronic format on a the text to be manipulated resolution
computer by OCR software and
used in other documents
(using a
word processor)

Archiving of valuable old Allows damaged photos Scanning (particularly

manuscripts and manuscripts to be colour
recovered. image scanning) can be a
very
slow process

Used to scan in barcodes If the barcode being

at a POS using laser or scanned is damaged, the
LED scanners scanner can’t successfully
read it and a backup input
method is needed
Cameras -- Input device
1.​ Digital Cameras
2.​ Video Cameras and webcams

Digital cameras have largely replaced traditional film based cameras. 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 printer.
●​ Using a USB Cable
●​ Using Wireless transfer (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Taking photographs is still Easier to produce better Need to be computer

better than using quality photographs than literate to know proper use.
smartphones or tablets with a traditional camera

Data capture device eg. as Uploading photographs to Loss of artistry due to

a reversing aid in cars. a computer is faster than clever software doing all
scanning hard copies. the work.

Dentistry, to help capture Memory cards can store Images need to be

pictures for better many thousands of compressed to reduce the
diagnosis photographs. amount of memory used.

The creation of Virtual There is no need to

reality tours around develop film and printouts;
houses, buildings etc. it saves money and is
more environmentally
friendly.

Unwanted images can

quickly be deleted from a
memory card
Video cameras are used to record moving pictures, or video that are stored
electronically. It can store the data on a memory card or computer. It can be edited and
used.

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

It can be used for leisure, Taking moving images and File sizes are very large
by organisations for not just still ones
producing commercial
videos and also for security
purposes using Closed
Circuit television (CCTV)

Video footage can also be Record audio as well as May need expensive
taken using digital cameras images software to edit them.
and mobile phones

Provide a more realistic

record of an event

Webcams are a special category of video camera that have no storage capacity but are
connected directly to a computer. Laptops have a webcam built into it.
For Eg: we used the webcam mainly for skype, google meet and zoom meetings.
Microphones -- Input device
Microphones are either built into the computer or an external devices connected through
the USB port or using Bluetooth connectivity
Can be used to input sounds into computer.
It converts sound waves into electrical signal (digital data)

Uses Advantages Disadvantages

To input speech/sounds to Faster to read in text than Sound files can use up a
be used in various to type it in using a lot of computer memory
applications keyboard.

Input in voice recognition It is possible to manipulate Voice recognition software

software sound in real time using is not accurate as typing in
special software manually.

It can also used as a If used in voice activation Cheap ones doesnot give
sensor to pick up sound system, it has the a true representation of the
(eg: in an Intruder alarm advantage of improving input sounds
system) safety.

Used in video conferencing

or Voice over Internet
Protocol (VoIP)

Sensors - Input device

A sensor is a device that inputs data to a computer; the data is a measurement of some
physical quantity that is continuously changing. (for eg : light, temperature, motion
and pressure). These physical quantities are analogue in nature. But computers only
understand digital data (1s and 0s). Therefore information in the sensors need to be
converted. This is done using Analogue to Digital Convertor (ADC)

Uses of Sensors

Types of sensors Applications

Temperature Used in automatic washing machine, Central heating systems,

Automatic glass houses, Ovens
Pressure Used in intruder alarm systems, Washing machines, robotics,
environmental monitoring

Light Used in automatic glass houses, automatic doors, intruder alarm

systems, street lighting control.

Sound/ Acoustic Used in intruder alarm systems, monitoring liquid and powder
flow in pipes.

humidity/moisture Used in automatic glass houses, environmental monitoring, in

factories where moisture levels are crucial. For eg: manufacture
of microchips, paint spraying

pH Used in automatic glass houses, chemical processes,

environment monitoring.

Advantages Disadvantages

More accurate readings taken Faulty sensors can give spurious

when compared to human results.
operators.
They are more reliable than a More sensors are analogue
human being because human may sensors, therefore they require
forget to take the readings. conversion using an ADC
Readings are continuous - no break Digital sensors are active sensors
in monitoring and need a power source. If there is
power cut or their battery dies, they
will stop working.
Because of continuous process, If the sensors are left at a remote
any necessary action (control location and malfunction then their
system) or warning (monitoring users will not know.
system) will be initiated
immediately.
Light pens - Input device
●​ Light pens are used with computers as an input device.
●​ They contain sensors that send signals to a computer whenever light
changes are detected.
●​ The devices only work with CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitors.
●​ A light pen was often used with a graphics tablet to draw diagrams
and illustrations
●​ Today light pens are no longer used due to the invention of touch
screens, and the light pen had been replaced by a stylus.

