![Input device](https://www.english.nina.az/wikipedia/image/aHR0cHM6Ly91cGxvYWQud2lraW1lZGlhLm9yZy93aWtpcGVkaWEvY29tbW9ucy90aHVtYi85LzllL0tpbmVzaXMtQ29udG91cmVkX0tleWJvYXJkX0NsYXNzaWMtMi5qcGcvMTYwMHB4LUtpbmVzaXMtQ29udG91cmVkX0tleWJvYXJkX0NsYXNzaWMtMi5qcGc=.jpg )
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations.(May 2022) |
In computing, an input device is a piece of equipment used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system, such as a computer or information appliance. Examples of input devices include keyboards, computer mice, scanners, cameras, joysticks, and microphones.
Input devices can be categorized based on:
- modality of output (e.g., mechanical motion, audio, visual, etc.)
- whether the output is discrete (e.g., pressing of key) or continuous (e.g., a mouse's position, though digitized into a discrete quantity, is fast enough to be considered continuous)
- the number of degrees of freedom involved (e.g., two-dimensional traditional mice, or three-dimensional navigators designed for CAD applications)
Keyboard
A keyboard is a human interface device which is represented as a matrix of buttons. Each button, or key, can be used to either input an alphanumeric character to a computer, or to call upon a particular function of the computer. It acts as the main text entry interface for most users.
Types
Keyboards are available in many form factors, depending on the use case. Standard keyboards can be categorized by its size and number of keys, and the type of switch it employs. Other keyboards cater to specific use cases, such as a numeric keypad or a keyer.
Desktop keyboards are typically large, often have full key travel distance, and features such as multimedia keys and a numeric keypad. Keyboards on laptops and tablets typically compromise on comfort to achieve a thin figure.
There are various switch technologies used in modern keyboards, such as mechanical switches (which use springs), scissor switches (usually found on a laptop keyboard), or a membrane.
Other keyboards do not have physical keys, such as a virtual keyboard, or a projection keyboard.
- Ergonomic keyboard
- A keyboard placing design emphasis on ergonomics and comfort.
- Chorded keyboard
- A keyboard used by pressing several keys together.
- Thumb keyboard
- A miniature keyboard found in PDAs and mobile phones.
- Keyer
- A chorded keyboard without the board.
- Numeric keypad
- While some keyboards include one (commonly found on the right side), numeric keypads can be found as independent devices.
- Keyboard
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Chorded keyboard
- Thumb keyboard
- Keyer
- Numeric keypad
Pointing device
A pointing device allows a user to input spatial data to a computer. It is commonly used as a simple and intuitive way to select items on a computer screen on a graphical user interface (GUI), either by moving a mouse pointer, or, in the case of a touch screen, by physically touching the item on screen. Common pointing devices include mice, touchpads, and touch screens.
Whereas mice operate by detecting their displacement on a surface, analog devices, such as 3D mice, joysticks, or pointing sticks, function by reporting their angle of deflection.
Types
Pointing devices can be classified on:
- Whether the input is direct or indirect. With direct input, the input space coincides with the display space, i.e. pointing is done in the space where visual feedback or the pointer appears. Touchscreens and light pens involve direct input. Examples involving indirect input include the mouse and trackball.
- Whether the positional information is absolute (e.g. on a touch screen) or relative (e.g., with a mouse that can be lifted and repositioned)
Direct input is almost necessarily absolute, but indirect input may be either absolute or relative. For example, digitizing graphics tablets that do not have an embedded screen involve indirect input and sense absolute positions and are often run in an absolute input mode, but they may also be set up to simulate a relative input mode like that of a touchpad, where the stylus or puck can be lifted and repositioned. Embedded LCD tablets, which are also referred to as graphics tablet monitors, are the extension of digitizing graphics tablets. They enable users to see the real-time positions via the screen while being used.
- mouse
- A hand-held pointing device that is moved across a surface.
- touchpad or trackpad
- A flat surface operated by moving a finger across its surface.
- touch screen
- A layer placed over a computer screen, used by physically touching it with one's finger or a stylus.
- trackball
- Similar to a mouse, a trackball has a ball held by a socket. Instead of moving the mouse, the user rolls the ball with their finger.
- graphics tablet, digitizer, or drawing tablet
- A flat surface on which a stylus is used, often to draw images or capture signatures.
