INPUT DEVICES
An input device is any hardware device that sends data to the computer, without any input devices, a computer would only be a display device and not allow users to interact with it, much like a TV. In the picture to the right, is a Logitechtrackball mouse and an example of an input device. Below is a complete listing of all the different computer input devices that can be used on a computer.
Type of input devices
- Audio conversion devices
There are several different types of audio conversion devices available, but they each perform relatively the same function, which is the conversion of one format of audio to a digital format for use on a computer. The most common types of audio conversion devices include cassette tape to MP3, LP record to MP3 and audio CD to MP3.
Audio conversion devices are basically either a cassette tape player, LP record player, or CD player with a connection to a USB port on a computer. The software included with the device records the audio playback from the audio media and converts it to MP3 format. Some devices allow for recording to other audio formats besides MP3. There are multiple companies that build and sell these devices, including DB Tech, Ion and Jensen.
- Bercode
Lines of different widths and sizes representing data, that when read will determine what the scanned object is. Barcodes are often used to help organize and index information or prices about an object. Barcodes used by the U.S. postal service that helps speed the delivery of mail is another perfect example of how a barcode could be used. In the picture to the right, is an example of what a barcode for an address may look like.
- Business card reader
Similar to other computer scanners, a business card reader allows a user to scan business cards into their computer for digital storage. Computer scanners are capable of scanning and converting text documents to typed text by use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. Business card readers work on a similar principle, reading the text on the business card and converting to typed text on the computer.
Some business card readers offer the functionality of scanning a business card directly into a Microsoft Outlookcontact record. Other readers can scan to a web format, directly to a new computer file, to a database or even to a CRM system, like SalesForce.com or Microsoft CRM. Some business card readers are capable of connecting to PDA devices, smartphones and tablet computers. This can allow users to scan business cards while at a trade show or other similar events, without needing to have a laptop computer with them.
Today, many people are replacing business card readers with Smartphones with apps capable of scanning and storing business card information.
- Digital camera
A camera that stores the pictures or video it takes in electronic format instead of to film. There are several features that make digital cameras a popular choice when compared to film cameras. First, the feature often enjoyed the most is the LCD on the digital camera. This display allows users to view photos or video after the picture or video has been taken, which means if you take a picture and don't like the results, you can delete it; or if you do like the picture, you can show it to other people. Another nice feature with digital cameras is the ability to take dozens, sometimes hundreds of different pictures. In the picture to the right, is a Casio QV-R62, a 6.0 Mega Pixel digital camera used to help illustrate what a digital camera may look like.
Digital cameras have become the camera solution for most users today as the quality of the picture they take has greatly improved and as the price has decreased. Some users may be hesitant in buying a digital camera because of the inability of getting their pictures developed. However, there are several solutions in getting your digital pictures developed. For example, there are numerous Internet companies capable of developing your pictures and send you your pictures in the mail. In addition, many of the places that develop your standard cameras film now have the ability to develop digital pictures if you bring them your camera, memory stick, or pictures on CD.
- Fingerprint
1. When referring to computers and security, a fingerprint refers to any trace of information left by someone. Often, if someone has gained unauthorized access to a computer or network, an administrator or security agent may look for any fingerprints left by the attacker, such as IP addresses, host names, etc. This can be compared to a crime scene detective looking for fingerprints at a crime scene.
2. When referring to computer hardware, a fingerprint scanner or fingerprint reader is a hardware device that verifies a user or enters password information by scanning their finger. In the picture to the right, is an example of a fingerprint scanner by Microsoft. Computers that do not already include a fingerprint scanner can connect devices such as these to their computer USB ports.- Graphics tablet
Alternatively referred to as a drawing tablet and pen tablet, a graphics tablet is a highly accuratehardware input device that enables an artist to draw or sketch easier than they would be able to do with a standard computer mouse. In the picture to the right, is an example of a Pen Tablet from Wacom and a great example of these devices. 
