Input and Output Devices

• Input and Output Devices What is a Input device ? Input devices are hardware devices that are used to enter data into a computer system such as a PC. Output devices are hardware devices that are used to communicate data with another computer system or a user. These input and output devices are a fundamental part of any computer as the goal of a technology system is to receive input process that input and then produce output.
• Input Device No 1 Keyboard One of the two primary input devices used with a computer the keyboard is used for typing in data much like an old-fashioned typewriter. In fact the layout of keys is based on typewriters known as QWERTY due to the five first letters on the top left-hand side of the keyboard.
• Input Device 2 Mouse The mouse is the other primary input device used with a computer. This is a pointing device that allows you to input data into a computer by controlling a cursor to hover over an item and selecting it by clicking a button built into the mouse. All computer mice have at least one button but it is common to have at least two. There can be several though as well as a scroll wheel.
• Input Device 3 Sensor A sensor can detect changes in the physical environment and input this information into a computer system. This might be changes in light temperature pressure or a variety of other inputs. An example of this is a motion sensor used in home security. Your house has several motion sensors and if they detect movement the information is passed to a central computer which might respond by setting off an alarm.
• Input device 4 Touchscreen This is an example of a multi-functional device as it is an input device that also outputs. Touchscreens allow a user to input data into a computer by directly touching the screen either with their finger or with a pointing tool known as a stylus. This is used commonly with smartphones and tablets and can be used as an alternative to a mouse (as you can tap on something to click on it) and a keyboard (as you can use an onscreen keyboard).
• Input Device 5 Microphone A microphone is an input device that is used to capture audio. It does this by converting the sound wave into an electronic signal that the computer can understand. They are becoming more heavily used due to the increase in popularity of vlogging and VoIP services like Skype. In fact most laptops & tablets have microphones built in nowadays.
• Input device 6 Scanner This device will capture images from documents such as photos magazines and reports. Some scanners can read characters and produce a digital document from a hard copy rather than just creating a digital image of the original. There are two main kinds flatbed (where you put the document you want to scan on a flat surface) and sheetfed (where the document is fed in much like paper is with a printer).
• Input Device 7 Digital Camera A digital camera works very similarly to a traditional film-based camera except the images are stored on the camera and can then be transferred onto a computer for editing printing or sharing online. Webcams are a very popular form of digital camera that can capture images and video directly onto a computer. You can use webcams to live stream video onto the internet. These are particularly popular due to the growth of VoIP software like Skype which people use to have video conversations.
• Output Devices Output devices are hardware devices that are used to communicate data with another computer system or a user.
• Output Device 1 Printers A printer is a device that accepts text and image output from a computer and produces that information on paper. There are a wide variety of printers all offering different quality speed and cost. The three major types though are:Impact: the oldest type of printer that works by banging a head against an ink ribbon and is very noisy to use.Inkjet: a popular choice for home use due to its good quality and low cost.Laser: popular for business use due to its high quality and extremely fast.
• Output Device 2 Speakers This device is used to produce audio output from a computer system. Speakers work in reverse to the microphones we spoke about in the input section. They take an electronic signal from the computer and convert it to a sound wave for users to listen to. We use this to listen to music listen to audio from videos and games and take part in VoIP conversations.
• Output Device 2 Force Feedback This type of output is commonly seen in video gamepads. The gamepad shakes at certain times such as when you crash a car to give a more immersive experience. Gamepads with force feedback are another example of a multi-functional device. They have the force feedback output but are also input devices as you use them to control the game.
• Output Device 4 Actuator Actuators are devices that turn energy into motion. An electric actuator for example takes energy from a power source such as a battery and uses it to produce motion. They are an important part of the development of the “Internet of Things” and often work closely with sensors for input. For example a device that senses temperature changes and then turns on or off the heating in response. It is an actuator that will turn the heating on or off.
• Output Device 5 Screen This can also be commonly known as a monitor. It is a computer system’s primary output used to create a visual image of the computer’s interface so that a user can interact with it. These have evolved hugely over time from large heavy CRT monitors to thin lightweight LCD monitors. It’s common now to also have very large screens that can also produce HD output.
• Output Device 6 Projector Another type of computer display that serves a similar function to the screen in that it outputs a visual image of the computer’s interface. However projectors will display the image on a wall or special projector screen and can be used to display a very large image. This is why projectors are often used for giving presentations in large rooms as well as for watching movies.
• Output Device 7 Robotic Arms Robotic arms and other mechanical output devices are machinery controlled by a computer usually using CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software. These are commonly used in the manufacturing process in factories such as building cars.
• Input and Output Devices Recap Input devices are hardware devices that are used to enter data into a computer system. Output devices are hardware devices that are used to communicate data with another device or a user. The goal of a technology system is to receive input process that input and then produce output. Input devices include a keyboard mouse sensor touch screen microphone scanner & digital camera. Output devices include a printer speakers force feedback device actuator screen projector & robotic arms. Some devices are multi-functional such as a touch screen or force feedback gamepad.