What is the input device in computer is a common question for those who work using a computer and important to know it. We see and use different types of devices with computers. If we know which one of these works, we don’t know which one is what kind of device. Some devices connected to the computer are inputs and some are outputs. The thing that connects these input and output devices is the central processing unit or CPU.
Of us who use computers have heard the name input device. If we break it down a little, it will be very convenient for you to understand that you use all these external devices such as a mouse, keyboard, and Pendrive while using the computer or laptop computer. So these devices are input devices.
What is the input device?
A computer input device is a special type of peripheral device that helps to communicate with the processing unit of the computer system. Input devices are used to supply data and control signals. Input devices can also be called electro-mechanical devices. Through which the user can input data into the computer.
For example, keyboard, mouse, scanner, graphics tablet, OCR, OMR, digital camera, light pen, touch screen, joystick, etc.
By looking at the names, you can understand that with these devices we provide various information to the computer. Since we provide input to the computer through them, they are called input devices. The function of each input device is different. But the most commonly used input devices are the keyboard and mouse.
Functions of input devices
Computer input devices are used to input user data or information into the computer for results. Computer input devices are mainly used to recognize input data. which is provided by users. Input data can be expressed in many forms such as text, image, audio, and video. Computers have different types of input devices.
For example,
- Pointing Devices: Such as Mouse, Touchpad, Touch Screen, Motion Sensor, Fingerprint Scanner, Multi-Touch Screen, Light Pen, etc.
- Game Controller Devices: Gamepads, joysticks, rhythm game controllers, steering wheels, motion sensing, pedals, etc.
- Audio Input Devices: MIDI keyboard, Microphone, etc.
- Visual and Imaging Devices: Webcam, Biometric Scanner, Barcode Reader, Digital Camera, etc.
Examples of the input devices in computer
An input is a hardware device connected to the computer system that passes on data to the computer and it controls the signal. Some common examples of input devices in computers are touch screens, mouse, and keyboards. They are used to enter direct instructions and information or data. Joysticks and microphones also are input devices. These devices allow the user to key commands or instructions and data into the computer.
Here we will discuss some of the most important input devices examples below:
Keyboard is the primary Input device in computer
Keyboard is one of the most critical primary input devices that are used for data input and commands. A computer keyboard is a borderline that is in part modeled after a typewriter keyboard. It is the most essential human interface input device in computer. Keyboards are designed to input text and characters and control computer operations. Computer keyboards are rectangular or near-rectangular buttons or keys and letters are usually printed on the keys. It connects to the computer through USB or Bluetooth.
Mouse hand-held pointing Input device in computer
A mouse is an input device that is used to control the coordinates and cursor. Mouse is usually wired or wireless. A ball under the mouse rotates the mouse pad and the screen cursor follows the movement of the mouse. Mouse buttons can help to click or double-click to perform actions such as selecting an icon on the screen or opening a selected document. Right now many use new mice that don’t have balls. They use a laser to sense the movement of the mouse.
Trackball bit different Input device in computer
Trackballs are mainly used Instead of moving the entire mouse from side to side, to keep rolling, which is either up or to the side.
Advantages: Does not require desk space like a mouse. Not tedious as low speed is required.
Disadvantages: Requires fine control of the ball with only one finger or thumb. The repetitive motion of the same muscle is tiring and that can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Glidepad popular alternative pointing device
GlidePad is a popular alternative pointing device for laptops. It uses a touch-sensitive pad for cursor control. The user slides the finger across the pad and the cursor follows the movement of the finger. There are buttons to click or you can tap the pad with your finger.
Advantages: Does not require desk space like a mouse. Can be easily created on the keyboard. There is a fine resolution. That is, it takes less finger movement on the GlidePad than onscreen mouse movement to achieve the same cursor movement.
Disadvantages: The hand gets tired faster than the mouse because there is no support. Some people find the GlidePad not as natural as a mouse.
Joystick is a gaming input device in computer
Game device Cursor movement is controlled by a vertical stick (joystick) or arrow buttons (gamepad). A joystick gives a more natural feeling control for motion in games, especially those where you fly airplanes or spaceships.
Advantages: Both have more buttons for special functions than a mouse and can combine buttons for more actions.
Disadvantages: More expensive and heavier. Better performance requires an additional peripheral card.
Pen input recognizes handwriting
In Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) Pen input is used for Data input By writing. PDA can recognize your handwriting.
Pointing device: Moves a cursor around the screen and works like a mouse in terms of tapping and clicking on the screen.
Command Gestures: You can issue commands by moving the pen in a pattern. So a certain type of rotation means saving the file and a different type of rotation means opening a new file.
Advantage: Can use handwriting instead of typing. Can use gestures instead of typing commands. It is Small in size.
Disadvantages: The device must be trained to recognize handwriting. You must learn gestures or train devices to recognize the objects you create.
Touchscreen authorizes users to link
The touchscreen is an input device that authorizes users to link with a computer using their fingers. It is used widely in laptop monitors, smartphones, tablets, and cash registers.
Advantage: It’s natural to reach out and touch something.
Disadvantages: It is boring if there are many choices to make. Since the fingers are larger than the cursor, each choice takes up a lot of screen space.
Sound input
Your computer needs special equipment for sound input recording sounds. There are various types of sound input.
Microphones: Microphones can capture sound from the air, which is good for sound effects or voices. The best results for music come from using a musical instrument that is directly connected to the computer.
Digital camera: Video and Image Input A digital camera takes still images but records the images on a computer disk or memory chip.
video camera or recorder (VCR): A video camera or recorder (VCR) can make recordings that can be uploaded to a computer with the right hardware. While it is not digital data, you are able still to turn good results with the right software. Both of these take up a lot of storage. Photos make for very large files.
Webcam: A webcam is a small video camera designed specifically to sit on you. Computers image it directly into the computer no tape or film can be developed. Of course, are limited by the length of the cable that connects the camera to the computer.
Scanner is an effective input device
The scanner is an effective input device that can read image and converts it into digital file. USB connects the scanner to the computer. There are different types of scanners:
Page Scanner: This scanner works like a copy machine. It captures an entire page and converts it into a digital image. Scanned text cannot be edited.
Hand Scanner: As you move the device across the document or image hand Scanner will only capture a portion of a page or a larger image. So any piece larger than the scanner needs to be re-attached with skillful software.
Bar Code Readers
Bar Code Readers are known as barcode scanners or point of sale (POS) scanners. It is an input device that is capable of reading barcodes. Retail stores now use bar codes printed on products to track inventory and count sales at the checkout counter. Many post offices use bar codes to sort mail, but the bars are different from the bars used to price products.
Conclusion
There are many more types of input devices used in computers for performing and running computers faster. Through this blog, we discuss some important input devices in computer and their example such as keyboards, mouse, scanners, digital cameras, etc that help to communicate with the processing unit of the computer system.
