Input Devices

Input and Output Devices

Input is anything which you enter in the computer. Here is a list of input devices and their meaning : 

1) keyboard : It can allow you to enter data in the computer system. Many desktop computers have a numeric keyboard at the side. A standard computer usually has a QWERTY keyboard.

2) mouse : This is a pointing device ; there are three types of a mouse : mechanical mouse , optical mouse and cordless mouse.

3) trackball : This is another pointing device with a ball - mechanism on its top.

4) Joystick : Another pointing device with a vertical leaver on the base.

5) Bar code reader : this uses laser beams to read bar codes.

6) Magnetic ink reader (MICR) : This can read text printed with magnetized ink.

7) Scanner : light-sensing device that converts printed text and graphics into a digital form. There are two types of scanners; a flatbed scanner and a handheld scanner.

8) optical character recognition (OCR) : this device works with word processors and distinguishes characters by the shape.

9) Graphics tablet : This is a flat electronic plastic board for writing or drawing.

10) Optical mark recognition (OCR) : this device can sense circles and rectangles.

11) Light pen : a pointing device that can detect the presence of light.

12) Digital camera : Takes pictures and stores them digitally.

13) handwriting recognition : when you write with your own handwriting on an interactive board and the computer digitally changes your writing to another font.

14) Electronic cards : Used to pay , they store money