HANDOUT - 2 (3.
2 Input devices ) Final Term (2024-2025)
Name: Class: Roll: Section:
Subject: Computer Science Paper 1 Teachers: Md. Shahinur Alam Shadhin Date:
Input Devices
1) Barcode Scanners (Readers)
Barcodes are a series of dark and light parallel lines that represent numbers from 0 to 9.
Barcode numbers are looked up in the stock database, and item details are sent back to
checkout. Scanning allows automatic stock control and finding new values of stock items
How is a barcode scanned?
1. A barcode scanner emits a red laser on LED in the barcode
2. The black and white parts of the barcode reflect light differently (The black parts reflect
little to no light, whereas the light parts reflect almost all of it)
3. White is 0 and Black or Dark is 1
4. This reflected light is captured by the sensors in the barcode scanner
5. A pattern is generated and it is converted into digital data.
Example L L D L D D = 0 0 1 0 1 1
Usages
− Store Management, Event Ticketing, Library Systems, Food and Beverage Industry
Advantages
Benefits of using barcodes for the store management include
● easy and fast updates,
● automatic stock control,
● and time-saving.
Benefits of using barcodes for customers include
● faster checkout queues,
● less errors in charging,
● itemised bills,
● cost savings visibility, and
● better track keeping of "sell by” dates
Disadvantages
− Limited datastore. Max only 30 digits.
1
2) QR codes
QR codes are a type of barcode made up of a matrix of filled-in dark squares on a light
background. They hold considerably more information than traditional barcodes. QR codes are
more complex due to the increased data capacity and the use of small squares, known as
pixels.The three large squares in three corners of the QR code are for alignment, and the
remaining corner is for the camera angle and size.
How do QR codes work?
1. Point a phone camera towards the QR code
2. The app will process the image taken by the camera by converting it into a readable
format.
3. White squares reflect more light while black squares reflect less light
4. Each pixel/small square will be converted to a binary value
5. Data will be read and necessary action will be taken by the phone
Usages
QR codes are used for advertising products, accessing websites, phone numbers, and storing
boarding passes electronically at airports and train stations.
QR codes are being updated to frame QR codes that include advertising logos, but the software
needed for this isn't free
Advantages
● ability to hold more information than barcode
● fewer errors
● easy and convenient to scan
● easy transmission as images
● can be encrypted
Disadvantages
● There is more than one QR code format available
● Malicious codes can be sent through QR codes; this is known as attagging
3) Digital Cameras
A digital camera captures images in a digital format, allowing them to be stored, viewed, and
shared on a computer or other electronic devices.
In the past, cameras relied on film to capture photos, and photographers couldn’t preview their
shots until the film was developed. This made photography costly, as there was no way to delete
unwanted pictures.
Today, digital cameras have replaced film cameras, allowing users to instantly view and delete
photos. They can also transfer images to their devices via USB or Bluetooth.
Usages
It is widely used in Photography, Smartphones, Webcams, Cars and more.
2
Advantages
● View photos immediately after capturing.
● No need for film; take multiple pictures without extra cost.
● Save images on memory cards and transfer via USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
● Easily edit, crop, and enhance images with software.
● Modern digital cameras offer high-quality images and videos.
● Autofocus, filters, face detection, and more for better photography.
Disadvantages
● Requires frequent charging or battery replacement.
● High-quality digital cameras can be costly.
● Memory - cards can fill up quickly, requiring backups.
4) Keyboard
Most common method/input device used for data entry can be physical: connected to a device
through a USB connection or Bluetooth, or it can be virtual, like on a touch screen.
How a computer recognises a letter pressed on the keyboard:
1. The circuit board at the base of the keys, composed of conductive layers with an
insulating layer in between them.
2. A character key is pressed and the conductive layers touch each other and it completes
a circuit.
3. When the circuit is completed, the CPU/microprocessor determines which character’s
key was pressed
4. CPU refers to an index file to identify which character key was pressed by the user’
5. Each character on the keyboard has a corresponding ASCII value, which also has a
binary value
6. This binary value can be processed by the CPU to, for example, show up on the screen
Advantages
● Most common method of data entry
● Easiest way to enter text on the computer.
Disadvantages
● Relatively slow method of data entry and prone to errors
● Frequent use of these devices can lead to injuries.
5) Microphones
A microphone is a device which can input sound into a device. Microphone converts sound into
an electrical signal/voltage. It is either built-in or connected through a USB or Bluetooth
connection.
