Output Devices

Printer

In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a text and/or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are primarily used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most new printers, a USB cable to a computer which serves as a document source. Some printers, commonly known as network printers, have built-in network interfaces, typically wireless and/or Ethernet based, and can serve as a hard copy device for any user on the network.

Monitor

A monitor or display is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an enclosure. The display device in modern monitors is typically a thin film transistor liquid crystal display  thin panel, while older monitors use a cathode ray tube about as deep as the screen size.

Sound

Sound is an output device in your computer that lets you hear sound affects, videos, music etc. To produce sound from your computer you will need speakers that connect to your hardware, this will then give you permission to listen to what ever it is you wish to hear.

Hardware Components

Processor

A processor is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic instructions that drive a computer. The term processor has generally replaced the term central processing unit (CPU). The processor in a personal computer or embedded in small devices is often called a microprocessor.

Memory e.g. RAM

Random-access memory is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order with a worst case performance of constant time. Strictly speaking, modern types of DRAM are therefore not random access, as data is read in bursts, although the name DRAM / RAM has stuck. However, many types of SRAM, ROM, OTP, and NOR flash are still random access even in a strict sense. RAM is often associated with volatile types of memory where its stored information is lost if the power is removed.

Devices for Network Connection

3G/4G

3G is the third generation of wireless technologies. It comes with enhancements over previous wireless technologies, like high speed transmission, advanced multimedia access and global roaming.

4G wireless is the term used to describe the fourth-generation of wireless service. 4G is a step up from 3G, which is currently the most widespread, high-speed wireless service. 4G is only available inlimited areas.

 

Wireless/Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a specification for the use oflow-power radio communications to

wirelessly link phones, computers and other network devices over short distances.

 

Wireless networking is often known as WI-FI. It is a way of getting broadband without wires. Wi-Fi allows you to connect several computers at once, anywhere in the house or if you have a laptop, to even use your computer in the garden. You don’t need to install extra phone lines or cables.

Network Interface Cards (NIC)

A network interface controller is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network. Whereas network interface controllers were commonly implemented on expansion cards that plug into a computer bus, the low cost and ubiquity of the Ethernet standard means that most newer computers have a network interface built into the motherboard.

Storage Devices

Hard disk drive

In a personal computer, a hard disk drive  is the mechanism that controls the positioning, reading, and writing of the hard disk, which furnishes the largest amount of data storage for the PC. Although the hard disk drive  and the hard disk are not the same thing, they are packaged as a unit and so either term is sometimes used to refer to the whole unit.

                                                       Memory Stick/Flash drive 

A USB flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus interface. USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than a floppy disk. Most weigh less than 30 g. As of September 2011 drives of 256 gigabytes are available,and storage capacities as large as 2 terabytes are planned, with steady improvements in size and price per capacity expected.

 CD Rom

CD ROM, stands for Compact Disc Read Only Memory, it is a type of storing data that goes up to 1 GB. It is an optical disk  that has the capacity to store data, music files, video files etc.  A single one has the average capacity to store the memory of about 700 floppy disk, which is equal to 3000,000 text pages. Once it is filled up with data, new data cannot be entered on it. First of all it was designed to store only the music and video files, but later this format has also been adapted to store the binary data of the computer. They are particularly used to distribute the computer software that can include, games, multimedia application etc.

Data Flow Diagram

Input devices

                                              Keyboard

In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Following the decline of punch cards and paper tape, interaction via teleprinter-style keyboards became the main input device for computers.

                                                         

Mouse

In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons. It sometimes features other elements, such as "wheels", which allow the user to perform various system-dependent operations, or extra buttons or features that can add more control or dimensional input. The mouse's motion typically translates into the motion of a cursor on a display, which allows for fine control of a graphical user interface.

Webcam  

A webcam is a video-camera that feeds real time images to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet or WI-FI. Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera for the World Wide Web gave the webcam its name. Other popular uses include security surveillance and computer vision and there is also uses on sites like video broadcasting service and for recording social videos .

Joystick

A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or side-stick. They often have supplementary switches on them to control other aspects of the aircraft's flight.

Touch Screen

A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus. Touchscreens are common in devices such as all-in-one computers, tablet computers, and smartphones.

                                                          Game controller

A game controller is a device used with a games or entertainment systems used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection. Controllers which have been classified as game controllers are keyboards, mice, game pads, joysticks, etc. Special purpose devices, such as steering wheels for driving games and light guns for shooting games, are also game controllers.

Microphone

A microphone can be useful for people who find it difficult to use a keyboard or a mouse. People can say their input out loud and specialist software can be used to convert the speech into text. This text can be displayed on the screen.

Different types of computer systems

PC

Personal Computers are now a very common item yet in 1995 there were only 250 computers in use throughout the world. More than one million computers had been sold in 1980 and by the mid 1980's this number has risen to 30 million.

Laptop

laptop computer, usually called a notebook computer by manufacturers, is a battery- or AC-powered personal computer generally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be transported and conveniently used in temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary offices, and at meetings. A laptop typically weighs less than 5 pounds and is 3 inches or less in thickness. Among the best-known makers of laptop computers are IBM, Apple, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba.

P.D.A

 A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet. A PDA has an electronic visual display, enabling it to include a web browser, but some newer models also have audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players.

Games console

A games console is a form of interactive multimedia used for entertainment. The game consists manipulable images genrerated by a video game console and displayed on a television or similar audio-video system. The game itself is usually controlled and manipulated using a handheld device connected to the console called the controller.

Mobile

A mobile phone allows calls into the switched telephone system over a radio link. Early mobile phones were usually bulky and permanently installed in vehicles. They provide limited service because only a few frequencies were available for a geographic area. Modern cell phones or hand phones make use of cellular network concept, were frequencies are re-used repeatedly within a city area, allowing many more users to share access to the radio bandwith. A mobile phone allows calls to be placed over a wide geographic area, generally the user is a subscriber to the phone service and does not own the base station. By contrass, a cordless telephone is used only within the range of a single, private base station.

 

Graphics Tablet- A graphics tablet is a computer input device that enables a user to hand draw, similar to the way a person draws images with a pencil and paper. These tablets may also be used to capture data or handwritten signatures. It can also be used to trace an image from a piece of paper which is taped or otherwise secured to the surface. Capturing data in this way, either by tracing or entering the corners of linear poly-lines or shapes is called digitizing.

 

Embedded devices- An embedded device is commonly used in todays society. A embedded device is a electronic computer that has input, output and process. It sometimes also has storage. Examples are ABS, Washing machines and Mobile phones.