INPUT

DEVICES

By ADEFILOLA K.O

WHAT ARE INPUT DEVICES?

Manual Input Devices:

Automatic Input Devices:

Keyboard
Mouse
Touchpad
Joystick
Scanner
Touchscreen
Digital Camera
Microphone
Graphics Tablet

M.I.C.R
O.M.R
O.C.R
Barcode Reader
Magnetic Stripe Card
Sensors

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They are hardware devices that allow data to be input into

the computer system. This can be done manually (using
Manual Input Devices) or automatically (using Automatic
Input Devices).

Keyboards

NirvanM 4B

The ideal input devices that is used to input texts,

numbers and instructions (eg CTRL+V) into the computer
Most keyboards have QWERTY layout.

There are different types of keyboards

1. Ergonomic

keyboards:- Designed to reduce

health related problems like RSI.

2. Concept

keyboards:- Uses icons or phrases

instead of standard letters.

Advantages:
1.Fast entry of texts into
documents.
2.A well known method of
data entry.
3.Most people find it easy to
use.
4.Easy to do verification
test.

Disadvantages:
1.People with limited
arm/wrist may not find it
easy to use.
2.Data entry may be slow.
3.They use up valuable
desk space.

MICE

Pointing devices that are used to control the position of a

pointer on the screen, selecting commands, resizing
images as well as opening, closing and minimising
applications.

Mice

Advantages:

1.Faster to select options.

2.Rapid navigation through
applications.

Disadvantages:
1.People with restricted
hand/wrist movement may
not find it easy to use.

3.Take up little desk space.

3.They are difficult to use
where there is no flat
surface.

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2.They get damaged easily.

JOYSTICKS
Used in playing computer games and simulations to mimic actual controls.
Advantages:
1.Easier to navigate round a screen
more than a mouse
2.Control is in three dimensions.

Advantages:
1.A mouse is better and easier in
controlling on-screen pointers

TOUCH SCREENS

Allows a user to simply touch the touch the button/icon on the screen to
select a text, task or action. It is mostly used on phones, ipads, petrol
stations, ATMs, Interactive boards and other payment methods .
Advantages:

Advantages:

1.Fast entry of options than

keyboards.

1.Limited number of options

are available.

2.Very easy to choose

options.

2.Can lead to RSI.

3.User friendly method of

inputting options
4..
5.They are tamper proof.

3.Screen can get damage or

dirty.

Magnetic Stripe Readers

Used to read information on the magnetic stripe found on the back of credit
cards, debit cards, security card, etc.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.Data entry is faster.

1.Data are lost when card is

damaged.

2.Data entered are error free.

3.Information held on magnetic
stripe is secured.
4.It can not be damaged by oil,
water or moisture.
5.They are no moving parts, so
the are physically robust.

2.Card readers do not work in a

distance.
3.Information are not readable by
card users.

Chip and PIN Readers

Used where payment are made using cards (e.g. hotels, restaurants,
supermarkets, travel agencies.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.Provides more secure

payment system than magnetic
stripe.

1.Someone else may read the PIN

while a user is typing in his PIN.

2.Chip does not need to be in

contact with the reader.

Scanners
Used to scan documents and pictures and convert them into a format for use in
various application software.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.Images can be scanned and

edited.

1.Quality can be limited, depending

on how good the scanner resolution
is.

2.They are faster and more

accurate in data entry.
3.It makes it possible to recover
damaged images and
documents

Barcode Reader
Used in supermarkets, shops, libraries and other companies to read information
in the form of barcodes marks on product casings.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.Faster in data entry.

1.It is relatively expensive to setup.

2.Less data entry error.

2.It is relatively expensive to manage.

3.Enables automatic stock

control.

3.Works with computers or POS

terminals

4.When the price of an item

changes, only the central
database needs to be updated

Optical Mark Recognition

Reads marks written in pen and pencils. OMR devices are used to read
questionnaires, multiple choice examination papers and many other types of
forms where responses are registered in the form of lines or shaded areas.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.Very fast way of inputting the

results of a survey/research.

1.Input data may not be accurate if

forms are not carefully handled or
shaded.
2.There may be need for manual
check if forms are not properly filled
and this may lead to a waste of time

2.It is more accurate than

keyboards and OMR.
3.Reduce cost of inputting.
4.Very useful where results of
tests are needed very fast.

Optical Character Recognition

Takes scanned text and converts it into a computer readable form. The text can
then be used in various application packages.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.It is a more faster data entry

system than manually keying in
data.

1.It usually have difficulties reading

handwritings.
2.It is not a very accurate technique.

2.Number of errors is reduced.

Reduce cost of inputting
Results of tests are needed very
fast

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

Reads characters printed in a special ink (containing iron particles). MICR is
primarily used to process cheques in banking operations.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.It offers greater security than

OCR since the printed characters
cannot be altered.

1.Only certain characters can be

read.

2.There is no manual input, thus

errors are reduced.
3.Characters can still be read
even when somebody write on
them.

2.It is a more expensive method of

data entry.

Digital Cameras
Used to produce photographs for transfer to a computer directly or to
print out by connecting directly to a printer. Photographs can also be
uploaded directly into applications software such as word processors,
DTP, etc.
Advantages:

Disadvantages:

1.It produces better quality

photographs.

1.User needs to be computer literate.

2.Easier and faster to upload

photographs to a computer.

2.There is some artistry lost since

some clever software can make
corrections to photographs.

3.No need to develop

photographs before printing.

3.Quality of photograph depends on

quality of camera lens.

4.It is easy to delete unwanted

images.

4.Images can easily fill up computer

memory.

5.Memory card used can store

several photographs.

Web Cameras (WEBCAMS)

Used in video conferencing. That is, chatting online and at the same time
displaying the images of the people in the conversation.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:

1.Can be left on constantly on

the computer rather than using a
digital camera.
2.Allows images of someone
faraway to be viewed while
chatting.

1.Pictures are often of poorer quality.

2.Some webcam need to be
connected to the computer before
use.

Microphones
Used to input speech/ sounds to be used in various applications and also in
voice recognition software.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:

1.It is faster to read-in text than

to type it in using a keyboard.

1.Sound files can use up a lot of

computer memory.

2.Sound can be manipulated in

real time rather than a recording
done at earlier stage.
3.It can improve safety and
security when used in voice
activation systems. E.g.
switching on a radio while
driving.

2.Voice recognition software is not as

accurate as typing manually. For
instance, it may not be able to
distinguish the difference between
there and their.

Graphic Tablet
Like an electronic tracing paper used for graphic designing.
Advantages:

1.It

Disadvantages: