Learning Unit 1

Hardware

Input devices
 provides running software with
instructions on what to do next

Input: can be data that must be processed

Data that is input may need to be

used immediately – or may be
stored for processing later
Scanners
• Device that captures physical images from photographic prints,
posters, magazine pages, bar codes, 3D objects and documents.
• Converts the images to digital format.
• Types include hand-held, feed-in or flatbed.
• Connect to computer usually via USB port.
• Work with OCR or TWAIN software.
Image quality of scanners determined by
Software allows you to Number of different

Resolution

Colour depth
specify resolution colours that can be
represented by a pixel
DPI (dots per inch)
24 bit colour (about 16.7
The greater the DPI, the million different colours)
better the image quality high enough for practical
purposes
The higher the DPI the
larger the resulting image The higher the colour
file depth, the larger the
resulting image file

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 Large documents can be scanned into single digital file

Electronic copies stored digitally

Scanned copies can be e-mailed directly

OCR software used on documents containing text scanned as images, to

Advantages of convert images into editable documents

Scanners Old documents can be scanned and stored

Barcode scanners – libraries and Point of Sale (POS) systems

QR codes – connect to websites quickly

Number plates of cars can be scanned and recorded on e-toll roads

Disadvantages of Scanners

Image files captured by a scanner are usually very large in size

Images lose some quality in the scanning process

Quality of digital image depends largely on quality of the

original hardcopy

Can take a lot of time – depends on type of scanner and its

purpose
Digital Cameras

Uses digital optical components to register the intensity and colour of light and converts it into pixel
data.

Pixels (Picture Elements) are the small little dots that make up the images on computer displays.

Memory card works at certain speed (MBps) and this determines how many images it can capture per
second and the speed of uploading.

Memory card capacity measured in GB determines how many images can be stored on the card.

Digital cameras, smartphone cameras and DSLR cameras (Digital Single Lens Reflex)
Ways to save images on digital camera or smartphone
camera

Card reader – connect card reader with memory card to computer to transfer files from memory card
to computer.

USB cable – many cameras have a mini-USB port so that the user can connect the camera directly to
the computer via USB cable to transfer the images.

Bluetooth or Wi-Fi – many cameras can be connected to a smartphone or computer via Bluetooth or
Wi-Fi technology, allowing images to be transferred and stored.

Uploading files to the Internet – some cameras can connect to the Internet and upload images to
social media sites or cloud storage.
Advantages of Digital Cameras

Storage card is much

smaller, cheaper, has the
capacity for many more
images and easier to
transport than film.
Most smart devices have
The images can be easily
built-in cameras – access to
transferred to the computer.
digital photography.

Images can be digitally

Can see the images
edited either on the camera
immediately, don’t have to
or if the file is transferred to
wait for it to be developed
the computer, then by
like with film.
editing software.
Disadvantages of Digital
Cameras
• A corrupt memory card will result in the photograph files being “lost”.
• The camera battery can die and then the user will be unable to take photographs until it is charged
or the battery is replaced.
Specifications that determines quality

LENSES SENSOR SIZE OPTICAL DIGITAL RESOLUTION

ZOOM ZOOM

ISO RATING
Lenses

Larger lenses capture more light, which improves image quality and detail.
Sensor Size
• Larger sensors can capture more light efficiently (can shoot in low light conditions) and can take
photos more accurately in different light conditions.
• Larger sensors provide better quality images.
Optical Zoom
• Uses lenses on the camera to ‘get closer’ to the object being photographed.
• Optical zoom for better quality images.
Digital Zoom
• Like using a magnifying glass tool in image editing software.
• As you ‘get’ closer and the picture gets larger, it also gets more blurry and eventually pixelated.
Resolution
• Total number of pixels that make up the picture.
• Typical specification is around 10 – 30 MP (megapixels).
• One one of several factors influencing image quality.
ISO rating
• This is how sensitive the camera sensor is to light.
• How good the camera can take pictures in low light without a flash.
Biometric Input
• Inputs or captures a person’s unique biological features or
characteristics and stores representation digitally to identify the
user.
Categories of Biometric sensors

Physiological Behavioural
Fingerprint Voice
Iris or Retina Signature
Face
DNA
Biometric input

BIOMETRIC DEVICES CAN FINGERPRINT SCANNERS USED INSTEAD OF MAINLY FOR SECURITY
BE USED TO UNIQUELY ON SMARTPHONES, PASSWORDS, E.G., FOR REASONS
IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS. LAPTOPS, FLASH DRIVES, ACCESS CONTROL IN
ETC. BUILDINGS
Fingerprint Scanners

Record an image of a person’s fingerprint by mapping the arches, whorls, loops and
furrows of a fingerprint.

The scanning of the fingerprint is very reliable, however some people, particularly the
elderly, do not have identifiable fingerprints.

Can be used to protect access to computer devices and entry through doors.

Cheaper, less advanced fingerprint scanners can easily be bypassed by fake fingerprints.
Retina or Iris Scanners

Identifies a person by scanning the patterns in the iris (ring-shaped

colour that surrounds the pupil of the eye).

More secure than other biometric devices because it is not possible to

duplicate the retina or iris.

