Computers are essential for this technological era. They are helping people in
almost every field and making life easier. We cannot think of a world without
computers because they are working efficiently and with incredible speed. We
cannot communicate with a computer without an input device. Although the
computer can work on its own, we will neither be able to modify its settings
nor add new data to the computer.
This article covers most of the input devices of a computer. Before discussing
computer input devices, let's first understand the definition of an input
device:
Definition of Input Device
An input device is essentially a piece of instrument or hardware that allows
users to provide data, information, or control instructions to a computer used
for interaction and control. Data is entered into a computer in a raw format, which is converted into computer understandable language by input devices and processed by a central processing unit (CPU) to produce output.
In simple terms, an input device is a kind of peripheral device that helps
communicate with processing units of the computer.
Note: Input devices and Input Units are the same things. They are two
similar terms used in different ways by different people. They are also known
as peripheral or auxiliary devices.
What are the Input Devices?
Feeding instructions or data into a computer machine is done using hardware
devices. During the process, the data is referred to as the
input to a computer machine while
the device or hardware device used to input the data is referred to as the
input device or
input unit.
The input devices can be divided into different categories, such as pointing
devices, keyboard devices, speech or voice input devices, draw devices,
recognition devices, etc. The most common input devices of a computer system are listed below:
Computer Input Devices
Functions of Input Devices
Because input devices perform essential functions for computers, they are
considered as parts of computer systems. They are electro-mechanical devices
that help users input raw data into a computer. However, computers do not
understand data in raw formats. Therefore, input devices convert raw data into
the appropriate format or language that can be easily understood by a
computer. The translated or converted data is stored in primary memory and
sent to the CPU for further processing.
In other words, the computer accepts raw input from users and translates the
received input into machine language with the help of input devices. This is
the primary function of the input device on the computer.
Examples of Input Devices
Several types of input devices are available to enter raw data into a
computer. Each device has its own function, benefits, and drawbacks. The
following are examples of commonly used input devices:
Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the primary input devices, which helps in entering data
and commands in a computer. The layout of the keyboard is almost identical to
a traditional typewriter with additional keys that help in performing specific
tasks. A normal keyboard usually has a variety of keys, such as alphabetic
character keys, function keys, number keys, arrow keys, and control keys.
The keyboard can be connected to a computer using USB (for a wired keyboard)
or Bluetooth (for a wireless keyboard). There is no specific rule for defining
the number of keys; however, most keyboards come in two sizes - 84 keys or
101/102 keys. Nowadays many major brands are also making keyboards with 104
keys or 108 keys for Windows.
Laptops come with inbuilt, more compact keyboards, which help make the laptop
smaller and lighter. Besides, most modern devices (such as smartphones,
tablets, and convertible touch screen laptops) come with on-screen virtual
keyboards that help to input the data into a computer. Most English language
keyboards have a QWERTY layout. Before the keyboard, punch cards and paper
tape were used to enter data and commands into computers.
Mouse
A mouse is the most common and very popular pointing device that helps
interact with a computer through a process called 'point and click'. This is
mainly used to move a cursor on the computer's screen and click on the
corresponding object using its buttons (usually left, right, and middle key
roller buttons).
The left button helps select items while the right button helps display menus.
The scroll wheel mainly helps to move the scrollbar up and down while surfing
the web or reading documents. Some advanced mouse may also have additional
buttons to perform specific tasks. Like the keyboard, the mouse can be both
wired and wireless.
Previously, the mouse used an integrated ball and roller, known as a
mechanical mouse, to track the cursor move. The modern mouse uses optical
technology (laser) to control or track the movements of the cursor; such a
mouse is called an optical mouse.
Joystick
Joysticks are widely used to play games on a computer. They help control the
characters and vehicles of the game. It can be a standalone device or can be
included with multiple buttons and triggers to add options to perform more
in-game features.
It can also be used as a pointing device like a mouse. Essentially, a joystick
is a handle that has a spherical ball at both ends (upper and lower). It can
be moved in all four directions, and its angle or moving direction is sent to
the computer as data.
Touchpad
The touchpad, also known as a trackpad, is an input device that is primarily
integrated with a laptop. It is a pointing device like a surface that can
detect the movements of our fingers and move the pointer accordingly. It is
nothing but a common alternative to a mouse and also helps to make computer
devices compact, small, and lightweight.
Touchpads were introduced mainly for laptops in the year 1990. Almost all
modern laptops come with a touchpad that helps to perform mouse functions.
Light Pen
A light pen is another pointing device that has the same structure as a pen.
It is a light-sensitive device consisting of a photocell and an optical system
placed in a small tube. It is mainly used to select on-screen items, draw
pictures, and write independently in document files using a computer screen.
When the tip of the light pen is moved on the computer screen and the button
on the pen is pressed, the photocell sensing element detects the screen
location and sends the corresponding signal to the CPU. This helps the CPU
detect pointer movements and clicks.
Track Ball
The trackball is a pointing device that is used to perform similar tasks as a
mouse. However, its mechanical structure is slightly different from that of
the mouse. Unlike a mouse, the trackball does not need to be moved around the
surface. Instead, the user is required to rotate a ball by turning the
fingers, which moves the pointer accordingly. The ball is inserted halfway
into an instrument and may contain various shapes, such as a ball, square, or
button.
Because the trackball does not need to be moved around the surface, it can be
perfect for low-lying areas. A trackball also has buttons to perform certain
functions like a mouse. Trackballs may be stand-alone devices or may be
attached to a keyboard, notebook, or laptop computer instead of a mouse.
