3.

2 – Input devices

Name:
Class:
CT Teacher:
Specification reference:

1
Lesson objectives:
Understand the following on each input device:
• What each device does.
• Why it does it
• When it might be used.

Knowledge phase:

Input devices: A device that allows data to be entered into a computer

system.
Examples:
• Keyboard
• Barcode scanner
• 2D & 3D scanner
• Microphone
• Optical mouse
• Digital camera
• Touch screen
• QR code scanner

2
Barcode: A numeric code represented as a series of lines. Holds information
about items.
What does it do / how does it work?
• Shines red laser at barcode to illuminate it.
• White lines reflect more light than black lines.
• Sensors detect the light.
• The strength of the reflection from each line is interpreted by a
microprocessor and converted into a binary value.
What is it used for?
• Scanning goods at a supermarket checkout.
• Checking library books in and out.
• Tracking packages out for delivery.
Why is it required?
• Faster checkout queues as its faster to scan than type manually.
• Automatic stock control.
• Reduce errors caused by manual input.
• More detailed tracking information.
Why Barcodes are used in supermarkets
• Barcode identifies a product.
• Can be used to look up the product and data about stock levels can be
stored on the system.
• Stock can be automatically deducted from system when the barcode is
scanned and an item is sold.
• So the stock can be checked and system can provide alerts when stock
is low. Stocks can be updated automatically when new stock arrives.

3
4
Digital Camera
What does it do / how does it work?
• As light enters the camera, it falls onto a sensor made up of millions of
pixels.
• Each pixel measures the light intensity
• A microprocessor converts these values into digital data representing
colour values.
What is it used for?
• Integrated into smartphones.
• Professional photography using dedicated, high-end cameras.
• Security and surveillance systems.
Why is it required?
• Can be used as a film-based cameras.
• Instant photographs - no development required.
• Digital photos can easily be transmitted via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
• Embedded software can be used to adjust photos - e.g. retouching and
filters.

Q1: Complete the following:

Keywords: Intensity , Sensor, Light, Digital, Pixels
Bit map images are made of ______
With digital cameras, as _____ enters the camera, it
falls onto a ______ made up of millions of
pixels. [5]
Each pixel measures the light _______
A microprocessor converts these values into ______
data representing colour values.
State 2 examples of where a digital camera is used:

5
Max is a professional photographer. He is attending a wedding to take
pictures of the event. Explain 2 features of a digital camera that will
help the photographer.

[2]

Keyboard:
What does it do / how does it work?
Each character on a keyboard has a corresponding character set value.
It uses ASCII/UNICODE.
Key presses are converted into a digital signal
Which the computer then interprets.
What is it used for?
Connected to most desktop computers via usb connection or wireless /
bluetooth.
Build into laptop computers.
Tablets and smartphones use virtual keyboards.
Why is it required?
Common form of text-based data input.
Advantages:
• Easy to use.
Disadvantage:
• Easy to make a mistake.
• Can be slow if not trained.
• Dirt can get into keys.
Concept keyboard: A concept keyboard is a specialised keyboard with no pre-
set keys. It relies on a touch sensitive screen with the key or overlay displayed
on the screen. Concept keyboard in restaurants:
• Fewer typing errors may be made because one button is pressed to order
items.
• Speed up the time to enter orders because fewer buttons are pressed to
complete the order.
• Requires less training 6
• Can stop dirt as it has protective layer.
Explain why a maths teacher may use a keyboard?

[2]

Explain what a keyboard is used for [1]:

[1]

State 2 devices that uses virtual keyboard [2]:

7
Optical mouse:
What does it do / how does it work?
It uses a red LED (Light emitting diode) and a sensor to determine the
movement of the mouse relative to the surface beneath.
A microprocessor analyses both the speed and distance of the movement and
replicates it on-screen via a virtual cursor.
What is it used for?
Navigation and interaction with elements of a graphical user interface (GUI)
Why is it required?
Easy interaction with applications and other GUI elements.
No moving parts, unlike mechanical mice - more reliable.
No need for a special surface (Mousemat)

Q1: Complete the following to explain how an optical mouse works

Keywords: Red, replicates, microprocessor, sensor. [4] :
Optical Mouse uses a _____ LED (Light emitting diode) and a
_________ to determine the movement of the mouse relative to
the surface beneath.
A _____________ analyses both the speed and distance of the
movement and ________ it on-screen via a virtual cursor. 8
Ali uses an optical mouse when he creates PowerPoint presentation.
Explain why Ali uses an optical mouse and what it is used for. [2]

[2]

Microphone:
What does it do / how does it work?
Vibrations caused by sound waves cause a coil to move around a magnet,
resulting in electromagnetic field changes.
These tiny changes are converted by a microprocessor and an ADC(Analog to
digital converter) into digital representation of the sound.
What is it used for?
Music recordings.
Radio, TV and films.
Telephone calls.
Security.
Online communications.
Why is it required?
Capture any real-world sound and store it as a digital approximation.
Digital sound can then be modified.

