PC Pro 4.1.2 Peripheral Device Facts

Biometric Scanner

Biometric scanners are used as a form of authentication. They are able to scan users's unique physical features and use them to verify their identity. Common physical features used by biometric scanners include: - Retina (eyes) - Fingerprint. -Face - Heart beat

KVM switch

A KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch allows multiple computers to use to single keyboard, mouse, and monitor. KVM switches have multiple input groups with each group accepting keyboard, video, and mouse connections from one computer. A single output group connects to the shared peripheral devices. Buttons on the KVM switch are used to toggle between each connected computer. - Rackmount KVM switches can support up to 16 computers and are typically used in data centres to many servers from a central console. - Desktop KVM switches typically support two or three computers, which must be within about 5 meters. - Networked or remote KVM switches use special hardware devices that send keyboard, mouse, and video content through a network connection.

Barcode reader

A barcode reader is a device that can scan barcodes. - Barcodes are most commonly used in retail environments at checkout stands. Shipping companies, hospitals, and other organizations use barcodes to track or inventory items. - Most bar code readers use a laser to scan the barcode. Some use cameras or optical scanners. - Barcode readers include software that interprets the meaning of the barcode. By installing a special app. Smartphones are able to function as a barcode reader by using the phone's built-in camera.

Mouse

A mouse can be either wired or wireless. - A wired mouse uses a USB port to connect to the computer. - A wireless mouse uses an internal battery for power and uses RF signals (e.g., Bluetooth) to connect to a receiver, which is either connected to a USB port or integrated with the computer. When selecting a mouse consider the following: - Because optical mice use light rays to detect motion, they don't work on some surfaces. - Some mice have internal motion sensors, allowing them to detect movements while in the air. - This particular devices can attach to a user's head and move the cursor when the head moves. - You can select mice with additional buttons or a scroll wheel to add functionality. - High-end gaming mice use a rating of dots per inch (DPI). The rating denotes how many steps (cursor movements) are counted in a single inch.

Set-top box

A set-top (STB) is special interface appliance that connects to a display device (typically a TV) and converts external signal source into audio/video content that can be displayed on the device's screen. Some set-top box provide additional functionality, such as the ability to record TV broadcasts. Set-top boxes can use digital connectors (HDMI, DisplayPort), analogue connectors (coaxial RCA), or both to connect to a display device. Common examples of set-top boxes include the following: - Cable converter box. - Satellite TV box. - DVD/Blu-ray player. - Digital video recorder (DVR). -Video game consoles. - Almost all cable and satellite TV providers require the use of proprietary set-top boxes inn order to receive broadcasts. These set-top boxes are typically provided to subscribers for a monthly charge.

Smart TV

A smart TV (sometimes called a connected TV) is a TV that is capable of Internet connectivity. Smart TV are essentially a TV with an integrated computer system. - Most smart TVs have both an RJ45 port and a built-in Wi-Fi adapter that can be used to connect to a network. - Smart TVs have their own operating systems (usually a proprietary mobile OS) and are able to install and run a variety of apps, such as: - A web browser. - Multimedia apps (e.g., Netflix, Youtube, etc.). - Games apps. - Social apps (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) - Modern smart TVs are capable of connecting network media servers and NAS devices. - Smart TVs have USB ports that can be used to connect input devices (e.g., a keyboard and mouse) or even a thumb drive to play videos, listen to music, or view photos. Some smart TVs aren't actually TVs, but are a type of peripheral device that makes a traditional TV "smart." For example, the Apple TV system is a device that connects to a TV and provides smart TV functionality to any HDTV.

Game controllers

Game controllers are input devices designed specifically for computer gaming. There are two main types of game controllers

Keyboard

Keyboards connect through a USB port. Many keyboards include special function keys that simplify playing music or browsing the Internet. Some keyboards include a built-in USB port that can be used to connect other peripheral devices.

Motion sensor

Motion sensors are devices that are able to detect the slightest amount of movement in an area. They are typically used with security systems and require special software and configuration. Two types of motion sensors exist: - Active motion sensors use ultra sonic sound waves to detect movement in an area. If movement is detected. Something happens (e.g., a door opens or an alarm triggers). - Passive motion sensors detect infrared energy, which is emitted by humans and animals. Passive motion sensors ignore small changes in infrared energy in order to avoid false alarms. Passive motion sensors are sometimes called passive infrared sensors (PIR).

Scanner

Scanners are used to scan hard-copy images and documents and convert them into digital input for the PC. For example, film photos can be scanned and saved as image files. Some scanners combine the functionality of a document scanner and are able to create editable documents.

Smart card reader

Smart card readers are used as an authentication method. A smart card, which contains an embedded microchip, is inserted into the reader. The reader then scans the chip, verifies its contents, and authenticates the user. Smart card readers can be stand-alone devices or integrated with other peripherals (e.g., a keyboard).

Touch pad

Touch pads are typically found on notebook computers and are used in place of a mouse. User's slide their finger on the touch pad to manipulate the cursor. Touch pads can also be used with desktops computers. These touch pads connect to the computer through a USB port and are used instead of a mouse.

Digitizer

captures some type of analogue signal and converts it into digital data

Joysticks

consist of a stick that pivots on a base. Both the stick and the base have several input buttons.

Document Scanners

designed to convert paper documents into digital documents, such as PDFs or Rich Text Format files. Document scanners use optical character recognition (OCR) to create editable word processor documents

Gamepads

handheld controllers with directional controls on the left and buttons on the right

3D Scanners

use either physical contact or lasers to map the size and shape of a physical object and convert it into a 3D digital model