INPUT DEVICES Barcode Reader

Lines of different widths and sizes representing data, that when read will determine what the scanned object is. Barcodes are often used to help organize and index information or prices about an object. Barcodes used by the U.S. postal service that helps speed the delivery of mail is another perfect example of how a barcode could be used. In the picture to the right, is an example of what a barcode for an address may look like.

Barcode readers and scanners A barcode reader or scanner, also known as a point of sale (POS) scanner is a hardware device capable of reading a barcode and printing out the details of the product or logging that product into a database. A perfect example of a barcode reader is a super market barcode scanner that reads and logs the price of a product. Barcodes have now invaded every part of our lives, appearing on anything and everything we pick up. This is because they offer complete identification solutions to businesses of all types. Every industry uses barcodes for various operations and activities and is able to improve its efficiency in every field. The use of barcodes necessitates machinery to help decode the information contained in them. The market offers a multitude of barcode scanners each with its own specific uses and benefits. For organizations having a chain of computers, a document scanner is required, while storehouses would require a modern barcode scanner since hundreds of different types of products and materials need to be scanned and tracked as they move in and out of the store house. Retail outlets and small shops also need barcode scanners to keep track of prices and their supply of products, and this then eases their tabulation of data, makes account keeping easy and all the data stored can be retrieved at any point in time. While all businesses understand the need for barcode scanners, making the right choice is often difficult, since each scanner suits a particular type of function. Metal machining is an essential part of metal production and finishing. It involves a series of basic operations. Look into how these processes are defined and have a glimpse at other machining operations as well.

The three principal types of barcode scanners include: laser scanners, 2D and LED scanners. Laser scanners are the most acceptable type of scanners that are admired for their efficiency in operations. Though expensive, they deliver flawless performance and are also low on maintenance expenses. They work with a thin red laser being released from the device and catching the details stored in the barcodes. Their biggest advantage besides accurate performance is the distance from which a laser scanner can catch the barcode. This is what makes it score over the older LED scanner. LED scanners are confined therefore, to small retail stores. Another types of scanner is the 2D scanner that takes the image of the barcode and passes the whole code like a picture in the computer database. It is an imager scanner that has a number of moving parts and is therefore tougher and more capable of enduring harsh environments. The best scanner depends on the application that it has to be used for. Each of the bar code scanner technologies can be housed in different bodies and the selection has to be based on the requirement of the business in question. Barcode scanning technology can prove invaluable to your business deciding how best it can be implemented can prove a tricky situation.

Business card reader

Similar to other computer scanners, a business card reader allows a user to scan business cards into their computer for digital storage. Computer scanners are capable of scanning and converting text documents to typed text by use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. Business card readers work on a similar principle, reading the text on the business card and converting to typed text on the computer. Some business card readers offer the functionality of scanning a business card directly into a Microsoft Outlook contact record. Other readers can scan to a web format, directly to a new computer file, to a database or even to a CRM system, like SalesForce.com or Microsoft CRM. Some business card readers are capable of connecting to PDA devices, smartphones and tablet computers. This can allow users to scan business cards while at a trade show or other similar events, without needing to have a laptop computer with them. Today, many people are replacing business card readers with Smartphones with apps capable of scanning and storing business card information.

Scanner

Hardware input device that allows a user to take an image or text and convert it into a digital file, allowing the computer to read or display the scanned object. A scanner is commonly connected to a computer USB, Firewire, Parallel, or SCSI port. Other scanners include: sheetfed scanner, which is a scanner that scans paper fed into it, handheld scanner, which is a scanner that is held and drag over a page to scan it, and a card scanner, which is a small scanner capable of scanning business cards.

Desktop scanner, with the lid raised. An object has been laid on the glass, ready for scanning.

Scan of the jade rhinoceros seen in the photograph above.