Advantages Disadvantages

Both are easy to use Light pens can only be used on

CRT monitors.
Greater accuracy than touch Light pens donot work on LCD
screens screens.
Both are ergonomically designed Both are not good for basic
for ease of hand movement. operations such as printing, clicking
and selecting from menus.
Both dont take up much space on Problems with lag when drawing on
your desk. screen.
Both are lightweight
Both have no moving parts

________
 Direct Data Entry (DDE) Devices
Direct data entry devices are used to input data into a computer
without the need for very much, if any, human interactions.
OR
Data to be entered directly with human intervention. These are called Direct Data Entry
devices.

Examples of Card Readers are:

-Magnetic stripe readers
-Contactless Debit Card Readers
-Chip and PIN Readers.

Magnetic Card Readers

-these are used to read information on the magnetic stripe found on.
For example: the back of a credit card or debit card has a stripe. The stripe contains
useful information such as account number, sort code, expiry date and start date.

Uses of Magnetic Stripe Readers

-On credit card/ debit card cards for the use at ATM,s or EFTPOS (Electronic Fund
Transfer at Point of Sale) terminals.
-Security devices to allow entry to buildings, hotel rooms etc.

Advantages
-Simple for people to use, no training required.
-Very inexpensive.
-Fast Data Entry- just swipe the card.
-Error free- because of no typing.
-Not affected by oil, water or moisture.
-No moving parts- physically very robust.
-Data on the card can be altered if necessary.

Disadvantages
-Very small storage capacity.
-Data can be destroyed by a magnetic field e.g., by placing it next to the speaker.
- Does not work at a distance (card needs to have close contact to the reader).
-Because the information is not human readable this can be a disadvantage in some
applications.
CHIP and PIN Readers
-Credit and Debit cards have always had a magnetic stripe on the back inorder for to
store information that needs to be kept secret. To make the cards more secure they now
include a computer chip on the front of the card.
-The chip holds the same data that is on the stripe but is more secure as the data is
encrypted.
-When making a payment using a chip and Pin Card, the user puts the card into an
input device called a Chip and PIN reader, which reads the information stored in the
chip.
-The most important piece of information in the chip is the PIN (Personal Identification
Number), which is a digit code that the user must know to be able to use the card.
-The user types the PIN on the numeric keypad attached to the reader. That PIN is
checked against the PIN stored on the card's chip and if the two match then the
payment goes through.

Uses
-When payments are made using the cards (restaurants, travel agents, supermarkets
etc).

Advantages
-The information held is more secure than just magnetic stripe because the chip is
difficult to read and chips are harder to clone.
-The computer chip can hold more information than a magnetic stripe can hold.
-Chip and PIN readers can be wireless, which means that they can be brought to you
when you are in the shop or restaurant.

Disadvantages
-People tend to be careless when entering their PIN and people watching can see it.
This is called “Shouldering” or “Shoulder Surfing” or “Fraud”.
-If forget your PIN you cannot make payments with the card until you get a new one.
RFID Readers

RFID stands for Radio-Frequency identification, and RFID readers use

radio waves to read and capture information stored on RFID tags.
The RFID has three elements:
1.​ A scanning antenna.
2.​ A decoder that interprets the data. (a microchip that stores and
process information)
3.​ The RFID tag itself, which will have been programmed with
information.
●​ The tags can be passive or battery powered.
●​ Passive tags use the reader’s radio wave energy to relay
back the information; battery-powered tags use a small
embedded battery to power the RFID.

Uses of RFID
●​ Livestock tracking on a farm
● Retail (unlike barcodes, there is no need to scan – the tag is
automatically read from a distance)
● Security (RFID tags attached to goods allow supermarkets to check if
articles are being removed from the store without payment)
● Admission passes, for example at a theme park to gain access to rides
and events
● Libraries (to track books out on loan)
Advantages
1.​ Tags can be read from a reasonable distance
2.​ Very fast read rate (it takes less than 100 milliseconds to respond)
3.​ Allows bi-directional data transfer (data can be sent in both
directions)
4.​ Allows bulk detection/reading to occur (several tags can be read at
the same time)
5.​ Unlike barcodes, copying or altering the data stored on RFID tags is
difficult.

