Input Devices

Bar Code Reader

A barcode reader (BCR) or scanner, also known as a point of sale (POS) scanner is a hardware input device capable of reading a barcode. It can also print out the details of the product or log information about that product into a database. A perfect example of a barcode reader is a supermarket barcode scanner that reads and logs the price of a product. In the picture is an example of a Barcode reader from HP. Today, many smart phones with the proper apps are also capable of scanning and reading barcode

Keyboard

A computer keyboard is one of the primary input devices used with a computer that looks similar to typewriters, but with some additional keys. Keyboards allow you to input letters, numbers, and other symbols into a computer that can serve as commands or be used to type text. Today, most keyboards are similar to each other, but may be missing one or more of the sections mentioned earlier (e.g. the keypad). Where keyboards begin to differ the most is with the keyboard layout. While most keyboards use the QWERTY layout, there are still people who use the DVORAK layout. DVORAK keyboard was developed in 1936 and patented on May 12, 1936, the Dvorak keyboard has all vowels and punctuation marks on the left side of the keyboard and consonants on the right side. Due to the placement of keys on the home row and the adaption of the letters to the English language, many Dvorak keyboard users type faster than those using the QWERTY keyboard. Below is a picture of the layout of a Dvorak keyboard.

Digital Camera

A digital camera is a hardware device that takes pictures like a regular camera, but stores the image as data instead of printing it to film. Many digital cameras are capable of recording video in addition to taking photos. The picture is of a Casio QV-R62 with 6.0 Megapixel resolution, an example of a typical digital camera.

Joystick

A joystick is an input device that allows the user to control a character or machine in a computer program, such as a plane in a flight simulator. They look similar to the control device you would find on an arcade game, but nearly always include extra buttons for additional functionality.

Light Pen

A light pen is a light-sensitive pointing input device commonly used to select or otherwise modify text or data on a screen. Used with a CRT monitor, these devices were an early form of manipulating and highlighting data on the screen. The picture is an example of a woman using a light pen to highlight text on the screen. Light pens were originally developed around 1955 and in the 1960s, they became more commonly used with graphics terminals, like the IBM 2250. In the 1980s, light pen usage expanded to home computers, like the BBC Microcomputer. Some graphics cards also included a connection for a light pen. Today, light pens are no longer used due to the invention of touch screens.

Wireless Mouse

A mouse that performs wirelessly

TouchPad

Alternatively referred to as a glide pad, glide point, pressure sensitive tablet, or track pad, a touchpad is an input device on laptops and some keyboards to move a cursor with your finger. It can be used in place of an external mouse. A touchpad is operated by using your finger and dragging it across the flat surface of the touchpad. As you move your finger on the surface, the mouse cursor moves in that same direction. Like most computer mice, the touchpad also has two buttons below the touch surface that allows you to left-click or right-click.

Track Ball

An input device, that looks like an upside-down mouse. The onscreen pointer is moved by the trackball with a thumb or finger. A trackball requires less arm and wrist motion that a regular mouse takes and therefore is often less stressful for the user to use, helping to prevent RSI. The picture of the Logitech cordless trackball mouse is an example of a trackball mouse that uses the thumb for movement. * Track Point... Alternatively referred to as a pointing stick, style pointer, or nub, Track Point is a mouse solution used with portable computers. It was first introduced by IBM in 1992. It is a small, isometric joystick that resembles a pencil's eraser head, located between the "G," "H," and "B" keys on the keyboard. This technology enables the user to keep their hands on the keyboard and still be able to control the mouse. The left and right buttons for this mouse are commonly located under the spacebar. The picture shows an example of the Track Point.

Pen or Stylus

In computing, a stylus is a pen-shaped instrument used with graphics tablets or devices that utilize touch screen input. It is used to write or draw on a screen, similar to how you would on a sheet of paper. Unlike a pen, styluses have a plastic or felt tip depending on its purpose and functionality. The picture example shows the Palm Z22 Stylus.

Mouse

Mouse is a handheld hardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI and can move and select text, icons, files, and folders. For desktop computers, the mouse is placed on a flat surface such as a mouse pad or a desk and is placed in front of your computer. The picture below is an example of a desktop computer mouse with two buttons and a wheel It is called a computer mouse because of the wire that connects the mouse to the computer. The people who designed the first computer mice thought that it looked like the tail on a mouse. Today, many computer mice use wireless technology and have no wire. The mouse was originally known as the X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System and was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963. Functions of mouse are as follows: Move the cursor Click or Double-Click to open Selection Hover Drag and Drop Scroll Functions depending on additional buttons.

Micro Phone

Sometimes abbreviated as mic. A microphone is hardware peripheral originally invented by Emile Berliner in 1877 that allows computer users to input audio into their computers. The picture is an example of Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone - Silver Edition and an example of a high-quality computer microphone.

Input Devices

The data or instruction given to the computer is called input. The hardware component used to enter data and instruction into computer is called input devices. Most commonly used input devices are keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone and digital camera.

Scanner

When referring to hardware, a scanner or optical scanner is a hardware input device that optically "reads" and image and converts it into a digital signal. For example, a scanner may be used to convert a printed picture, drawing, or document (hard copy) into a digital file which can be edited on a computer. The picture shows an example of a flatbed scanner, the Epson V300.