Basic Input Devices

1. What is an input device? In computing, 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 other information appliance. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouse,
scanners, digital cameras and joysticks.


Device Image Description Uses
Keyboard

A very common input device which has a set of buttons.
Text, numbers and symbols can be entered

- General text entry such as
writing letters etc
- Shortcuts/Commands
Numeric
Keypad / Pin
Pad

A PIN pad or PIN entry device is an electronic device
used in a debit, credit or smart card-based transaction to
accept and encrypt the cardholder's personal identification
number (PIN)

To type in your own personal
pin/ password to get
something in exchange.
Mouse

In computing, a pointer or mouse cursor is a graphical
image on the computer monitor or other display device.
The pointer echoes movements of the pointing device,
commonly a mouse or touchpad.
A mouse is used for a pointer
on the screen.
Touchpad

1. a computer input device in the form of a small panel
containing different touch-sensitive areas.

A touchpad is instead of using
a mouse you use your finger
for a pointer.
Tracker
ball

1. a small ball that is set in a holder and can be rotated
by hand to move a cursor on a computer screen.

A tracker ball is a type of
mouse but is used for people
that are unable to move there
arm.
Graphics
Tablet

1. an input device consisting of a flat, pressure-sensitive
pad which the user draws on or points at with a
special stylus, to guide a pointer displayed on the
screen.

A graphics tablet is a tablet
that you are able to draw on.
Remote
Control

control of a machine or apparatus from a distance by
means of radio or infrared signals transmitted from a
device.

A remote is an object where
you can decide what you want
to do by a button.
Joystick/
Joypad

1. A gamepad (also called joy pad or control pad), is a
type of game controller held in two hands, where the
fingers (especially thumbs) are used to provide input.

A joystick is a type of remote
used for gaming used by
gamers.
Light Pen

a handheld pen-like photosensitive device held to the
display screen of a computer terminal for passing
information to the computer.
A light pen is a pointer you
use a pen instead as you
finger.
Touch
Screen

1. a display device which allows the user to interact with
a computer by touching areas on the screen.

Is used with your fingers
instead of a mouse or pointer.

Device Image Description Uses
Magnetic
Strip Reader

1. A magnetic card reader is a device used to
read magnetic stripe cards, such as credit
cards.

A card that has magnetic
inside is a special type of card
to read.
Chip Reader

PIN stands for Personal Identity Number. Credit and Debit
cards now include 'chip and PIN' technology. This means
there is a microchip embedded within the card that can
check if the PIN number you enter into the card reader is
correct.
A chip is something inside a
card that is read by a special
type of passcode.
Scanner

a machine that examines the body through the use of
radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging, as a
diagnostic aid.

A scanner is something that
scans whatever you wants it
to.
Digital
Camera

1. a camera which produces digital images that can be
stored in a computer and displayed on screen.

A digital camera is something
that takes photos.
Video
Camera

1. a camera for recording images on videotape or for
transmitting them to a monitor screen.
A video camera takes videos.
Webcam

1. a video camera connected to a computer, allowing its
images to be seen by Internet users.
A webcam is designed on a
camera but shows other
people your face.
Micro-phone

1. an instrument for converting sound waves into
electrical energy variations which may then be
amplified, transmitted, or recorded.

A micro phone is used to talk
into it and comes out
somewhere were theres
speakers.
MICR
Reader

MICR is an acronym for Magnetic Ink Character
Recognition. MICR Readers are normally used to read the
encoded information within the ink on a check.



This is used to hide and keep
encoded information within
the ink on a check.
OMR
Scanner

1. OMR - Computer Definition. The process of
gathering data with an optical scanner by measuring
the reflectivity of light at predetermined positions on a
surface.

It is a scanner that reads
special types of plastic and
colours at different angles.
OCR Scanner

1. Optical character recognition, usually abbreviated
to OCR, is the mechanical or electronic conversion
of scanned or photographed images of typewritten or
printed text into machine-encoded/computer-
readable text.

This is a type of printer that
scans photos or documents
and prints them if wanted.
Barcode
Scanner

1. A barcode reader (or barcode scanner) is an
electronic device for reading printed barcodes. Like a
flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens
and a light sensor translating optical impulses into
electrical ones.

A barcode is something that
the human eye cant read but
a computer can and it keeps
certain types of information.