“In a properly automated and educated world, machines may prove to be the true humanizing influence. It may be that machines will do the work that makes life possible and that human beings will do all the other things that make life pleasant and worthwhile.”
American writer and professor Isaac Asimov’s quote from his book Robot Visions’, first published three decades ago, could very well have been an apt prediction for the technologically advanced world we live in today.
There’s no escaping the fact that machines and automation have become an indispensable part of human lives today. All forms of technology usually require an interface to establish a sync between humans and machines and input-output devices help achieve precisely this, bridging that gap.
Input devices – the common link that transforms an instruction from an end-user to an output processed by a machine sent back to the user – are omnipresent and integral to our daily lives. Input devices are used in many industries – from consumer electronics to industrial equipment, from medical and healthcare to defence and aviation.
Here’s a rundown of the applications of the most commonly used input devices.
1. Membrane switch solutions and Flexible membrane switches
Membrane switches, a user interface device that is used to turn devices on or off, are used in several applications such as :
-
-
-
- Keypads
- Control panels in aircrafts
- Touch screen phones
- Kidney dialysis machines
- Microwave / Oven panels
- Air Conditioner control panels
- Television remote controls
- Keyboards and other electrical products
-
-
2. PCB-based hybrid switches
PCB-based hybrid switches, or PCBs, are used in several electronic components and most of us use them daily even without realizing that we are doing so. Below are some of the various industries that PCBs are applied in:
Healthcare & Medical Industry
-
-
-
- Medical imaging systems such as CT scanners, CAT scanners and Ultrasonic scanners
- Monitors: Medical devices that monitor heart rate, blood pressure and blood glucose
- Infusion pumps – Insulin and Analgesia pumps
- Pacemakers and other internal devices
-
-
LEDs
-
-
-
- Residential lighting – smart bulbs
- Storefront lighting – Signage
- Automotive displays- Dashboard indicators, Headlights and Brake lights
- Computer displays on laptop and Desktop computers
- Medical lightings such as those related to surgery and emergency medicine
-
-
Consumer Electronics
-
-
-
- Communications devices – Smartphones, Tablets, Smartwatches and Radios
- Personal Computers
- Entertainment systems – Televisions, Stereos and Video game consoles
- Home Appliances – Refrigerators, Microwaves and Coffee Makers
-
-
Industrial Equipment
-
-
-
- Manufacturing Equipment – Power electric drills, Presses
- Power Equipment – DC-to-AC Power inverters and Solar power cogeneration equipment
- Measuring Equipment that measures and controls pressure, temperature and other factors
-
-
Automotive Components
-
-
-
- Entertainment systems such as stereos and Navigation systems
- Control systems, including Engine management systems and Fuel regulators
- Sensors that monitor blind spots for drivers in cars
- Aerospace Components
- PCBs are used in a variety of aircraft, Control towers, Satellite and other systems
- Monitoring Equipment, including Accelerometers and Pressure sensors
- Communication Equipment
-
-
Maritime Applications
-
-
-
- Different marine vessels and systems use PCBs, including small vessels, large cargo ships, submarines, communications systems and navigation equipment.
-
-
Safety and Security Equipment
-
-
-
- Security cameras
- Smoke detectors
- Electronic door locks
- Motion sensors and Security alarms
-
-
Telecommunications Equipment
-
-
-
- Telecom towers
- Office communications equipment
- LED Displays and Indicators
-
-
Military and Defense Applications
-
-
-
- Communications equipment
- Control systems
- Instrumentation
-
-
2. Capacitive keyboards
Capacitive keyboards, a type of touch-controlled electrical switch that operates by measuring change in capacitance, have wide applications in the following areas:
-
-
-
- Aerospace and Military equipment
- Medical instruments
- Intelligence control
- Commercial appliances
- Security products
- Consumer electronics
- Household appliances
- Car security system
- LED application
- Solar photovoltaic applications
- Mobile terminal tablets
-
-
3. Integrated keyboards
Integrated keyboards combine various features into a single product which then can serve multiple functions across different product categories. As a result, integrated keyboards can be used in all the industries/ categories mentioned above.
