Input devices

Learning Objectives

1. Define hardware and software;

2. Identify the different input devices

Introduction

Computer system is composed of two (2) components: the hardware and the
software. Your computer hardware consists of the devices within the case of the computer
itself, and any peripheral or external devices that are connected to the computer.

 Hardware – the physical components of the computer system such as

monitor, keyboard, mouse and the like

 Software – a list of instructions a computer needed to run programs such as
Microsoft Windows XP, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Word

Hardware Software

INPUT DEVICES

These refer to equipment or devices that interact with the computer because they
accept instructions from the users. There are two (2) basic input devices which are
commonly used in personal computers, the keyboard and the mouse.
Basic Input Devices
 Keyboard

 an external device that sends its signals to the computer via a long wire or
sensor for the wireless keyboards
  used to enter data into the computer, as you type the contents of a research work 

 also used to type commands directing the computer to perform certain actions

 the standard layout of letters, numbers, and punctuation is known as a QWERTY
keyboard because the first six keys on the top row of letters spell QWERTY.

 Keyboard has five (5) main parts namely:

Alphanumeric Keys

Functions Keys Special Keys

Numeric Keypad

Arrow Keys
Fig. 1.1-5 A typical keyboard and its major parts

 Alphanumeric keys – keys of letters and numbers

  Numeric keypad – a calculator-like at the right side of the keyboard
 Functions keys – have different meanings and functions depending on which
 program is running
  Arrow keys – are used for moving the cursor or insertion point right, left, up or down 
 Special keys – produced no character once pressed but can take affect a certain
command for a program.


 Mouse

 a pointing device which sits on your work surface and is
held and moved with your hand

 control the mouse pointers (the arrow on the screen) allowing you to freely
navigate different objects around the screen

The parts of mouse include:

  Left Mouse Button – frequently used button

 Right Mouse Button - occasionally used button for special actions
  Scroll Wheel – used to move up or down the display screen, equivalent to using the Page
 Up or Page Down keys on your keyboard or to clicking the scroll bar
 Palm Rest – where your palm should rest

New released software increased its features; thus, there is a need for specialized input
devices for such applications. Moreover, the devices you are going to use will depend on the
form of data they can accept (be it text, sound, artwork, etc.).

Specialized Input Devices

A. Glidepad

 a touch-sensitive pad that acts like a computer

mouse that moves the mouse pointer or cursor
with the use of a finger



B. Touchscreen

 a computer display that is sensitive to pressure

making it possible for the user to send
commands by touching pictures or words on the
screen, such as PDA’s (personal digital
assistants), ATM's, car navigation screens, cell
phones, gaming consoles and other types of
appliances that require you to input and receive
information

D. Scanner

 an electronic device which converts pictures or

printed text into digital format allowing the user
to modify and improve the picture using the
computer like flatbed scanner

E. Digital Camera

 small and portable device designed to capture

and store pictures in digital format
 F. Barcode Reader/Barcode Scanner/Point-of-
Sale Scanner

 an electronic device for reading printed barcodes

from the item bought and is often used in check-
out counters at supermarkets, convenience
store, or malls to automatically list the price of
the purchased item

G. Trackball/Thumb mouse

 looks like an inverted mouse since the ball is

located at the top of the device and is rotated by
using the finger to control the pointer on a
computer screen; therefore, it remains
stationary




H. Remote control

 often used to control a device by sending radio

or infrared signals over short distances. A good
example of this is the remote control unit of your
television

I. Microphone

 an input device in which sound energy (an analog

signal) is changed into electrical energy (a digital
signal) used in sending or recording sound like
your voice



J. Web camera/Web cam

 a device that enables the users to view

themselves over the internet allowing them to be
seen simultaneously by their relatives or
 friends abroad or to other places like during
chatting and videoconferencing

K. Graphics tablet/Digitizing tablet

 consists of a flat surface and an attached stylus

allowing the user to hand-draw images and
graphics.
Introduction to Computer Christine G. Angeles Gabaldon