CCAS UIT Ch 5 Hardware: Input and Output

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.

dumb terminal

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

flatbed scanner

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 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 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

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

output hardware

hardware devices that convert machine-readable information into people reading form. (Softcopy and hardcopy)

pixel

picture element. smallest element on screen

pointing stick

pointing device. Looks like a pencil eraser, protrudes from the laptop keyboard.

printer

output device. Prints characters, symbols, and perhaps graphics on paper

radio-frequency identification 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. 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. 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 is considered ___________________.For example,typing on a keyboard, clicking on a mouse, speaking into a microphone.

output

Any information that is processed by and sent out from a computer or other electronic device is considered ___________. An example is anything viewed on your computer monitor screen, such as the words you type on your keyboard.

keyboard

A device that converts letters, numbers, and other characters into electrical signals so the computer's processor can understand them is called a(n) ________. It is a primary input device.

intelligent or smart

A terminal that has its own memory and processor, as well as a display screen and a keyboard, is a(n) ________ terminal. This is opposed to a dummy terminal that is simply an output device that accepts data from the CPU. A point-of-sale terminal, (where you pay at a store, by inserting a credit or debit card) is an example because the information is processed within that device.

sensor

A _____________ is an input device that collects specific data directly from the environment and transmits it to a computer.

pointing

__________ devices control the position of the cursor or pointer on the screen and allow the user to select options displayed on the screen. Examples include (1) the mouse and its variants, (2) the touch screen, (3) various forms of pen input, and (4) handwriting input and gesture input.

mouse

A device that is rolled about on a desktop and directs a pointer on the computer's display screen is called a(n) ________. It is available in different designs: mechanical or optical, wired or wireless. There are also "air" versions, for example a remote used during a presentation.

multitouch

A _________screen is a display screen that allows two or more fingers or other gestures such as pinching motions to be recognized as input at any one time. It allows pinching and stretching gestures on the screen to control zooming—that is, pinch the screen to zoom in (make an image smaller) or spread the thumb and forefinger on the screen to zoom out, or spread images apart. This technology is now used on smartphones and tablet computers.

pen

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

recognition

Handwriting ________ refers to a computer's ability to process handwritten input. Pen computers use this software to translate handwritten characters made by the stylus into data that is usable by the computer.

Resolution

In general, ________ refers to the clarity and sharpness of an image and is measured in the number of columns and rows of dots per inch. The higher the number of dots, the clearer and sharper the image—that is, the higher the resolution.

dots per inch or dpi

Resolution is measured in ________.

bar codes

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

bar code readers

Photoelectric (optical) scanners that translate the symbols in bar codes into digital code are ________.

speech recognition

If you want to dictate a report to your computer, you would use ________ software.It can translate spoken words into text using closed captions to enable a person with hearing loss to understand what others are saying. Speech recognition can also enable those with limited use of their hands to work with computers, using voice commands instead of typing.

softcopy

Information output on a display screen or stored on a disk is ________.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

___________________ tags are based on an identifying tag bearing a microchip that contains specific code numbers. These code numbers are read by the radio waves of a scanner linked to a database.

pixels

The more ________ (or dots) a screen uses, the higher its resolution.

plotter

A _______ is a specialized output device designed to produce large, high-quality graphics in a variety of colors. It was the first computer output device that could not only print graphics but also accommodate full-size engineering, three-dimensional, and architectural drawings, as well as maps. Architects use them to print out large, 3-D full-color building plans.

ergonomics

The purpose of _________________ is to make 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.