Input and Output Devices

Chapter 2

2.1 Input devices and their uses 

2.2 Direct data entry (DDE) devices 
Input Devices and Their
Uses
2.1
2.1.1 Keyboards
• Most common method used for data entry
• Connected to the computer through USB or wireless
• Virtual or touchscreen keyboards can be found on tablets or mobile
phone
• When the character is press on a keyboard, it converts into a digital
signal that the computer interprets
• This is a slow method for data entry that is prone to human error
• Frequent use of keyboard can lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI)
2.1.1 Ergonomic Keyboards
• Keys are arranged differently than traditional keyboard
• Focus to support the wrist and hands for frequent typing

Wrist rest
at a 45-
degree
angle

Curve design interface

 Types of ergonomic keyboards

• Contoured • Split keyboard – Split in • Angled keyboard –

keyboard – shaped like the middle. Sometimes Slightly inclined to
domes or waves and the number pad also promote correct wrist
help position the arms comes separately. Helps and hand placement
with comfort and when typing.
natural when typing.
proper hand spacing
when typing.
 Ergonomic keyboard benefits
• Comfort and wrist support – Provide more
space for your wrist and forearm to sit in
the middle of the keyboard to eliminates
any strain and discomfort.
• Reduces the risk of carpal tunnel
syndrome –Promote natural positioning of
the wrist and forearm. 
• Supports a healthy posture – Encourage
proper shoulder alignment for good body
posture
• Good for increasing typing speed –
possibly increase typing speed as its more
comfortable
How keyboard works
• When a letter key is pressed, it will hit the membrane or circuit
board inside the keyboard
• CPU will determine which key letter have been pressed
• CPU refer to an index file to identify which character letter was press
and display it on the monitor or execute function
Uses of keyboards
• Input of data into application software
For example: 
From text into word processors 
From numbers into spreadsheets

• Typing out command functions 

For example: 
Prnt Scren, CtrlC+CtrlV
 Advantages of Keyboards Disadvantages of Keyboards
Commonly used methods in school Difficult if user have wrist or hand
and work problems
Easier to do verification check Slow in processing complete
as user can see the data on screen information if compared to Optical
to compare it to a physical copy Mark Recognition devices

Fast entry from text to document Bulky as it takes up space

software
User friendly for most people
2.1.2 Numeric keypads
• Used to enter number only
• Some numeric keypads can spell out alphabet letters 

Uses of number keypads

• Automatic teller machines (ATM) - customers can key in their pin
numbers to withdraw money 

• Point of sale terminals (POS) - cashier can key in product code if the
barcode reader fails to scan  
 Advantages of Numeric Keypads Disadvantages of Numeric Keypads
It is fast when keying in numeric data Key pin button can be small and hard
to press
Portable device to be carrying People might not be used to the
around order of numbers on the keypad and
might press wrongly 
2.1.3 Pointing devices
There are three examples of pointing device 
• Mouse 
• Touchpad
• Trackerball
Mouse
• User controls the position of a pointer on the screen by moving the
mouse around
• There are two function buttons on the mouse – left and right button
• Left button is commonly used to select items
• Right button is commonly used to open drop-down menu
• Some mouse also have a scroll button to speed up computer
navigation
Mouse
• Optical mouse is detected by reflected light
• Cordless or wireless mouse is detected using transmitting signals to a
USB wireless receiver that is plugged into the computer

Uses of mouse 
• Opening, closing and minimising software 
• Grouping, moving and deleting files 
• Image editing 
• Controlling the positions of open windows reflected on the display screen
 Advantages of Mouse Disadvantages of Mouse
Faster method for choosing option Restricted movement when keying in
data entry
Quick way in navigating browser Easily dirty as it can collect dirt
interface 

Do not take up a lot of space Requires a flat surface for it to work

Touchpad
• Pointer is controlled by moving the user finger on the touchpad and
gently tapping it to select by mimic clicking on left button on the
physical mouse
• It has the same functions as a mouse

Internal touchpad on a laptop External touchpad

 Advantages of Touchpad Disadvantages of Touchpad
Faster in choosing options compared People with wrist or hand issue have
to using the keyboard a hard time using it
Separate mouse not required for Can be difficult to control the
laptops that has touchpad pointer 

Users can face difficulty when using

operations such as drag and drop
Trackerball
• Like mouse except that a ball is located either on the top or on the
side of the mouse

Uses of trackerball
• Faster to navigate compared to a mouse in industrial environment 
• Used as part of a hardware function on radio, telephone, car
 Advantages of Trackerball Disadvantages of Trackerball
Does not need same fine control as a External purchase 
mouse
Easier to operate for people with Not user friendly
wrist or hand issues 
More accurate positioning of
pointer 
Do not need a lot of desk space
2.1.4 Remote control
• Used in conjunction with other devices using infrared signals 
• Button function on the remote control

