1.3.

3 Input Devices

Scanners:-
Scanners are either 2 Dimensional or 3 Dimensional but their purpose is the same; to convert an image which is physical form into digital form to be stored on
a computer.
- 2 Dimensional Scanners:-
The following steps take place for during the working of a 2-Dimensional scanner.
o The cover is raised, and the document is placed on the glass panel and the cover is closed.
o A very bright light illuminates the documents. The scan head rolls under the document thereby returning the image to a lens with the help
of a mirror.
o The image falls on a Charged Couple Device (CCD) which is composed of integrated circuits etched on silicon. The CCD is made of
thousands of light sensitive elements that create a charge when light falls on them. This way the an electronic version of the image is
formed.
 Computers equipped with OCR (optical character recognition) allow the scanned image to be converted to a document therefore
allowing editing.
 2D Scanning is used in Airports
 For scanning passports.
 For facial recognition.
- 3 Dimensional Scanners:-
This type of scanner is used when we want to create a scan of 3 Dimensional Figure by capturing the x, y and z coordinates of the real object. This
technology is heavily used in Computer Aided Design (CAD) allowing the electronic version of an image to be send to a 3 Dimensional Printer to
create a working model of a scanned image. There are numerous technologies used in 3D scanners – lasers, magnetic resonance, white light, and so
on.
Barcode readers/scanners:-
A barcode is a series of dark and light parallel lines of varying thickness. The numbers 0 to 9 are each represented by a unique series of lines. Various barcode
methods for representing these digits exist. The UPC ((Universal Product Code) version A) adopts different codes for digits for both left and right. The actual
left-hand and right-hand sides of the barcode are separated using guard bars and each digit is represented by bars of 1 to 4 blocks thick.
Guard Bars Table Representation

Representation of 543052

- Working of a Barcode Scanner:-

o The barcode is first read by a red laser or red LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE).
o Light is reflected back off the barcode; the dark areas reflect little or no light which allows the bars to be read.
o The reflected light is read by sensors (photoelectric cells).
o As the laser or LED light is scanned across the barcode, a pattern is generated which is converted into digital data – this allows the
computer to understand the barcode.
- Advantages Include:-
o much easier and faster to change prices on stock items
o much better, more up-to-date sales information/sales trends
o allows for automatic stock control
o faster checkout queues (staff don’t need to remember/look up prices of items)
o errors in charging customers are reduced
Quick response (QR) codes:-

QR Codes are also a type of Barcodes but unlike the latter, they are made up of filled in dark squares on a light background. Such as .A normal barcode
can hold up to 300 digits whereas a QR code can hold over 7000 digits. Because of modern smart phones, which allow internet access on the move, QR codes
can be scanned anywhere. This allows advertising of products on trains, buses, shopping malls and many other places with the help of built in technology and
QR reading App.
- Advantages Include:-
o There is no need for the user to write down or key in a website address; scanning the QR code does this automatically
o QR codes can store website addresses/URLs that appear in magazines, trains, buses or even on business cards, giving a very effective method
of advertising
Digital cameras:-
Digital cameras have replaced the traditional cameras that used film to capture photos. The film required developing before any results could be seen, making a
photography a very lengthy and expensive process. Digital cameras can now be easily connect to any computer with the help of USB cable or wireless
connections. The photograph is captured when light passes through the lens onto a light sensitive cell and processed by a microprocessor. This cell is made up
of tiny elements known as pixels. The number of pixels determines the size of the file used to store the photograph.
Keyboards:-
The most common input device it is used for inputting text, numbers, punctuation marks, symbols and instructions using a number of software applications. By
pressing down a key completes an electrical circuit. This circuit then transmits a binary signal (commonly using ASCII) to the computer to represent the key
 1.3.3 Input Devices

pressed. Keyboards are a relatively slow method of data entry and are also prone to errors. However, frequent use of these devices can lead to injuries, such as
REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY (RSI) in the hands and wrists. Modern ergonomic keyboards can help solve this problem.
Mouse:-
A pointing device that functions by detecting motion relative to its 2 dimensional surface.
- Laser Mouse:-
o A laser mouse uses a light source, typically a LED, and a light detector to detect movement relative to a surface. It is an alternative to the
ball mouse which uses moving parts to perform the same function.