- mouse
- Digitizer mouse
- A large-format graphic tablet by manufacturer Summagraphics (OEM'd to Gerber): The puck's external copper coil can be clearly seen. Note using of a Digitizer mouse with a magnifying glass
- touchpad (or trackpad)
- pointing stick
- touchscreen
- trackball
- graphics tablet
Sensors
![image](https://www.english.nina.az/wikipedia/image/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5nbGlzaC5uaW5hLmF6L3dpa2lwZWRpYS9pbWFnZS9hSFIwY0hNNkx5OTFjR3h2WVdRdWQybHJhVzFsWkdsaExtOXlaeTkzYVd0cGNHVmthV0V2WTI5dGJXOXVjeTkwYUhWdFlpOHpMek0zTDAxdlltbHNaVjlFWlhacFkyVmZVMlZ1YzI5eWN5NXdibWN2TWpJd2NIZ3RUVzlpYVd4bFgwUmxkbWxqWlY5VFpXNXpiM0p6TG5CdVp3PT0ucG5n.png)
A sensor is an input device which produces data based on physical properties.
Sensors are commonly found in mobile devices to detect their physical orientation and acceleration, but may also be found in desktop computers in the form of a thermometer used to monitor system temperature.
Types
- Accelerometer
- Detects acceleration.
- Gyroscope
- Detects spatial orientation.
- Magnetometer
- Similar to a compass, a magnetometer senses magnetic heading.
- Proximity sensor
- Detects whether an object is in proximity.
- Barometer
- Measures atmospheric pressure. May be used to determine elevation above sea level.
- Ultrasonic transducer
- Detects movement and range of objects using ultrasound.
- LIDAR
- Detects the range of objects using laser.
- Thermometer
- Measures temperature. Usually uses a thermistor or thermocouple.
- An infrared proximity sensor used in a smartphone allows it to turn off its screen when held up to the user's ear.
Some sensors can be built with MEMS, which allows them to be microscopic in size.
High-degree of freedom input devices
![image](https://www.english.nina.az/wikipedia/image/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5nbGlzaC5uaW5hLmF6L3dpa2lwZWRpYS9pbWFnZS9hSFIwY0hNNkx5OTFjR3h2WVdRdWQybHJhVzFsWkdsaExtOXlaeTkzYVd0cGNHVmthV0V2WTI5dGJXOXVjeTkwYUhWdFlpOWtMMlE0TDA5amRXeDFjeTFTYVdaMExWUnZkV05vTFVOdmJuUnliMnhzWlhKekxWQmhhWEl1YW5Cbkx6SXlNSEI0TFU5amRXeDFjeTFTYVdaMExWUnZkV05vTFVOdmJuUnliMnhzWlhKekxWQmhhWEl1YW5Cbi5qcGc=.jpg)
Some devices allow many continuous degrees of freedom as input. These can be used as pointing devices, but are generally used in ways that don't involve pointing to a location in space, such as the control of a camera angle while in 3D applications. These kinds of devices are typically used in virtual reality systems (CAVEs), where input that registers six degrees of freedom is required.[citation needed]
Composite devices
Input devices, such as buttons and joysticks, can be combined on a single physical device that could be thought of as a composite device. Many gaming devices have controllers like this. Technically mice are composite devices, as they both track movement and provide buttons for clicking, but composite devices are generally considered to have more than two different forms of input.
Examples
- Joystick
- Consists of a stick pivoting on a stationary base.
- Gamepad, or joypad
- Hand held device often used to play modern video games.
- Paddle
- A paddle could be a game controller consisting of a dial and a button, or an input device such as a Griffin PowerMate or a Microsoft Surface Dial.
- Racing wheel
- An imitation steering wheel that can be used to play racing video games.
- Wii Remote
- A remote control used with the Nintendo Wii video game console which integrates an accelerometer and pointing capabilities.
- Joystick controller
- Gamepad (or joypad)
- Paddle (game controller)
- Jog dial/shuttle (or knob)
- Wii Remote
Video input devices
![image](https://www.english.nina.az/wikipedia/image/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5nbGlzaC5uaW5hLmF6L3dpa2lwZWRpYS9pbWFnZS9hSFIwY0hNNkx5OTFjR3h2WVdRdWQybHJhVzFsWkdsaExtOXlaeTkzYVd0cGNHVmthV0V2WTI5dGJXOXVjeTkwYUhWdFlpODJMelkzTDFoaWIzZ3RNell3TFV0cGJtVmpkQzFUZEdGdVpHRnNiMjVsTG5CdVp5OHlNakJ3ZUMxWVltOTRMVE0yTUMxTGFXNWxZM1F0VTNSaGJtUmhiRzl1WlM1d2JtYz0ucG5n.png)
Video input devices are used to digitize images or video from the outside world into the computer. The information can be stored in a multitude of formats depending on the user's requirement.
Many video input devices use a camera sensor.
