What are the types of input devices?
Depending on the implementation, this is a very wide question, but as it is related to pcs and most of the issues relate to desktop / Laptop type pcs, I shall keep to it. Types of inputs are:
digital input devices
analog input devices
single signal input devices
signal converter devices
There may be some others, but these cover the basic input types.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of usually computer-funded input devices. Think about the above type of input and attempt to see whether you can tell what type of input device it is (some of them use more than one of the above).
Power/reset switch - Used for turning on/off computer or telling computer to reset without removing the power.
Keyboard - Used for entering text, moving focus using arrow keys, enable extra functions by using function keys and/or related keystrokes.
Mouse/trackball - Typically used for x/y coordinate plotting on your screen to tell your computer what you’re interested in (like positioning the pointer on a folder and clicking a button to tell the computer to open the folder to see the contents) or draw something in a graphical program.
Touchpad - Alternate representation of a mouse.
Touch screen - Alternate representation of a mouse.
Digital stylus/pen - Alternate representation of a mouse.
Scanner — Used to capture images of something; to scan the OCR page, to make the pre-painted text easier / faster input or reproduction possible; to scan photos for share / storage; to track other objects; etc. Scanning. You can also include another machine, such as a printer / scanner / fax multi-function.
Joystick - Used for x/y coordinate plotting; typically used for games.
Microphone - Used for capturing analog audio if your computer has an analog audio input port.
Video capture card - Used for converting analog video signals to digital; may also be equipped with a radio tuner for receiving television signals.
Digital camera - Specialized form of video capture. Computer use is typically the built-in camera on some laptops or a camera that plugs into a USB port. Other types of digital cameras are available that store stills/videos on a removable storage medium that can be plugged into a computer.
Modem - Combination input/output device used for transmitting information between computers; typically used with analog telephones.
Bluetooth transmitter/receiver - Combination input/output device; specialized modem for short-range wireless use rather than analog telephone; typically used with wireless keyboards/mice/trackballs, but also used with other devices. May be built into the computer or alternately a USB dongle.
Tape drive/floppy disk/hard disk/thumb drive/SSD/Memory card - These are examples of input/output devices normally used for long-term storage of information; information is read from them into the computer and the computer can send information to them to store for later use. Information can be either data or programs depending on usage.
Specialized modem for short distance wireless use rather than analog phone: typically for use with wireless keyboards / mice / trackballs but also with other appliances, Bluetooth transmitter / receiver. You can integrate a USB dongle into the desktop.