Uses of remote control

• Control multimedia systems
• Industrial applications to remotely control processes 
• Control and alter fixed functions in televisions, satellite systems,
DVD/Blu-ray players and Hi-Fi systems
 Advantages of Remote Control Disadvantages of Remote Control
Can be operated by a distance for Difficult to use if operator has wrist
hazardous work environment or hand issues 
Signals can easily be block by walls
2.1.5 Joysticks
• Similar functions as the mouse and trackerball
• Pointer on screen can be controlled by gripping the stick and using
the buttons for selection
• Commonly used in video games, simulators such as flight simulators 
2.1.5 Driving wheels 
• Wheel allows driver to simulate the turning of a steering wheel in
conjunction with buttons or pedals to accelerate or brake
• Sensors are used to pick up left/right movement so driver can pick
up the sensation of steering a car around a circuit or on the road 
2.1.6 Touch screens (as an input device)
• Choosing an option by simply touching a button icon on the screen
• It is commonly found at self service station that has no workers manning it

Uses of touch screen (as an input device) 

• Touch screen ATM machines 
• Computer-based training (CBT) where answers are selected during on-
screen testing
• Mobile phones, tablets and satellite navigation systems
• Airports, railway stations, tourist office etc
 Advantages of Touch Screens Disadvantages of Touch Screens
Faster entry Limited number of input option 

Easy method for choosing options  Can be easily damaged if not well
maintained 
User friendly  Screen can get very dirty with
constant touching 
Option to expand size of display if
necessary
2.1.7 Scanners
• Used to enter information from hard copy into a computer
• Commonly used flatbed scanner has a glass panel and lid 
• Hard copy document or photo is scanned by a light source and
produces a computer-readable image
• The image can then be manipulated using image editor software
• Images of text can be used with optical character recognition (OCR)
software
Uses of scanners
• Scan in documents and convert into a format for use in various
software packages 
• Scan old, valuable documents/books in case it goes missing or
destroyed
• Scanning photographs 
• Scan in barcodes at POS terminals
 Advantages of Scanners Disadvantages of Scanners
Images can be stored for editing Quality will depend on the scanner
later  resolution capability
Minimise typing error It can be slow at execution 

Possible to recover damaged

documents and photographs
2.1.8 Digital cameras
• Replaced traditional film-based cameras
• Images are stored on a memory card (solid-state memory) and can
be transferred to a computer by:
1) directly reading the memory card 
2) connecting the camera to the computer using a USB port
3) Using wireless data transfer
Digital cameras uses
• Taking videos and static images
• Used as data-capture device, for example as a reversing aid in a car
• Dentists use digital camera to take photos of a patient's teeth to
help them diagnose any problem
• Creation of virtual reality tours around houses, historical buildings,
industrial plants etc
 Advantages of Digital Camera Disadvantages of Digital Camera
Produce good quality photo Need to be computer literate to use
the camera properly
Easier and faster to upload photos Artistry lost because of build in auto
into the computer  correct on the images
Environmentally friendly due to Images often need to be compressed
reduction of printing images to reduce the amount of memory
Memory cards can store many
thousands of photos
IGCSE Exam Question
Practice
Chapter 2.1
Choose one of the five options given
Which one of the following cannot be directly measured using a
sensor?

a) temperature
b) moisture
c) heat 
d) air humidity
e) pressure
Answer 
Which one of the following cannot be directly measured using a
sensor?

a) temperature
b) moisture
c) heat 
d) air humidity
e) pressure
Choose one of the five options given
Which one of the following cannot be used as an output device?

a) multi projectors
b) actuator
c) speaker 
d) mouse 
e) inkjet printer
Answer
Which one of the following cannot be used as an output device?

a) multi projectors
b) actuator
c) speaker 
d) mouse 
e) inkjet printer
Fill in the blank to match the type of sensor to its application. (3 marks)

Temperature                       Pressure                                Acoustic

                          Light                                   Moisture                                pH

_______________ sensor is used in automatic glasshouses, automatic

doors, intruder alarm systems, street lighting control.

_______________ sensor is used in automatic glasshouses, chemical

processes, environmental monitoring.

_______________ sensor intruder alarm systems, washing machines,

robotics, environmental monitoring.
Fill in the blank to match the type of sensor to its application. (3 marks)

Temperature                       Pressure                                Acoustic

                          Light                                   Moisture                                pH
Light sensor is used in automatic glasshouses, automatic doors,
intruder alarm systems, street lighting control.

pH sensor is used in automatic glasshouses, chemical processes,

environmental monitoring.

Pressure sensor intruder alarm systems, washing machines, robotics,

environmental monitoring.
 Tips

1. Fill in the blank questions can be tricky because you will be given
more helping words compared to the blank questions itself. 

2. If you come across words that you are unfamiliar with, do not
assume the meaning. Instead, read the questions carefully and try to
answer with the words that you know first. Sometimes test paper setter
can include difficult non-related words as part of the answers as a trick
question so do be careful!