Input Devices in Computers
An input device is defined as a peripheral device utilized to send data to a computer. These devices enable users to interact with computers by providing instructions and data. The computer processes this information by converting commands into electronic signals that it can understand, display, store, or transmit. A common example of an input device is the keyboard.
Key Input Devices in Computers
Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the primary input devices, featuring a variety of keys that include letters, numbers, arrows, and additional function keys. It connects to desktop computers via USB or Bluetooth. In laptops, the keyboard is typically integrated to save space. In smartphones and tablets, virtual keyboards appear on the screen when users need to input text messages.
Mouse
The mouse serves as an input device that transmits commands by moving the pointer on the screen, allowing interaction with files, windows, and other software elements. Mice can be either optical or ball-type, and may come in wired or wireless formats. While the mouse is commonly necessary for operating computer systems, touch-screen devices like tablets do not require one.
Other Input Units
Additional input devices include:
- Scanner: This input device operates similarly to a camera, capturing essential information from documents and converting it into a digital format that can be stored on the computer. Users can edit scanned images before printing them.
- Microphone: The microphone is crucial for inputting sound by recording the user’s voice. It stores this audio and converts it into a digital format.
- Joystick: Functioning similarly to a mouse, a joystick is used to maneuver the pointer on the display screen.
- Graphic Tablet: This pointing device resembles a pen and is primarily used for drawing on the screen. It consists of light-sensitive cells and an optical system.
- Trackball: The trackball substitutes the mouse in portable devices, allowing users to move the screen pointer by rolling their fingers on the visible half-sphere.
- Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Reader (MICR): Typically used in banking, this reader scans checks printed with a special magnetic ink that contains particles readable by the device.
- Barcode Reader: This device reads the barcode data on products, scanning the barcode and converting it into alphanumeric values, which are then sent to the connected computer.