Disadvantages
1.​ Tag collisions can occur (where data from two or more tags overlap)
2.​ Radio waves can be blocked or jammed which means the data can’t
be read
3.​ It is possible to hack into transmitted data and read or change it
4.​ The system is more complex and more expensive than barcode
readers

OMR - Optical mark recognition/reader

Can read marks written in ink or pencil on a pre-printed form either by
joining dots or filling in a lozenge
Uses
1.​Reading questionnaire responses
2.​Automatic marking of multi-choice exam papers
3.​Automatic counting of voting choices in an election
Advantages
●​ Fast method of data input (documents can be loaded into a
hopper and read automatically)
●​ More accurate than entering the data using a keyboard (removes
risk of typing errors)
●​ Faster to fill in a form than if using OCR
Disadvantages
●​ Needs expensive and complex forms
●​ Forms need to be carefully designed to capture required data
(OMR limits the amount of data that can be captured)
●​ Problems occur if the form is not filled in correctly (often
instructions on how to fill out the form need to be given)

OCR - Optical Character Recognition/Reader

Converts text on hard copy documents into an electronic format. The

data can then be processed and used, for example in a word
processor

Uses
●​ Processing of passports and ID cards at an airport security desk
●​ Converting handwritten text into a computer-usable format
●​ Automatic number plate recognition to identify cars when
entering, for example, car parks
●​ Digitisation of valuable, ancient documents and books

Advantages
●​ Much faster data entry than manually keying in data using a
keyboard
●​ More accurate and less error-prone than manual data entry
methods
●​ If used in questionnaires, allows the customer to expand on
answers (unlike OMR where a customer is limited to answering a
set of questions)
Disadvantages
●​ The system can’t always read certain handwriting styles
●​ Scanning of documents isn’t always 100% accurate
●​ A complex and expensive system
Barcode Readers are used to read information in the form of a
barcode.
Barcode : A set of short parallel lines in contrasting colours, often
black and white, that stand for digits 0 to 9.
QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODE SCANNERS (READERS)

QR CODE : Quick response code - A type of two-dimensional barcode (in a square)

that can store data such as URLs, geotags and links.

The smartphone with the app is the QR scanner.

QR SCANNER: A quick response scanner consists of software and hardware such as a

smartphone and an app used to read and respond to the data stored in a QR Code.
Many advertised products and services have a QR code associated with them.

The device scans the code and the user is taken directly to the website of the business
providing the goods and service.

USES

●​ Used in advertising links or item lists.

●​ Wi-Fi Authentication
●​ Used to deliver Augmented Reality (AR).
●​ Used to establish virtual online stores.

ADVANTAGES

●​ Very versatile.
●​ Can contain different types of data.
●​ Codes can be easily read by multiple devices, including smartphones.
●​ Anyone can create a QR code using software.
●​ Quick to read.
●​ Stores 100 times more information than a barcode.

DISADVANTAGES

●​ A device is needed to scan the code.(like camera).

●​ QR codes can be used to transmit malicious codes, known as attagging.
●​ Relies on the QR code being correct.
●​ Some people do not know what they represent or how to read them.
 2.3 OUTPUT DEVICES AND THEIR USES
An output device is any hardware device that takes the output data
from a computer and puts it into a human-readable format.
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ OR
These are devices that usually show the result of computer processing
in a format that can be understood by a human.( For example monitor
or printed on paper).

Output devices are part of a control system. The computers is

controlling a process and sends signals to these output devices.

2.3.1
●​ MONITORS (SCREENS) : Monitors are often called ‘computer screens or
displays ’

○​ CRT MONITORS - Cathode ray tube monitors

Older monitors were built like early television sets, using cathode ray
tubes.

USES
They are only used in specialist areas such as computer-aided design
(CAD): the screens are usually large to enable complex diagrams to be
created or modified.
They are used with light pens to allow design to be created on screen.

