Scribd
Upload
81 views

Assignment 1: Computer Science

This document defines and describes various common input devices used with computers: a mouse, keyboard, joystick, and scanner. It provides details on the invention and uses of each device, and describes different types within each category. The mouse detects motion and controls screen pointers, while the keyboard allows text entry. A joystick controls directional movement and a scanner converts printed materials into digital files. Each section explains the essential functions and variations of the major input devices.

Uploaded by

Mian Abdullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
81 views

Assignment 1: Computer Science

This document defines and describes various common input devices used with computers: a mouse, keyboard, joystick, and scanner. It provides details on the invention and uses of each device, and describes different types within each category. The mouse detects motion and controls screen pointers, while the keyboard allows text entry. A joystick controls directional movement and a scanner converts printed materials into digital files. Each section explains the essential functions and variations of the major input devices.

Uploaded by

Mian Abdullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Asma

Assignment 1

Computer Science

Compulsory

Topic:
Input Devices;

1-Mouse
2-Keyboard
3-Joystick
4-Scanner
Input Devices;

Definition: Any hardware component used to enter data or instruction into the
computer is known as input device.

1-Mouse:

A computer mouse is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-


dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is typically
translated into the motion of a pointer on a display, which allows a
smooth control of the graphical user interface of a computer.
Invention:
The mouse was initially known as the X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System
and was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963
Uses:
 Move the mouse pointer on the screen.
 Open or execute a program 
 Allows you to select text or a file 
 Drag-and-drop the selected file
 Scrolling
Types:
a) Mechanical mouse; has a metal ball and movement pointer depends on the
rotation of this ball.
b) Optical mouse; utilizes LEDs (light-emitting diodes), optical sensor or a laser to
track or detect movement.
c) Air mouse; a motion sensing mouse just like a remote control.
d) Cordless mouse: use wireless technology like radio waves or infrared light
waves.
2-Keyboard:
A keyboard is the standard input device
used to enter the textual data into the
computer.Its name showed that its a board of
keys, Button the the keyboard are known as
keys, that contain alphabetical character,
numerical digits and special characters. It usually contain more than 100 keys.
The standard keyboard is also known as the “QWERTY keyboard”. This is because
of the first six keys on the top row of alphabets are Q,W,E,R,T, AND Y.
Invention:
Christopher Latham Sholes was an American inventor who invented the
QWERTY keyboard, and, along with Samuel W.
Uses:
Mostly used to enter text and numerical data into the computer through wireless
technology such as radio waves or infrared light waves.
Types:
Keyboards are classified based on the size and their mode of usage. Some of them are
mentioned below:
1. Multimedia Keyboard; has all multimedia buttons that include play, pause,
previous, next, volume up, volume down,etc
2. Mechanical Keyboard; uses physical buttons for each key.It makes noise when
each key is pressed.
3. Wireless Keyboard; Bluetooth, IR technology or Radio Frequency is used to
connect the keyboard with the computer device.
4. Virtual Keyboard; used in smartphones
5. Gaming Keyboard; has very few keys specific for gamers .
6. QWERTY Keyboard; with first six keys on the top row of alphabets are
Q,W,E,R,T, AND Y.

Parts:
1. Function Keys.
2. Main Keyboard
3. Numeric keys
4. Additional keys

1.Function Keys:
There are 12 function keys on the top line of keyboard, labeled as F1,F2,F3…..F12.
These keys are used to perform specific functions. For example F1 is used to to get
help about the software currently running on the computer.

2.Main Keyboard:
This area of keyboard is like a typewriter keypad. It includes alphabetical character,
numerical digits and special characters. And function of these keys depends upon the
software being used. Most commonly command keys are as follows:

Keys Function

Esc Used to terminate or cancel the current task or to escape from


a program
Tab Enables the cursor to jump a couple of spaces to right on the
screen.Also used to move different options in dialogue box
Caps Lock Used to change lowercase letter to uppercase and vice versa.

Shift Used to type capital letters and other alternate "upper"


characters.
Ctrl Used in combination with other keys to apply a special
command as C+S (to save a document)
Alt Also Used in combination with other keys to produce a special
character.e.g,Alt+F4 (to close a window)
Backspace Used to delete a character on the left of cursor.
Enter Used to select a command or to insert a new line in
paragraph.
3-Numeric keys:
This portion consist of numeric keys and arithmetic operator keys. The numeric
keypad is a 17-key keypad just like a calculator and perform two main functions:
 To enter mathematical operators(_,+,%,*) and numeric data (when the Num
Lock is on)
 When the Num Lock is off, these keys can be used to move cursor on screen.
3-Additional keys;
Some additional keys are also present on keyboard that are used to move cursor on
screen. These keys includes:

Keys Functions
Arrow keys To move the cursor left,right,up and down
on screen.
Scroll lock Used to lock or unlock the scrolling of text
on screen.
Print Screen: Used to capture image of screen and to copy
it on clipboard
Windows To open the start menu
Pause Used to pause or stop information appearing
on screen

4-Scanner:

A scanner is an input device that optically "reads" and


images and text printed on paper then converts it into a
digital signals so that the computer can process it easily.
Its working is based on laser technology. It also includes
OCR(Optical Character Recognition Software).

Uses: Mainly a scanner used to convert a printed picture, drawing, or document


(hard copy) into a digital file,which can be edited on a computer.
Invention:

It was first appeared in 1860s. However, the present form of scanner was invented
in 1957 by a man named Russell Kirsch at the United States National Bureau of
Standards.The first image scanned by it was a black and white picture of Kirsch's
son.

Types:
1- Flatbed Scanner; known as “image scanner”. It works like a photocopy
machine and can scan a full image at a time, mostly used at home and offices.
2- Handheld Scanner; also known as “pen scanner”. It is usually dragged over
the image to be scanned. It is used for scanning small images, text numbers and bar
codes. Are available in different sizes and shapes.
3- Sheet-fed Scanner; it can scan only one piece of paper a ta time. It can scan
photos. Letters, business cards and even receipts.

4- Joystick:
A joystick is an input device that consist of a stick that
mounted on a base and reports its angle or direction to the
device it is controlling. It is also known as the control
column, is the principal control device in the cockpit of
many civilian and military aircraft.
Invention:
It was invented at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory by C. B. Mirick and
patented in 1926. It was a two-axis electronic joystick, similar to the joysticks in use
today, and was original designed for remotely piloting aircraft.
Uses:
it is mostly used when there is a need to perform a direct pointing or when a precise
function is needed.They are often used to control video games and also used for
controlling machines such as cranes, trucks, underwater unmanned vehicles,
wheelchairs, surveillance cameras, or in many civilian and military aircraft.
Types:

There are five types of joystick as follows:


1. Digital Joysticks; also called "Atari-style" joystick.
2. Paddle Joysticks; consist of one knob and it is the oldest one.
3. Analog Joysticks; combination of  both digital and paddle.
4. Pc Analog Joysticks; IBM first presented it with their personal computer.
5. Joypads; they are without the sticks.

You might also like