Input Devices

With Anna Mroz, Lisa Parker, Marissa Richards, and Valerie Riley

What is an input device?

• An input device is used to insert data into a computer or other computational device.

• These devices come in all shapes and sizes- from a keyboard inputting textual data, a webcam that sends a picture to anyone around the world, or a microphone that sends audio data.

• We use these devices everyday to operate our computer, to purchase items at a store, to identify who we are in our passports, or even just to play a video game!

Game Controllers• Game controllers are used

as an interaction device for video games.

• Game controllers vary between the different consoles that use them.

• Some could be a simple joystick, and some could be a guitar or microphone!

Real Life Applications• Did you know?

o These controllers are not only used for video games, but also have a place in weaponry controls such as a tactical robot used to diffuse bombs with a joy stick to control it’s movement.

o Arms-maker Raytheon just created the application of the Universal Control System used in video games like Halo and incorporated it in robotic aircrafts to improve precision.

Biometric Devices• A biometric device identifies persons seeking

access to a computing system by determining their physical characteristics through fingerprints, voice recognition, retina patterns, pictures, weight, or other means.

• The two primary uses for biometric devices are identification and verification.

• These devices provide security, accuracy, and the capacity to store large amounts of captured data.

The Different Types of Biometric Devices

• Retinal/Iris Scannero Both are forms of biometric data

capture based on scanning different parts of the eye.

• Facial Scannero Facial recognition works by

extracting key characteristics such as relative position of eyes, nose, mouth, and ears from photographs of an individual’s head or face.

• Fingerprint Scannero Acquires an image of a

fingerprint either by optical scanning or capacitance sensing.

• Hand Geometryo Scanners generate templates

based on various features of an individual’s hand, including finger length.

Biometric Devices Continued

• Keystroke Patterno Detects patterns of typing on a

keyboard by an individual against patterns previously enrolled.

• Deep Tissue Illuminationo Involves illumination of human

tissue by specific lighting conditions and the detection of deep tissue patterns based on light reflection.

• Voiceprinto Voiceprint recognition

compares the vocal patterns of an individual with previously enrolled samples.

• DNA Fingerprinto This method works by taking

a tissue sample from an individual and then sequencing and comparing short segments of DNA.

Adaptive Technology• Also known as “Assistive Technology” for people

with a disability or handicap.

• Web-based technology, peripheral devices, robotics and speech recognition have allowed disabled people to become independent.

• There are common applications of speech recognition, and other software that is used by most handicapped people.

The Different Types of Adaptive Technology

• EyeTech TM4 USBo Eye tracking device with a

hands free mouseo Tracks eye movement and

uses that movement to move the cursor on the screen

• Voice Recognitiono Software used to recognize

voice commands and control the computer

• Braille Keyboardso Braille keyboards allow

fast input and Braille printers supply printed braille versions of the screen content

• Screen Readero Software that converts

what is displayed on the screen into audio content

• Sip-and-Puff Controlso This technology allows a

user to operate a computer by exhaling or inhaling.

o A user with limited use of hands could blow into a straw to operate the device.

• CyberLink with Brainfingerso Communication link between

humans and computers.

o Uses a headband to detect brain signals and transmits them to the computer.

o Controls the mouse cursor and is formatted to send mouse button commands and keyboard commands. Allows the wearer to maneuver all aspects of the computer.

BrainPort V100• BrainPort V100 is a non-surgical assistive device.

• It translates digital information from a video camera into gentle electrical stimulation.

• Users feel bubble-like patterns on their tongue

• Users learn to interpret this as shape, size location and motion of objects in their environment.

BrainPort In Use

• BrainPort collects visual data using a tiny, glasses-mounted video camera, translating images into electrical patterns on the surface of the tongue.

• Neuroscientist Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita pioneered the concept of “sensory substitution” in the late 1960’s.

• He famously declared “We see with our brains, not with our eyes.”

Works Cited• Computers for the Handicapped | eHow.com http://

www.ehow.com/list_6302430_computers-handicapped.html#ixzz2LY5XGFBI

• Input Devices for Physically Challenged Computer Users | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7277761_input-physically-challenged-computer-users.html#ixzz2LY6OktJY

• www.disabled.com

• Visualizing Technology, Debra Geoghan, 2012 Pearson Education.

• http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/07/wargames/

• http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-biometric-devices.htm

• http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6558/Types-of-Biometric-Devices.html