o The light source is focused towards the surface below. The reflected light falls back to the camera integrated in Optical Mouse Sensor.
o The camera takes images of the surface with a frequency in the range of 1500 to 6000 images per second to calculate the position of mouse.

o These images are processed by Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and resultant co-ordinates are sent to the PC. The driver of the mouse
installed in the computer receives the co-ordinates and makes the cursor move on the screen accordingly.
- Tracker Ball:-
o Trackerballs are seen more often in an industrial environment – such as a control room. Because they don’t need to move, the trackerball
doesn’t need any desk space or special surface. The operator is also less likely to suffer from injuries such as RSI. A ball on the top of the
trackerball is moved to control a cursor on the screen.
Microphones:-
These devices are used for inputting sound to a computer. They can either be built-in or be connected as external devices. When a microphone picks up sound,
a diaphragm vibrates producing an electric signal. This signal goes to a sound card and is converted into digital values and stored in the computer. If the
microphone is being used in a VOICE RECOGNITION system, the user’s voice is compared to that stored in memory for identification. In SPEECH
RECOGNITION system the user’s voice is used to identify different words for further processing.
Touchscreens:-
Touchscreens are now a very common form of input device. They allow simple touch to launch an application or to carry out many of the functions of pointing
devices such as a mouse. One of the main uses of touchscreen technology is in mobile phones. There can be the following types:-
Capacitive:- Made up of many layers of glass that act as capacitor. Touching the top layers will result in an electrical change as a result of which the on board processor will
determine the coordinates of the place touched. It is medium cost, with sunlight legibility and allows for multi touch. The screen is also very durable. However, the user must use
bare fingers only to make use of such touch screens.
Infra Red(Heat and Optical):- In Heat based the coordinates of placed touched on screen is determined by some warm object coming in contact (i.e. fingers.). Whereas in
Optical, sensor detect disturbance in infra red light grid hence causing the coordinates to be identified. Both have multi touch and good screen legibility. The optical type even
allows for screen to be touched using gloves. However it is an expensive technology.
Resistive:- The top layer of screen is polyester and the bottom layer is glass. When touch the top and bottom layer come in contact as result of which a complete circuit is formed
and the coordinates are identified. Cheap technology and it is possible to use with gloves. Does not allow multi touch, poor legibility in sun light.
Sensors:-
Sensors are devices that read physical quantities from their surrounding in analogue form. To be cable of process this data is converted into digital data using an
ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL CONVERTER (ADC).
Some Types of Sensors
Sensor Measures Where Used
Heat Temperature Living room for central heating system
Humidity Water vapour in the air Swimming pool, greenhouse
Infra-red Infra-red radiation e.g. body heat Security alarm systems
Light Light levels External security lights
PH Acid/alkali levels e.g. pH of soil Environmental experiments, river pollution
Pressure Pressure Burglar alarm systems, automatic doors
Smoke Smoke in the atmosphere Offices
Sound Levels of sound Security alarm systems
Tilt Angle of tilt Windows in security alarm system
Touch Detects if one object bumps into another Computer controlled robots
Sample Questions Using Sensors:-
Working:- Possible Sensors:-
The Sensors take input from surrounding. The data is in Analogue form and Student should be able to mention
is converted into digital form using ADC. This digital data is sent to the the appropriate type of sensors based
microprocessors as a result of which the system undergoes the appropriate on the scenario. Knowledge of the
changes. purpose of all sensors is a must.

Interactive White Boards:-

Interactive whiteboards are devices that allow computer images to be displayed on a whiteboard using a digital projector. They also allow a user to write on the
whiteboard and the text or drawings produced are then stored in an electronic form for later use. Basically the information which is hand-drawn or hand-written
can be stored so nothing from, for example, a meeting is lost.