Chapter 2_Module 6

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

1

1

Module 6: Input and Output:

Entering Data and
Producing Information

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May
not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Discovering
Computers: Digital
Technology, Data,
and Devices, 17e

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

2

Module Objectives

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Differentiate between input and output

• Identify manual input devices

• Identify digital input devices

• Identify physical output methods

• Identify digital output methods

• Identify uses of various assistive technology input and output methods

• Explain how to customize and manage input and output devices

• Identify e-waste risks and strategies

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

3

Input and Output (1 of 2)

How Do You Use Input?
•

Data is a collection of unprocessed items,
including text, numbers, images, audio, and
video.

•

A variety of options are used to input data
and instructions into a computer.

•

A command is an instruction that causes a
program or app to perform a specific action.

•

Programs and apps respond to commands
that a user issues.

•

A user response is an instruction a user issues
by responding to a message displayed by a
program or app.

•
A response to the message instructs the
program or app to perform certain actions.

Figure 6-1 Examples of input

devices.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

4

Input and Output (2 of 2)

How Do You Use Output?
•Output varies in form depending on the
hardware and software being used and the
requirements of the user.

•Four basic types of output:
✔ Text (text messages, email messages,

memos, books, etc.)

✔ Graphics (photos, clip art, charts, GIFs, etc.)
✔
Audio (sporting events, radio, audio clips,
news, music, etc.)

✔
Video (movies, weather conditions, live
performances, etc.)

Figure 6-2 An electronic newsletter

with graphics.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

5

Manual Input (1 of 12)

A manual input device is one in which you enter
data directly into the device.

Typing and Pointing Input
•

Keyboards and pointing devices are traditional
types of manual input devices.

•

Keyboards enable you to type text or
commands.

•

Pointing devices enable you to make
selections on the screen.

•

All keyboards have a typing area, function
keys, toggle keys, and navigation keys.

•

Many also include media control buttons,
Internet control buttons, and other special
keys.

Figure 6-3 Windows and macOS

standard keyboards.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

6

Manual Input (2 of 12)

•

Function keys, which are labeled with the letter F followed by a
number, are special keys programmed to issue commands to a
computer.

•

A Toggle key is a key that will alternate views or turn a feature on or
off each time you press it. Caps Lock and Num Lock are examples of
toggle keys.

•

Users can press the navigation keys, such as arrow keys and Page
Up/Pg Up and Page Down/Pg Dn on the keyboard, to move the
insertion point in a program or app left, right, up, or down.

•

A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys used to access a
feature to perform a command.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

7

Manual Input (3 of 12)

Using Pointing Devices

•

In a graphical user interface, a pointer is a small symbol on the
screen that takes different shapes depending on the task you are
performing, the application you are using, and the pointer’s location
on the screen.

•

A pointing device can enable you to select text, graphics, and other
objects, such as buttons, icons, links, and commands.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

8

Manual Input (4 of 12)

A mouse is a pointing device that fits under

the palm of a hand comfortably.

•

The bottom of a mouse is flat and contains
a mechanism that detects the movement
of the mouse

•

An optical mouse uses optical sensors

•

A touch mouse is a touch-sensitive mouse
that recognizes touch

•

A laser mouse uses laser sensors

•

An ergonomic mouse helps reduce the pain
and discomfort associated with RSIs

Figure 6-6 Laser mouse.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

9

Manual Input (5 of 12)

•A touchpad is a small, flat,
rectangular pointing device that
is sensitive to pressure and
motion.

•Touchpads are found most often
on laptops and convertible
tablets.

•Some touchpads also recognize
touch gestures, such as swipes,
pinches, and stretching motions.

Figure 6-7 Touchpad.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

10

Manual Input (6 of 12)

Table 6-1 Touch screen gestures.

Motion

Description

Common Uses

Tap

Quickly touch and release one finger one
time

Activate a link (built-in connection)
Press a button
Run a program or app

Double Tap

Quickly touch and release one finger two
times

Run a program or app
Zoom in (show a smaller area on the screen, so
that contents appear larger) at the location of
the double-tap

Press and
hold

Press and hold one finger to cause an
action to occur, or until an action occurs

Display a shortcut menu (immediate access to
allowable actions)
Activate a mode enabling you to move an item
with one finger to a new location

•

Finger input: Use a touch screen by touching areas of the screen with your finger or a
stylus to make selections or to begin typing.

