LIVING IN THE IT ERA - Input and Output Devices (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key input and output concepts from the lecture notes.

Input

Data and instructions entered into a computer's memory via input devices such as keyboard, mouse, touch screen, pen input, microphone, scanner, and camera.

Keyboard

An input device containing keys used to enter data and instructions; desktop keyboards typically have 101–105 keys, including function keys, a numeric keypad, and Ctrl/Alt/Windows keys.

Mouse

A pointing device used to control the on-screen cursor; can be wired or wireless.

Touch screen

A display that accepts input by being touched; enables selection and typing through touch.

Touchpad

A small flat, rectangular pad that translates finger movement into cursor movement; common on laptops.

Trackball

A stationary pointing device with a ball on top that you rotate with fingers to move the cursor.

Pointing stick

A pressure-sensitive input device between keyboard keys used to move the cursor.

Stylus

A pen-like input tool used on touch screens or tablets for writing or drawing.

Pen input

Input by writing, drawing, or selecting with a stylus on a surface.

Biometric input

Authenticating identity using a physical or behavioral characteristic (fingerprint, face/iris recognition, etc.).

Bar code reader

Scanner that uses laser beams to read bar codes.

Magnetic stripe reader

Reads data encoded on the magnetic stripe of cards such as credit or bank cards.

MICR

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition; reads magnetized ink characters on checks.

RFID reader

Reads information on RFID tags via radio waves for tracking and identification.

Optical mark recognition

Reads marks on forms (e.g., checkboxes) using optical scanning.

Graphics tablet

Pen-based input device that maps drawings on a tablet surface to the computer screen.

Scanner

Device that converts physical documents into digital images or text.

Microphone

Input device that captures audio via sound waves.

Web cam

A webcam is a digital video camera used to capture video and still images for input and communication.

Data collection device

Device that collects data directly at the location of an event or transaction.

POS terminal

Terminal that records purchases, processes payments, and updates inventory.

ATM

Automated teller machine; allows users to access their bank accounts.

DVD kiosk

Self-service DVD rental machine.

Display device

Output hardware that presents information visually, such as monitors or TVs.

LCD monitor

A display using liquid crystal display technology, often with backlighting.

CRT monitor

An older display technology using a cathode-ray tube; bulkier than LCD.

Resolution

The number of horizontal and vertical pixels; higher resolution yields greater detail.

GPU

Graphics Processing Unit; handles the manipulation and display of graphics.

HDTV

High-definition television; digital, high-quality display for video.

Printer

Device that produces printed text and graphics on paper; can be nonimpact or impact.

Inkjet printer

Printer that sprays tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper; color or black-and-white.

Laser printer

Printer that uses toner and a laser to produce sharp text and graphics; fast for high volumes.

Thermal printer

Printer that uses heat-sensitive paper or wax/dye transfer to produce images.

Multifunction peripheral (MFP)

Single device that prints, scans, copies, and sometimes faxes (all-in-one).

Label printer

Printer designed to print adhesive labels for shipping, labeling, etc.

Postage printer

Printer capable of printing postage stamps or postage labels.

Plotter

Large-format printer used to produce high-quality drawings and blueprints.

Dot-matrix printer

Impact printer with pins that strike ink onto paper; prints one line at a time.

Data projector

Projects the computer display onto a larger screen using LCD or DLP technology.

Interactive whiteboard

Touch-enabled whiteboard that displays computer output and allows interaction.