VISUAL SUMMARY Input and Output

KEYBOARDS POINTING DEVICES

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Input is any data or instructions that are used by a com- Pointing devices provide an intuitive interface with the
puter. Input devices translate words, numbers, sounds, system unit by accepting physical movements or gestures
images, and gestures that people understand into a form and converting them into machine-readable input.
that the system unit can process. These include keyboards
and pointing, scanning, image capturing, and audio-input Touch Screens
devices. Touch screens allow users to select actions by touching the
Keyboards convert numbers, letters, and special char- screen with a finger or penlike device. A stylus is a penlike
acters that people understand into electrical signals. These device that uses pressure to draw images on a screen.
signals are sent to, and processed by, the system unit. Handwriting recognition software translates handwritten
notes into a form that the system unit can process.
Keyboards ­Multitouch screens accept multiple-finger commands.
There are three basic categories of keyboards: virtual, lap-
top, and traditional. Mouse
• Virtual keyboards are primarily used with cell phones A mouse controls a pointer that is displayed on the moni-
and tablets. Does not have a physical keyboard. Keys tor. The mouse pointer usually appears in the shape of an
displayed on screen and selected by touching a key’s arrow. Some mice have a wheel button that rotates to
image. scroll through information on the monitor. A cordless or
• Laptop keyboards are used on laptop computers. wireless mouse uses radio waves or infrared light waves.
Smaller than traditional keyboard with fewer keys. A touch pad operates by touching or tapping a surface. It
Includes all the keys found on virtual keyboard plus is widely used instead of a mouse with laptops and some
extra keys, such as function and navigation keys. types of mobile devices.
• Traditional keyboards are used on desktop and larger
computers. Standard keyboard has 101 keys. Toggle Game Controllers
keys turn features on and off. Combination keys Game controllers provide input to computer games.
­perform actions when combinations of keys are held Widely used controllers include gaming mice, joysticks,
down. gamepads, and motion-sensing devices.

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These devices are translators for information into and out of the system unit. Input devices translate words, sounds, and
actions into symbols the system unit can process. Output devices translate symbols from the system unit into words,
images, and sounds that people can understand.

SCANNING DEVICES IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICES

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Stefano Garau/Shutterstock

Scanning devices move across text and images to convert Image-capturing devices create or capture original images.
them into a form that the system unit can process. These devices include digital cameras and webcams.

Optical Scanners Digital Cameras

An optical scanner (scanner) converts documents into Digital cameras record images digitally and store them on
machine-readable form. The four basic types are flatbed, a memory card or in the camera’s memory. Most digital
document, portable, and 3D. cameras record video too. Today, many digital cameras are
embedded in other devices, such as cell phones and tab-
Card Readers lets.
Card readers interpret encoded information located on a
variety of cards. The most common is the magnetic card Webcams
reader that reads information from a thin magnetic strip Webcams are specialized digital video cameras that cap-
on the back of a card. Chip cards contain microchips to ture images and send them to a computer for broadcast
encrypt data and improve security. over the Internet. Webcams are built into many cell
phones and tablets, while others are attached to the com-
Bar Code Readers puter monitor.
Bar code readers or scanners (either handheld wand read-
ers or platform scanners) read bar codes on products.
There are a variety of different codes, including the UPC
and MaxiCode.
AUDIO-INPUT DEVICES
Audio-input devices convert sounds into a form that can
RFID Readers be processed by the system unit. By far the most widely
RFID readers read RFID (radio-frequency identification) used audio-input device is the microphone.
tags. These tags are widely used for tracking lost pets, pro-
duction, and inventory and for recording prices and prod- Voice Recognition Systems
uct descriptions.
Voice recognition systems use a microphone, a sound
card, and special software. Siri, Cortana, and Google
Character and Mark Recognition Devices
Assistant are digital assistants that use voice recognition.
Character and mark recognition devices are scanners that
Specialized portable voice recorders are widely used by
are able to recognize special characters and marks. Three
doctors, lawyers, and others to record dictation. Some sys-
types are magnetic-ink character recognition (MICR),
tems are able to translate dictation from one language to
optical-character recognition (OCR), and optical-mark
another, such as from English to Japanese.
recognition (OMR).

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 MONITORS PRINTERS

Science Photo Library/Alamy Stock Photo

Adam Hester/Getty Images Printers translate information processed by the system

unit and present the information on paper.