•

A gesture is a motion you make on a touch screen with the tip of one or more fingers
or your hand.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

11

Manual Input (7 of 12)

Table 6-1 Touch screen gestures (continued).

Motion

Description

Common Uses

Drag,
or slide

Press and hold one finger on an object and
then move the finger to the new location

Move an item around the screen
Scroll

Swipe

Press and hold one finger and then move
the finger horizontally or vertically on the
screen

Scroll
Display a bar that contains commands on an
edge of the screen

Stretch

Move two fingers apart

Zoom in (show a smaller area on the screen, so
that contents appear larger)

Pinch

Move two fingers together

Zoom out (show a larger area on the screen, so
that contents appear smaller)

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

12

Manual Input (8 of 12)

Monitors and Screens:
•

Touch-enabled monitors and screens allow users to interact with the operating system
without a keyboard or pointing device.

•

Instead of using a mouse to click on an object on the screen, users simply can tap or double-
tap the item.

•

Users can tap or double-tap an icon to start a program or an application.

•

Slide their finger to scroll.

•

Use their finger to drag items across the screen.

Devices that utilize touch input include:

✔
Monitors and screens for computers, tablets, and smartphones

✔
Wearable devices & portable media players

✔
Digital cameras, kiosks, and navigation systems

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

13

Manual Input (9 of 12)

•

Wearable devices, such as smart
watches, do not have room for a physical
keyboard, so they mainly rely on touch
input.

•

Portable media players widely use touch
as the primary method of input so that
the size of the screen on the device is
maximized.

•

Touch input helps digital camera users
perform gestures such as swiping left and
right on the screen to browse photos,
tapping the screen, tapping areas of
photos to remove red-eye, adding a filter,
and dragging borders of photos to crop
them.

Figure 6-9 Using a touch

screen on a wearable device.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

14

Manual Input (10 of 12)

•

Navigation systems allow users to
perform actions such as tapping,
dragging or pinching, and
stretching to zoom.

•

Some navigation and other in-
vehicle systems enable voice
input as well. To reduce the
chances of driver distraction,
some built-in navigation systems
reduce functionality while the
vehicle is in motion.

Figure 6-10 In-car
navigation system.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

15

Manual Input (11 of 12)

•With pen input, you
touch a stylus or
digital pen on a flat
surface to write, draw,
or make selections.

•Pen input devices can
be used to input
information on a
screen.

•A stylus is a small
metal or plastic
device that looks like
a tiny ink pen but
uses pressure instead
of ink.

•Some stylus designs
include buttons you
can press to simulate
clicking a mouse.

•

A digital pen
captures and
converts a user’s
handwriting or
drawings into a
digital format.

•

Once uploaded,
handwriting
recognition software
translates the
handwritten letters
and symbols created
on the screen into
typed text or objects.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

16

Manual Input (12 of 12)

Signature Capture Pad
•

To capture a handwritten signature, a user writes their
name on a signature capture pad with a stylus that is
attached to the device.

•

Software then transmits the signature to a central
computer, where the signature is stored.

•

A graphics tablet, also called a digitizer, is a hardware
device used to create drawings with a pressure-sensitive
pen using an electronic plastic board that detects and
converts movements of the stylus or digital pen into digital
signals that are sent to the computer.

Figure 6-11 Customer signing at

point-of-sale terminal.

Figure 6-12 Graphics tablet.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

17

Discussion Activity

Which is best for you, taking lecture notes digitally or writing notes out
manually?

Discuss the pros and cons of both choices.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

18

Digital Input (1 of 12)

•Voice input is the process of entering
input by speaking into a microphone. The
microphone may be built into the
computer or device or an external
peripheral device.

•A Voice recognition app allows users to
dictate text and enter instructions by
speaking into a microphone.

•Some mobile devices have a speech-to-
text feature that recognizes a user’s
spoken words and enters them into email
messages, text messages, or other
applications that support typed text
entry.

