Computer Fundamentals: Input Devices Notes

Computer Fundamentals: Input Devices

Objectives

• Recall the major components of a computer system.
• Differentiate among some common input devices used with a computer system.
• Associate input devices with suitable applications.

Input Devices

• An input device is any hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing users to interact with and control it.

Examples of Input Devices

Identification Challenges

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
• Barcode Reader
• Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
• Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
• Scanner
• Touch-Screen/Touch Terminal
• Electronic Point of Sales (EPOS)
• Joystick
• Voice Recognition Unit
• Biometric System
• Light Pen
• Motion Sensor

Definition of Terms

1. Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

• Technology used to convert documents (scanned paper documents, PDFs, images) into editable and searchable data by recognizing text characters.

2. Barcode Reader

• Devices that use light or lasers to scan barcodes and translate them into numbers that can be processed by a computer.
• Commonly found on almost all products.

3. Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)

• Technology that reads specific marks on documents (e.g., multiple-choice answer sheets).
• Used mostly in educational institutions.
• Identifies the presence or absence of marks to capture the corresponding data.

4. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

• Technology used primarily by banks to process checks.
• Special characters printed in magnetic ink are scanned and converted into data with high accuracy.

5. Scanner

• A device used to convert images or text into a digital format.
• Used to capture and store information as a soft copy for editing or other uses.

6. Touch-Screen/Touch Terminal

• A device that allows the user to interact directly with what is displayed on the screen by touching it.
• Eliminates the need for a mouse or keyboard.
• Often used in public information systems or Point of Sales systems.

7. Electronic Point of Sales (EPOS)

• A system that allows quick and accurate entry of transactions and stock control using barcode readers and other input devices at retail points.

8. Joystick

• A manual input device often used in gaming or simulations.
• Allows users to control movement by pushing or rotating the stick.

9. Voice Recognition Unit

• Systems that capture audio input, such as spoken commands, and translate them into data or actions processed by the computer.

10. Biometric System

• Systems that use physical attributes (such as fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition) to uniquely identify an individual.

11. Light Pen

• A device used for drawing or interacting with a display screen.
• Commonly replaced by touchscreen technology but still used for detailed tasks in certain fields.

12. Motion Sensor

• A device that detects movement and converts it into data for processing by a system.
• Often used in security systems or automated systems such as lighting control.

Manual and Direct Data Entry

Manual Entry

• Manual input devices require the user to transfer data to the computer themselves.
• Examples:
  • Keyboard/Keypad
  • Mouse
  • Microphone
  • Touch Sensitive Devices (Touch screen, touch pad)

Direct Data Entry

• A direct data entry device can transfer information automatically from a document to the computer, such as a form or barcode.
• Examples:
  • Barcode Reader
  • OMR
  • OCR
  • MICR