Computer – Input, Output & I/O Devices

Input Devices
Following are few of the important input devices which are used in a computer:

Keyboard
Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps in inputting data to the computer. The
layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional typewriter, although there are some additional keys provided
for performing additional functions.

The keys on the keyboard are as follows:

Sr.No Keys Description

1 Typing Keys
These keys include the letter keys (A-Z) and digit keys (0-9) which generally give
same layout as that of typewriters.

2 Numeric Keypad
It is used to enter numeric data or cursor movement. Generally, it consists of a set of
17 keys that are laid out in the same configuration used by most adding machines
and calculators.

3 Function Keys
The twelve function keys are present on the keyboard which are arranged in a row at
the top of the keyboard. Each function key has unique meaning and is used for some
specific purpose.

4 Control keys
These keys provide cursor and screen control. It includes four directional arrow keys.
Control keys also include Home, End, Insert, Delete, Page Up, Page Down,
Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt), Escape(Esc).

5 Special Purpose Keys

Keyboard also contains some special purpose keys such as Enter, Shift, Caps Lock,
Num Lock, Space bar, Tab, and Print Screen.
Types of keyboard

Mechanical Keyboards

If you’re using a desktop, you are probably still using this type of keyboard. Mechanical keyboards are the most
generic kind of keyboards we have been using (and still use) with a desktop. They use spring-activated switches
that allow you to enter the value on the screen once the key is pressed on the board.

A lot of writers in the US prefer working with a mechanical keyboard due to the simplicity and practicality they
offer. We personally love them as well, since the spaces between them are always made to perfection, allowing
for a quick and seamless writing experience on a computer.

Membrane keyboards
Think of these as the high-end contemporary keyboards back in the 80s and 90s. Instead of having actual
buttons, this keyboard was essentially a flat surface that acted as a pressure pad. The name membrane is given to
it is because this pressure pad is basically a membrane that has small sensors embedded inside it.
When you press any alphabet on the membrane, an electric signal is registered on the sensor underneath, which
translates the values and showcases them on the screen. Since it is basically a flat surface, you don’t have to
worry about dust or debris settling between the keys. However, due to the very same reason (flat electronic
surface), it is the last thing a gamer would want to use.

Unique features
 A portable, lightweight, and flexible design- The product features a lightweight and flexible design ideal
for easy portability and use. Membrane keyboards are incredibly hardy and can survive recurrent falls
without much damage.
 Durable product- The product construction involves using high-quality materials that provide longevity
and service for extended periods.
 Resistant to moisture, dust, etc.
 Noise control – Membrane keyboards produce less noise when typing, making them an ideal choice for
offices, libraries, and conferences.
 Highly versatile- You can use a membrane keyboard with different types of computers.
Benefits

Key benefits of a membrane keyboard include:

 Cost-effective
 Water and dust resistance
 Light and durable

Gaming keyboards
If you’re a gamer or know someone who is, you would know how particular they are when it comes to
keyboards. It could literally make or break their entire game, which is why pro gamers always prefer buying this
particular type of keyboard.
Gaming keyboards offer multiple unique functionalities to enhance gameplay. These features include higher key
rollover ranges, backlit keyboards, and programmable keys for easier accessibility. In short, if you’re a pro
gamer, gaming keyboards are bound to up your performance by a decent margin.

Projection Keyboards
Welcome to the future! While projection keyboards may not be as common today (as they may be in the future),
they are gradually making their place in the consumer market. In this type of keyboard, optical sensors are used
to project the keyboard onto a flat-screen like your desk.

Projection keyboards are a perfect utility for smart devices as they allow easier projection coupled with higher
utility. Similar to the membrane keyboard, this type of keyboard also offers freedom from those unwanted dust
and debris issues. You are most likely to see this kind of keyboard commonly in mobile devices and tablets in
the years to come.

Flexible Keyboards
Flexible keyboards are much like their mechanical counterparts except for their ability to bend and fold without
breaking. Silicon is a common choice for the manufacture of flexible keyboards, as the material provides a
balance between strength and flexibility.