Figure 6-13 Siri, Apple’s voice

recognition application.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

19

Digital Input (2 of 12)

•Audio input encompasses
entering any sound into the
computer, such as speech, music,
and sound effects. To enter high-
quality sound into a computer,
the computer requires a sound
card or integrated sound
capability.

•Music production software allows
users to record, compose, mix,
and edit music and sounds.

Figure 6-14 Using sound

mixing software to edit audio.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

20

Digital Input (3 of 12)

•

Video input involves capturing full-motion images and storing them on a computer or mobile
device’s storage medium or in the cloud.

•
A digital video (DV) camera records video as digital signals, which you can transfer directly to
a computer or mobile device with the appropriate connection.

•
A webcam is a type of digital video camera that enables you to capture video and still
images, and usually audio input, for viewing or manipulation on a computer or mobile device.

The following steps are involved in the process of using DV technology:
•

Step 1: Select a DV camera.

•

Step 2: Record a video.

•

Step 3: Transfer and manage videos.

•

Step 4: Edit a video.

•

Step 5: Enhance a video.

•

Step 6: Distribute a video.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

21

Digital Input (4 of 12)

•
Special effects include warping, changing from color to
black and white, morphing, or zoom motion. Morphing
transforms one video image into another image
throughout several frames of video.

•

With motion input or gesture recognition, users can guide
on-screen elements using air gestures.

•

Air gestures involve moving your body or a handheld input
device through the air.

•

With motion input, a device containing a camera detects
your gesture and then converts it to a digital signal.

•

Motion-sensing devices communicate with a game
console using wired or wireless technology and translate
a player’s gestures, facial movements, and full-body
motion into the input.

Figure 6-15 Using video

editing software.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

22

Digital Input (5 of 12)

Motion Input in Entertainment
•

Motion-sensing game controllers enable a
user to guide on-screen elements by moving
a handheld input device through the air.

•

Handheld devices enable gamers to use
sweeping arm movements to simulate sports
activities, such as a golf swing, balance
boards, and yoga poses.

Motion Input in the Medical Field
•

The medical field also uses motion input for
training.

•

Using motion input that enhances
movements, surgeons also can operate less
invasively.

Figure 6-16 Using a motion-sensing

game controller.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

23

Digital Input (6 of 12)

Motion Input in the Military
•

The military uses motion input for
training, such as flight simulation
or weapon usage.

•

Motion input also aids in physical
rehabilitation for wounded
soldiers.

•

Another use of motion input is to
assist in recovery from post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Motion Input in Sports
•

Coaches and sports trainers use
motion input to improve athletes’
performance and to correct inefficient
or injury-causing motions.

•

Combining the athlete’s motion input
with complex algorithms can pinpoint
areas in which the athlete can
improve.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

24

Digital Input (7 of 12)

Scanners and Reading Devices

•

NFC (near-field communication)
is a close-distance network
protocol used by smartphones
and other devices to read data
from another device or an item,
such as a credit card or ticket.

•

NFC enables the contactless
transfer of data by enabling an
app to read an electronic tag.

Figure 6-17 Using NFC to

make a payment.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

25

Digital Input (8 of 12)

•

An optical scanner, usually called a scanner, is a light-sensing input device that
reads printed text and graphics and then translates the results into a form the
computer can process.

•

The quality of a scanner is measured by its resolution, that is, the number of bits it
stores in a pixel and the number of pixels per inch.

•

An optical reader is a device that uses a light source to read characters, marks, and
codes and then converts them into digital data that a computer can process.

•

Two technologies used by optical readers are:
✔
Optical character recognition (OCR) devices read printed characters in a special
font.

✔
Optical mark recognition (OMR) devices read hand-drawn marks, such as small
circles or rectangles.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

26

Digital Input (9 of 12)

•A bar code reader, also called a bar code
scanner, is an optical reader that uses laser
beams to read bar codes.

•A bar code is an identification code that often
consists of either a set of vertical lines and
spaces of different widths or a two-
dimensional pattern of dots, squares, and
other images.

•A QR code (quick response code), or a 2-D bar
code, stores information in both a vertical and
horizontal direction in a square-shaped
graphic that represents a web address or
other content.

