What is an Input Device? Definition, Functions, and Examples [Full Information]

Input Device Definition

In computing, an input device is any hardware device that sends data to a computer, usually from a user or another computer. These are referred to as input devices or source devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, or microphone.

Various input devices convert data into electrical impulses that are then conveyed to the computer for processing and storage in central or internal memory. These devices are essential, because they allow users to interact with the computer.

Input devices are distinct from output devices, which are connected to a computer to retrieve information.

Some input devices can also function as output devices (that is, as I/O or mixed devices), because they both introduce information to the system and extract it from the system. A touchscreen is an example of such a device.

Input Device Function

Input devices are an essential part of how a computer operates. Without input devices, users would have no way of interacting with a computer, making it virtually useless. Input devices are used to add new information to a computer, such as text, commands, documents, images, and more. Modern computers can handle multiple input devices simultaneously. Most of these devices connect to a computer via standard serial ports or USB connections.

Some characteristics of input devices include:

• They allow information to be input into a computer in various formats, such as audio, image, or text.
• They convert user-provided information into data that can be read by a computer.
• They are part of a computer's hardware and can be connected either wirelessly or through a cable.
• They adapt and update according to advancements in technology.
• They are essential for users to interact with computers and are generally user-friendly.

### Input Device Examples

Examples of input devices include:

• Keyboard: A board-like device consisting of letter, number, and symbol keys. It connects to a computer either wirelessly or through a cable (in laptops, it's built-in), enabling users to input information or execute functions. The most common keyboard layout is the QWERTY keyboard.
• Mouse: A device used to input information into a system, translating the user's manipulation of the device into specific commands. There are various types of mice, with the most common being an oval design where moving the mouse moves a pointer on the screen. Many laptops incorporate a touchpad, which is a touch-sensitive surface that serves the same function as a mouse.
• Microphone: A device that captures sound and converts it into electrical pulses that can be encoded, stored, transmitted, and reproduced. Microphones introduce voice information, music, or any other type of sound into the system.
• Camera or Webcam: A device that uses a lens system and a light-sensitive component to capture images, digitizing them for transmission to a system. These cameras can take photographs or videos for subsequent transmission or playback.
• Scanner: A device that digitizes documents or images and inserts them into a computer. These files can be stored, sent, or edited.
• Barcode Reader: A device, often shaped like a handgun, functioning as an optical reader that can interpret barcodes (black lines on a white background) containing product information.
• Gamepad: A device commonly used for video games, with levers operated by the user to perform actions on a computer. Its name derives from "joy" (fun) and "sticks" (the handles).
• Stylus: A pen-shaped device used to input information on touchscreens, such as monitors and tablets.
• Graphics Tablet: A digital flat surface on which users draw graphics and sketches, which are then reflected on the computer screen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Input Devices

1. Is a camera an input or output device?

A webcam is a type of input device that contains a miniature camera which can transmit real-time images to a computer. They are useful for video calls, and most laptops have a built-in webcam.

2. Is a printer an input device?

A printer is generally considered an output device for a computer, often classified with such peripheral hardware as a scanner and a mouse. A display is also an input device. Like much computer hardware, it is hard to say whether a printer is an input or an output device.

3. Is a scanner an input or output device?

A scanner is an input device that uses a beam of light to detect variations in darkness and translate physical images into digital signals for duplicating documents on a computer. It enables you to digitize documents and photographs, often as part of a multifunction printer.

4. Is a speaker an input or output device?

A speaker is an output device. This computer output device was invented to reproduce sound and digital audio.