Some input devices serve a very specific function. They include:

Concept keyboards on which each key relates to a particular function. In a fast food restaurant, for example, you might order a specific meal and the server only has to press one button in order to start the transaction.

• Interactive whiteboard – often used by educational institutions. Interactive whiteboards respond to touch, either through a pen, finger or stylus.
• Trackball – in which the ball is used to move a pointer on the screen. It can be used for people whose movement is limited or design professionals who need extra precision.
• Magnetic stripe reader – which reads the personal information contained in the strip you find on the back of a debit or credit card.
• Barcode readers read the barcode you find on the back of almost every product you can buy in a supermarket. The barcode will enable the product information to be retrieved from a vast database. This system helps with stock control.
• Optical Mark Readers (OMR) – read pen or pencil marks on pre-printed forms such as multiple choice exam papers.
• Magnetic Ink Character Readers (MICR) – this technology is used primarily by banks to read the magnetic ink characters you find at the bottom of a cheque.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) – is used to convert written or typed text into an electronic file. The original file is scanned and then converted using OCR technology. This is used in libraries, for example, where old or rare documents can be scanned and made available to thousands of people.
• Graphics tablet