Scanner
A scanner is an essential input device that allows us to convert a hard copy
document into a digital file (.jpeg, .png, .pdf, etc.). It basically uses
optical technology that reads characters or pictures from a paper and
transfers them to a computer's drive for further manipulation. Like other
images, the scanned image can also be saved, edited, emailed, and printed
whenever we want.
Scanners can be of different types, depending on the different functionality.
Some common types of scanners include a photo scanner, flatbed scanner, drum
scanner, sheet-fed scanner, handheld scanner, etc.
Graphic Tablet
A graphic tablet, also known as a digitizer, is primarily used to digitally
transform hand-drawn artwork (.png, .jpeg, etc.). It is an input device with a
flat surface and comes with a stylus. Users can use a stylus to draw graphics
on a surface like we draw something on paper using a pen or pencil.
The digitizer reads the signals and converts graphics to binary input. The
same drawing is displayed on a computer screen in real-time and can be saved,
edited, emailed, or printed. Besides, digitizers can also be used to
signatures or texts as handwritten texts or computer-typed texts.
Stylus
A stylus is an input device used to draw or write on the surface of digitizers
and touch-screens. It was mainly introduced for digitizers and PDAs; however,
nowadays people are using a stylus with smartphones and tablets instead of
fingers. This is because it can result in better accuracy, and prevent oil and
scratches on the surface of the device from the user's fingers.
Touchscreen
Touchscreens are widely used due to the use of portable devices, such as
smartphones, notebooks, tablets, laptops, etc. Touch screens allow users to
input anything from moving or copying any object. Users can perform tasks
using only their fingers or stylus.
A touch screen is nothing but a touch-sensitive surface or monitor screen that
reads the signals of movement of the user's fingers and performs certain tasks
accordingly. This can be seen nowadays in most devices, such as smartphones,
cameras, GPS screens, smartwatches, laptops, etc.
Microphone
A microphone, also known as a mic, is a type of voice input device that allows
users to input voice into a computer system. Mics typically read sounds from
the surroundings and convert analog sound waves into electrical signals. These
signals are further converted into digital form and stored in the computer.
Mics are used for many purposes, such as adding sound to a presentation,
chatting while online gaming, video conferencing, voice calling, recording,
voice recognition, and more. They can be of different types, depending on the
quality and specific functionality. Some common types of microphones include a
dynamic mic, ribbon mic, condenser mic, etc.
Digital Camera
A digital camera is an input device that is used to capture images and video
in digital form. This allows users to store the captured media files in a
memory card and transfer them to the computer. Digital cameras use an image
sensor chip to capture images rather than the film used by traditional cameras
of the old days.
Digital cameras are widely used nowadays. Many advanced digital cameras also
come with a screen that displays captured media as well as allows for many
other options, such as preview, zoom, delete, send, and more.
Webcam
Webcam can capture images and videos and convert them into a digital form. A
webcam is slightly different from a digital camera. Unlike digital cameras,
webcams cannot operate independently. They should be connected to a computer.
Also, webcams have no inbuilt memory; they use the computer's storage to save
captured data.
Webcams are most commonly used for video chatting and live-streaming videos.
Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR)
MICR is a device that typically reads characters or texts that are printed on
paper using ink that contains particles of magnetic material. This device is
mainly used in banks to read the cheque number and bank code and to send a
signal to the computer to process a valid cheque. This reading process is
known as magnetic ink character recognition.
The MICR input device is very helpful for processing a large number of cheques
in a short duration and that too with almost 100% accuracy.
Optical Character Reader (OCR)
OCR is an input device used to read the handwritten or printed text and
convert them to digital text. This device reads text optically, character by
character, and converts the text into digital form to be stored in a computer.
It is mostly used in libraries and offices to copy texts from books and save
them digitally.
OCR scans the documents like a scanner and then converts them into two colored
bitmap versions (usually black and white). The light scanned areas are
considered as background, while dark areas are considered as characters.
Bar Code Reader
A bar code reader, also known as a barcode scanner, is an input device used to
read bar codes. Barcodes are data written as dark and light lines. Barcodes
are usually printed on various items for labeling details. It is also known as
a POS (point of sale) scanner.
The bar code reader scans the bar code image using light, which is then
reflected and translated into an analog signal. The signals are then decoded
and transformed into alphanumeric values to be stored in a computer connected
to a barcode reader. This ultimately helps in identifying product details and
prices from the database.
QR Code Reader
The QR code reader, also known as the QR code scanner, is an input device used
to read QR codes. QR codes are computer-generated patterns that store or hold
a modest amount of data. They do not require a database to store information
separately. QR code readers are almost identical in functionalities to bar
code readers.
Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
The OMR is a type of input device that optically scans the paper and
identifies the mark created using a pencil and pen. It is mainly used to
verify answers from answer sheets, which include answers to multiple-choice
questions.
Biometric Devices
Biometric devices are used to input a person's scanned data based on
biological characteristics, such as facial structures, fingerprints, eye
corneas, etc. Most modern smartphones come with the feature of Face Unlock and
Fingerprint Unlock, making them a biometric device. However, they can also be
standalone devices.
Motion Capturing Devices
These are the devices used to detect human movements and send them as input to
the computer. Such devices are mostly used in advanced gaming setups, which
allow players to play a game by moving their body parts accordingly. This
technique is also beneficial in animation and robotics.
Note: There are many more input devices used on computers for
performing specific purposes. Some other input devices are Interactive whiteboard, Paddle, Steering wheel, Light gun, VR, Remote, Gesture
recognition devices, etc.
Summary
This article covers 20 examples of input devices used for computers, including their names, pictures, and functions of each. The primary function of an input device is to convert raw
data given by users to machine language because computers only understand
machine language and not raw input. The input device is known as the
electro-mechanical component of a computer system.
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