ITE 1922 - ICT Applications Week 02

2.0 Input and Output Devices

Introduction

We discussed the computer, its basic components, and the various types of computers
in the previous lesson. In this lesson, we will learn about a computer system's input
and output devices.

Learning outcomes

After completing this lesson, you will be able to understand the different types of
input/output devices.

Also you will be able to,

 List input devices
 Describe input devices
 List output devices
 Describe output devices

If you think of the processor or the Central Processing Unit (CPU) as the brain of the
computer, then input devices can be considered as sensory organs like eyes, ears, and
fingers. You will interact with the computer through input devices. These devices
allow you to enter data and commands (instructions) into the computer.

While input devices introduce data to the computer, output devices get the
information out of the computer. Output devices communicate information to users in
several ways, for example, as printed pages, display images, videos on screen.

This lesson introduces you to input and output devices. You will learn about the
importance of these devices and the way computers accept input from them.

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2.1 Input Devices

Input devices are the hardware used to provide input to the computer to translate
words, sounds, images, and actions that people understand, into symbols, that the
system unit can process.

For data processing, you need to provide data and instructions to a computer system.
These data and instructions can take three forms; namely, language forms, non-
language forms, and both language and non-language forms. Language forms can be
either oral symbolic forms or written symbolic forms. Written symbolic forms can be
further divided as character-based and numeric-based. Non-language forms can be
both image and sound patterns such as in music. Language and non-language forms
can be video, sound, and animations. In this way, with different input devices, you
can input different data and instructions.

Input devices fall under five categories as follows:

 Text input – keyboard, OCR
 Pointing device –mouse, touch screen, pen
 Gaming - joystick
 Image/Video input – scanner, digital camera, webcam, digitizing tablet
 Audio input – microphone, digital audio player

Let's consider different types of input devices one by one.

Keyboard
It was one of the first peripherals to be used with the computer and the primary input
device to enter text and numbers. Keyboards are used to convert numbers, letters,
and special characters that people understand into electrical signals. These signals
are sent to and processed by the CPU.

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Also, it is possible to give commands to the computer using the keyboard. For
example, the keyboard is used to type a command like CTRL+ALT+DEL to invoke task
manager, switch users, lock machine, etc in a Microsoft Windows system.

There are many different styles of keyboards. They can vary in size, shape, and feel.
However, keys in most of the keyboards are laid out typically. The standard keyboard
layout is shown in Figure 2.1. This is a keyboard for an IBM-compatible computer. IBM
compatible refers to any PC based on the first PC made by IBM. Today, all PCs except
Macintosh computers are IBM compatible.

Figure 2.1: Standard layout of a keyboard

(Courtesy: https://www-01.ibm.com/software/globalization/topics/keyboards/physical.html)

Keys in the keyboard are grouped into 5 groups.

 Alphanumeric keys – this arrangement is known as QWERTY layout as the first 6
keys on the top row are Q, W, E, R, T, and Y. This includes, letters, numbers,
and 4 other keys (TAB, CAPS LOCK, BACKSPACE, and ENTER keys).

 Modifier keys – SHIFT, ALT (alternate), and CTRL (control) keys are called
modifier keys. They are called modifier keys as they modify the input of other
keys. These keys will rarely perform any function when such a key is pressed
alone.

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The Shift key is used to capitalize letters and enter symbols (such as the ones
found above the number keys). For example, if you press the J key, you input a
lower case j. But if you hold down the Shift key while you press the J key, then
you input upper case J.

Alt key is used to alter the function of other pressed keys. For instance, Alt +
Tab switches between the currently opened windows while just pressing Tab
(tabular) key will advance the cursor to the next tab stop.

When the Ctrl key is pressed along with another key, we can perform special
operations. For instance, Ctrl+ c will be used as a shortcut key for copying a
file, directory, or highlighted text in a document.

 Numeric keypad – located on the right side of the keyboard. It looks like a
calculator’s keypad with its 10 digits and mathematical operators (+,-, *, and
/).

Also, it includes the NUM LOCK key, which forces the numeric keys to input
numbers. When the NUM LOCK key is deactivated, the numeric keypad
performs cursor movement control and other functions.

 Function keys – they are F1, F2, etc keys that are arranged in a row along the
top of the keyboard. This allows the user to input commands. Most IBM-
compatible keyboards have 12 function keys. Function keys can be used along
with modifier keys to do more things.

Based on the type of program you are using the purpose of function keys
differs. For example, in most programs, F1 is the help key.

 Cursor-movement keys – they let you move around the screen without using a
mouse. It includes HOME, END, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN and arrow keys to move

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the insertion point up or down a single line, or left or right one character
space.

In addition to those mentioned types of keys, there are 6 other special-purpose keys.
They are ESC (escape), PRINT SCREEN, SCROLL LOCK, PAUSE, DELETE, INSERT, START
(Windows logo), and SHORTCUT (has an image of a menu) keys. Also, recently,
internet and multimedia controls are included in the keyboard.