9
Complete the statements below to show how a microphone works
Keywords: ADC , magnet [2]:
Vibrations caused by sound waves cause a coil to move around a
_______, resulting in electromagnetic field changes.
These tiny changes are converted by a microprocessor and an _______
into digital representation of the sound.

Explain why a microphone is required in a music studio and what it

will be used for? [2]

[2]

QR code
QR code: (Quick response) code is made of matrix of black squares on a white
background
They can be used to store:
• Messages
• Telephone numbers;
• Link to websites, videos, social media.
What does it do / how does it work?
• QR code is scanned using a camera on a mobile phone and read using a
software.
• Illuminator shine on code and squares reflect light differently.
• The software converts the squares into readable data.
What is it used for?
• Advertising products.
• Quick links to websites.
• Sharing contact details instantly.
• Electronic travel passes/tickets.
Why is it required?
Holds more information than barcode.

10
Explain why a GYM & fitness centre may use QR code in the reception
area why there are QR codes on each machine in the gym? [2]

[2]

11
Explain why QR code is used in airports [1]

[1]

2D scanner / flatbed scanner

What does it do / how does it work?
• The document is placed on the glass panel.
• A light is emitted illuminating the document.
• A scan head is moved across from under the panel scanning the document.
What does it do / how does it work?
• 2D/flatbed scanner shine a bright line across a document to measure the levels of
reflected light and create a digital version of it.
What is it used for?
• Used to convert a paper copy document or photograph into a computer-readable
format.
• Reading passport at airports.
Why is it required?
• A cheap and effective way of generating a digital representation of a 2D object for
further manipulation.
• Turn physical documents into digital copies that can be accessed on the computer.

3D scanner
What does it do / how does it work?
• Shine a laser over the surface of an object to record its geometry and dimensions
and create a digital model of it. CAD can then be used on the model.
• Computer aided design (CAD) is a software that is used to modify, optimise and
analyse a design on a computer.
What is it used for?
• Creating 3D models for use with computer aided design (CAD) software or for
creating working replicas with a 3D printer.
• Dentistry, product development, quality inspection and research.
• Used to scan passengers in airport.
Why is it required?
• Effective way of generating a digital representation of a 3D object for further
manipulation.

12
Q1 : Complete the following: [2]
_________ is an input device that converts a hard copy document into
an electronic form to be stored as a file on a computer.

___________ is an input device that converts sound into an electrical

signal.

Explain how a 3D scanner creates a digital model of an object and

suggest a common use for it. [2]

[2]

13
14
Benefits of touchscreen:
• Touch screen can be used to replicate the same functions as a mouse.
• It does not require mouse or keyboard.
• Number of possible inputs limited so less chance of input errors.
• Resistant to weather.

Capacitive touchscreen: Uses electrical signals in a human body to detect

touch.
What does it do / how does it work?
Has conductive layer.
Electrical charge is spread across the screen.
Sensors are located around the screen.
When finger touches screen, the charge is transferred to the user as it is
affected by the conductivity of another object.
Coordinates of touch is then calculated.
What Capacitive touch screens are used for and why they are required?
Advantages:
• Excellent image clarity even in sun light.
• High precision/accuracy and durable surface.
• Allows multiple touches at the same time.
Disadvantages:
• It requires bare finger or stylus glove. (Can not be used with normal
gloves) 15
Where its found/used: Laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Touch screen – Resistive:
What does it do / how does it work?
Screen has two layers.
User presses on top of the layer.
Top Layer connects to bottom layer creating a circuit.
Calculation is carried out on where layers are connected.
What Resistive touch screens are used for and why they are required?
Advantages:
Cheap to produce. Can be activated with any object including finger, gloves
and pens.
Resistant to surface contaminants.
Disadvantages:
Has lower image clarity and precision compared to other types.
Does not allow multi-touch.
Where its found/used: Cash machines , Information kiosks and Medical
equipment.

16
Infrared Touchscreen:
What does it do / how does it work?
• Infrared rays are sent across screen.
• Sensors capture beams.
• Rays form a grid across the screen.
• Ray is broken by a finger blocking a beam.
• Calculation is made to locate the touch.
What Infrared touch screens are used for and why they are required?
Advantages:
• Good durability. Allows multi-touch facility.
• Can be used even with gloves/pen.
• Excellent image quality.
Disadvantages:
• Expensive to manufacture.
• Screen will break on impact.
• Sensitive to dust/dirt/water.
Where its found/used:
• Large-scale commercial displays.
• Information kiosks
• Medical equipment 17
18
19
20
Identify 2 examples of devices that use Capacitive touchscreen:

Identify 2 examples of where resistive touchscreen is used:

Identify 2 examples of where Infrared touchscreen is used:

21