ADVANTAGES
The screen can be clearly seen than with most LCD monitors.
They allow the use of a light pen in. for eg: CAD/CAM applications

DISADVANTAGES
It is very heavy and bulky causing them to take up a lot of desk space.
They run very hot and can cause files if left unattended.
They consume more power than LCD monitors.
They can flicker, which can lead to headache and eyesight problems with
prolonged use.
 ○​ LED SCREENS - Light emitting diode Screens.
An LED screen is made up of tiny light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each LED
is either red, green or blue in colour.
USES
This type of screen tends to be used for large outdoor displays, due to the
brilliance of the colors produced.

ADVANTAGES
●​ No motion lag/ghosting
●​ No need for backlighting since LEDs produce their own light
●​ Low power consumption
●​ LEDs have a very long life
●​ Screens can be any size
​ ​
​ ​ DISADVANTAGES
●​ More expensive than LCDs
●​ Can suffer from colourshift (e.g. white can become yellowed) due to
age and temperature
●​ Contrast ratios are not consistent

○​ LCD SCREENS - Liquid crystal display

LCD screens are made up of tiny liquid crystals. Liquid crystals covered by
a thin film of transistors (TFT) or Light emitting diodes (LED).
USES
The main output device for computers,tablets, laptops and smartphones
– Where touchscreen technology is required, LCD screens are used
ADVANTAGES

●​ Very efficient, low power consumption

●​ Very lightweight and very thin screens
●​ Don’t suffer from image burn-in
●​ Don’t suffer from a flickering image
●​ Very sharp image resolution
●​ Very low electromagnetic screens compared to CRT

​ ​ DISADVANTAGES
​ ​
●​ Colour and contrast from various viewing angles can be
inconsistent
 ●​ Suffer from some motion blur/image ghosting
●​ Possible to have weak pixels that can show as either black (all fully
off) or white (all fully on) dots on the screen
●​ Need backlighting (LCDs don’t produce their own light) – this can
lead to variable illumination.

2.3.2
Touch screen (as an output device)

The user can choose an option by simply touching a button/icon on the

screen. It is a display screen that is both an input and an output device.

Uses:
●​ Smartphones and tablets
●​ ATMs (supplying cash and other bank facilities)
●​ Ticket collection machines (at railway/ bus stations, theatres,
cinemas, etc.)
●​ Information kiosks (at museums, airports, galleries, etc.)

Advantages

●​ Faster data entry than a keyboard/keypad

●​ Easy method to use and less error-prone since no typing is involved
●​ Easy to keep screen clean (unlike keyboards) since the surface is
glass
●​ They allow multi-touch functions (such as zoom in/out, rotation, etc.)
●​ No physical switches or buttons allowing interfaces to be more
creative/intuitive

Disadvantages

●​ Screens can become scratched and dirty, leading to poor

performance or malfunction
 ●​ As there is no ‘mechanical interface’, it is sometimes difficult to know
if a user’s action has registered. (Note: latest systems have ‘haptic’
feedback e.g. buzzing – but this is outside the syllabus)

2.3.3

Multimedia Projector: A device that can project an image from a computer

onto as large a surface as is necessary, often used in presentations.

USES
●​ Training presentations (large screen makes it easy for a large number
of people to take part)
●​ Advertising, for example at a shopping mall
●​ Home cinema systems (projecting image from DVD/Blu-ray,
television, mobile phone and so on)

Advantages

●​ Enables many people to see a Presentation

●​ Avoids the need for several networked computers since a computer
output can be seen on one large screen
●​ Space saving – projectors can be mounted on the ceiling, for
example
●​ It is portable as well.

Disadvantages

●​ Images can be a bit fuzzy and colours faded or incorrect shade

●​ Expensive items to purchase and maintain
●​ Setting up projectors can be difficult
●​ A darkened room is usually needed
●​ Need a separate audio system (which can add to the costs and
complexity of setting up)
2.3.4
PRINTERS & PLOTTERS

Printers & Plotters are output devices that produce characters and/or
graphics onto paper and onto other materials.
They produce ‘hard-copy’.

