© Boardworks Ltd 20041 of 9

Input Devices

Hardware

This icon indicates that detailed teacher’s notes are available in the Notes Page.

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

This icon indicates the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable.

© Boardworks Ltd 20042 of 9

Input devices

There are a huge range of input devices on the market.

These fall into two main groups:

Manual Input include devices such as the keyboard and mouse, where the user has to put the data in by hand.

Manual Input and Automatic Data Capture.

© Boardworks Ltd 20043 of 9

Automatic Data Capture devices collect the data automatically and feed it straight into a computer. Some of them are operated by people, like bar-code scanners, but some devices just collect data, such as web cams and data loggers.Automatic data capture tends to cut down on errors compared to manual data entry.

It is usually quicker too – imagine how long the supermarket queue would be if every number on the bar-code had to be typed by hand.

However, they tend to be more expensive, and so are usually used when there is a lot of data to capture.

© Boardworks Ltd 20044 of 9

Input by touch

With thanks to Logitech.

© Boardworks Ltd 20045 of 9

Input by light

With thanks to Evesham Technology and Worth.

© Boardworks Ltd 20046 of 9

Other input

© Boardworks Ltd 20047 of 9

Input devices all around us

© Boardworks Ltd 20048 of 9

Input Device Place Used PurposeOMR Newsagent Lottery ticket

Touch screen Bus stop Plan your journey

Keyboard ATM outside bank Withdraw money

OCR Post Office Sorting letters

Concept keyboard Burger bar Price-up orders

MICR Bank Processing cheques

Bar-code reader Supermarket Finding cost of items

CCTV Street Security in street

Switch Pelican crossing Change traffic lights

Input devices around us

© Boardworks Ltd 20049 of 9

Summary

Input devices fall into two main categories: manual devices and automatic data capture devices.

Data can be input by touch, sound, light, control, magnetism and electronic means.

Input devices are being used all around us in daily life.

© Boardworks Ltd 200410 of 9

Output Devices

Hardware

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

This icon indicates the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable.

© Boardworks Ltd 200411 of 9

Output devices

When a computer has finished processing information, the information needs to be output so that it can be used.

Monitors:screens or Visual Display Units (VDUs)display the effects of what the user is doingcan vary in size and resolution.

Printers:produce a paper copy of the user’s work: a ‘hard copy’come in three main types: laser, inkjet and dot matrix. Some businesses also use plotters.

Sometimes we just need to see the information, on screen or on

paper, so we use a monitor or a

printer.

© Boardworks Ltd 200412 of 9

When a computer has finished processing information, the information needs to be output so that it can be used.

Speakers:are used to output sound, whether music or voicevary a lot in quality.

Headphones:work in the same way as speakerscan be cordless.

Sometimes we need to hear the

information, so we use loudspeakers or headphones.

© Boardworks Ltd 200413 of 9

Sometimes we want it to control something, so we send a signal to a motor or a switch

that is part of another device, like a robotic arm or a

computerized sewing machine.

When a computer has finished processing information, the information needs to be output so that it can be used.

© Boardworks Ltd 200414 of 9

Output devices – visual and printed

© Boardworks Ltd 200415 of 9

Output devices – control and sound

© Boardworks Ltd 200416 of 9

Device suitable for purpose

© Boardworks Ltd 200417 of 9

Device Benefits

CRT Cheapest monitor to buy; gives a sharp picture

LCD Slim screen; Used for laptops and digital display

TFT Slim screen; quick to refresh because each pixel has its own transistor

Speakers Good for loud music; can address a whole room

Headphones Can listen without disturbing others; good for private conversation

Laser Quick and best quality printer; large paper tray

Inkjet Cheap colour printing; good for printing photos

Dot matrix Impact printer; good for multi-part forms

Plotter Large drawing size; clear lines for technical drawings

Control Safe in all conditions; good for repetitive tasks

© Boardworks Ltd 200418 of 9

Summary

There are four kinds of output devices; devices that produce a visual or printed output, those that produce an audio output and others that use control as output.

The three main types of monitors at Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) and Thin Film Transistor (TFT).

There are three main types of printers: dot matrix, inkjet and laser.

Sound devices include speakers and headphones.

Control devices include hydraulics, pneumatics and motors.