In computing, an image scanneroften abbreviated to just scanneris a device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of the desktop (or flatbed) scanner where the document is placed on a glass window for scanning. Hand-held scanners, where the device is moved by hand, have evolved from text scanning "wands" to 3D scanners used for industrial design, reverse engineering, test and measurement, orthotics, gaming and other applications. Mechanically driven scanners that move the document are typically used for large-format documents, where a flatbed design would be impractical. Modern scanners typically use a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) as the image sensor, whereas older drum scanners use a photomultiplier tube as the image sensor. A rotary scanner, used for high-speed document scanning, is another type of drum scanner, using a CCD array instead of a photomultiplier. Other types of scanners are planetary scanners, which take photographs of books and documents, and 3D scanners, for producing three-dimensional models of objects. Another category of scanner is digital camera scanners, which are based on the concept of reprographic cameras. Due to increasing resolution and new features such as anti-shake, digital cameras have become an attractive alternative to regular scanners. While still having disadvantages compared to traditional scanners (such as distortion, reflections, shadows, low contrast), digital cameras offer advantages such as speed, portability and gentle digitizing of thick documents without damaging the book spine. New scanning technologies are combining 3D scanners with digital cameras to create full-color, photo-realistic 3D models of objects. In the biomedical research area, detection devices for DNA microarrays are called scanners as well. These scanners are high-resolution systems (up to 1 m/ pixel), similar to microscopes. The detection is done via CCD or a photomultiplier tube (PMT).

OUTPUT DEVICES
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Projector

An output device that can take the display of a computer screen and project a large version of it onto a flat surface. Projectors are often used in meetings and presentations to help make sure everyone in the room can view the presentation. In the picture to the right, is a ViewSonic projector and an example of what a projector may look like. Projectors used with computers are small devices that are rarely much larger than a toaster and typically weigh a few pounds. Business projectors are invaluable tools to help business. The projectors can be used in a wide range of applications, from training new employees, to presenting marketing proposals or year-end reports.

Sound card
Alternatively referred to as a sound board or an audio card, a sound card is an expansion card or integrated circuit that provides a computer with the ability to produce sounds that can be heard by the user either over speakers or headphones. The computer sound card is considered a peripheral, although the computer does not need a sound card to function almost every computer today will include a sound card in the expansion slot or on the motherboard (onboard). Below is an image of the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio sound card and an example of what a sound card that connects to an expansion slot may look like.

In the picture to the right, is an example of what a sound card may look like on the back of your computer, associated colors, and the connector symbols usually found next to each of the connections.

Digital Out (White) (Words Digital) - Used with surround sound or loudspeakers. Sound in or line in (Blue) (Arrow pointing into waves) - Connection for external audio sources, e.g. tape recorder, record player, or CD player. Microphone or Mic (Pink) (Microphone) - The connection for a microphone. Sound out or line out (Green) (Arrow pointing out of waves) - The primary sound connection for your speakers or headphones. This sound card also has a second (black) and third (orange) sound out connector. Firewire (Not pictured) - Used with some high quality sound cards for digital video cameras and other devices. MIDI or Joystick (Not pictured) - Used with earlier sound cards to connect MIDI keyboard or Joystick.

Tip: Usually the cables connecting to the devices are also color-coded and will match or be close to the colors the cables connect into. For example, the end of the speakers cord may have a green line or be completely green. Uses of a computer sound card

Games Audio CDs and listening to music Watch movies Audio conferencing Creating and playing Midi Educational software Business presentations Record dictations Voice recognition

Speaker

1. A speaker is a term used to describe the user who is giving vocal commands to a software program. 2. A hardware device connected to a computer's sound card that outputs sounds generated by the computer. In the picture to the right, is the Altec Lansing VS2221 speakers with subwoofer and resemble what most computer speakers look like today. When computers were originally released they had on-board speakers that generated a series of different tones and beeps. As multimedia and games became popular, higher quality computers speakers began to be released that required additional power. Because computer sound cards are not powerful enough to power a nice set of speakers today's speakers are selfpowered, relatively small in size, and contain magnetic shielding. Speakers are rated in Frequency response, Total Harmonic Distortion and Watts. The Frequency response is the rate of measurement of the highs and lows of the sounds the speaker produces, Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is the amout of distortion created by amplifying the signal, and the Watts is the amount of amplification available for the speakers. Business presentations