Input Devices for PCs and their Functions

Keyboards

There are two types of keyboards:• Alphanumeric• Special Function

Alphanumeric, the most common type of keyboard contains 101 to 105 keys, however all keyboards contain the following:

Function Keys Special Purpose

Cursor Control(Arrow)Numeric Keys in Keypad Form

Special Function Keyboards are mostly used by fast food businesses, as we see at McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr and KFC. They are used to enter transactions/orders efficiently and rapidly.

Mouse and Other Point/Click Devices

A small oval with a long cable, the mouse is controlled by moving the pointer in which ever direction the mouse moves. It can be plugged in or can be a wireless mouse. Today’s mouse, called an optical mouse uses a light sensor to move rather than the traditional rubber coated ball. However aside from the traditional mouse there are also •Foot mouse•Trackballs •Touch Pad (seen mostly on portable computers/laptops)

Optical Scanners, Graphic and Video Input Devices

•Optical Scanners use a light sensing electronic device and lasers to read and capture printed text or images; i.e. photographs and drawings, these scanned images are stored as images onto the computer and can be edited, printed, stored, inserted and sent as an email attachment. There are two scanners page/flatbed scanners and handheld scanners. •Digital Cameras and Digital Video Cameras (Web Cams)allow the user to view pictures immediately, and can be edited using photo editing software. Webcams allow for the use for real time video via a web server. Skype and Face Time are examples of the web cam’s popularity.