| A | B |
|---|
| Biometric Device | Authentication technique that relies on measurable physical characteristics that can be automatically checked. |
| Barcode Scanner | Input device that reads bar codes which can track both assets and inventory, check items in, manage item locations, maintain physical inventory, and control fixed assets. |
| Communications Connectivity | A computer buzzword that refers to a program or device’s ability to link with other programs and devices. |
| Digital Camcorder | A camcorder that produces video recordings with highly accurate color and crisp, clear resolution – far better than the resolution offered by television broadcast. |
| Digital Camera | A camera that images rather than records on film. Once a picture has been taken, it can be downloaded to a computer and then manipulated and printed. |
| Digital Pen | A pen that records all movements in a graphic file much the same way a digital tablet works. |
| Fire Wire Device | A very fast external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps. |
| Global Positional System | By using three satellites, GPS can calculate the longitude and latitude of the receiver based on the intersection of the three spheres. |
| Handheld Computer (Pocket PC) | A portable computer that is small enough to be held in one's hand. Although extremely convenient to carry, handheld computers have not replaced notebook computers because of their small keyboards and screens. The most popular hand-held computers are those that are specifically designed to provide PIM (personal information manager) functions, such as a calendar and address book. The most popular are IPAQ and Palm. |
| Handwriting Recognition | The technique by which a computer system can recognize characters and other symbols written by hand. In theory, handwriting recognition should free us from our keyboards, allowing us to write and draw in a more natural way. It is considered one of the key technologies that will determine the ultimate success or failure of PDAs and other hand-held devices. |
| Interactive Whiteboard | A whiteboard uses software to connect to a computer and provides handwriting recognition. |
| LCD (liquid crystal display) | A type of display used in many portable computers and flat screen monitors. They utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution between them. An electric current passed through the liquid causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal, therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or blocking the light. |
| Media Storage Device | Objects on which data can be stored. These include hard disks, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, |
| Miniature Mobile Storage Device | Devices that use flash technology for data storage such as Compact Flash, Smart Media, SD Media, Mini SD, TransFlash, xDPicture Card, and Memory Sticks. |
| Probe (scientific devices) | Devices that, when connected to a computer, are able to translate data received. |
| Scanner | A device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translate the information into a form the computer can use. |
| Speech Recognition | The field of computer science that deals with designing computer systems that can recognize spoken words. Note that voice recognition implies only that the computer can take dictation, not that it understands what is being said. |
| Tablet PC | A type of notebook computer that has an LCD screen on which the user can write using a special stylus. The handwriting is digitized and can be converted to standard text through handwriting recognition, or it can remain as handwritten text. Tablet PCs typically have a keyboard and/or a mouse for input. |
| Tablet | An input device that enables the user to enter drawings and sketches into a computer. A digitizing tablet consists of an electronic tablet and a cursor or pen. A cursor (also called a puck) is similar to a mouse, except that it has a window with cross hairs for pinpoint placement, and it can have as many as 16 buttons. A pen (also called a stylus) looks like a simple ballpoint pen but uses an electronic head instead of ink. The tablet contains electronics that enable it to detect movement of the cursor or pen and translate the movements into digital signals that it sends to the computer. |
| Touch Screen | A touch-sensitive transparent panel covering the screen. Instead of using a device such as a stylus, you can use your finger to point directly to a selection on the screen. |
| Universal Serial Bus (USB) Flash Drive (Pen Drive or Jump Drive) | Plug this device into your USB port, and you instantly have an additional hard drive. |
| Webcam | A camera that broadcasts images through the Internet through a computer or web cell phone. |
| Web Cell Phone | A cellular telephone that allows users to access the Internet via wireless communication. |
| Web TV | A small box with a keyboard that connects to a telephone line and television. It connects to the Internet via a telephone service and then converts the downloaded Web pages to a format that can be displayed on the TV. These products also come with a remote control device so that you can navigate the Web. |
| Wireless Communication | The ability to send data or video without being connected to a wire, either by telephone or handheld computers. |
