Chapter 2: Input, Output and Memory devices

Input devices:
• Peripheral device used to input data to the computer
• Converts human understandable formats to machine understandable form (0’s and
1’s)
• Coverts data into computer understandable format
• Input device connects computer to external world

Keyboard:
1. Most commonly used input device
2. Keyboard has alphanumeric keys, punctuations keys, functional keys and special
character keys.
3. Keyboard detects the keys pressed and generates corresponding ASCII code for the
computer to recognize.

Types of keyboards
1. Standard keyboard:
a) Has separate numeric pad.
b) Total keys range from 105 to 108
c) Also called QWERTY keyboard.

2. Ergonomic Keyboard:
Specially designed keyboard to avoid stress on the muscles, joint or organ called
carpel tunnel syndrome.

3. Wireless keyboard:
Uses wireless technology such as Bluetooth, infrared or Radio frequency to connect
to the computer. Wireless keyboard with radio frequency uses a transmitter to be
connected to computer.

4. Virtual Keyboard:
a) Software keyboard that enables to input data
b) User can input data by using mouse or by touch screen
c) Used in tablet or smart phone
d) Used for security purpose- entry associated with password or PIN

5. Compact Keyboard:
a) Slim and do not have numeric keypad
b) It has touchpad which is used as mouse
c) It has many keys with multiple functions
d) Used in laptops and notebooks

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Mouse:
• Input device controls the cursor on the screen
• Mouse is rolled or navigated on the flat surface to move cursor on the screen
• Mouse has track ball or IR ray kept inside and touches pad through a small hole in
the bottom
• When mouse is moved, ball rolls or IR ray position is changed. This movement is
converted into electrical signal and sent to the computer to move cursor.
• Mouse has two buttons called right and left button used to select options
Types: Manual Mouse, Scroll Mouse, USB Mouse, wireless mouse

Joystick:
• Input device consisting of lever. The movement of the lever controls the pointer on
the screen.
• Used in video games. Also used to control machines like cranes, trucks, surveillance
cameras, lawn movers

Scanner:
Scanner is an input device that coverts graphics and text to computer understandable digital
form using light.

OMR- Optical Mark Reading and Recognition

• Uses OMR sheet-a specially printed forms with boxes to shade with pencil or ink
• OMR scanner reads the OMR sheet information and transmits the information into
electrical signal to the computer
• Used for surveys, objective type competitive exams etc.

OCR- Optical Character Recognition

• OCR is an input technology permits direct reading of character without any shading
or ink
• Light from OCR reader scans the books and transmits the character to word
processor
• Used for direct scanning of books

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Advantages of OCR

• Eliminates the human effort of transcription

• OCR is economical for large volume document scan
• No requirement of skilled staff as the documents needs to handwritten or typed
Disadvantages of OCR
• Only certain types of printed or handwritten characters are recognized
• Relatively high-priced equipment, not economically for less volume
• Slight damage to paper or document cause reader to reject character.

MICR- Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

• Input device which reads numbers printed using special magnetic ink
• Used read cheque numbers in bank
• Technology avoids errors and frauds in banks and also saves time
• Reader reads the number and communicates the information to the computer
connected to it
Advantages of MICR

• Automated and reliable source data entry

• MICR print can read by both human beings and MICR reader
• Irrespective of damage to cheque, MICR reader reads to some extent
Disadvantages of MICR
• MICR is not fully automatic. Amount mentioned in the cheque as to be entered
manually
• Damaged cheques to be encoded manually.

Output device:
• Peripheral device used to print or display results or information
• Converts machine understandable ( 0’s and 1’s) formats to human understandable
form
• Coverts data into human understandable format
• Output device connects computer to external world

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 Chapter 2: Input, Output and Memory devices

Output devices are chosen based on following points

• Suitable for application
• Speed at which output is required
• Format of output – printed, display etc
• Cost of the method chosen

Monitor:
• Most commonly used output device
• Also called as VDU -Visual display unit
• Used to display both text and graphic images
• Size of the viewable screen is measured diagonally- larger the size more expensive is
the monitor
• Pixel is the term used in monitors called “picture element”-smallest unit on the
screen which can be turned OFF or ON
• Quality of monitor is measured by parameter called resolution
• Resolution = Max no. of pixels horizontally X Max no. of pixels vertically
Ex: 1024x768, 640x480. Unit for resolution is DPI – dots per inch
• Refresh rate is parameter used with monitors which indicates refreshing speed of
monitor. If refresh rate is less human eye can see flicking of monitor. Standard
refresh rates are 50Hz, 72Hz and 75Hz.
Types of monitor: CRT, LCD, TFT, LED, OLED, AMOLED etc..

