Input devices and their uses: Practice Questions

A security system uses a specialized input device to read the physical characteristics of a person, such as their retina or fingerprint, to grant access to a building.
What is the general name for this type of input device?

A researcher is capturing sound data from the environment to be stored and processed by a computer. Which input device is required, and what type of data is produced by this device before it is digitized for the computer?

The diagram illustrates a computer-controlled system used in a hospital to monitor a patient's heart rate. A sensor is attached to the patient to detect vital signs, such as a heart rate outside the range of \(60\) to \(100\) beats per minute. This sensor is connected to a computer through an Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC).
Why is the ADC required in this input process?

A car park uses a system to automatically record the registration numbers of vehicles as they enter.
Which technology is primarily used to identify the alphanumeric characters on the vehicle's number plate?

An automated laboratory uses a device to measure the physical acidity of a liquid. The data from this device must be changed so the computer can understand it.

What is the name of the input device used and what type of data does it produce initially?

Identify the most suitable input device for each of the following tasks:

(a) Controlling the movement of a cursor on a laptop screen when no mouse is available.
(b) Inputting a voice command into a smartphone.

A high-security facility uses biometric recognition to allow entry to authorized personnel.

Identify two different types of biometric data that could be scanned and explain how the system uses this data to make a decision on whether to open the security door.

Identify a suitable direct data entry device that a school could use to automatically process multiple-choice examination papers and explain how it identifies the student's answers.

An architect is using a computer-aided design (CAD) system to create detailed building plans.

(a) Identify a pointing device that allows the architect to manipulate 3D models on the screen with high precision.
(b) The architect needs to produce large-scale, high-quality technical drawings on A0 size paper. Identify the output device most suitable for this task and explain why it is preferred over a standard laser printer for technical drawings.

A library is upgrading its systems and needs to select appropriate hardware for different tasks.

(a) Identify the input device that would be most suitable for a librarian to use to quickly enter a book's unique 13-digit International Standard Book Number (ISBN) during the checkout process.
(b) The library also needs to provide a way for visually impaired users to listen to audiobooks on the computer. Identify the most appropriate output device for this task and state one advantage of using it in a quiet library environment.