Three types of Printers

1.​ Laser Printer
2.​ Inkjet printer
3.​ Dot matrix printer

1.Laser Printer

●​ Work by using a laser to ‘draw’ the required outputs onto a drum. This
puts a positive electric charge on those parts of the drum that have
been hit by the laser.
●​ An ink powder (called toner) is then sprayed onto the drum and it
sticks where there is an electric charge.
●​ This drum is pressed against a piece of paper and the ink is
transferred to the paper.
●​ The paper is then heated by a ‘fuser’ so that the toner binds to the
paper, by producing a printed copy.
●​ If there are four drums with four different colours of toner then
coloured printouts will be produced.

Uses
●​ Where low noise required (e.g. in an office)
●​ When fast, high-quality, high-resolution printing is needed (e.g. a
large print run)
Advantages
●​ Faster printing than an inkjet printer for large print runs
●​ Quality of the printing is high and these printers can handle small
fonts and fine lines better than an inkjet
●​ Toner cartridges last for a long time
●​ The paper trays have much greater capacity than inkjet printers

Disadvantages

●​ Can be expensive to run (especially colour printers) since the toner

cartridges and maintenance are expensive
●​ Produce ozone gas and volatile toner particles (which can be harmful
to people in an office, for example)
●​ Unlike inkjet printers, they can’t handle a variety of printing materials
●​ (any material that is heat sensitive can’t be used)
●​ Larger and heavier than inkjet printers

2. Inkjet Printer

use thermal bubble or piezoelectric technology; use four or five small wet
ink cartridges and stepper motors to feed the paper
It is used to produce good quality hard copies.
Unlike laser printers, inkjet printers do not have large buffer memories,
therefore printing will take a bit of time.

Uses
●​ Where a low-volume print run is needed (e.g. a one-off photograph)
●​ Good for high-quality colour printing (e.g. they have a photo quality
option which enhances photos)
●​ Useful when an ‘unusual’ printing medium is used (e.g. printing logos
on
●​ T-shirts (cloth))
Advantages

●​ Low start-up costs

●​ Can handle many types of paper (e.g. cardboard) and other materials
(e.g. as plastics, cloth, photo paper, etc.)
●​ Cheaper to buy than laser printers
●​ The ink cartridges can be refilled
●​ Smaller footprint and lighter than a laser printer
●​ Don’t produce ozone gas or ink particulates

Disadvantages

●​ Inkjet ink is very expensive

●​ Not suited for long print runs since they have very small paper trays
and the ink
●​ cartridges don’t last long
●​ The paper fastness of the ink isn’t good; for example, a highlighter
pen can’t be used on the printed sheets since the ink will ‘dissolve’
●​ Need regular head cleaning to prevent the head clogging up with ink
(a process which uses a lot of ink)
●​ Not as durable as laser printers
3. Dot Matrix Printers
A type of impact printer that uses an inked ribbon (like an old typewriter)
and a printhead containing an array of pins

Uses
●​ Useful in places where the atmosphere is damp or dusty (e.g. a
factory floor)
●​ Can be used in places where their noise is not an issue (e.g. in a
●​ workshop)
●​ Useful if the print run requires multipart stationery (i.e. carbon copies)
or continuous stationery – for example, when producing thousands of
wage slips during a night run

Advantages
●​ Can be used in an environment that would be harmful to a laser or
inkjet printer
●​ Carbon copies (multi-part) can be made (very useful when producing
wage slips where the impact head prints on the inside of a folded
paper and not
●​ on the outside, thus keeping information confidential)
●​ Very cheap to run and maintain
●​ Very good for long print runs since they can use continuous stationery
(which can be 2000 continuous perforated sheets)

Disadvantages

●​ Very noisy in operation

●​ Expensive to buy initially
●​ Very slow at printing
●​ Very limited colour printing options (some 4-coloured ribbons exist,
but the colour range is very limited)
●​ Printing is generally of very poor quality
●​ The technology is very outdated; the printers are only suitable where
laser or inkjet are not suitable
 2.3.5 (Graph) Plotters

Use pens to draw lines on very large sheets of paper or plastic.

