Input and Output Devices

Input and Output Devices are called peripherals. It is used in a wider sense. An Input device helps in conveying instructions and converts that data into a pattern of electrical signals in binary code that is complex and comprehensive. An output device reverses the process and converts the digitized signals. In Computing Input and output is the medium to communicate between the information processing system and the outside the system. Inputs are the signals sent to the system. It receives the data and processes it. After processing the signal is sent through the output device. An input device is any hardware component that allows users to enter data into the computer. Output devices can produce the final product after processing by computer. That processed data is usable by humans.

Some of the Input Devices are:

1. Keyboard- Keyboard is the most common input device used. The data and instructions are fed into the computer with the help of a keyboard. The message or instruction typed on the keyboard reaches the memory unit of a computer. In a Desktop computer, the Keyboard is connected through a USB cable, but in a Laptop it is assembled together. The keyboard is very much similar to the keyboard of a Typewriter. The keyboard consists of alphabet keys, numerical keys, special character keys, Function keys, and some control Keys. When keys are pressed, an electronic signal is produced. Some keyboards have multimedia buttons for volume control, CD player control, Copy, Paste, etc. have been given. These days wireless cable is available as its access is easy.

2. Mouse- It’s a pointing device. The mouse is rolled over the mouse pad and then it moves the cursor. We can drag the mouse to move the cursor to the required place. Modern mouse are optical mouse..An optical mouse contains a Camera, and light light-emitting diode (LED). The led illuminates the lower portion of the mouse. There is a wireless mouse called a cordless mouse also. It uses RF (Radio Frequency signal).

3. Scanner- Scanners are used to scan any material that was born in paper format into digitized format. It converts printed copy into soft copy. It can be written, typed, or image. It is manipulated by a computer. There are different types of scanners like Optical scanners and magnetic-ink Character readers.

4. Trackballs- It is a pointing device, which contains a ball, which rotates in any direction. It is used on Laptop. The user slides a finger in a different direction to move the cursor on the screen.

5. Light Pen- It is also a pointing device. It is used to select a displayed menu option on the CRT Monitor. It is photo sensitive pen-like device. It is used to draw lines or figures on the screen. It can be used for graphics work. A user can draw directly on the CRT screen provided with a CAD package.

6. Bar Code Reader- This device reads bar codes on any product and converts them into electronic signals to be processed. Bar Code Reader emits red light when its switch is put on while reading the bar code on any product. A bar code is a format where data is encoded in black and white bars.

7. Voice Input system- This device converts spoken words to machine language. A microphone is an important output device used to convert human speech into electric signals.

8. Digital Camera- It converts graphics directly into digital form. It has no film and just looks like an ordinary camera, but there is a CCD (Changed Coupled Divide) Electronics Chip inside which is used. The Digital camera just collects whatever object is there and its image is captured.

Some Output devices are :

1. Monitor- It is the most important part of the computer. It is an electronic device with having LED light. When the user puts input data through the keyboard, we can see the output on the monitor screen. The monitor is a plug-and-play unit. Only power cord adaptor is required to use the monitor. Previously CRT Monitor was used, Then TFT (Thin Film Transistors), and now LED (Light Emitting Diode) monitors are used.

2 . Printer-It is commonly used in Offices. It is also an important output device. The printer helps us to print any information in a permanent Readable format. They produce an output of results, programs, and data. The following types of printers are Dot Matrix, Ink Jet, and Laser Printers.

3. Speaker- Sound is the output that we get after running multimedia. Speakers are attached to the computer so that we get sound from the sound.

4. Headphone- It is also one of the output devices.It also converts the electronic signal into sound. It is attached through USB cable or these days wireless headphones or earphones are available.