Figure 6-18 Using a QR code to

access information.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

27

Digital Input (10 of 12)

•

RFID (radio frequency
identification) is a technology that
uses radio signals to communicate
with a tag placed on or attached to
an object, an animal, or a person.

•

An RFID reader reads information
on the tag via radio waves.

•

RFID readers can be handheld
devices or mounted on a stationary
object, such as a doorway.

Figure 6-19 Using an RFID

electronic key system.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

28

Digital Input (11 of 12)

•

A magstripe reader, short for a magnetic stripe card reader, reads the magnetic stripe
on the back of credit cards, entertainment cards, bank cards, identification cards, and
other similar cards.

•

The stripe contains information identifying the owner of the card and the card issuer.

•

As chip-and-pin technology becomes more prevalent, magstripe readers are used less
widely.

•

When a credit card is swiped through a magstripe reader, it reads the information
stored on the magnetic stripe.

•

MICR (magnetic-ink character recognition) device reads text printed with magnetized
ink. MICR reader converts MICR characters into a form the computer can process.

•

The banking industry almost exclusively uses MICR for check processing.

•

Each check that is inserted in the MICR reader sends the check information—including
the amount of the check—to a computer for processing.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

29

Digital Input (12 of 12)

•

A data collection device obtains data
directly at the location where the
transaction or event takes place.

•

These types of data collection devices are
used in restaurants, grocery stores,
factories, warehouses, the outdoors, or
other locations where heat, humidity, and
cleanliness are not easy to control.

•

Data collection devices have the
capability of wirelessly transmitting data
over a network or the Internet.

Figure 6-20 Using a data collection device

in a warehouse.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

32

Physical Output (1 of 9)

•

Printed information (hard copy) exists physically and is a more
permanent form of output than that presented on a display (soft
copy).

•

A hard copy, also called a printout, is either:

✔ Portrait orientation (taller, information is on the shorter width) or

✔ Landscape orientation (wider, information is on the widest part).

•

Letters, reports, and books typically use portrait orientation.

•

Spreadsheets, slide shows, and graphics often use landscape
orientation.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

33

Physical Output (2 of 9)

•

A non-impact printer forms characters and graphics on a piece of
paper without actually contacting the paper.

•

Some spray ink, while others use heat or pressure to create images.

•

Commonly used non-impact printers are:

✓

inkjet printers

✓

photo printers

✓

laser printers

✓

all-in-one printers

✓

3-D printers

✓

Thermal printers

✓

mobile printers

✓

label printers

✓

plotters

✓

large-format printers

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

34

Physical Output (3 of 9)

•

An inkjet printer is a type of non-impact
printer that forms characters and
graphics by spraying tiny drops of liquid
ink onto a piece of paper.

•

Inkjet printers produce text and graphics
in both black-and-white and color on a
variety of paper types and sizes.

•

The print head mechanism in an inkjet
printer contains ink-filled cartridges.

•

Each cartridge has 50 to several
hundred small ink holes, or nozzles.

Figure 6-22 How an inkjet printer

works.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

35

Physical Output (4 of 9)

•

A photo printer is a color printer
that produces lab-quality photos.

•

Many photo printers use inkjet
technology.

•

With models that can print letter-
sized documents, users connect
the photo printer to their
computer and use it for all their
printing needs.

Figure 6-23 Photo printer.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

36

Physical Output (5 of 9)

•A laser printer is a high-speed, high-
quality non-impact printer. Laser printers
are available in both black-and-white and
color models.

•Laser printers print text and graphics in
high-quality resolutions.

•When printing a document, laser printers
process and store the entire page before
printing.

•A laser printer creates images using a laser
beam and powdered ink, called toner.

•The laser beam produces an image on a
drum inside the printer.
Figure 6-24 How a laser printer works.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

37

Physical Output (6 of 9)

•An all-in-one printer, also called a
multifunction printer (MFP), is a single
device that looks like a printer or a copy
machine but provides the functionality of
a printer, scanner, and copy machine.

•A 3-D printer uses a process called
additive manufacturing to create an object
by adding material to a three-dimensional
object, one horizontal layer at a time.

•3-D printers can print solid objects, such
as clothing, prosthetics, eyewear,
implants, toys, parts, and prototypes.

