Chapter 3

Input Devices

1.Barcode Scanners (Readers)

➔ Barcodes are a series of dark and light parallel lines that represent numbers from 0
to 9
➔ Barcode numbers are looked up in the stock database, and item details are sent
back to checkout
➔ Scanning allows automatic stock control and finding new values of stock items
➔ Benefits of using barcodes for the store management include
easy and fast updates, automatic stock control, and time-saving.
➔ Benefits of using barcodes for customers include faster
checkout queues, less errors in charging, itemised bills, cost savings
visibility, and better track keeping of "sell by” dates

How is a barcode scanned?

1 A barcode scanner emits a red laser on LED in the barcode

2 The black and white parts of the barcode reflect light differently (The black parts
reflect little to no light, whereas the light parts reflect almost all of it)

3 White is 0 and Black is 1

4 This reflected light is captured by the sensors in the barcode scanner

5 A pattern is generated and it is converted into digital data

What happens after barcode once reads ??

• the barcode number is looked up in the stock database; this key field uniquely
identifies each stock item
• when the barcode number is found, the stock item record is looked up
• the price and other stock item details are sent back to the checkout (or point of
sale terminal (POS))
• the number of stock items in the record is reduced by 1 each time the barcode is read
• this new value for number of stock is written back to the stock item record
• the number of stock items is compared to the re-order level; if it is less than or equal to
this value, more stock items are automatically ordered.
• once an order for more stock items is generated, a flag is added to the record to
stop re-ordering every time the stock item barcode is read
• when new stock items arrive, the stock levels are updated in the database.
2.Quick response (QR) codes
Quick Response (QR) code is a made up of a matrix of filled-in dark squares on a light
background. A QR code consists of a block of small squares (light and dark) known as
pixels.

Features of QR codes:

1.QR code can hold up to 4296 characters (or more than 7000 digits)

2.It allows internet addresses to be encoded within the QR code.

3.The structure of the QR code becomes more complex if more and more data can added,

*** Only 30 digits that is the maximum for a barcode.

The purpose of the three large squares at the corners of the QR code.

The three large squares at the corners of the code function as a form of alignment ;
the remaining small corner square is used to ensure the correct size and correct angle of the
camera shot when the QR code is read.

Uses of QR codes [applications for QR codes]

v advertising products.- Packaging , Promotional materials ,Warehouses.

v giving automatic access to a website or contact telephone number.
v storing boarding passes electronically at airports and train stations

Working of QR code by a phone or tablet camera

v the app in the phone process the image taken by the camera, converting the squares
into readable data.
v the browser software on the mobile phone automatically reads the data generated by the
app; it will also decode any web addresses contained within the QR code.
v the user will then be sent to a website automatically .
v if the QR code contained a boarding pass, this will be automatically sent to the
phone/tablet.

How are QR codes scanned?

1 Point a phone camera towards the QR code

2 The app will process the image taken by the camera by converting it into a readable format.

3 White squares reflect lighter while black squares reflect less light

4 Each pixel/small square will be converted to a binary value

5 Data will be read and necessary action will be taken by the phone (e.g. Redirects to a
website, phone app will be opened if a telephone number was within the QR code
Benefits of QR codes

1.QR code can hold much more information than Barcode.

2.There will be fewer errors

3.QR codes are easier to read; they don't need expensive laser or LED scanners like
barcodes - they can be read by the cameras on smartphones or tablets

4.It is easy to transmit QR codes either as text messages or images

5.It is also possible to encrypt QR codes which gives them greater protection than traditional
barcodes.

Drawbacks of QR codes

Ø Changing the data alters the pattern, so not suitable for information that changes
regularly, e.g. prices.
Ø People need a device (and software) that can read the QR code
Ø More than one QR format is available
Ø QR codes can be used to transmit malicious codes - known as attagging.

Difference between QR codes and Barcode bar

QR code Barcode
It is made up of a matrix of filled-in dark It is a series of dark and light parallel
squares on a light background. lines of varying thickness. Ω

It holds the data or information It holds the data or information

horizontally and vertically. horizontally.

QR code has more data storage(more Barcode has less data storage( can hold
than 7000 digits) as compared to the 30 digits only)
Barcode.

Barcode in different stores to track all QR code used at super markets and
purchased products and also in hospitals different stores to track all purchased
for tracking the patient record etc. products and also used in hospitals,
cinema halls etc.

3.Digital Camera
A digital camera is an input device that captures images (and sometimes video)
digitally. Digital cameras use an image sensor chip to capture the image, rather than the film
used by a traditional camera.

Advantage:
1. -no processing delay
2. -easier and quicker to edit
3. -a backup copy can be made of any digital images taken
4. -can be shared easily
Disadvantage:
a. -uses a lot of power
b. -if the memory card gets corrupted, photos can be lost and deleted
c. -if user has lots of images, they may need more additional storage space so
they
d. need an SD card that can store lots of images.

Working of digital camera with diagram:

When an image is taken, light passes through the lens onto a light-sensitive cell
made up of millions of tiny sensors acting as photodiodes

The sensors are called pixels, which make up the image

The image is converted into tiny electric charges using Charged Coupled Device
(CCD) and passed through an ADC to form a digital image array

The ADC converts the electric charges from each pixel into levels of brightness

The sensors also measure colour, which produces another binary pattern. Most
cameras use a 24-bit RGB system

The file size is determined by the number of pixels, and image quality depends on
the device used, the resolution, the levels of light, and the storage type of the
image

4.Keyboards
Keyboards are the most common method used for data entry. The keyboard is connected
to the computer either by using a USB connection or by wireless connection.

Each character on a keyboard has an ASCII value. Each character pressed is converted
into a digital signal, which the computer interprets.

They are a relatively slow method of data entry and are also prone to errors, however
keyboards are probably still the easiest way to enter text into a computer.
 Advantages and disadvantages of a Keyboard

Advantages Disadvantages

Most computers come with a keyboard It is easy to make mistakes when typing
supplied in data
People are used to using keyboards to If you can't touch type, it can be time
enter data, they need very little training consuming to enter data
A skilled typist can enter data very Keyboards are not suitable for creating
quickly diagrams
Specialist keyboards are available e.g. Disabled people often find keyboards
ergonomic, gaming keyboards difficult to use
Excessive use can lead to health
problems such as repetitive strain injury
(R.S.I.)

Frequent use of keyboard can lead to injuries in the hands and wrists. Write the
name of that state and how to overcome this problem ?

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Ergonomic keyboards can help to overcome this
problem because it designed to give more support to the wrists and hands when doing
a lot of typing.

Describe how the computer recognises a letter pressed on the keyboard with a neat
diagram:

1 There is a circuit board at the base of the keys, composed of conductive layers with an
insulating layer present between them.

2 A character key is pressed. Now, as there is a gap between the conductive layers right below
the character; the conductive layers touch each other when the character is pressed. This
completes a circuit.

3 When the circuit is completed, the CPU/microprocessor determines which character’s key was
pressed

4 CPU refers to an index file to identify which character key was pressed by the user

5 Each character on the keyboard has a corresponding ASCII value, which also has a binary
value

6 This binary value can be processed by the CPU to, for example, show up on the screen