Input Technologies
An input device is a peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or information appliance. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouse, scanners, digital cameras and joysticks.
Input technologies can be broadly classified into :
Input technologies can be broadly classified into :
- Human Data-Entry Devices
- Source Data Automation
1. Human Data-Entry Devices
It allows people to communicate with the computer.
• Keyboards:
Most common input device (for text and numerical data).
• Mouse:
Handheld device used to point cursor at point on screen, such as an icon; user clicks button on mouse instructing computer to take some action.
• Optical mouse:
Mouse is not connected to computer by a cable; mouse uses camera chip to take images of surface it passes over, comparing successive images to determine its position.
• Trackball:
User rotates a ball built into top of device to move cursor (rather than moving entire device such as a mouse).
• Touchpad:
User moves cursor by sliding finger across a sensitized pad and then can tap pad when cursor is in desired position to instruct computer to take action (also called glide-and-tap pad). • Joystick Joystick moves cursor to desired place on screen; commonly used in workstations that display dynamic graphics and in video games.
• Touchscreen:
Users instruct computer to take some action by touching a particular part of the screen; commonly used in information kiosks such as ATM machines.
• Stylus:
Pen-style device that allows user either to touch parts of a predetermined menu of options or to handwrite information into the computer (as with some PDAs); works with touchsensitive screens.
• Voice-recognition:
Converts voice wave sounds into digital input for computer; critical technology for physically challenged people who cannot use other input devices.
2. Source Data Automation
It allows to input data with minimal human intervention; this technology speeds up data collection, reduce errors, and gather data at the source of transaction or other events.
• Automated teller machines:
Interactive devices that enable people to make bank transactions from remote locations.
• Point-of-sale terminals:
Computerized cash registers that also may incorporate touch screen technology and barcode scanners to input data such as item sold, price, etc.
• Barcode scanners:
Devices scan black-and-white barcode lines printed on merchandise labels.
• Optical mark reader:
Scanner for detecting presence of dark marks on predetermined grid, such as multiplechoice test answer sheets.
• Magnetic ink character reader:
Read magnetic ink printed on checks which identify the bank, checking account, and check number.
• Optical character recognition:
Software that converts text into digital form for input into computer. Sensors Collect data directly from the environment and input data directly into computer;
• Cameras Digital:
cameras capture images and convert them into digital files.
• Retinal scanners:
Displays Projects an image, pixel by pixel, directly onto a viewer?s retina; used with mobile devices.
Related: Output Technologies
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