Mouse
The mouse is the most common pointing device in a computer. The mouse is a small
hand-held device that can move around on a flat surface to control the pointer. When
the mouse is rolled across the surface of the desk, the cursor moves to a
corresponding distance on the screen. A Mouse can have one or more buttons that are
used to select command options and to control the information presented on the
monitor. It is used to make freehand sketches or to select items from menus on a
screen. Mainly a mouse is used for clicking, double-clicking, dragging, and right-
clicking.

There are different variants of the mouse as follows:

 Trackballs – it works like an upside-down mouse. You rest your index finger or
thumb on an exposed ball, then place your other fingers on the buttons. Figure
2.2 shows a wireless trackball.

Figure 2.2: Wireless trackball

(Courtesy: https://www.kensington.com/en/ie/4493/k72359ww/expert-mouse-wireless-
trackball)

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 Trackpads - rotate the mouse pointer by moving and tapping the finger on the
surface. Figure 2.3 shows a trackpad or a touchpad.

Figure 2.3: Touchpad of a laptop

(Courtesy:https://www.ricksdailytips.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/acer-laptop-
trackpad.gif)

 Pointing stick – it rotates the mouse pointer by directing the stick using the
finger. Figure 2.4 illustrates a pointing stick of a laptop.

Figure 2.4: Pointing stick

(Courtesy:http://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/mobile-computing/18/344/1663)

These devices are used in Laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants, etc.

In addition to the keyboard and mouse, there are many other input devices. A brief
explanation of them is given below.

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Bar code readers

You can see these devices used in Supermarkets to read the prices of items in a bar
code (pattern of printed bars) as shown in Figure 2.5.

Figure 2.5: Barcode Reader

(Courtesy: https://www.igcseict.info/theory/2/text/files/stacks_image_1517.png)

Image scanner and Optical Character Reader (OCR)

This device recognizes and converts printed text to computer-compatible files to
store in a computer’s memory. A scanned text image will be translated into text that
you can edit using OCR software.

Digital Pen (Smart Pen)

It captures the handwriting or brushstrokes of a user and converts handwritten
information into digital data (See Figure 2.6).

Figure 2.6: Digital pen

(Courtesy: https://www.flipkart.com/staedtler-digital-pen/p/itmd9gfkhf2uggah)

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Scanner
This is used to reproduce text or images. Scanners record the light and dark areas as
well as colour of the scanned document. After scanning a document it is possible to
display it on the screen and print or store it for later use.

There are 2 types of scanners available as follows:

• Flatbed scanner – acts as a copy machine. The document has to be placed on
the glass surface of the scanner and the scanner records the document (See
Figure 2.7).
 Portable scanner – a handheld device that can be used to slide across the
image, making direct contact.

Figure 2.7: Flatbed scanner

(Courtesy: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/difference-between-flatbed-scanners-document-scanners-
28726.html)

Digitizing tablet
With this device, it is possible to convert a sketch or a figure into a form that can be
processed by a computer. Typically the digitizing tablets have a flat surface and a
writing device (Figure 2.8).

As the user moves the writing device across the surface, the digitizing device records
the movement as a series of points and sends them to the computer.

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Figure 2.8: Digitizing tablet

(Courtesy: https://www.creativebloq.com/news/the-best-wacom-tablet-deals)

Touch screen
It allows the user to place a fingertip directly on the computer screen (See Figure
2.9). They are usually used to make a selection from a menu of choices. There are
sensors on the screen’s surface to detect the touch of a finger.

For example, they are used in automatic teller machines, public information kiosks,
and Point of Sales (POS).

Figure 2.9: Touch screen device used in Point of Sales

(Courtesy: https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/posiflex-all-in-one-pos-touch-screen-
13048689330.html)

Joystick
A joystick is a game controller as shown in Figure 2.10. It allows the user to “fly” or
“drive” through a game directing a vehicle or character. A racing game controller is a
variant of the joystick that is used for racing games.

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Figure 2.10: Joystick

(Courtesy: https://ebgames.com.au/pc-124604-Logitech-Extreme-3D-Pro-Joystick-PC)

Gamepad
This is another game controller device. It is a small flat device with 2 sets of controls
(one for each hand) as illustrated in Figure 2.11.

Figure 2.11: Gamepad

(Courtesy: https://ebgames.com.au/pc-124604-Logitech-Extreme-3D-Pro-Joystick-PC)

Microphone
This is an important input device to record speech. Also, it makes the PC useful for
audio and videoconferencing over the internet.

The sound card inside the computer translates the audio signals (analog) from the
microphone to digital codes that the computer can process and store.

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Digital camera
These are portable, handheld devices that capture still images and videos. Then the
user can copy the information to a PC.