Figure 6-25 3-D printer

creating a model of a heart.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

38

Physical Output (7 of 9)

•

A thermal printer generates images by pushing electrically heated
pins against heat-sensitive paper.

•

Some thermal printers have high print quality.

•

A dye-sublimation printer, sometimes called a digital photo printer,
uses heat to transfer colored dye to specially coated paper.

•

A mobile printer is a small, lightweight, battery-powered printer that
allows a mobile user to print from a laptop, smartphone, or other
mobile devices while traveling.

•

Mobile printers mainly use inkjet or thermal technology.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

39

Physical Output (8 of 9)

•

A plotter is a sophisticated printer used to
produce high-quality drawings, such as
blueprints, maps, and circuit diagrams.

•

Current plotters use a row of charged wires
(called styli) to draw an electrostatic pattern on
specially coated paper and then fuse toner to
the pattern.

•

A large format printer creates photo-realistic-
quality color prints. Graphic artists use these
high-cost, high-performance printers for signs,
posters, and other professional-quality displays.

Figure 6-27 Large format

printer.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

40

Physical Output (9 of 9)

•

A label printer is a small printer that prints on an adhesive-type material
that can be placed on a variety of items, such as envelopes, packages,
optical discs, photos, and file folders.

•

Most label printers also print bar codes.

•

An impact printer forms characters and graphics on a piece of paper by
striking a mechanism against an inked ribbon that physically contacts
the paper.

•

Impact printers characteristically are noisy.

•

Impact printers are ideal for printing multipart forms.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

41

Digital Output (1 of 9)

•A display device, or simply a display, is an
output device that visually conveys text,
graphics, and video information.

•Soft copy is information on a display that
exists electronically and appears for a
temporary period.

•Desktops often use a monitor as their display.

•Adjustable monitor stands allow you to adjust
the height of the monitor to be at eye level.

•Many users set up multiple monitors to display
separate screens of information from the same
computer or device.

Figure 6-29 Using two

monitors.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

42

Digital Output (2 of 9)

•

An LCD (liquid crystal display) sandwiches a liquid compound between two sheets
of material that presents sharp, flicker-free images on a screen when illuminated.

•

The light source, called the backlight, often uses either CCFL (cold cathode
fluorescent lamp) or LED (light-emitting diode) technology.

•

A display that uses an LED for the backlight is often called an LED display. LED
displays consume less power, last longer, and are thinner, lighter, and brighter.

•

Some displays use OLED technology which includes organic molecules that are self-
illuminating and, thus, do not require a backlight.

•

OLEDs can also be fabricated on thin, flexible surfaces.

•

An AMOLED (active-matrix OLED) screen uses both active-matrix, that is, a high-
quality, lightweight display technology capable of producing a wide range of colors
with a fast response time.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

43

Digital Output (3 of 9)

Display Quality

The screen on a monitor, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other mobile device is

measured diagonally from one corner to the other.

Resolution
•

Displays are optimized for a specific resolution, called the native resolution.

•

A higher resolution uses a greater number of pixels and provides a smoother,
sharper, and clearer image.

•

As the resolution increases, some items on the screen appear smaller.

Response Time

The response time of a display refers to the time in milliseconds (ms) that it takes to
turn a pixel on or off. The lower the number, the faster the response time.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

44

Digital Output (4 of 9)

Brightness
•

Brightness of a display is measured in nits.

•

A nit is a unit of visible light intensity equal to one candela (formerly called
candlepower) per square meter. The candela is the standard unit of luminous
intensity.

Dot Pitch
•

Dot pitch, or pixel pitch, is the distance in millimeters between pixels on a display.

•

Text created with a smaller dot pitch is easier to read. The lower the number, the
sharper the image.

Contrast Ratio
•

Contrast ratio describes the difference in light intensity between the brightest
white and the darkest black that can be produced on a display.

•

Higher contrast ratios represent colors better.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

45

Digital Output (5 of 9)

•

A graphics chip, called the graphics processing unit (GPU), controls
the manipulation and display of graphics on a display device.

•

The GPU is either integrated on the motherboard or resides on a video
card in a slot on the motherboard.