3
Applications of Microphones
● Audio or video call
● Voice recording
● Speech recognition
● Voice recognition
6) Optical Mouse
An optical mouse is an example of a pointing device. It uses a led light and tiny cameras to take
1500 images per second that tracks the movement.
How it works
● Captures 1500 images per second using tiny cameras
● CMOS generates electric pulses that represent the red light and sends them
to a digital signal processor (DSP)
● The DSP calculates the coordinates of the mouse based on the changes in
image patterns and sends them to the computer
Advantages
● Works on any surface with the help of a red LED and a CMOS sensor
● No moving parts, therefore more reliable
Disadvantages
● Bluetooth mouse signal gets lost frequently
7) 2D Scanners
Input devices that are used to convert paper documents to digital form that can be stored on the
computer.
How does a 2D scanner work?
1. The cover of the scanner is opened, a document is placed on the glass panel, and the
cover is closed
2. A xenon lamp or LED emits a bright light on the document
3. The document is moved from side to side, and then advanced slightly, until the
whole document is scanned
4. The document is scanned using a scan head
5. The reflected image is sent to a lens using a series of mirrors; the lens focuses the
image of the document
6. The focused image now falls on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). This converts
light into electric current.
7. (a CCD is made up of thousands of light-sensitive pixels. Each pixel creates an electric
charge when light falls on it)
8. The scanned image has now turned into an electronic form
4
Applications of 2D scanners
● Used to read passports at airports
● Make use of OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to produce digital images
that represent the passport pages
8) 3D Scanners
Scans solid, 3D objects in x, y, z directions. Produces a digital image which represents the solid
object that was scanned.
Tomography Technology: Builds up an image of the solid object through a series of very thin
‘slices’. They are joined together to create the final 3D image.
Application of 3D scanning:
● CT scanner
● MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
● SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)
9) Touch Screens
Capacitive Infra-red Resistive
Composed of three layers. A An invisible grid of infra-red Uses two layers of electrically
protective glass, a transparent beams is made; infra-red
resistive material. Flexible
electrode (conductive layer) and a beams are sent out from
glass substrate two edges of the screen polyethylene and glass both
layers are with resistive coating.
When the touch the screen, the When the screen is
current or electrostatic field touched, the infra-red Two layers are placed with a gap
changes and the microprocessor beams are broken of air or inert gas (such as
calculates the touch coordinates. argon).
The microprocessor
Surface Capacitive: calculates the touch When the top layer/screen is
Current is sent/flows out from all 4 coordinates. pushed into the bottom layer, a
corners of the screen. Works with circuit is completed.
(a bare finger or stylus)
The microcontroller converts the
Projective Capacitive: voltage to digital data.
Here the transparent conductive
layer is in the form of an X-Y
matrix pattern that creates a 3D
electrostatic field. Works with
(fingers, Stylus, surgical and
cotton gloves)
Advantages
5
- Multi-touch (projective) - Multi-touch - Good resistance to dust and
- Good visibility in sunlight - Good visibility in sunlight water
- Durable (works on scratched or - Durable (works on - Can be used with bare fingers,
cracked glass) scratched or cracked gloved, and a stylus
- Better image quality glass) - Easier to manufacture Cheaper
- Fast response times to manufacture/buy
Disadvantages
- Surface capacitive screens work - Screen can be sensitive - Does not support multi-touch
only with bare fingers or a stylus to water or moisture - Low touch sensitivity; need to
- Sensitive to electromagnetic - Accidental activation if press harder for it to register
radiation the infrared beam is
touch
disturbed in any way
- Sensitive to light - Poor visibility in strong sunlight
- Expensive to - Low quality
manufacture
Usages of different touchscreens
1. Capacitive Touchscreens
Surface Capacitive
● Used in ATMs, and industrial controls where durability and high light transmission
are important.
● Less common in consumer devices due to lower touch sensitivity compared to projective
capacitive screens.
Projective Capacitive
● Used in smartphones, tablets, laptops, and modern POS systems due to multi-touch
support and high accuracy.
● Preferred for automotive displays and gaming consoles for better responsiveness.
2. Infrared (IR) Touchscreens
● Used in large public displays, and smartboards because they support multi-touch and
work with any object (finger, glove, or stylus).
● Common in museum displays and digital whiteboards for educational purposes.
● Found in some medical and industrial applications where non-contact interaction is
beneficial.
3. Resistive Touchscreens
● Used in cash registers, medical equipment, and industrial machines where gloves or
stylus input is required.
● Common in older GPS devices and ATMs where cost-effectiveness is a priority.
● Works well in harsh environments due to resistance to dust and water.
