Section 1 Fundamentals of computing, Unit 2 : Input devices

Graphic tablets/ digitising pads

A device similar to a tablet. It allows users to draw on a flat pad using a stylus or special type of pad.

Direct data entry device

A device that can transfer information from a source document (e.g.barcode or document) into the computer. E.g.barcode reader,optical character recognition(OCR), magnetic ink character recognition( MICR) Optical mark readers (OMR) and smart cards.

Optical character recognition(OCR)

A device used to translate text into digital format so that it can manipulated ( changed) by the computer.

Concept keyboard

A flat screen usually found on cash registers that contains a grid of buttons that have been programmed with a set of instructions.

Joystick/gaming pad/gaming wheel

A joystick is a device used to play games on the computer. They input directional data so that the user can move an object on the computer screen.

Keyboard

A keyboard is one of the most important input devices.It's is used to type data into different applications ( e.g. word, excel and power point).

Light pen

A light pen is a pointing device used to read and write information on the screen.

Optical mouse

A optical mouse uses a LED to detect the position of the mouse on your desk/ table.

Scanners

A scanner is a device that converts existing images or documents to digital format.

Magnetic strip

A short piece of magnetic tape attached to a plastic card. This tape contains personal detail of the card owner as well as the account. The strip behind the card can only be read once inserted or swiped through a special reader.

Biometric systems

A systems that uses biometric information (body characteristics; finger-prints, voice ,retina &veins) as input for processing .

Touch pad

A touchpad is a flat device found mostly on portable computers, that controls the cursor on the monitor by gliding your fingertips along it's surface.

Track point

A track point is a device about the size of a pencil eraser. It can be found within the keys of a keyboard. It allows the user to control the cursor on a computer screen, by moving the red dot around with a fingertip.

Trackball

A trackball has the same function as a mouse. It's located to the front of the keyboard or on the left-side of a mouse. They are most commonly used with notebooks or laptop computers.

Input device

An input device is any piece of hardware that is used to enter data (such as letters, numbers sounds, videos and pictures) into a computer. Some examples of input devices are; a keyboard, mouse, joystick, digital camera, light-pen, microphone, document scanner, character- and bar-code reader and touch screen.

Scanning devices/ Character readers

Are devices used to convert physical data into digital format.E.g. scanners, barcode readers, Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR),optical mark readers (OMR), optical character recognition(OCR),magnetic strip codes.

Barcode readers

Are devices used to scan barcodes and compare them to the codes that are stored into the computers memory.

Functions of the mouse

Clicking,double clicking, dragging and dropping, right clicking and scrolling.

Manual input devices

Devices used by people to enter data by hand. E.g. keyboards,mouse joysticks and scanners.

Optical mark readers(OMR)

Devices used for recognizing dark pencil marks that are made on a specific position on forms such as questionnaires and multiple-choice answer sheets.

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)

Is a device used by the banking industry to read preprinted magnetised data on cheques.

Screen-pointing device

Is a device used to point out stuff on a screen. Some examples are :A mouse, trackball, track-point, pointing stick, touch pad/screen, joystick, a remote control, light pen/stylus and digitizing tablet.

A mouse

Is a hand held pointing device that moves a pointed arrow across the computer screen. It is often used to select an item on the screen, open a program or copy and paste text within a document.

Voice recognition/ direct voice input

Is a system used in electronic devices to recognize or accept spoken words as input for processing. Eg. Siri and Alexa.

Traditional or mechanical mouse

Traditional or mechanical mouse has a cable connected to the computer.

Active picture technology/ touch screen

a special type of visual display unit that has a grid of light beams or fine wires across the screen on which options are displayed. This helps the computer sense whether the screen is touched, recognizing which words or icons have been selected.