What are Input Devices?-List of Input Devices of Computer

Anything given to the computer is known as input such as data or instructions. Input is the data that is entered into a computer or other electronic device. For example, you might enter text into a word processor, numbers into a calculator, or music into a sound card.

Input devices

Input devices are the tools that enable us to interact with our computers. They include keyboards, mice, touch pads, scanners, joysticks, trackballs, game controllers, and other similar devices.

Mouse

The mouse is a pointing device that enables users to move around on-screen windows and click on icons. Mice are commonly used with computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Parts of mouse

The mouse has different parts, every part has different functionality.

• Left button
• Right button
• Scroll wheel

Types of mouse

The mouse has different types;

• Gaming mouse
• Laser mouse
• Optical mouse
• Trackball
• Touchpad
• Mechanical

Uses of a mouse

The mouse is used for different purposes. It is used to:

• To move the cursor.
• To point to the things on the screen.
• To scroll the pages on the screen.
• To drag and drop the objects on the screen.
• To select the files, folder, and text.
• To open the files and folders.

Touchpad

The touchpad is a small rectangular pad located at the bottom-right corner of the keyboard. Its purpose is to allow users to navigate between pages without having to use their fingers. It was first introduced in Apple computers in 1996.

Touchpads are similar to mice, except they do not require any moving parts. Instead, touchpads detect finger movements over their surface.

Scanners

A scanner is a device that converts images into digital data. A scanner may be connected directly to a computer or may use a cable to connect to a printer or fax machine. Scanners are used to scan documents, photographs, drawings, etc., and convert them into electronic files.

Types of scanners

The scanner has different types.

• Flatbed scanner
• Sheet-fed scanners
• Handheld scanner

Scanning devices

Barcode Reader: It is used to read barcodes which are in the form of vertical lines and spaces on different products.

MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Reader): MICR is used to read text that is printed with magnetic ink.

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR):

• Reading order forms
• Reading time sheets
• Marking multiple choice examination scripts
• Reading electricity meters
• Reading insurance payments

Optical Character Recognition (OCR): It is used to read printed characters and convert them into digital format.

Microphones

Microphones are electronic components that convert sounds into electrical signals. The audio can be speech, song, or any other form. Microphones are used to enter the audio into the computer.

It converts the analog signal into digital which the computer understands.

Uses of microphones

Microphones are being used:

• To record voice.
• In musical instruments.
•  To record voice for singing, podcasts, and dictation.
• For telephone calls
• For voice messages.

Keyboard

The keyboard is the most commonly used hardware input device for computers. A keyboard is a vital part of every computer or laptop. They allow us to type text into our computers, and they also serve as a way to navigate through menus and other programs. The standard keyboard has 106 keys.

Parts of keyboard

The keyboard has different parts based on the functionality of different keys.

• Functional keys
• Numeric keys
• Additional keys
• Alphabet keys
• Main keyboard

Types of keyboard

• Flexible keyboard
• Wireless Keyboard
• Virtual Keyboard
• Mechanical Keyboard
• QWERTY Keyboard

Digital Camera

A digital Camera is an input device. It is used to capture pictures. Digital cameras are widely used because they allow us to take pictures without having to carry around bulky film cameras. They also provide convenience and ease of use.

A digital camera uses a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor to capture images. These sensors convert photons into electrons, which are then converted into a voltage signal.

To display these signals, the analog data is first converted into a digital format. The digital information is then processed by the computer’s CPU before being displayed on the monitor.

Parts of Digital camera

• Aperture
• Lens
• Shutter Release Button
• Memory Card
• Viewfinder
• User Controls

Joystick

Joysticks are designed to be operated by hand. They have two axes (or directions) of movement and move in opposite directions.

A joystick is attached to a device called a controller, which translates the movements of the joystick into signals that control the actions of the device being controlled.

Light Pen

A light pen is a device that uses a light beam to trace over paper or any other surface. A light pen is useful for drawing, sketching, writing notes, and even playing games. There are many different types of light pens available today. You can find them at any art supply store.

Webcam

A webcam is a camera that is built into a computer’s monitor. A webcam is useful for taking pictures, video chatting, and recording videos.

Webcams are cameras that are connected to a computer via USB ports.

There are many different types of webcams out there, including webcam software, USB webcams, networked webcams, and IP cameras. A webcam is useful for recording video and audio while using your computer.

You can use a webcam to record yourself doing things like taking notes, drawing, playing games, or even just talking to friends online.

Most webcams have a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. There are many different types of webcams, including USB, FireWire, and VGA.

List of Input Devices of Computer

What is Keyboard in Computer? | Types of keyboard	What is Scanner in Computer?- Types of the scanner
What is a Pointing Device? | Types of Pointing Devices	What is a Computer Mouse?-Types of Computer Mouse
What is OCR in Computer?–Uses of OCR	Optical Readers-OCR, OMR, MICR, And Barcode Reader
What are Barcodes?-Barcode Reader, Types of Barcode Scanners

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)