CCAS chapter 5 quiz

Biometrics

science of measuring individual body characteristics

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Condition caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. Produces damage and pain to nerves and tendons in the hands.

Display screen (monitor)

output device that shows programming instructions and data as they are being inputted, and information after it is processed

Dummy (video display) terminal

Display screen and a keyboard hooked up to a computer system. It can input and output, but not process data.

Flatbed (desktop) scanner

image to be scanned is placed on a glass surface, where it remains stationary, and the scanning beam moves across it

Handwriting recognition system

system in which a computer reads handwriting by using special software to interpret the movement of the stylus across a writing service and translates it to cursive: digital information

Hardcopy

tangible output, usually printed

Impact printer

printer that forms characters or images by striking a mechanism against an ink ribbon, leaving an image on paper

Intelligent (smart) terminal

Hardware unit with its own memory, processor, display screen, and keyboard. This is hooked up to a larger computer system.

Multifunction printer

hardware device that combines several capabilities, such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing

Multitouch screen

display screen that allows two or more fingers or other gestures such as pinching motions to be recognized as input at any one time

Nonimpact printer

printer that forms characters and images without direct physical contact between the printing mechanism and the paper (inkjet, laser, and thermal)

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

software technology that converts scanned text from images to editable text that can be imported into a word processing application and manipulated

Pixel

picture element; smallest element on screen

Pointing stick

pointing device; looks like a pencil eraser, protrudes from the laptop keyboard

Printer

output device that prints characters, symbols, and perhaps graphics on paper

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags

source data entry technology; based on an identifying tag bearing a microchip that contains specific code numbers; code is then read by radio waves of a scanner linked to a database; EZ pass uses this technology.

Repetitive stress injuries

several wrist, hand, arm, and neck injuries resulting when muscle groups are forced through fast, repetitive motions

Resolution

clarity or sharpness of display-screen/scanned/printed images

Scanner

source data input device that uses light sensing (optical) equipment to translate images of text, drawings, photos, etc. to digital form

Sensor

input device that collects specific data directly from the environment and transmits it to a computer

Softcopy

data on a display screen or in audio form; not tangible

Speech-recognition system

input system that uses a microphone as an input device and converts the person's speech into digital signals

Touchpad

input device with a small, flat surface over which the user slides a finger, using the same movements as those used with a mouse

Videoconferencing

form of video output in which people in different geographical locations can have a meeting using computer communications

Webcam

video camera attached to a computer to record live moving images that can then be posted on a website in real time

Input hardware

Consists of devices that translate data into a form that the computer can process—for example, keyboards and scanners. The people-readable form of the data may be words, but the computer-readable form consists of binary 0s and 1s, or off and on electrical signals or light pulses.

Output hardware

Consists of devices that translate information processed by the computer into a form that humans can understand—for example, display screens or printers. The computer-processed information consists of 0s and 1s, which need to be translated into words, numbers, sounds, and pictures.

Input

any information that is entered into a computer for processing

Output

any information that is processed by and sent out from a computer or other electronic device

Keyboard

a device that converts letters, numbers, and other characters into electrical signals so the computer's processor can understand them; primary input device

Pointing devices

control the position of the cursor or pointer on the screen and allow the user to select options displayed on the screen

Mouse

a device that is rolled about on a desktop and directs a pointer on the computer's display screen

Pen-based computer system

allows users to enter handwriting and marks onto a computer screen by using a stylus rather than by typing on a keyboard

Stylus

a penlike device that is used to write text or draw lines on a touch-sensitive surface as input to a computer

dots per inch (dpi)

unit of measure for resolution

Bar codes

vertical zebra-striped marks placed on most manufactured retail products that are used to scan input

Bar code readers

photoelectric (optical) scanners that translate the symbols in bar codes into digital code

Plotter

a specialized output device designed to produce large, high-quality graphics in a variety of colors

Ergonomics

Makes working conditions and equipment safer and more efficient. It is concerned with designing hardware and software that is less stressful and more comfortable to use, that blends more smoothly with a person's body or actions.