Output is processed data or information. Output devices Features

are hardware used to provide or create output. Monitors Basic features include resolution measured in dpi (dots
(­display screens) are the most-used output device. per inch), color capability (most common black ink selec-
tion is grayscale), speed, memory, duplex (both sides of
Features paper) printing, and connectivity.
Monitor clarity is a function of resolution (matrix of p
­ ixels,
or picture elements), dot pitch, contrast ratio, active dis- Inkjet Printers
play area, and aspect ratio. Inkjet printers spray ink at high speed onto the surface of
paper. They are the most widely used type of printer, reli-
Flat-Panel Monitors able, quiet, and inexpensive. The most costly aspect of
Flat-panel monitors are the most widely used monitor. inkjet printers is replacing the ink cartridges.
Three basic types are LCD (liquid crystal display), LED
(light-emitting diode), and OLED (organic light-emitting Laser Printers
diode). Laser printers use technology similar to a photocopying
machine. There are two categories: personal and shared.
E-book Readers
E-books (electronic books) are traditional printed books 3D Printers
in electronic format. E-book readers (e-readers) store and 3D printers (additive manufacturing) create objects by
display e-books and other electronic media. They use adding layers of material onto one another. They have
e-ink technology. been available for decades; however, recent price reduc-
tions have increased their popularity.
Other Monitors
Other types of monitors include: Other Printers
• Digital (interactive) whiteboards are specialized There are several other types of printers, including cloud
devices with a large display connected to a computer printers (Google Cloud Print is a cloud printing service),
or projector. thermal printers (use heat elements to produce images on
• Flexible screens allow digital devices to display images heat-sensitive paper), and plotters (use data from graphics
on nonflat surfaces. tablets and other graphical devices).
• Digital projectors project the images from a traditional
monitor onto a screen or wall.

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AUDIO-OUTPUT DEVICES ERGONOMICS

Dmitriy Melnikov/123RF

Ergonomics is the study of human factors related to things

people use.

Recommendations
Some recommendations to avoid physical discomfort asso-
ciated with heavy computer use:
IVAN ROSHCHUPKIN/Shutterstock • To avoid eyestrain and headache, take a 15-minute
break every hour, keep everything you’re focusing on
at the same distance, and clean the screen periodically.
Audio-output devices translate audio information from • To avoid back and neck pain, use adjustable equip-
the computer into sounds that people can understand. The ment; adjust chairs for height, angle, and back sup-
most widely used are speakers and headphones. These port; position monitors at eye level or slightly below.
devices connect either by cable to an audio jack on the sys- Use a footrest, if necessary, to reduce leg fatigue.
tem unit or by a wireless connection. Bluetooth technology • To avoid repetitive strain injury (RSI) and carpal
is widely used to connect wireless devices. ­tunnel syndrome, use ergonomically correct key-
boards; take frequent, short rest breaks; and gently
massage hands.
COMBINATION INPUT AND OUTPUT
DEVICES Portable Computers
The design of portable computers presents ergonomic
Combination devices combine input and output capabili- challenges.
ties. Devices within this category include:
• Laptops do not allow correct positioning of keyboard
• Headsets combine the functionality of microphones and screen; raise level of laptop and use external key-
and headphones; integral part of serious video game board.
systems.
• Tablets with virtual keyboards cause improper align-
• Multifunctional devices (MFDs) typically combine ment of user’s head; take frequent breaks, move while
capabilities of scanner, printer, fax, and copy machine. working, use cover or stand, use external keyboard.
• Virtual reality (VR) creates 3D-simulated immersive • Cell phones require extensive use of thumbs; keep
experiences. VR hardware includes head-mounted wrists straight, head up, and shoulders straight and
displays and controllers. use other fingers.
• Drones (unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs) take input
from a controller and send output video and sound to
the user.
• Robots use cameras, microphones, and other sensors as
CAREERS in IT
inputs; outputs can be as complex as exploring dam- Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, technical
aged nuclear reactors to as simple as taking a photo. reports, and other documents. An associate’s or a bache-
lor’s degree in communication, journalism, or English and
a specialization in, or familiarity with, a technical field are
required. Expected salary range is $43,000 to $88,000.