Used to protect entry to secured rooms and smartphone use the

technology to prevent access to the device.
Face Scanners
• Identify a person by taking measurements of a person’s face.
• The device measures characteristics of a human face, including the distance between a person’s
chin, eyes, nose and mouth.
• High quality face scanners can distinguish between a picture of a person and a real person making
it very secure.
• Facebook and Google Photos uses software for facial recognition.
Voice Recognition
• Identifies a person by converting analogue audio into digital signals.
• The device software matches the stored patterns in its digital database to the received signals.
• These scanners can improve security, but less advanced voice recognition scanners can be
bypassed using a tape recording.
• Google (Google Home), Amazon (Amazon Alexa) and Apple (HomePod) have implemented voice
recognition software to interact with users through a pod.
Advantages of biometric input
• Main advantage is security.
• Defeating biometric security is difficult – tied to a single person.
• Only the authorised person gets access.
• Unique, they make it possible to differentiate one individual from another to grant access.
• Recordable (with or without consent).
• Measurable, allowing future comparison.
Disadvantages of biometric input

EXPENSIVE TO IMPLEMENT, NEEDS ADDITIONAL HARDWARE

MAINTAIN AND USE AND SOFTWARE (IF NOT
INCLUDED IN DEVICE)
Handheld Input Devices

BARCODE QR READERS GAME VIRTUAL REALITY

READERS CONTROLLERS (VR) CONTROLLERS
Barcode Readers

Barcode readers are devices that are used for reading bar coded data
(data in the form of many light and dark lines).

The barcode reader scans the image and converts it to an

alphanumeric value.

Examples of barcodes include labelling products in a shop, labelling

the books in a library and personal ID numbers.
QR Readers

QR (Quick Response) codes have become more useful than barcodes

since they store much more data, including URLs of web sites,
geographical coordinates, and text.

QR codes can be read using freely available applications on mobile

devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Game Controllers
• Gamepad, joypad or video game controller.
• Handheld input device designed to connect a user to a computer or gaming system.
• These devices usually have multiple buttons and one or two mini joysticks.
• Each button and/or joystick is configured to perform specific actions in the gaming system.
• Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo.
Virtual Reality (VR) Controllers

Allow users to explore the

virtual world environment and These devices work using the
pickup or manipulate virtual following principles:
objects.

Eye tracking – infrared sensor

Motion tracking – devices that
Head tracking – VR headset
tracks real-world movement
that tracks movement of head
and translates it to movement
and shift picture accordingly.
in the virtual world.
monitors the user’s eyes
inside the headset so the
system knows where the
user’s eyes are looking in
virtual reality.
VR vs AR vs MR
Video
Check Point 2
Complete Checkpoint 2 on page 18 and 19.
Input at ATMs

•Other input through:

• Card reader
• Modem / network connection
• Touch screen
• Money counter
• Money deposit slot

Gets input from user (PIN, menu choices, etc.) 35

Advantages of ATMs
• Banking transactions at any time of day or night

• You are not limited to your own bank or country

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Disadvantages / limitations of
ATMs
• Can be dangerous to use an ATM (have cash – prey to criminals)

• Card Skimmer installed over ATM’s card reader – add a camera – capture card details and PIN –
pretend to ‘be you’ – steal your money

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Input into POS systems
Barcodes and RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) tags
• Used to automatically ‘recognise’ a product or item

• Barcode scanners scan the barcode

• RFID tags store data on the tag or card – detected wirelessly

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Input into POS systems

Barcodes and RFID tags

achieve two main goals

• Faster processing at pay points

• Better stock control

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Barcodes and RFID tags –
How does this work?

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Advantages of POS systems
• Faster than typing in prices on a
keyboard
• Prices updated and entered more
accurately
• Record how many items are sold and
track how much stock is left

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Disadvantages / limitations
of POS systems
 

When system offline – difficult to Expensive equipment and

function software required

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•Some smartphones have an additional radio technology built
into them called NFC (Near Field Communication).
•NFC is a standard or technology that allows electronic
devices to connect wirelessly and exchange data, simply by
touching them together or bringing them close together. NFC
is mainly used for payment processing.

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Touch screens (as input devices)

Combination of a LCD and a

thin ‘touch sensing’ film

Pen tablet computers use a high

resolution pen / stylus that
communicates with the screen
wirelessly

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Advantages of Touch screens
• Allows more screen space in device
• Type of ‘immediacy’ in directly touching
the data or controlling components
• Intuitive – very little training needed
• Allows natural input – drawing and
gestures

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Disadvantages of Touch screens
 Not as fast or easy as using a physical keyboard

 Can become dirty / oily / smudged

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Data collection devices
• Meter readers to capture water readings

• Monitor patient’s temperature, heart rate, blood pressure

• Weather buoys in oceans collect data on weather conditions

• Monitor temperature, pressure and humidity in controlled environments

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 Data captured automatically
using sensors, without
human intervention

Data captured more

Advantages of data
accurately than by using
collection devices
human input

Data captured faster than by

using human input

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Disadvantages / limitations
of data collection devices

• Sensors can fail, resulting in

incorrect data
• Only sensor-detectable data can be
collected
• Devices can be difficult and
expensive to update, repair or replace

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Input into smartphones and consumer
tablets

Touch screen

Hardware buttons

Camera / video camera

Accelerometer

Microphone
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Alternative keyboards
• Virtual keyboards – popping up an image of a keyboard on the screen

• Project a virtual keyboard onto a surface using laser or LED lights

• Wireless technology uses radio waves to connect input devices to computer device

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Worksheet
Complete Learning Unit 1 – Hardware Worksheet 2
Activity 1
Open the document Learning Unit 1 – Hardware Activity 1