INFS 214: Session 4 - Input Technologies Flashcards

Flashcards testing concepts from INFS 214 Session 4: Input Technologies, covering input classifications, keyboards, pointing devices, scanning technologies, biometric scanners, and medical imaging scanners.

How does the lecture transcript distinguish between input as a noun and input as a verb?

Input as a noun describes data and instructions used by a computer, while input as a verb refers to the process by which data is sent into the computer system for processing.

What are the $7$ classifications of input devices listed in the lecture?

Keyboards, Pointing Devices, Scanning Devices, Data Collection Devices, Digitizing Devices, Audio Input Devices, and Input Devices for the Physically Challenged.

What are the $4$ primary types of keyboards mentioned in the lecture?

Traditional keyboard, Ergonomic keyboard, Flexible keyboard, and Wireless keyboard.

Where does the name of the QWERTY keyboard layout come from?

It comes from the first six letters on the top row of the alphabet keys.

What is the primary objective of an ergonomic keyboard?

To minimize strain on the hands and wrists by integrating comfort, efficiency, and safety into the keyboard design.

What are the $3$ primary functions of a pointing device?

Pointing and Clicking, Dragging and Dropping, and Scrolling.

What $3$ physical mechanisms serve as the basis for standard pointing devices?

Rolling a ball, touching a surface, or moving a stick.

How does a mechanical mouse differ from an optical mouse in terms of movement detection?

A mechanical mouse uses a rotating ball on its underside to move the screen pointer, whereas an optical mouse uses light or a laser beam to detect motion.

What is a trackball, and why is it advantageous for users with limited desk space?

A trackball is a stationary pointing device with a ball on top rolled directly by the fingers; it does not require a clear flat surface to roll on.

What is a Track Point (pointing stick)?

A protruding rubber stick embedded in a keyboard that grips the user's thumb to move the cursor across the screen.

What is a light pen, and what type of monitor does it require?

A light pen is an older, pen-like device containing a light-sensitive sensor (photocell or phototransistor) in its tip that works in conjunction with a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display.

How do capacitive styluses interact with touchscreens?

They feature a conductive tip that mimics the electrical properties of a human finger by distorting the screen's electrostatic field upon contact.

What is the key difference between imaging optical scanners and non-imaging optical scanners?

Imaging optical scanners convert a physical object into a visual digital image file (e.g., JPEG, PNG, PDF), whereas non-imaging optical scanners extract data from coded patterns or marks without creating a displayable image file.

How does a barcode reader process a printed barcode into computer data?

It directs a beam of light across the printed bars, measures the reflected light, converts light energy into electrical energy, and uses a decoder to forward the resulting data to a computer.

What is a Quick Response (QR) code?

A $2\text{-D}$ barcode that can be scanned by a smartphone camera app to trigger actions such as downloading web pages or capturing business card details.

What is Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition (MICR), and where is it primarily used?

MICR is a technique for machine-reading characters printed with magnetized ink or toner, primarily used by the banking industry for high-speed cheque processing.

What is Optical Character Recognition (OCR)?

OCR is a software-based text recognition process that identifies printed or handwritten text characters inside digital images of documents and converts them into editable text.

How does Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) evaluate test sheets?

OMR uses a light beam to sense marks made in specified boxes on paper and converts those marks into electrical signals for automated grading by a computer.

How do iris scanners differ from retina scanners in terms of the anatomical feature they map?

An iris scanner uses infrared illumination to capture the random patterns in the colored ring around the pupil, whereas a retina scanner projects a low-energy light beam to map the blood vessel patterns in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

How does a CT (Computed Tomography) scanner construct images of internal body structures?

It captures a series of X-rays from multiple angles as cross-sectional slices and uses a computer to assemble them into a detailed $3\text{-D}$ image.

What technology does a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner use to image soft body tissues?

It uses powerful magnets, strong magnetic fields, and computer-generated radio waves to produce detailed internal images.

How does an ultrasound scanner generate real-time internal body images?

A transducer probe sends high-frequency sound waves into the body and receives returning echoes, which the CPU processes to construct a visual image.

What types of imaging scanners are classified under Optical Imaging Scanners in this diagram?

Flatbed Scanners, Sheet-fed Scanners, Handheld Scanners, Drum Scanners, and $3\text{D}$ Optical Scanners.

Which sub-categories fall under Data Scanners / Code Readers in this classification chart?

Barcode Scanners (Readers) and Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) Scanners.