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Input Devices

Input devices provide signals and data to a computer system to be processed.

Input devices

Input devices

  • Input devices take data using sensors, buttons, or movements.
  • Input devices send signals containing the data to a computer system.
    • The signal can be sent through a wired connection or wirelessly.
Types of input devices

Types of input devices

  • There are different categories of input devices.
  • One such category is the type of input.
  • For example, audio, movement or visual.
Discrete or continuous

Discrete or continuous

  • An input device can also be classified by whether or not the input is discrete or continuous.
  • A discrete input has one of a limited range of exact values, which is often either 'on' or 'off'.
    • Examples of discrete inputs are pressing a button or flipping a switch.
  • A continuous input can take on a continuous range of values.
    • Drawing on a tablet with a stylus is an example of continuous input.
Degrees of freedom

Degrees of freedom

  • The degrees of freedom of an input device refers to the number of pieces of data associated with one input value.
  • For example, the position of a computer mouse is specified by a two-dimensional coordinate.
  • A 3D scanner in an airport has a three-dimensional input.
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