Intro to Computers- Chapter 4 Key Terms

Mouse

A common pointing device that the user slides along a flat surface to move a pointer around the screen and clicks its buttons to make selections.

RFID Tags

A device containing a tiny chip and a radio antenna that is attached to an object so it can be identified using RFID technology.

Multifunction Devices (MFD)

A device that offers multiple functions (such as printing, scanning, and faxing) in a single unit.

Biometric Readers

A device used to input biometric data, such as an individual's fingerprint or voice.

RFID Readers

A device used to read RFID tags

Display Screen

A display device built into a notebook computer, smartphone, or other device.

Monitor

A display device for a desktop computer.

Touch Screens

A display device that is touched with the finger to issue commands or otherwise provide input to the connected device.

Data Projector

A display device that projects output to a wall or projection screen.

Graphics Tablet

A flat, rectangular input device that is used in conjunction with a stylus to transfer drawings, sketches, and anything written on the device to a computer.

Ultra HD (4K)

A high-definition display format that uses four times as many pixels as traditional HD displays.

Headphones

A personal audio output device used by an individual so only he or she can hear the sound; headphones with a builtin microphone are typically referred to as headsets.

Portable Scanners

A scanner designed to capture input while on the go.

Near Field Communications (NFC)

A short-range wireless technology based on RFID and used to transfer payments or other information from a smartphone to another smartphone or to a payment terminal.

Flat-Panel Displays

A slim type of display device that uses electronically charged chemicals or gases instead of an electron gun to display images.

Touch Pad

A small touch-sensitive input device, often found on notebook and netbook computers, that is touched with the finger or thumb to control an onscreen pointer and make selections.

Portable Printers

A small, lightweight printer designed to be used while on the go.

Speech Recognition Systems

A system, consisting of appropriate hardware and software, used to recognize voice input, such as dictation or spoken computer commands.

Electronic Paper (E-Paper)

A technology that attempts to mimic the look of ordinary printed paper on a display screen.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

A technology used to store and transmit data located in RFID tags.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

A type of flat-panel display that uses charged liquid crystals to display images.

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Displays

A type of flat-panel display that uses emissive organic material to display brighter and sharper images than LCDs.

Plasma Displays

A type of flat-panel display that uses layers of gas to display images; most often used on large displays.

Earbuds

A very small audio output device worn inside the ear.

Smart Glasses

A wearable display device that looks like a pair of glasses but has a builtin display.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Displays

An LCD display that is backlit with LEDs.

Keyboard

An input device containing numerous keys that can be used to input letters, numbers, and other symbols.

Stylus (also called Digital Pen, Electronic Pen, or Pen)

An input device that is used to write electronically on the display screen

Pointing Device

An input device that moves an onscreen pointer, such as an arrow, to allow the user to select objects on the screen.

Barcode Readers

An input device that reads barcodes.

Scanner

An input device that reads printed text and graphics and transfers them to a computer in digital form.

Flatbed Scanners

An input device that scans flat objects one at a time.

Digital Cameras

An input device that takes pictures and records them as digital images.

Barcode

An optical code that represents data as a set of bars.

Photo Printers

An output device designed for printing digital photographs.

3D Printers

An output device designed to print three dimensional objects, such as product prototypes.

Display Device

An output device that presents visual output on a screen.

Barcode Printers

An output device that prints barcoded documents.

Printers

An output device that produces output on paper.

Ink-Jet Printers

An output device that sprays droplets of ink to produce images on paper.

Laser Printers

An output device that uses toner powder and technology similar to that of a photocopier to produce images on paper.

Computer Speakers

Output devices connected to computers that provide audio output.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

The ability of a computer to recognize scanned text characters and convert them to electronic form as text, not images.

Handwriting Recognition

The ability of a device to identify handwritten characters.

Pixels

The smallest colorable area in an electronic image, such as a scanned image, a digital photograph, or an image displayed on a display screen.