Computer Input

Signature identification

2 main methods ~~~Static method signatures are written on paper and then scanned. The software then maps the signature. ~~~Dynamic method uses a stylus and touchpad. This method maps the signature and also measures pressure, pen angle, pen up/down, speed, etc.

Fingerprint scanners

3 main types ---Capacitance sensor - works like a laptop's touchpad or a phone's touchscreen. Uses electron movement to sense fingerprint patterns. ---Optical sensor - takes a photo of your fingerprint. This type has the disadvantage of not working well when the sensor or fingers are dirty. ---Ultrasonic sensor -uses the reflection of sound waves to detect the patterns on your fingerprint.

Input devices

Allow data and signals to enter a computer. Examples include: -Keyboard -Mouse -Touchpad -Touchscreen -Camera -Microphone -Game controller

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Allows any text, even handwritten scrawls, to be digitized. Uses algorithms that estimate the likelihood of the word that is being written based on character shape, prior entries, and frequency of usage. The more often users enter data into OCR software the more likely the software will correctly "guess" the intended entry.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)

Allows you to turn your computer into a sound studio. MIDI includes the protocols for translating music into digital signals. MIDI includes 16 channel inputs, allowing for 16 different instruments or voice inputs. This greatly reduces cost of quality music creation.

Video Teleconferencing (VTC)

Cameras, microphones, displays, speakers and software allow users to both see and hear each other. Used by families, professionals, and gamers to allow more detailed and intimate conversations than phone calls. Apps such as Skype, Google+ Hangouts and Apple Facetime provide essentially free VTC to anyone with a computer and broadband connection.

Gait analysis

Looks at step length, step width, walking speed. Angles formed by the trunk, hip, knee, ankle and foot are measured and compared with stored identification data. This form of identification is valuable because it can be used at night or through walls with infrared cameras or even with satellite imagery.

Alternate keyboard options

Projection laser keyboards allow any flat surface to be a keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards help reduce repetitive stress injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome. Roll-up keyboards that you can easily stuff into your backpack!

Speech recognition

Records, maps, and analyzes voice patterns. Voice frequency, pitch, speech rhythms and other characteristics are charted and compared to existing records. Increasingly used in telephone banking and for other financial transactions, smartphones, as well as by governmental agencies for security purposes.

Microphone Options

The right choice of microphone depends on the input requirements and your budget. Most microphones plug-in to a USB port.

Biometrics

Uses human traits for identification Examples include: fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, facial bone structure, palm prints, stride, typing patterns, and speech recognition.

Keyboard

Desktop and All-in-One computers provide the most flexibility since the keyboard is already a separate component. Nearly all phones and tablets use virtual keyboards on a touchscreen. Laptop keyboards - limited by the size of the monitor's screen. You can always add an external keyboard if you desire.

Game controller options

Examples include: ---Steering wheels and pedals for racing and flying games ---Musical instruments ---Weapons ---Dance pads

Game controllers

Provide an interface that optimizes a user's ability to interact with a specific gaming platform. PS4 and Xbox One: similar markets - similar controllers. Nintendo's Wii platform emphasizes more physical movement than its predecessor, the GameCube, so the Wii's controller looks and feels significantly different.

Scanners

Puts paper documents into a digital format that can be viewed or manipulated on a computer. Options include: ---Flatbed scanners (usually incorporated with printers/copier) ---Hand-held or wand scanners ---MICR readers ---Bar code scanners ---OMR scanners

Touchpad options

Many give users significant control over their computer's pointers. Artists and graphic designers often use specialized stylus-equipped touchpads that allow them to create brush strokes, calligraphy, and many other artistic options.

Facial recognition

Attempts to identify individuals by specific features several methods: ~~~3D mapping - maps the depth of eye sockets, forehead dome, etc. ~~~Relative feature charting - measures the distance between eyes, mouth, nose etc. Skin texture identification. ~~~Combinations of these

Microphones

Change sound waves into electrical signals . Most use a sound sensitive diaphragm over an electrically charged capacitance plate. Diaphragm's movement causes the electrons to move creating an electrical current. This diaphragm/capacitance plate combination is housed in a MEMS chip (MicroElectrical-Mechanical System).

The QWERTY keyboard

Common text-entry input device. Named for the first 6 top-row letters from the left. Developed to keep 19th-century typewriters from jamming if keys were pressed too quickly. A great example of the value of open source standards and protocols - this keyboard layout is used around the world.

Mouse

Developed so that objects such as images or icons could be selected or dragged across a bitmapped screen. Apple Macintosh computers introduced the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the mouse. Now nearly every desktop and All-in-One computer comes with a mouse.

Extreme action video cameras

Include GoPro's Hero 4, iON Air Pro, SONY Action Cams, etc. Rugged, water-resistant Allow users to film high-definition video under harsh conditions Often mounted on helmets Most incorporate video stabilization and background noise dampening microphones.

Eye recognition systems

Iris recognition - most common ~~~Iris is photographed. ~~~Patterns of colors are compared to a database of irises. Retinal recognition - less common ~~~The retina has many blood vessels. ~~~Low-power infrared beam is shined in the eye. ~~~Blood vessels absorb more light than the rest of the retina, different blood vessel patterns can be detected.

Optical mark recognition scanning

Most commonly found on standardized tests. Students fill in "bubbles" with #2 pencil. Scanner uses a laser that is reflected by the mark made - reflection is "read" by the scanner. OMR technology made test grading faster and more accurate so most standardized tests now use multiple choice or true/false questions.

Barcode readers

Most commonly used for checkout in stores-measures the reflection of a laser beam Black bars of the UPC absorb more of the laser's light than the surrounding area - difference is detected by receptors in the scanner. Another common barcode reader uses camera-type CCD (charged coupled device) technology that can detect colors.

Mouse options

Most of these options attach to the computer either wired or wirelessly through your computer's USB port. A trackball has a rolling ball housed within a stationary device. Some prefer an ergonomically-shaped mouse that comfortably fits their hand.

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)

Radio waves transmit data. Passive tags absorb energy while being scanned and then transmit data to the scanner. Active tags have batteries and transmit data continuously. RFID tags, particularly passive tags, can be extremely small and inexpensive.

Touchpads

Take very little space - most laptops come with touchpads. Most use a capacitance system to track finger movement across the touchpad. Fingers conduct electrons and the touchpad senses this electron movement. Gloves or even extremely dry fingers can be problematic with touchpads.

Webcams

Takes photos or steams video into a computer or over the Internet. Nearly all laptops and phones have webcams. Enable video-teleconferencing apps such as Skype. Webcams can be hacked and users can unknowingly be monitored and photographed.

Magnetic Ink Recognition (MICR)

Used on checks . Can be quickly processed by cashiers and banks. Characters written with ink containing iron oxide - detected by MICR readers. Information typically includes: ---Bank's routing number ---Checking account identification ---Check number

Webcam options

Usually purchased by desktop users since most laptops come with webcams. Choice and price determined by image quality, microphone, and style. Don't overspend if used primarily for video-conferencing, most likely you won't be using enough bandwidth for a high-definition image.