Instead of toner or ink cartridges, plotters use a pen, pencil or
marker pen to draw multiple continuous lines, rather than a series
of dots like a printer.
They produce vector graphic drawings and are often used in
conjunction with CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM
(Computer Aided Manufacturing)

Uses

●​ Producing architectural drawings and product blueprints

●​ Producing engineering drawings
●​ Drawing animation characters for the film industry

Advantages

●​ Very high-quality drawings

●​ Can produce large monochrome and colour drawings to a
high accuracy
●​ Can print on a variety of materials (e.g. aluminium,
cardboard, plastic, cloth, steel, wood) as well as paper
●​ Not expensive to run

Disadvantages
●​ Very slow printing
●​ Expensive equipment to purchase initially (although running
costs are relatively low)
●​ Need a very large physical footprint
2.3.6 3D PRINTERS
●​ 3D printers are primarily used in Computer -aided design (CAD)
applications.
●​ uses additive printing technology where a solid object is built up in very
thin
●​ layers (typically <0.1 mm thick) – makes use of adapted inkjet or laser
printer technology)

USES
●​ Making prosthetic limbs (artificial replacement for missing body parts),
which are unique to each person
●​ Making bespoke (made for a particular person) items to allow for
reconstructive surgery based on exact scans of the patient’s anatomy
●​ Making precision parts for industry (e.g. in aerospace)
●​ Fashion and art; Allows for new creative ideas
●​ Making parts for items no longer in production (e.g. vintage cars)

ADVANTAGES
●​ Easier to produce prototypes (a first or preliminary version of a device or
vehicle from which other forms are developed) that work (it is also much
quicker and less expensive than making a real part)
●​ Although expensive, it is still cheaper than making a product in the
conventional way
●​ Many medical benefits, such as producing artificial organs and so on
●​ It is good for the environment: keeping items working for longer by making
bespoke (made for a particular user or customer) parts reduces the ‘throw
away’ mentality

DISADVANTAGES
●​ Counterfeit items are easier to produce using 3D printing
●​ Can lead to illegal activity (e.g. production of dangerous items based on
blueprints found online)
●​ Printing is a slow process
●​ Potential for job losses as 3D printing can replace certain skills
●​ Use of 3D printers is very expensive
SPEAKERS - OUTPUT DEVICE

Speakers (or loudspeakers) are output devices that produce sound, when
connected to a computer system.
(convert electric signals to sound)

Below figure shows if the sound is stored in a computer file.

Digital data - DAC- Amplifier-Speakers

The digital data is first passed through a digital to analogue convertor

(DAC) where it is changed into an electric current.
Then it is passed through an amplifier, this creates a current large enough
to drive a loudspeaker.
The electric current is then fed to a loudspeaker where it is converted to
sound.

USE
1.​ Used in all phones and built into most computers.
2.​ Sound in multimedia presentations
3.​ Act as an interface with devices for people with certain disabilities
(e.g.people with visual impairment)
4.​ Playback of music files
5.​ Audible warnings in systems being computer-controlled
(e.g. nuclear power station safety systems)

Advantages

1.​ Sounds add an extra dimension to a presentation making it more

interesting and informative
2.​ Useful when helping people with disabilities where a
microphone/speaker combination affords a workable interface with
devices
 3.​ A well-tried technology

Disadvantages

1.​ Speaker output can be very annoying in the office environment

2.​ Expensive if high quality sound is required

ACTUATORS
An actuator is a mechanical or electromechanical device such as
a relay, solenoid or motor.
An actuator is a device that cause a machine or other device to
operate.

An actuator responds to a control signal from the computer and

produces a mechanical action (DAC - Digital to Analogue
convertor). (eg: An electric motor)

The motors in the hydraulic system that control robots are

actuators.

Actuators can be small - motors that control the movement of a

lens in a digital camera.
Actuators can be large - motors that control the opening and
closing of automatic doors or barriers in car park systems.

Uses
●​ Control motors,pumps, switches and so on
●​ Allow a computer to control physical devices by using a DAC
interface.
Advantages
●​ Allow automatic control of many devices
●​ Relatively inexpensive technology

Disadvantages
●​ Require the use of a DAC interface if digital devices are sending
signals to actuators
●​ An additional device in the system that could go wrong

Sensors and actuators in a washing machine

●​ Actuators are items that cause movement or a response in control

systems.
●​ A sensor measures a change in the environment and in response the
computer sends a signal to an actuator to cause a response to the
 change. (for eg: to open and close the windows in a greenhouse by
switching on motors)

Question :
Describe the use of sensors and actuators in a control system such
as a burglar alarm or temperature control system.