Types
- Digital camera
- Digital camcorder
- Portable media player
- Webcam
- Microsoft Kinect Sensor
- Image scanner
- Fingerprint scanner
- Barcode reader
- 3D scanner
- Laser rangefinder
- Eye gaze tracker
Voice recorder
Voice input devices are used to capture sound. In some cases, an audio output device can be used as an input device, in order to capture produced sound. Audio input devices allow a user to send audio info to a computer for processing, recording, or carrying out commands. Devices such as microphones allow users to speak to the computer in order to record a voice message or navigate software. Aside from recording, audio input devices are also used with speech recognition software.
Types
- Microphones
- MIDI keyboard or other digital musical instrument
Punched paper
Punched cards and punched tapes were used often in the 20th century. A punched hole represented a one; its absence represented a zero. A mechanical or optical reader was used to input a punched card or tape.
Other types
- Gesture recognition
- Digital pen
- Magnetic ink character recognition
- Sip-and-puff#Computer input device
See also
- Display device
- Peripheral
References
- "What is Keyboard | Usage, Function and Types of Keyboard". 21 January 2022.
- "What is a Pointing Device?". Computer Hope.
- "Input device". CodeDocs.
- "Are sensors input or output devices?". Electronic Guidebook. 16 May 2020.
- Rick Sanchez (6 November 2002). "Griffin PowerMate Review". IGN. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
a delightful little device from Griffin Technology that replicates the functionality of the paddle controller you used to have with your old Atari 2600
- Mark Hachman (12 April 2017). "Griffin's PowerMate is the Surface Dial dead-ringer that's trapped in Mac land". PC World. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
Further reading
- N. P. Milner. 1988
- A review of human performance and preferences with different input devices to computer systems. In Proceedings of the Fourth Conference of the British Computer Society on People and computers IV, D. M. Jones and R. Winder (Eds.). Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA, 341–362. ISBN 0-521-36553-8
External links
- "What is an Input Device?". Computer Hope.
This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations May 2022 Learn how and when to remove this message In computing an input device is a piece of equipment used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or information appliance Examples of input devices include keyboards computer mice scanners cameras joysticks and microphones source source source A common computer input device a keyboard A user presses a key which transfers information to a computer Input devices can be categorized based on modality of output e g mechanical motion audio visual etc whether the output is discrete e g pressing of key or continuous e g a mouse s position though digitized into a discrete quantity is fast enough to be considered continuous the number of degrees of freedom involved e g two dimensional traditional mice or three dimensional navigators designed for CAD applications KeyboardA keyboard is a human interface device which is represented as a matrix of buttons Each button or key can be used to either input an alphanumeric character to a computer or to call upon a particular function of the computer It acts as the main text entry interface for most users Types Keyboards are available in many form factors depending on the use case Standard keyboards can be categorized by its size and number of keys and the type of switch it employs Other keyboards cater to specific use cases such as a numeric keypad or a keyer Desktop keyboards are typically large often have full key travel distance and features such as multimedia keys and a numeric keypad Keyboards on laptops and tablets typically compromise on comfort to achieve a thin figure There are various switch technologies used in modern keyboards such as mechanical switches which use springs scissor switches usually found on a laptop keyboard or a membrane Other keyboards do not have physical keys such as a virtual keyboard or a projection keyboard Ergonomic keyboard A keyboard placing design emphasis on ergonomics and comfort Chorded keyboard A keyboard used by pressing several keys together Thumb keyboard A miniature keyboard found in PDAs and mobile phones Keyer A chorded keyboard without the board Numeric keypad While some keyboards include one commonly found on the right side numeric keypads can be found as independent devices Keyboard Ergonomic keyboard Chorded keyboard Thumb keyboard Keyer Numeric keypadPointing deviceA computer mouse A pointing device allows a user to input spatial data to a computer It is commonly used as a simple and intuitive way to select items on a computer screen on a graphical user interface GUI either by moving a mouse pointer or in the case of a touch screen by physically touching the item on screen Common pointing devices include mice touchpads and touch screens Whereas mice operate by detecting their displacement on a surface analog devices such as 3D mice joysticks or pointing sticks function by reporting their angle of deflection Types Pointing devices can be classified on Whether the input is direct or indirect With direct input the input space coincides with the display space i e pointing is done in the space where visual feedback or the pointer appears Touchscreens and light pens involve direct input Examples involving indirect input include the mouse and trackball Whether the positional information is absolute e g on a touch screen or relative e g with a mouse that can be lifted and repositioned Direct input is almost necessarily absolute but indirect input may be either absolute or relative For example digitizing graphics tablets that do not have an embedded screen involve indirect input and sense absolute positions and are often run in an absolute input mode but they may also be set up to simulate a relative