**** The five examples of input devices ****

1. Mouse (computing)

A computer mouse with the most common standard features: two buttons and a scroll wheel, which can also act as a third button

In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons. (Although traditionally a button is typically round or square, modern mice have spring-loaded regions of their top surface that operate switches when pressed down lightly.) It sometimes features other elements, such as "wheels", which allow the user to perform various system-dependent operations, or extra buttons or features that can add more control or dimensional input. The mouse's motion typically translates into the motion of a cursor on a display, which allows for fine control of a graphical user interface.

 

 2.Keyboard

QWERTY keyboard on a laptop.

A keyboard layout is any specific mechanical, visual, or functional arrangement of the keys, legends, or key–meaning associations (respectively) of a computer, typewriter, or other typographic keyboard.

Mechanical layout 

The placements and keys of a keyboard.

Visual layout. 

The arrangement of the legends (labels, markings, engravings) that appear on the keys of a keyboard.

Functional layout 

The arrangement of the key–meaning associations, determined in software, of all the keys of a keyboard.

The mechanical keyboard merely sends key codes to the associated computer; software in the computer, usually part of the operating system, totally determines how the codes are interpreted, and this can be changed in software. It is usually possible for an advanced user to change keyboard operation, and third-party software is available to modify or extend keyboard functionality.

3.Stylus (computing)

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Touchscreen. (Discuss)

This article is about stylus pens used in computing. For other uses, see Stylus.

A smartphone being operated with a stylus.

In computing, a stylus (or stylus pen) is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet. With touchscreen devices a user places a stylus on the surface of the screen to draw or make selections by tapping the stylus on the screen.^[1]

Pen-like input devices which are larger than a stylus, and offer increased functionality such as programmable buttons, pressure sensitivity and electronic erasers, are often known as digital pens.^[1]
The stylus is the primary input device for personal digital assistants.^[1] It is also used on the Nintendo DS game console.^[2] Some smartphones, such as Windows phones, require a stylus for accurate input.^[3] However, devices featuring multi-touch finger-input are becoming more popular than stylus-driven devices in the smartphone market;^[4] capacitive styli, different from standard styli, can be used for these finger-touch devices (iPhone, etc.).
Graphics tablets use styli containing circuitry (powered by battery or operating passively by change of inductance), to allow multi-function buttons on the barrel of the pen or stylus to transmit user actions to the tablet. Some (probably most) tablets detect varying degrees of pressure sensitivity, e.g. for use in a drawing program to vary line thickness or color density.
The first use of a stylus pen in a computing device was the Styalator, demonstrated by Tom Dimond in 1957.^[5]

 

4.Game controller

PlayStation 3's game controller

A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment system used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection. Controllers which have been classified as games controllers are keyboards, mice, game pads, joysticks, etc. Special purpose devices, such as steering wheels for driving games and light guns for shooting games, are also game controllers. Devices such as mice and keyboards can be emulated with a game pad through the use of programs such as 'JoyToKey'.
The main function of a game controller is to govern the movement/actions of a playable body/object or otherwise influence the events in a video or computer game. The type of controller used in a game depends on the genre of the game being played (i.e. Steering Wheel controllers for driving games, yoke like for flying, etc).

5.Digital pen

A Wacom digital pen

A digital pen is an input device which captures the handwriting or brush strokes of a user, and digitizes them so that they may be downloaded to a computer and displayed on its monitor. The data can then be interpreted by handwriting software (OCR) and used in different applications or just as graphics.
A digital pen is generally larger and has more features than a stylus. Digital pens typically contain internal electronics, and have features such as touch sensitivity, input buttons, memory, Bluetooth transmission capabilities, and electronic erasers.^[1] Some models can be found on graphics tablets made by manufacturers such as Wacom, while other models are tablet-less, such as those using Anoto technology, which works on paper or other surfaces such as whiteboards. Polyvision sells a product called eno which uses the Anoto dot pattern and digital pen technology.