Information Technology CSEC

Topic: Input Devices and Media

We know that one of the basic operations of a computer system is to accept data and instructions.

To enter data and instructions we need input devices. Without them, there would be no way for a

user to communicate with the computer, rendering it virtually useless. 

Optical mark reader (OMR)

OMR is a special type of optical scanner used to recognize the type of mark made by pen or
pencil. It is used where one out of a few alternatives is to be selected and marked. It is specially
used for checking the answer sheets of examinations having multiple choice questions.

Optical Character Reader (OCR)

OCR is an input device used to read a printed text. OCR scans text optically character by
character, converts them into a machine readable code and stores the text on the system memory.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

MICR input device is generally used in banks because of a large number of cheques to be
processed every day. The bank's code number and cheque number are printed on the cheques
with a special type of ink that contains particles of magnetic material that are machine readable.
This reading process is called Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR). The main
advantages of MICR is that it is fast and less error prone.

Mouse

Mouse is most popular Pointing device. (A pointing device is a device that allows the user to
control the cursor on the screen). It is a very famous cursor-control device. It is a small palm size
box with a round ball at its base which senses the movement of mouse and sends corresponding
signals to CPU on pressing the buttons.

Generally it has two buttons called left and right button and scroll bar is present at the mid.
Mouse can be used to control the position of cursor on screen, but it cannot be used to enter text
into the computer.

ADVANTAGES
 Easy to use
 Not very expensive
 Moves the cursor faster than the arrow keys of keyboard.
Joystick

Joystick is also a pointing device which is used to move cursor position on a monitor screen. It is
a stick having a spherical ball at its both lower and upper ends. The lower spherical ball moves in
a socket. The Joystick can be moved in all four directions. The function of joystick is similar to
that of a mouse. It is mainly used in Computer Aided Designing (CAD) and playing computer
games.

Bar code reader

Bar Code Reader is a device used for reading bar coded data (data in form of light and dark
lines). Bar coded data is generally used in labelling goods, numbering the books etc. It may be a
hand held scanner or may be embedded in a stationary scanner. Bar Code Reader scans a bar
code image, converts it into an alphanumeric value which is then fed to the computer to which
bar code reader is connected.

Document scanner

Scanner is an input device which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when some
information is available on a paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disc of the computer for
further manipulation. Scanner captures images from the source which are then converted into the
digital form that can be stored on the disc. These images can be edited before they are printed.

Light-pen

Light pen is a pointing device which is similar to a pen. It is used to select a displayed menu item
or draw pictures on the monitor screen. It consists of a photocell and an optical system placed in
a small tube. When light pen's tip is moved over the monitor screen and pen button is pressed, its
photocell sensing element detects the screen location and sends the corresponding signal to the
CPU.

Touch terminals/ Touch pad

A touch pad is found on notebook computers. It is a small, flat, rectangular device that is
sensitive to pressure and touch. To move the pointer on the screen you slide your fingers across
the surface of the pad. You make a selection by pressing the left button or tap the pad’s surface
to imitate mouse action, such as clicking.
Voice response unit

A voice response unit (VRU) is a telephone answering system that has hardware and software
that allows the caller to navigate through a series of pre-recorded messages and use an options
menu using the buttons on a phone or voice recognition.

Pads and tablets

A tablet is a wireless touch screen personal computer (PC) that is smaller than a notebook but
larger than a smartphone. Modern tablets are built with wireless Internet or local area networks
(LAN) and a variety of software applications, including business applications, Web browsers and
games.

Point of sale (POS)

A point-of-sale (POS) terminal is a computerized replacement for a cash register. Much more
complex than the cash registers of even just a few years ago, the POS system can include the
ability to record and track customer orders, process credit and debit cards, connect to other
systems in a network, and manage inventory.
Keyboard

Most common and very popular input device is keyboard. The keyboard helps in inputting the
data to the computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional typewriter, although
there are some additional keys provided for performing some additional functions.

Digital camera

Digital cameras are used to take and store pictures digitally. Images are generally stored on a
flash memory card which is removable.

Biometric systems

Biometric systems uses a person's unique physical such as finger print and iris or retina scans
and other traits are detected and recorded by an electronic device or system as a means of
confirming identity: Scanning of the human iris is a reliable form of biometrics. This can deny or
allow a user access to the computer system.
Sensors

Sensors are hardware components that can provide your computer with information about your
computer's location, surroundings, and more. Programs on your computer can access information
from sensors, and then store or use it to help you with everyday tasks or to improve your
computer experience. There are two types of sensors:

 Sensors that are built in to your computer

 Sensors that are connected to your computer by a wired or wireless connection

Some examples of sensors include a location sensor, such as a GPS receiver, that can detect your
computer's current location.

Remote control

Remote control is a wireless device that produces a beam infra-red light to operate another
device. For example a remote control to turn on a peripheral device such as speakers, change tv
channels.
Sound capture

Sound capture refers to the conversion of an analog sound into a digital form that can be used by

Microphone

Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then stored in digital form. The microphone
is used for various applications like adding sound to a multimedia presentation or for mixing
music.

Webcam

A Webcam allows users to film themselves while they're on their computer. Users can either
save the videos into the system, or run a "streaming" video application which broadcasts their
every move live over the Internet to viewers all over the world. Computers with higher CPU
speeds and more RAM will be able to view live Webcam streams more fluidly than those with
lower CPU speeds and less RAM.