Keyboards, Mice and Other Input Devices
IntroductionAn Input device is a hardware device that sends information into the CPU.[1] Every PC user needs to use an input device to allow them to interact with their PC. The most common input devices are the keyboard and mouse. There are many different classifications of input devices.
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Keyboards
A Keyboard is used to type documents, take keystroke shortcuts, and perform a variety of other functions. Most keyboards include typing, numeric, function, and control keys.
Typing keys include the letters of the alphabet laid out in some pattern. QWERTY is the most layout. It gets its name from the first six letters of the top-left row of the typing keys. This layout was originally designed for typewriters to slow typists and prevent the type-writer keys from jamming.
The numeric keypad allows you to enter numbers quickly.
Function keys, also referred to as the “F” keys, act as shortcut keys to perform special functions. For example, the F1 key is usually universal for help in application software.
The control key (ctrl) is used in combination with other keys to perform shortcuts and special tasks. For example, holding down the control key (ctrl) while pressing the S key saves a document.
Pointing Devices
Based on rolling a ball
A Mouse is a small device that is held by the user to control the movement of the cursor on the display screen. Its name is derived from its shape and connecting wire, which looks like a mouse. Most mice have a minimum of two buttons and a scroll wheel for scrolling through long documents or web pages. There are many types of mice, the two most popular are mechanical and optical mice.
A mechanical mouse is a type of computer mouse that contains a metal or rubber ball on its under side. When the ball is rolled in any direction, sensors inside the mouse detect this motion and move the on-screen mouse pointer in the same direction.
An optical mouse uses a small light-emitting diode (LED) that bounces light off any surface onto a sensor. This type of mouse has several benefits over the ordinary mechanical mouse. It has no moving parts, increased tracking resolution, and dirt cannot get inside.
Mice can connect to the computer through USB, PS/2 or serial port. Wireless mice use infrared or radio frequency (Bluetooth) to connect with the computer.
A Track-ball
Based on touching a surface
A Touchscreens
A Light pens
Based on moving a stick
A Pointing sticks
Imaging and Video Input Devices
A Scanner
A Web cam
A Digital camera
A Fingerprint scanner
A Graphic tablet
Audio Input Devices
A Microphone
Composite devices
A Game controller
A Joystick
A Steering wheel