Printers
• Output device that produces text and graphics on a physical medium such as paper.
• Printed paper is called as HARD COPY
• Based technology used, size, speed and print quality printers are classified as below

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 Chapter 2: Input, Output and Memory devices

Impact printers:
Characters formed by striking mechanism such as print hammer or wheel against an ink
ribbon, leaving impression on the paper.
Features of impact printers
• Uses force to strike hammer pins to strike paper
• Slow speed – measured with cps
• Prints on most papers- multi part forms
• Prints multiple copies
• Transparent papers not supported

Dot Matrix Printer:

• An impact printer which uses a print head to create characters which contains a
cluster of short pins ranging from 9-24pins.
• An ink ribbon used in between print head and paper
• On receiving print command, print head push the pins in combination and strikes
ribbon which in turn forms alphanumeric characters on the paper.
• More the pins on the print head more will be the resolution.
• Speed 50 to 500 cps
• Not suitable for image printing.

Daisy Wheel:
• An impact printer which uses a wheel made of plastic which is called daisy wheel.
• Characters are arranged at the end of the spokes of the wheel.
• Wheel is rotated and characters are selected as per the command
• Electrically operated hammer bents the selected spoke and create impact on paper
by striking ribbon between wheel and the paper.
• It cannot print graphics.

Line Printers:
• High speed impact printers
• Prints entire line at time
• Used for large volume print
• Limitations-
• Print only one font
• Print quality is low
• Cannot print graphics
• Noisy

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Non-Impact printers:
Non- impact printers do not operate by striking print head against the ribbon and they do
not create any impact on paper.
Features of non-impact printers
• Less noisy
• High quality print
• Used to print graphics
• Supports print on transparent papers
• Cannot print multi part forms
• Resolution is using dpi
• Speed – pages per minute (ppm)
• Size of print papers-A4, A3, A2, A0 and jumbo size

Laser Printer:
• A microprocessor-controlled laser beam charges the metallic drum
• Charged part of drum attracts toner(ink) from the toner cartridge.
• Print paper rolled over the drum to create print imprint
• Paper is finally passed though heating unit fuses to fix the print permanently on the
paper.
• Available in colour and black-and-white
• Print resolution rages from 600-1200dpi
• Speed 15 to 30 ppm

Ink jet Printer:

• Print head has nozzle controlled by microprocessor
• Nozzle sprays ink to paper according to print material.
• Most cartridges are CMYK
• Print quality is high
• Low speed and cartridges are costly

Thermal Printer:
• Uses print head which has electrically heated pins
• Heated pins are pushed against special heat sensitive paper.
• Used in fax machines and calculators.
• Prints fade over time
• Used for text print
• Print quality is poor
• Inexpensive

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Plotters:
• Used to print large size images
• Used to print construction or engineering drawings created in CAD system.
• Ink consumption is more and smearable until it dries
• Maintenance is high

Speakers:
• An output device connected to computer’s sound card that produces sound
generated by computer
• A computer hardware called sound card to be installed
• Amplifiers can be used for enhanced sound quality

Memory
Memory is the storage part of computer where computer processing, program instructions
and data are stored.
Memory is classified as below

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Primary Memory:
Primary memory is the main memory of computer. It stores data and programs which
currently being used in computer.
Following are functions of primary memory
1. To contain the copy of OS which will be loaded to primary memory when computer
is turned ON.
2. Temporarily stores application software which is currently being used
3. Temporarily store data input from keyboard
4. Temporarily store the result

There are two types of primary memory

RAM: Random Access Memory:

RAM is volatile memory i.e. the data stored in RAM will get erased once the power supply is
OFF. The programmer has to reload the data once power supply is resumed. It can access
data in a random manner without going through any other memory locations.