input mode like that of a touchpad where the stylus or puck can be lifted and repositioned Embedded LCD tablets which are also referred to as graphics tablet monitors are the extension of digitizing graphics tablets They enable users to see the real time positions via the screen while being used mouse A hand held pointing device that is moved across a surface touchpad or trackpad A flat surface operated by moving a finger across its surface touch screen A layer placed over a computer screen used by physically touching it with one s finger or a stylus trackball Similar to a mouse a trackball has a ball held by a socket Instead of moving the mouse the user rolls the ball with their finger graphics tablet digitizer or drawing tablet A flat surface on which a stylus is used often to draw images or capture signatures mouse Digitizer mouse A large format graphic tablet by manufacturer Summagraphics OEM d to Gerber The puck s external copper coil can be clearly seen Note using of a Digitizer mouse with a magnifying glass touchpad or trackpad pointing stick touchscreen trackball graphics tabletSensorsMEMS sensors among other devices used in a mobile device A sensor is an input device which produces data based on physical properties Sensors are commonly found in mobile devices to detect their physical orientation and acceleration but may also be found in desktop computers in the form of a thermometer used to monitor system temperature Types Accelerometer Detects acceleration Gyroscope Detects spatial orientation Magnetometer Similar to a compass a magnetometer senses magnetic heading Proximity sensor Detects whether an object is in proximity Barometer Measures atmospheric pressure May be used to determine elevation above sea level Ultrasonic transducer Detects movement and range of objects using ultrasound LIDAR Detects the range of objects using laser Thermometer Measures temperature Usually uses a thermistor or thermocouple An infrared proximity sensor used in a smartphone allows it to turn off its screen when held up to the user s ear Some sensors can be built with MEMS which allows them to be microscopic in size High degree of freedom input devicesControllers for use with the Oculus Rift virtual reality system Some devices allow many continuous degrees of freedom as input These can be used as pointing devices but are generally used in ways that don t involve pointing to a location in space such as the control of a camera angle while in 3D applications These kinds of devices are typically used in virtual reality systems CAVEs where input that registers six degrees of freedom is required citation needed Composite devicesInput devices such as buttons and joysticks can be combined on a single physical device that could be thought of as a composite device Many gaming devices have controllers like this Technically mice are composite devices as they both track movement and provide buttons for clicking but composite devices are generally considered to have more than two different forms of input Examples Joystick Consists of a stick pivoting on a stationary base Gamepad or joypad Hand held device often used to play modern video games Paddle A paddle could be a game controller consisting of a dial and a button or an input device such as a Griffin PowerMate or a Microsoft Surface Dial Racing wheel An imitation steering wheel that can be used to play racing video games Wii Remote A remote control used with the Nintendo Wii video game console which integrates an accelerometer and pointing capabilities Joystick controller Gamepad or joypad Paddle game controller Jog dial shuttle or knob Wii RemoteVideo input devicesMicrosoft Kinect sensor works by detecting human motion visually Video input devices are used to digitize images or video from the outside world into the computer The information can be stored in a multitude of formats depending on the user s requirement Many video input devices use a camera sensor Types Digital camera Digital camcorder Portable media player Webcam Microsoft Kinect Sensor Image scanner Fingerprint scanner Barcode reader 3D scanner Laser rangefinder Eye gaze trackerVoice recorderVoice input devices are used to capture sound In some cases an audio output device can be used as an input device in order to capture produced sound Audio input devices allow a user to send audio info to a computer for processing recording or carrying out commands Devices such as microphones allow users to speak to the computer in order to record a voice message or navigate software Aside from recording audio input devices are also used with speech recognition software Types Microphones MIDI keyboard or other digital musical instrumentPunched paperPunched cards and punched tapes were used often in the 20th century A punched hole represented a one its absence represented a zero A mechanical or optical reader was used to input a punched card or tape Other typesGesture recognition Digital pen Magnetic ink character recognition Sip and puff Computer input deviceSee alsoDisplay device PeripheralReferences What is Keyboard Usage Function and Types of Keyboard 21 January 2022 What is a Pointing Device Computer Hope Input device CodeDocs Are sensors input or output devices Electronic Guidebook 16 May 2020 Rick Sanchez 6 November 2002 Griffin PowerMate Review IGN Retrieved 10 December 2022 a delightful little device from Griffin Technology that replicates the functionality of the paddle controller you used to have with your old Atari 2600 Mark Hachman 12 April 2017 Griffin s PowerMate is the Surface Dial dead ringer that s trapped in Mac land PC World Retrieved 10 December 2022 Further readingN P Milner 1988 A review of human performance and preferences with different input devices to computer systems In Proceedings of the Fourth Conference of the British Computer Society on People and computers IV D M Jones and R Winder Eds Cambridge University Press New York NY USA 341 362 ISBN 0 521 36553 8External links What is an Input Device Computer Hope