Input Devices (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Input Devices
What is an Input Device?
Input devices are hardware components that allow users to interact with a computer system
They enable the user to input data or commands into the system, which the computer then processes to produce an output
Types of input devices
Input device | Advantages | Disadvantages |
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Keyboard (Entering data into a computer) |
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Numeric Keypad (ATMs , chip and PIN devices) |
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Pointing Devices (Mouse) |
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Remote Control (TV, hi-fi remotes) |
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Pointing Devices (Joystick/Driving Wheel) |
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Touchscreen (Smart phones & tablets) |
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Scanner (Convert paper documents to electronic) |
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Digital camera (Taking photos/videos) |
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Microphone (Input speech, sensor to pick up sounds) |
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Analogue sensors (Measure environmental data e.g. temperature, light, sound, humidity etc.) |
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Light pen (Select/write on screen) |
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Worked Example
A house contains a microprocessor-controlled central heating system.
Identify two input devices that would be used in this system.
[2]
Answer
Two from:
Keypad
Temperature sensor
Override switch for timing
Touch screen
Remote control//smartphone//tablet
Direct Data Entry
What is a direct data entry device?
A direct data entry device is a device capable of inputting data into a computer with little/no human interaction
Data collection and transfer is completed automatically
Types of direct data entry devices
Direct data entry device | Advantages | Disadvantages |
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Magnetic stripe reader (Debit/credit cards) |
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Chip and PIN reader |
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RFID reader (read only) (Contactless payment) |
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RFID reader (Security tags on clothes, location tracking ) |
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Optical Mark Recognition (OMR, read marks on exam paper in pen/pencil) |
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Optical Character Recognition (OCR, text to digital data) |
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Barcode reader (reads barcode labels) |
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QR scanner (QR codes) |
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Worked Example
For each of the following uses of data capture, name one appropriate direct data entry device. The devices must be different in each case
a. Contactless credit cards [1]
Radio Frequency Identification/RFID reader [1]
b. Multiple choice answers in an examination paper [1]
Optical Mark Reader/OMR [1]
c. To scan items at a computerised till [1]
Bar Code reader/scanner [1]
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