Common Input Devices

Input devices are the devices that send data into a computer for it to be processed. This form of data could be text or speech. Examples are microphones, scanners, mouse, keyboard etc. The basic input devices are the ones that are used and know by a person who has insufficient knowledge about IT.

Microphone
A microphone is a device that captures audio by converting sound waves into an electrical signal. This signal can be amplified as an analog signal or may be converted to a digital signal, which can be processed by a computer or other digital audio device. There are 3 common types of microphones.

Fig 1.1 Microphone

Mouse
It is a handheld hardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI and can move and select text, icons, files, and folders. The primary function is to move the mouse pointer on the screen.A mouse also allows you to select text or a file or highlight and select multiple files at once. 

Fig 1.2 Mouse

Keyboard
It is one of the primary input devices used with a computer that looks similar to those found on electric typewriters, but with some additional keys. Keyboards allow you to input letters, numbers, and other symbols into a computer that can serve as commands or be used to type text. There are some functions on a keyboard known as Keyboard-Shortcuts.

Fig 1.3 Keyboard

Scanner
It is a hardware input device that optically "reads" and image and converts it into a digital signal. Scanners come in hand-held, feed-in, and flatbed types and for scanning black-and-white only, or color.

Fig 1.2 Scanner 

Sources

• “What Is a Computer Mouse?” Computer Hope, 3 Aug. 2018, www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mouse.htm.
• Fisher, Tim. “What Is a Computer Keyboard?” Lifewire, www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-keyboard-2618153.
• “What Is a Scanner?” Computer Hope, 29 Dec. 2017, www.computerhope.com/jargon/o/optiscan.htm.
• “What Is Scanner? - Definition from WhatIs.com.” WhatIs.com, whatis.techtarget.com/definition/scanner.