What is Input?

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Input is any data and instructions entered into the memory of a computer. Instructions can be entered into the computer in the forms of programs, commands, and user responses.

Input Devices

An input device is any hardware component that allows users to enter data and instructions into a computer.

Examples: 

1. Keyboard
2. Pointing Devices
     *Mouse
     *Trackball
     *Touchpad
     *Pointing Stick
3. Microphone
4. Scanner
5. Webcam
6. Touch Screens
7. Joystick
8. Digital Camera
9. Reading Devices
     *Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
     *Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
     *Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
     *Biometric input device

Keyboard

A keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to enter data and instructions into a computer. 

There are three types of keyboards which is: Desktop computer keyboard, Keyboard for mobile devices, and Keyboard ergonomics.

Pointing Devices 

A pointing device is an input device that allows a user to control a pointer on the screen. A pointer is a small symbol on the screen whose location and shape changes as a user moves a pointing device.

Pointing devices are used to move the insertion points; select text, graphic, and other objects; and click buttons, icons, links and menu commands.  

Web Cam

A web cam is a type of digital video camera that enables user to capture videos and still images, send email messages with video attachments, add live images to instant messages, broadcast live images over the internet and make video phone calls.

Scanners and Reading Devices

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) involves reading characters from ordinary documents. A turnaround document is a document you return to the company that creates and sends it.
Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) reads hand-draws marks such as small curciles or rectangles. An OMR device scans the documents and matches the patters of light.
A Bar Code Reader, also called Bar Code Scanner uses laser beams to read bar codes.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) uses radio signals to communicate with a tag placed in or attached to an object. An RFID reader reads information on the tag via radio waves.
Magnetic Stripe Card Readers read the magnetic stripe on the back of cards such as credit cards and bank cards.
MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) devices read text printed with magnetized ink. An MICR reader converts MICR characters into a form the computer can process. Banking industry uses MICR for check processing.

Biometric Input

Biometric authenticates a person's identity by verifying a personal characteristic. Like fingerprint reader, face recognition system, hand geometry system, voice verification system, signature verification system, iris recognition system and retinal scanners.