•

Several video standards define the resolution, aspect ratio, number of
colors, and other display properties.

•

The aspect ratio defines a display’s width relative to its height.

•

HDTV (high-definition television) works with digital broadcast signals,
transmitting digital sound, supporting wide screens, and providing
high resolutions.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

46

Digital Output (6 of 9)

HDTVs and Smart TVs
•

A Smart TV is an Internet-enabled HDTV from
which you can browse the web, stream video
from online media services, listen to Internet
radio, communicate with others on online social
media, play online games, and more.

•

A plasma display uses gas plasma technology,
which sandwiches a layer of gas between two
glass plates.

•

UHD (ultra-high-definition) television expands
on HDTV technology to provide even better
resolution.

Figure 6-30 Using a Smart TV.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

47

Digital Output (7 of 9)

•

Most personal computers and mobile devices have
a small internal speaker that usually emits only
low-quality sound.

•

Many users attach surround sound speakers or
speaker systems to their devices to generate higher
quality sounds.

•

Users can listen through headphones or earbuds so
that only the individual wearing the headphones or
earbuds hears the sound from the computer.

•

Both headphones and earbuds usually include
noise-canceling technology.

•

A headset functions as both headphones and a
microphone.

Figure 6-31 Computer speakers.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

48

Digital Output (8 of 9)

•

A data projector is a device that projects
the text and images displayed on a
computer or mobile device screen onto a
larger screen so that an audience can see
the image clearly.

•

Many classrooms use data projectors so
that all students can easily see an
instructor’s presentation on the screen.

•

An interactive whiteboard is a touch-
sensitive device, resembling a dry-erase
board, that displays the image on a
connected computer screen, usually via a
projector.

Figure 6-32 Interactive

whiteboard.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

49

Digital Output (9 of 9)

Gaming and Motion-Sensing Devices

•

Joysticks, wheels, gamepads, and
motion-sensing game controllers are
used to control the movements and
actions of a player or object in
computer games, simulations, and
video games.

•

These devices also function as
output devices when they include
force feedback.

Figure 6-33 Gaming wheel.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

50

Ethics and Issues: Assistive Technology

Input and Output (1 of 2)

•

The goal of accessible input and output is to enable all users to be independent
when working with, being entertained by, or accessing services that use technology.

•

Adaptive Input Devices for blind, visually impaired users, limited hand mobility, deaf
users, and so on include the following:
✔ Eye gaze pointing devices analyze the area of the screen that the user is looking

at.

✔ A foot mouse enables users with limited mobility in their arms or hands to

control input using their feet.

✔ Sip-and-puff (SNP) technology enables users to control the mouse or other

computer or device functions using a tube that they either inhale (sip) or exhale
(puff) to issue commands.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

51

Ethics and Issues: Assistive Technology

Input and Output (2 of 2)

Adaptive Output Devices include the following:
•

Refreshable Braille displays use nylon pins or
magnets to translate content into the Braille
system so that users can read it with their
fingers.

•

Braille printers use embossing techniques to
produce hard copies of digital content that
can be read by touch.

•

OCR readers can scan printed materials and
digitize them so that a screen reader can read
the content aloud or print it on a Braille
printer.

Figure 6-34 Refreshable Braille

display.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

52

How To: Customize and Manage Input

and Output Devices (1 of 2)

•

When you start using a computer or device, the operating system and related
software and hardware have default settings.

•

Default settings are standard settings that control how the screen is set up and
how a document looks when you first start typing.

•

Everyone customizes the settings to be more productive. Customize System
Software includes:
✓ Changing the brightness of the screen
✓ Adding a desktop theme
✓ Adjusting the screen resolution
✓ Adding a sound scheme
✓ Pinning frequently used apps to the taskbar for easy access

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

53

How To: Customize and Manage Input

and Output Devices (2 of 2)

Customize Input and Output Devices Using
System Software
•

Controlling the pointing device with the
keyboard by using the arrow and other keys

•

Changing the language or dialect associated
with the keyboard

•

Creating new keyboard shortcuts to
commands

•

Adjusting the settings for toggle keys

Figure 6-35 The Windows Settings

dialog box.

Open Ended

Which input device are you familiar with?