- Keyboard
One of the primary input devices used with a computer, the keyboard looks very similar to the keyboards of electric typewriters, with some additional keys. Keyboards allow a computer user to input letters, numbers, and other symbols into a computer and is what allows you to write e-mail and is what you used to visit this web page. Below is an example of the Saitek Gamers' keyboard with indicators pointing to each of the major portions of the keyboard.
A light gun is a pointing input device that detects light using a photodiode in the gun barrel. When the player of the game pulls the trigger on the gun, the screen is blanked out for a fraction of a second, which allows the photodiode to determine where the gun is pointed. Light guns were most widely used with early console gaming systems such as the NES Zapper light gun, as shown in the picture to the right. Using this gun the player could play games where they were required to point the gun at the screen and shoot targets, such as ducks in the popular Duck Hunt game.
- Magnetic card reader
A magnetic card reader is a device that can retrieve stored information from a magnetic card either by holding the card next to the device or swiping the card through a slot in the device. In the picture to the right, is an example of a magnetic card reader and a good example of the type of card reader you would see at most retail stores.
- Microphone
Sometimes abbreviated as mic, a microphone is a hardware peripheral originally invented by Emile Berliner in 1877that allows computer users to input audio into their computers. In the picture to the right, is an example of a USBheadset from Logitech with a microphone. A popular solution for computer gaming.
- Touch screen
A monitor or other flat surface with a sensitive panel directly on the screen that registers the touch of a finger as input. Instead of being touch-sensitive, some touch screens also use beams across the screen to create a grid that is interrupted by the presence of a finger near the screen.
A touch screen allows a user to interact with a device without a mouse or keyboard for input and is often used in a public environment where the user may only need to access general information, such as directions to a room in a building. In the picture to the right, is an example of a smart phone with a touch screen, this phone has no physical keyboard and all data is inputted using a finger.
- Mouse
A hardware input device that was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, who at the time was working at the Stanford Research Institute, which was a think tank sponsored by Stanford University. The mouse allows an individual to control apointer in a graphical user interface (GUI). Utilizing a mouse a user has the ability to perform various functions such as opening a program or file and does not require the user to memorize commands, like those used in a text-based command line environment such as MS-DOS. In the picture to the right, is a picture of a Microsoft IntelliMouse and is an example of what a computermouse may look like.
The Mouse was originally referred to as an X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System. Xerox later applied the mouse to its revolutionary Alto computer system in 1973. However, because of Alto's unfortunate success, it was first widely used in the Apple Lisa computer. Today, a pointing device is found on virtually every computer.
- Touchpad
Alternatively referred to as a glidepoint, pressure sensitive tablet, or trackpad, a touchpad is an input devicefound on the majority of portable computers, and now also available with some external keyboards, that allow you to move the mouse cursor without the need of an external mouse.
A touchpad is operated by using your finger and dragging it across a flat surface; as you move your finger on the surface, the mouse cursor will move in that same direction, and like most computer mice, the touchpad also has two buttons below the touch surface that enables you to click like a standard mouse.
- Optical scanner
Hardware input device that allows a user to take an image or text and convert it into a digital file, allowing the computer to read or display the scanned object. A scanner is commonly connected to a computer USB, Firewire,Parallel, or SCSI port. In the picture to the right, is an example of a flatbed photo scanner, the Epson V300.
Other scanners include: sheetfed scanner, which is a scanner that scans paper fed into it, handheld scanner, which is a scanner that is held and drag over a page to scan it, and a card scanner, which is a small scanner capable of scanning business cards.
- Video capture
Internal or external device that connects from the computer or device to a video camera or similar device capable of capturing a video signal. The video capture device is then capable of taking that video signal and converting it to a stored video format, allowing you to store, modify and show video on a computer. In the picture to the right, is an example of an external video capture device from Geniatech that connects your digital camcorder to your computer using USB. In addition to this type of video capture device, there are also internal video capture devices that are internal cards that can be installed into your computer.
- Webcame
A webcam is a hardware camera connected to a computer that allows anyone connected to the Internet to view either still pictures or motion video of a user or other object. In the picture to the right, is a Logitech QuickCam Express and an example of what a webcam may look like. Today, most webcams are either embedded into the display with laptopcomputers or connected to the USB or Firewire port on the computer.