Flexible keyboards are remarkably easy to carry around and are compatible with several devices, tablets, PC, etc.
Some varieties also feature shorter distances between keys when compared to traditional compact keyboards.

Mouse
Mouse is most popular pointing device. It is a very famous cursor-control device having a small palm size box
with a round ball at its base which senses the movement of mouse and sends corresponding signals to CPU
when the mouse buttons are pressed. Now a days laser mouse is used where cursor is controlled by laser light
instead of round ball.

Generally it has two buttons called left and right button and a wheel is present between the buttons. Mouse can
be used to control the position of cursor on screen, but it cannot be used to enter text into the computer.

Advantages

• Easy to use
 • Not very expensive

• Moves the cursor faster than the arrow keys of keyboard.

Joystick
Joystick is also a pointing device which is used to move cursor position on a monitor screen. It is a stick having
a spherical ball at its both lower and upper ends. The lower spherical ball moves in a socket. The joystick can
be moved in all four directions.

The function of joystick is similar to that of a mouse. It is mainly used in Computer Aided Designing(CAD)
and playing computer games.

Light Pen
Light pen is a pointing device which is similar to a pen. It is used to select a displayed menu item or draw
pictures on the monitor screen. It consists of a photocell and an optical system placed in a small tube. When the
tip of a light pen is moved over the monitor screen and pen button is pressed, its photocell sensing element
detects the screen location and sends the corresponding signal to the CPU.
Scanner
Scanner is an input device which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when some information is
available on a paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disc of the computer for further manipulation. Scanner
captures images from the source which are then converted into the digital form that can be stored on the disc.
These images can be edited before they are printed.

Microphone
Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then stored in digital form. The microphone is used for
various applications like adding sound to a multimedia presentation or for mixing music.
Bar Code Readers
Bar Code Reader is a device used for reading bar coded data (data in form of light and dark lines). Bar coded
data is generally used in labelling goods, numbering the books etc. It may be a hand held scanner or may be
embedded in a stationary scanner. Bar Code Reader scans a bar code image, converts it into an alphanumeric
value which is then fed to the computer to which bar code reader is connected.

Optical Mark Reader(OMR)

OMR is a special type of optical scanner used to recognize the type of mark made by pen or pencil. It is used
where one out of a few alternatives is to be selected and marked. It is specially used for checking the answer
sheets of examinations having multiple choice questions.

Output Devices:
Monitors
Mode: Visual
Function: A monitor consists of a screen, circuitry, a power supply, buttons to adjust screen settings, and a
casing that contains all of these components. A monitor displays data from a computer onto a screen so the user
can interact with the data via a digital interface.

Popular Brands: Acer, Alienware, Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, LG, Lenovo, Samsung

There are two kinds of viewing screen used for monitors.

• Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)

• Flat-Panel Display

Flat-Panel Display Monitor

Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor

Printers (all types):

Mode: Print

Function: The function of a printer is to create a copy of whatever is sent from the computer to the printer.
Printers take electronic data sent from a computer and generate a hard copy.

Popular Brands: Brother, Canon, Epson

Projector
Mode: Visual

Function: As its name suggests, this output device "projects" computer images or video onto a wall or screen.

Popular Brands: BenQ, Sony, Optoma, Epson

Speaker(s)
Mode: Sound

Function: Computer speakers are hardware devices that transform the signal from the computer's sound card
into audio. Speakers create sound using internal amplifiers that vibrate at different frequencies according to data
from the computer. This produces sound. Popular Brands: Audioengine, Logitech, Razer, Harman

Head Phone

Mode: Sound

Function: Headphones output audio from a computer through two individual headphones for a single listener.
Also known as earphones, headphones allow you to listen to audio without disrupting other people in the
vicinity.

Popular Brands: Sennheiser, JBL, Bose, Sony, Skullcandy

Both Input–Output Devices:

1. Modems

2. Touch Screen

3. Headsets (Headset consists of Speakers and Microphone. Speaker act Output Device and

Microphone act as Input device)

4. Facsimile (FAX) (It has scanner to scan the document and also have printer to Print the document
5. Pendrive.