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 KEY TERMS
3D printer (147) Google Cloud Print (147) pixel (143)
3D scanner (139) grayscale (146) pixel pitch (143)
active display area (143) handwriting recognition platform scanner (140)
additive software (138) plotter (148)
manufacturing (147) headphone (148) pointing device (138)
aspect ratio (143) headset (148) portable scanner (139)
bar code (140) immersive experience (149) printer (146)
bar code reader (140) inkjet printer (147) repetitive strain injury
bar code scanner (140) input (136) (RSI) (153)
Bluetooth (148) input device (136) resolution (monitor) (143)
card reader (140) interactive whiteboard (145) resolution (printer) (146)
carpal tunnel joystick (139) RFID reader (141)
syndrome (153) keyboard (136) RFID (radio-frequency
chip card (140) laptop keyboard (137) identification) tag (141)
clarity (143) laser printer (147) robot (152)
cloud printer (147) light-emitting diode scanner (139)
combination key (137) (LED) (144) scanning device (139)
connectivity (146) liquid crystal display shared laser printer (147)
contrast ratio (143) (LCD) (144) speaker (148)
cordless mouse (138) magnetic card reader (140) stylus (138)
digital camera (141) magnetic-ink character technical writer (154)
digital projector (145) recognition (MICR) (141) thermal printer (148)
digital whiteboard (145) MaxiCode (140) toggle key (137)
display screen (143) monitor (143) touch pad (138)
document scanner (139) motion-sensing device (139) touch screen (138)
dot pitch (143) mouse (138) traditional keyboard (137)
dots per inch (dpi) (146) mouse pointer (138) Universal Product Code
drone (149) multifunctional device (UPC) (140)
duplex printing (146) (MFD) (149) unmanned aerial vehicle
e-book reader (144) multitouch screen (138) (UAV) (149)
e-book (144) optical scanner (139) virtual keyboard (137)
e-ink (144) optical-character virtual reality (VR) (149)
electronic book (144) recognition (OCR) (141) voice recognition
e-reader (144) optical-mark recognition system (142)
ergonomics (152) (OMR) (141) VR controller (149)
flatbed scanner (139) organic light-emitting diode VR head-mounted
flat-panel monitor (144) (OLED) (144) display (149)
flexible screen (145) output (143) wand reader (140)
game controller (138) output device (143) webcam (142)
gamepad (139) personal laser printer (147) wheel button (138)
gaming mouse (139) picture element (143) wireless mouse (138)

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MULTIPLE CHOICE
Circle the correct answer.

1. A bar code system used by many electronic cash registers.

a. RSI c. FDIC
b. UPC d. RFID
2. This device records images digitally on a memory card or in its memory.
a. digital camera c. laser
b. MaxiCode d. ergonomics
3. Pressing this key turns a feature on or off.
a. QWERTY c. toggle key
b. liquid crystal d. MICR
4. These are special-purpose printers for creating maps, images, and architectural and
engineering drawings.
a. plotters c. e-book readers
b. headsets d. whiteboards
5. Another name for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
a. OMR c. liquid crystal
b. drone d. ergonomics
6. A penlike device commonly used with tablets, PC, and PDAs.
a. UPC c. handheld wand
b. stylus d. monitor
7. An input device that controls a pointer that is displayed on the monitor.
a. handheld wand c. mouse
b. dot pitch d. RFID
8. A monitor feature that is measured by the diagonal length of the viewing area.
a. MaxiCode c. resolution
b. HDTV d. active display area
9. Bar code readers use either handheld wand readers or platform _____.
a. scanners c. OLED
b. resolution rate d. multitouch
10. The distance between each pixel.
a. resolution c. dot pitch
b. ergonomics d. LCD

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 MATCHING
Match each numbered item with the most closely related lettered item. Write your answers in
the spaces provided.

a. QWERTY 1. Flatbed and document are types of _____.

b. mouse 2. The most widely used audio-input device.
c. multitouch 3. The monitor feature that indicates the ability
d. scanners to display by comparing the light intensity of
e. MICR the brightest white to the darkest black.
f. microphone 4. Most keyboards use this arrangement of keys.
g. contrast ratio 5. Virtual reality strives to create this type of
experience.
h. e-book readers
6. This is the study of human factors related to
i. immersive
the things people use.
j. ergonomics
7. The device that controls a pointer displayed
on the monitor.
8. The type of screen that can be touched with
more than one finger and supports zooming
in and out by pinching and stretching your
fingers.
9. Mobile devices able to store and display elec-
tronic media.
10. Device used by banks to automatically read
those unusual numbers on the bottom of
checks and deposit slips.

OPEN-ENDED
On a separate sheet of paper, respond to each question or statement.

1. Define input and input devices.

2. Describe the different types of keyboard, pointing, scanning, image capturing, and
audio-input devices.
3. Define output and output devices.
4. Describe the features and different types of monitors and printers.
5. Describe audio-output devices, including Bluetooth technology.
6. Discuss combination input and output devices, including multifunctional devices, head-
sets, drones, robots, and virtual reality head-mounted display and controllers.
7. Define ergonomics, describe ways to minimize physical discomfort, and discuss design
issues with portable computers.

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