There two types of RAMs

Static RAM (SDRAM): It’s a type of RAM where data stored present as long as power supply
is ON. SDRAMs are faster, no need of refreshing circuit, costlier and consumes more power.

Dynamic RAM (DDRAM): It’s a type of RAM where data stored is periodically erased or
refreshed generally after every two milli second. DDRAMs are cheaper, consumes less
power, used where large memory is required.

Read Only Memory (ROM):

It’s a non-volatile memory i.e. the data stored is not lost when power supply goes off. It is
used for permanent storage of information. It also has random access property

Following are the types of ROMs

PROM: Programmable ROM. User can store information only once through PROM
programmer. Used to store fixed program. Data stored cannot be erased.

EPROM: Erasable Programmable ROM. The data stored in the ROM can be erased by
exposing IC to the ultraviolet light. The data stored gets erased completely.

EEPROM: Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM. The data stored in in the ROM can
electrically erased by internal circuitry of a computer and can be programmed again.

Flash ROM: Non- volatile flash memory used to store BIOS- basic input output system of
computer. Flash memory is faster compared conventional ROMs

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Secondary Memory:
Additional memory used in computer to store more information is called secondary
memory. Secondary memory is larger in size and cost is reasonable. It is used for bulk storage
or mass storage of programs, data and other information. It is non-volatile in nature.

Following are different types of secondary memories

Hard Disk:
• It consists of rotating circular disk plates coated with magnetic material. Disk plates
are arranged one below the another.
• It uses property of magnetism to store data
• Circular disk is divided into concentric circles called tracks
• Tracks are further divided into various sections called sectors.
• Set of matched tracks of all plates is called cylinder.
• Disk rotates at speed of 7200 rpm (revolutions per second). This helps for quick
reading and writing of data to the disk
• Available up 1TB capacity.

Floppy Disk:
• It contains single flat circular plastic disk metal oxide and enclosed with plastic cover
• Its small and portable
• Its available in sizes – 3½, 5⅟4, 8 inches
• 3½ inch floppy disk is widely used has capacity of 1.44MB storage.

Optical Disk:
• Consists of Rotating disk coated with highly light reflective material
• Data is stored or read using a laser beam
• Laser beam creates microscopic light and dark spots on the disk. Light spot is called
lands and dark spot is called pits.
• Process of recording data to disc is called burning

Following are different types of optical disk

CD ROM: Compact Disc-an optical storage medium of capacity 700 MB. These are of two
types. CD-R which is only recordable or readable. CD-RW is recordable and writeable. It uses
near infrared laser beam.

DVD-ROM: Digital video disc-Optical storage with 4.7 GB capacity. These are of two types.
DVD -R which is only recordable or readable. DVD-RW is recordable and writeable. It uses
red laser

BD ROM: Blu Ray disc- Optical storage with storage 50 GB capacity. It uses blue- violet colour
laser beam

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USB flash / pen drives:

• USB drives are small and portable
• Compact, faster, hold more data and are reliable due to lack of moving parts
• Comes with different storage capacity starting from 2 GB to certain 512GB.

Cache memory:
• Cache memory is placed between main memory and CPU.
• It is faster than main memory.
• Not accessible to user
• Cache memory is usually built inside the CPU
• It increases the operating speed of the computer.

Storage capacities and memory units:

• Binary digit (bit) is either a 0 or 1
• Group 8 bits is called a Byte

Name Shorthand Power Bytes

0
Byte 1 Byte 2 1
10
Kilobyte 1KB 2 1024
20
Megabyte 1MB 2 1024 KB
30
Gigabyte 1 GB 2 1024 MB
40
Terabyte 1 TB 2 1024 GB
50
Petabyte 1PB 2 1024 TB
60
Exabyte 1EB 2 1024 PB
70
Zettabyte 1ZB 2 1024 EB
80
Yottabyte 1 YB 2 1024 ZB
90
Brontobyte 1 BB 2 1024 YB

Geopbyte 1geopB 2100 1024 BB

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