Input and output devices
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| input device | 输入设备 | shū rù shè bèi |
| output device | 输出设备 | shū chū shè bèi |
| barcode | 条形码 | tiáo xíng mǎ |
| sensors | 传感器 | chuán gǎn qì |
| touch screen | 触摸屏 | chù mō píng |
| resistive | 电阻式 | diàn zǔ shì |
| capacitive | 电容式 | diàn róng shì |
| toner | 墨粉 | mò fěn |
| actuator | 执行器 | zhí xíng qì |
Talking to the computer
- An input device 输入设备 sends data into the computer.
- An output device 输出设备 sends results out to the user.
- Knowing how each works (and which is which) is a common exam task.
Device and storage lab
Classify computing examples by what job they do in a system.
Input devices
- Keyboard (sends a code per key), optical mouse (light + sensor tracks movement).
- Barcode 条形码/QR scanner (reads a pattern), digital camera (lens → sensor → pixels).
- Microphone (sound → electrical signal), sensors 传感器 (measure a physical quantity).
- A touch screen 触摸屏 is also an input device.
A sensor measures a physical quantity and sends it to the computer as input
An inkjet printer sprays tiny drops of ink onto the paper
Which is an input device?
A scanner brings data in. Projectors, speakers and printers are output devices.
Sort these into input or output.
Microphones and sensors bring data in; speakers send sound out.
Touch screen types
- Resistive 电阻式 — two layers are pressed together where you touch.
- Capacitive 电容式 — it senses the tiny electric charge of your finger (used in phones).
- Infrared — your finger breaks a grid of light beams.
A keyboard: each key press sends a code for that character
A capacitive touch screen works by:
Capacitive screens detect the finger's charge (multi-touch, used in phones); resistive presses layers; infrared breaks beams.
Output devices
- LCD/LED screen and projector show images; speaker makes sound.
- Inkjet printer sprays ink drops; laser printer uses a laser + toner 墨粉 fixed by heat; 3D printer builds an object layer by layer.
- An actuator 执行器 turns a signal into movement (a motor or valve).
An actuator turns a signal into movement — here a small electric motor
A flatbed scanner: it shines light across a page to copy it into the computer
An actuator is an output device that:
An actuator (motor, valve) converts a signal into physical movement.
A laser printer fuses toner powder onto paper with heat, an inkjet sprays tiny drops of ink, and a 3D printer builds an object up in layers.
Three different output technologies: laser (toner + heat), inkjet (sprayed ink), 3D (layer-by-layer).
You've got it
- input brings data in (keyboard, scanner, sensor, camera, mic, touch screen)
- touch screens: resistive (pressed layers), capacitive (finger charge), infrared (broken beams)
- output sends results out (screen, printer, speaker, actuator = movement)
- inkjet sprays ink; laser uses toner fixed by heat