INPUT DEVICES

Input device is any hardware component that allows a user to enter data and instructions into a computer.
Any peripheral used to provide data and control signals to a computer. Without any input devices, a computer
would only be a display device and not allow users to interact with it. Before computer processing, data must be
entered into the computer by an input device so that they can be translated into machine readable form.
Some input devices include the following: Keyboard, Mouse, Joy Stick, Light pen, Track Ball, Scanner,
Graphic Tablet, Microphone, Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR), Optical Character Reader (OCR), Bar Code
Reader Optical Mark Reader (OMR), etc.
Keyboard
Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps in inputting data to the 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.
Mouse
The mouse is a device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. The mouse is
important for graphical user interfaces because user can simply point to options and objects and click a mouse
button.
Touchpad

A touchpad is a small, touch-sensitive pad used as a pointing device on some portable computers. By moving a
finger or other object along the pad, you can move the pointer on the display screen.

Touch screen

A touch screen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the
display area.

Trackball
A trackball is a mouse lying on its back. To move the pointer, you rotate the ball with your thumb, your fingers,
or the palm of your hand. It does not require much space to use it.

Light Pen

A light pen is a computer input device in the form of a light sensitive pen used in conjunction with a computer's
CRT display. It allows the user to point to displayed objects or draw on the screen in a similar way to a touch
screen but with greater positional accuracy.
Stylus
A stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device
or graphics tablet.
Joystick
A joystick allows an individual to move an object in a game such as navigating a plane in a flight simulator.
A gamepad, game controller, joypad, or video game controller is a peripheral device designed to be connected
to a computer or console gaming system. It has multiple buttons and may have one or two mini joysticks.
Digital Camera
A camera that stores the pictures or video it takes in electronic format instead of to film.
Webcam
A webcam is a 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.
Optical Scanner
An optical scanner is a 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.
Barcode Reader
A barcode reader or scanner is a hardware device capable of reading a barcode and printing out the details of
the product or logging that product into a database.

Microphone
A microphone is a hardware peripheral that allows computer users to input audio into their computers.
Structure of the Keyboard
Keyboards are of two sizes 84 keys or 101/102 keys, but now keyboards with 104 keys or 108 keys are also
available for Windows. A standard computer keyboard is called a QWERTY keyboard because of the layout of
its typing area which is similar to that of a typewriter.
Keyboards will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but generally have the following areas:

Function Keys: These keys are assigned a special task or function. Here is a sample of common function keys
and associated tasks.
F1 Get Help or visit Microsoft Office Online
F5 Find and replace
F7 Choose the Spelling command (Review tab)
F8 Usually used with LCD projector/dual monitor device.
F10 Show Key Tips
F12 Choose the Save As command (Microsoft Office Button)
Function keys are also used in combination with the Shift, Alt, and Ctrl keys. (For a list of Function keys and
combination commands, click Help feature of your program. Enter shortcut keys. Click Keyboard shortcuts for
Microsoft Office.)
Typewriter Keys: letters, numbers, and punctuation keys. Additional keys include the space bar, shift key (for
capital letters and top symbol on keys), and Caps Lock key for a series of capital letters. Press the Enter key to
begin a new paragraph in a word processor program (also the same as clicking the OK button in a dialog box)
The Spacebar separates a series of letters and/or numbers into Standard English text.
Cursor Control Keys: also called arrow keys, which move your text cursor in the direction of the arrow.
Numeric Keypad: similar to a calculator for entering numbers and doing mathematical operations quickly and
easily. (You may also have a calculator shortcut key on your keyboard.)
Combination Keys:
1. Shift Key: The Shift key is used to make capital letters or to access the punctuation and other symbols on
the number keys and other keys. (Also used in combination with function and/or ctrl keys.)
2. The Alt key: It is used in combination with the command keys for special functions such as Ctrl+Alt+Dlt
for task manager or ALT+F4 Exit Office Word 2007
3. Control key: It used in combination with other command keys. CTRL+F10 will maximize the document
window. .
4. Caps Lock: The Shift key is used for a single capital letter and the Caps Lock could be used for emphasis
or to create a title. (If you press the Shift key while the Caps Lock is on, the letters will return to normal.)
Helpful Keys
1. Windows key: Shortcut for the start menu.
2. PrtScn/SysRq Print Screen: pressing print screen will capture the entire screen, while pressing the alt key
in combination with print screen will capture the currently selected window.
3. Esc Escape: shortcut in dialog boxes for No, Quit, Exit, Cancel, or Abort, as well as a common shortcut
key for the Stop button in many web browsers.
Others are:
i. Navigation keys: Arrow keys, Page Up/Page Down, Home, and End are convenient to move your cursor to
the desired location.
ii. Backspace: Erases text to the left of the cursor for each time you click on the key.
iii. Delete: Erases text to the right of the cursor for each time you click on the key. Or click and drag your
cursor over a line(s) of text to select the text and click Delete. All the selected text will be deleted.
Types of Mouse
a) Mechanical Mouse: Mechanical mouse contains a rubber or metal ball inside it. The movement of the
cursor depends on the movement of the ball. This mouse is normally used on mouse pad. Mouse pad is a- small
flat pad made of rubber or foam to provide easy movement for the mouse. It protects the mouse from dust and
dirt.
b) Optical Mouse
Optical mouse contains no ball inside it. It uses a device that emits light to detect the mouse movement. Optical
sensor or laser is used in these types of mouse. It is more expensive than mechanical mouse.
c) Wireless Mouse
Wireless or cordless mouse is a type of mouse that does not require a wire to work. It transmits data using
wireless technology like radio waves or infrared light waves. The receiver is connected to the computer through
a serial or USB port.
Parts of a Computer Mouse
The parts of a computer mouse can vary by the type of computer mouse. Below is a general overview of the
parts found on most computer mice.
1. Buttons
2. Ball, Laser, or LED
3. Mouse wheel
4. Circuit board
5. Cable or wireless receiver
Functions of the mouse
The primary function of the mouse is to move the mouse cursor on the screen. Others include;
1. To open or execute program - Once you've moved the cursor to an icon, folder, or other
object clicking or double clicking that object opens the document or executes the program.
2. To select - A mouse also allows you to select text or a file or highlight and select multiple files at once.
3. To drag-and-drop - Once something is selected it can also be moved using the drag-and-drop method.
4. To hover - Moving the mouse cursor over objects with additional hover information can help discover the
function of each object on the screen. For example, hover the mouse over the hover link to see an example.
5. To scroll - When working with a long document or viewing a long web page you may need to scroll up or
down which can be done using the mouse wheel or clicking and dragging the scroll bar.

Differences between Mouse and Keyboard