Collecting

 What are some Tools for Information Processes?  Collecting is the information process that involves deciding what to collect, locating it and collecting it. A range of hardware devices are used to collect different types of data. Software is used to direct the hardware collecting device. Non-computer tools are used to collect data particular sources.

 Hardware  There are many types of hardware collecting devices used for different types of data. The devices that are used specifically to enter data into a computer system are referred to as input devices.  An Input device should be convenient to use, reliable and allow data to be entered accurately. The data may be in a number of forms, including text, numbers, images, audio, and video.

 Pointing devices-  Mouse – is a small hand-held input device that is moved over a flat surface to control the movement of a pointer.  Trackball – is a pointing device that is similar to a mouse except that the ball is on the top of the device instead of the bottom.  Pointing Stick – is a small device also known as trackpoint is shaped like a pencil eraser. It moves the pointer by sensing the direction and amount of pressure applied to the device.

 Mouse  Trackball  Pointing-Stick

 Touchpad – is a flat rectangular surface that senses the movement of a finger.  Graphics Tablet – is an input device that consists of a special electronic pad and pen called a stylus.  Joystick – is a pointing device consisting of a small base unit with a rod that can be tilted in all direction to move the pointer on the screen  Light Pen – is a pointing device consisting of a small rod that looks like a pen. The tip of the pen has a light detector that senses the intensity of the light in a screen and emit signals to that the computer can calculate its position.

 Touchpad  Graphics Tablet  Joystick  Light Pen

 Touch Screen – allows data to be entered directly by detecting the touch of your finger.  Pen Input – is a device that is becoming increasingly popular. When the pen touches the screen, the computer determines the coordinates of the contact point and darkens that area. Pen input are mostly used in the personal digital assistants (PDAs).

 Touch Screen  Pen Input

 Hand-held Scanners – are used for entering text and images that are less than a page wide.  Flatbed Scanners – looks similar to a small photocopier with the document remaining flat and stationary during the scanning.  Overhead Scanner – looks like an overhead projector. Documents are placed face up on the scanning bed and a small overhead tower moves across the page.

 Hand-held Scanner  Flatbed Scanner  Overhead Scanner

 Digital Cameras – are input devices that capture and store images in digital form rather than on film.  Video Camera – is used to create a video clip in either analog or digital form. This type of video camera captures videos and sound and exports them onto a videotape.  Digital Video Camera – is an input device that captures video in a compressed digital format such as MPEG. These video files are transferred directly to a computer.

 Microphones are input devices that capture sound. Sound travels through the air in waves which is analog data.  Keyboards are input devices consisting of series of keys in a standard layout. It allows the entry of text, numbers, instructions and commands.  The Keyboard is divided into four major areas: Alphanumeric Keys – Letters and numbers Cursor Control keys – Arrow keys, Page down, Home etc.. Special Keys – Enter, Return tab, Space, Caps Lock etc.. Function Keys – F1, F2, F3,....F12

 Optical Recognition Devices – use a light source to read characters and barcodes. They convert these characters into digital data.  Optical Character Recognition (OCR) devices are scanners that read typed text and in some cases, handwritten text.  Barcode Reader – are used extensively in retail industries to input product identification at point of sale.

 Optical Character Recognition (OCR)  Barcode Reader