PC video camera
It is specially used in videoconferencing. A webcam is a type of video camera that can
sit on top of a PC monitor or a stand so the user can capture images or videos of
himself or herself while working at the computer.

Activity 2.1 is to revise different input devices that you have learnt.

Activity 2.1

From the above input devices you have already learnt about, list the most suitable input
devices to be used by a computer in a restaurant.

The next section gives you an idea of some output devices in your computer.

2.2 Output Devices

Output devices translate the symbols processed by the system unit into words,
sounds, images, and actions that people can understand. Output is always
predetermined and can be visual or auditory. Output devices include monitors,
printers, and audio output devices. Basically, we can categorize them as display
devices, printers, and audio output devices.

Let’s identify different types of output devices.

Monitor
It is the most frequently used output device on PCs. The monitor is similar to a
television screen. It allows you to see the program or data. Size and clarity can be
considered as characteristics of a monitor:

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• Size of the monitor – indicated by the diagonal length of its viewing area.
E.g.: 15, 17, 19, and 21 inches
• Clarity of the monitor - indicated by its resolution. It is measured in pixels
which are individual dots that form images on a monitor.

For a given size monitor the larger the resolution the better the clarity of the image.

So what is Resolution? It is the number of pixels contained on a display monitor.

See the following example below, Figure 2.12 (a) has a low number of pixels and
Figure 2.12 (b) has a larger number of pixels. Both figures are equal in the size and
represent letter A but Figure 2.12 (b) is clearer.

Figure 2.12: (a) Low-resolution image and (b) High-resolution image

Three main types of monitors available are, as follows:

• Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor – these are very similar to televisions in their
size and technology (See Figure 2.13). Compared with other types, CRTs are
low cost and having excellent resolution.

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Figure 2.13: CRT monitor

(Courtesy: https://www.pcliquidations.com/p21917-sony-cpd-e210-new)

• Flat-panel monitors – they are developed as a solution of portable monitors and

are even used in desktop systems (See Figure 2.14). Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
is the most common type of flat-panel monitor.

Figure 2.13: CRT monitor

(Courtesy: https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/45402/lcd_monitor_icon)

LCD monitor creates images with a special kind of liquid crystal that is normally
transparent but becomes opaque when charged with electricity. However, their
images are difficult to see in bright light and they have limited viewing angle
(the angle from which the display’s image can be seen clearly).

Printer

This output device is used to get the processed information on paper. We call these
printed papers as hard copies.

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Several types of printers are used with microcomputers; namely, ink-jet, laser,
thermal and dot-Matrix.

• Ink-Jet printer – an ink-jet printer sprays small droplets of ink at high speed
onto the surface of the paper. This process not only generates a letter-quality
image but also allows printing to be done in a range of colours. Most photo-
printers that are used to print photos are special-purpose ink-jet printers.

• Laser printer – this uses a technology that is similar to a photocopy machine.

The Laser printer uses a laser beam to produce images with excellent letter
and graphics quality. These are more expensive than the Ink-jet printers and
are used in applications requesting high-quality output. They can print over
thirty pages per minute

• Thermal printer - These printers use heat elements to produce images on heat-
sensitive paper. Originally these printers were used in scientific labs to record
data. But of late, colour thermal printers are used to produce very high-quality
colour artwork and text. Compared with other types, these printers are very
costly.

• Dot-Matrix printer – These printers form characters and images using a series of
small pins on a print head. This was widely used in microcomputers some time
back since these were inexpensive and reliable. But one disadvantage is that
Dot-matrix printers are quite noisy. The quality of the printed material would
be low compared with other types of printers.

Projector

A device that projects computer output onto a white or silver fabric screen that can
be a wall, a ceiling, or a tripod-mounted (See Figure 2.14). It is widely used in
classrooms and auditoriums for instruction and slide presentations.

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Figure 2.14: Data projector

(Courtesy: http://www.lg.com/ae/projectors/lg-DX630-data-projector)

Speakers

Speaker is the key output device of sound. A sound system includes speakers and a
sound card. The sound card translates digital signals to analog signals that drive
speakers.

Headphone and Headset

Many computer users prefer to listen to audio through headphones and headsets
rather than through speakers. In these devices, audio can be played without
disturbing others.

To refresh yourself on what you have learnt about output devices you can complete
the following activity.

Activity 2.2

From the above output devices you have already learnt, list down the most suitable output
devices to be used by a computer in a small office.
Specify why you need those devices.

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Summary
Now we have completed learning the Lesson 2. In this lesson, we discussed about
different types of input and output devices.

There are different types of input devices whih can be classified as text, pointer,
gaming, image/video and audio input devices. Keyboard and mouse are the two
main input devices used in a computer system.

Monitor is the main output device used to display the output. Other than that
there are printers and sound systems.

In the lesson 3, you will learn about the central processing unit. Before you go to
the next lesson, complete the self-assessment Quiz 2 to check what you have
learnt in the Lesson 2.

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