🖥️ INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES – Complete Notes
(Home Academy | Exam-Oriented for JKSSB, SSC, Bank, UGC NET)
🔹 1. Meaning of Input Devices
Input devices are hardware devices used to provide data and control signals to a computer. They allow the user to interact with the computer and enter information.
Examples: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphone, Joystick.
🔹 2. Key Features of Input Devices
Enable communication between user and computer.
Convert human-readable data into machine-readable format.
Can be manual (Keyboard, Mouse) or automatic (Scanner, Sensor).
🔹 3. Types of Input Devices
Manual Input Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick, Trackball.
Pointing Devices: Mouse, Touchpad, Light Pen.
Scanning Devices: Scanner, OCR (Optical Character Recognition).
Audio/Voice Input Devices: Microphone, Voice Recorder.
Special Purpose Input Devices: Digital Camera, Barcode Reader, Biometric Scanner.
🔹 4. Meaning of Output Devices
Output devices are hardware devices that receive data from the computer and present it in human-readable form.
Examples: Monitor, Printer, Speaker, Projector.
🔹 5. Key Features of Output Devices
Convert machine-readable data into human-readable form.
Can be soft copy output (Monitor, Speaker) or hard copy output (Printer).
Provide visual, audio, or physical output.
🔹 6. Types of Output Devices
Visual Output Devices: Monitor, LED Display, Projector.
Audio Output Devices: Speakers, Headphones.
Printing Devices: Dot Matrix Printer, Inkjet Printer, Laser Printer.
Special Purpose Output Devices: Braille Reader, Plotter.
🔹 7. Difference Between Input and Output Devices
| Feature | Input Device | Output Device |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Sends data to computer | Receives data from computer |
| Data Direction | User → Computer | Computer → User |
| Example | Keyboard, Mouse | Monitor, Printer |
| Type of Data | Raw / Command | Processed / Result |
🔹 8. Exam-Oriented Points
Input devices are used for entering data.
Output devices are used to display or reproduce data.
Some devices are both input and output devices (Touchscreen, Modem).
📘 MCQs – Input & Output Devices
1. Which of the following is an input device?
A) Monitor
B) Keyboard
C) Printer
D) Speaker
✅ Answer: B) Keyboard
2. Which of the following is an output device?
A) Mouse
B) Joystick
C) Monitor
D) Microphone
✅ Answer: C) Monitor
3. A printer is an example of:
A) Input Device
B) Output Device
C) Both Input and Output
D) Storage Device
✅ Answer: B) Output Device
4. Keyboard and Mouse are:
A) Output devices
B) Input devices
C) Storage devices
D) Network devices
✅ Answer: B) Input devices
5. Touchscreen can be classified as:
A) Input Device
B) Output Device
C) Both Input and Output Device
D) Storage Device
✅ Answer: C) Both Input and Output Device
6. Microphone is used to:
A) Receive data from computer
B) Send audio input to computer
C) Display results
D) Print documents
✅ Answer: B) Send audio input to computer
7. Speaker is used for:
A) Input
B) Output
C) Both Input and Output
D) Storage
✅ Answer: B) Output
8. Scanner is used to:
A) Print images
B) Convert images to digital format
C) Play audio
D) Store data
✅ Answer: B) Convert images to digital format
9. A Braille Reader is an example of:
A) Input Device
B) Output Device
C) Both
D) Storage Device
✅ Answer: B) Output Device
10. A plotter is mainly used to:
A) Scan documents
B) Draw large-scale graphics
C) Input commands
D) Save files
✅ Answer: B) Draw large-scale graphics
🖥️ SPECIAL PURPOSE INPUT & OUTPUT DEVICES –
🔹 1. Meaning
Special Purpose Input and Output Devices are hardware devices designed for specific tasks that cannot be performed efficiently by standard input/output devices like keyboard, mouse, or monitor.
They are often used in industries, research, healthcare, education, and accessibility solutions.
🔹 2. Special Purpose Input Devices
Barcode Reader / Scanner – Reads product barcodes in stores or warehouses.
Biometric Devices – Fingerprint scanner, retina scanner, face recognition for security.
Digital Camera / Webcam – Captures images or videos for processing.
Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) – Reads marked responses in exams and surveys.
Magnetic Stripe Reader – Reads ATM or credit card information.
Joystick / Game Controller – Used for gaming and simulation systems.
Light Pen / Touch Sensor – Detects screen input in special applications.
🔹 3. Special Purpose Output Devices
Plotter – Produces large-scale engineering and architectural drawings.
Braille Reader / Display – Produces tactile output for visually impaired users.
3D Printer – Prints three-dimensional objects from digital models.
Voice Synthesizer / Talking Devices – Converts text to speech.
Haptic Devices – Provides tactile feedback for simulation or VR systems.
Projectors – Display images or presentations on large screens.
🔹 4. Combined Special Purpose I/O Devices
Some devices function as both input and output, depending on the application:
Touchscreen – Users can input commands by touching, while the display provides output.
Interactive Whiteboards – Used in classrooms and offices.
Virtual Reality (VR) Devices – Sensors input motion data, while output provides visual/audio feedback.
🔹 5. Key Points for Exams
Special purpose devices are task-specific.
Many are used in medical, industrial, educational, and accessibility applications.
Examples include Braille devices, plotters, biometric scanners, 3D printers.
They improve efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility for specialized tasks.
📘 MCQs – Special Purpose Devices
1. Which of the following is a special purpose input device?
A) Keyboard
B) Barcode Scanner
C) Monitor
D) Speaker
✅ Answer: B) Barcode Scanner
2. Braille Reader is a:
A) Input Device
B) Output Device
C) Both Input and Output
D) Storage Device
✅ Answer: B) Output Device
3. Which device is used to produce large engineering drawings?
A) Printer
B) Plotter
C) Scanner
D) Projector
✅ Answer: B) Plotter
4. Fingerprint Scanner is used as:
A) Input Device
B) Output Device
C) Storage Device
D) Network Device
✅ Answer: A) Input Device
5. 3D Printer is a:
A) Input Device
B) Output Device
C) Both
D) Storage Device
✅ Answer: B) Output Device
6. Touchscreen is an example of:
A) Input only
B) Output only
C) Both Input and Output
D) Storage
✅ Answer: C) Both Input and Output
7. OMR (Optical Mark Reader) is used in:
A) Banking transactions
B) Exam answer sheets
C) Medical imaging
D) Printing books
✅ Answer: B) Exam answer sheets
8. Haptic devices are mainly used for:
A) Printing documents
B) Tactile feedback in simulations or VR
C) Scanning barcodes
D) Displaying videos
✅ Answer: B) Tactile feedback in simulations or VR
9. Light Pen is a:
A) Output Device
B) Input Device
C) Storage Device
D) Network Device
✅ Answer: B) Input Device
10. Interactive whiteboards are:
A) Only input devices
B) Only output devices
C) Combined input/output devices
D) Storage devices
✅ Answer: C) Combined input/output devices