4. Illuminated keyboards
Backlit keyboards, one that contains a light underneath the keys, are often used by gamers for gaming laptops and video editing professionals for video editing software. With the rise in online and virtual gaming and multimedia tools for editing for amateurs and professionals, illuminated keyboards have become more common in recent times.
5. Vandal-resistant keyboards
Vandal-resistant keyboards, ones that are designed to survive in harsh environments, have applications in the below categories:
-
-
-
- Automated Internet terminals
- Information kiosks in public areas
- Self-service terminals (Banking sector)
- Ticket vending machines
- Gas stations
- Cash machines (ATMs)
- Industrial consoles
-
-
6. Silicone rubber keypads
Silicone rubber keypads, which are more cost-efficient and design-versatile, are used in the following products:
-
-
-
- Medical devices
- Equipment and Machinery controls
- Computers and Peripherals
- Consumer electronics
- Electronic test instrumentation
- Security monitoring equipment
- Smartphones
- Communications equipment
- Handheld terminals
- Office and Business equipment
-
-
They can also be used in a variety of industries, such as Banking, Food packaging, Military, Industrial, Aerospace, Transport, Defense, Construction, Retail, Schools and Government.
7. Programmable keyboards
Programmable keyboards, ones that use macros to execute specific actions with the help of advanced scripting, can be customised for use in just about any industry or product vertical. Some of the more common applications include:
-
-
-
- Video/Photo editing
- Audio recording/Editing
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Animation
- Software development
- Call Centers / Customer Service
- Transcription
- Web design
- Gaming panels
- Assistive learning
- Industrial applications
- Point-of-Sale counters
- Healthcare applications
-
-
Input devices play an integral role in interfacing humans with technology and as we can see from the applications listed above, they are omnipresent in our lives.
As seen, its applications span a host of industries and product categories.
Protolab is one of the leading manufacturers in India of Input devices catering to this ever-expanding range of applications and use cases across industries. You can check here for more information on Protolab’s Input devices.
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thank you
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your excellent writing because of this problem.
Enjoyed every bit of your post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Thank you for your blog post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
Say, you got a nice article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Best article Sis! Thank you for posting that could be just the fact to give inspire to any body who want it! Keep on with the great work! Happy Blogging!
Great, thanks for sharing this article post.Really thank you! Really Great.
Muchos Gracias for your article.Really thank you!
Hey, thanks for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Thanks for the blog article.Really thank you! Will read on…
Im thankful for the blog article.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
A big thank you for your post.Thanks Again. Cool.
A round of applause for your article post. Great.
A big thank you for your article post. Will read on…
A big thank you for your article post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
Enjoyed every bit of your post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
I am so grateful for your blog post.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Very informative blog article.Really thank you! Want more.
I really like and appreciate your blog. Great.
Awesome blog.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Very informative blog post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and exposure! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve you guys to my personal blogroll.
Awesome blog.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but afterI clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!
A round of applause for your blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Awesome blog post.Really thank you! Great.
I really enjoy the blog.Really thank you! Much obliged.
This is one awesome article.Much thanks again. Cool.
I really enjoy the post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Fantastic post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
wow, awesome blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Great post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
A round of applause for your blog post.Thanks Again.Loading…
I loved this post. You describe this topic adequately. When hiring home contractors it truly is critical for choose a trusted name in construction. Experienced and efficient staff should strive for excellence and absorb every detail of your house.
I loved your blog post.Really thank you!
Thanks again for the article post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Thanks for the post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
I think this is a real great blog post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Very good blog.Thanks Again. Want more.
Enjoyed every bit of your article post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
I really enjoy the article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
This is one awesome blog.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Very informative article. Really Great.
Thanks again for the article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Appreciate the recommendation. Lett me try it out.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Muchos Gracias for your blog article.Thanks Again. Awesome.
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I have truly loved browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I’m hoping you write once more soon!
Thanks-a-mundo for the article. Great.
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Thanks Again. Cool.
Appreciate you sharing, great article. Fantastic.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Really looking forward to read more.
Im thankful for the blog post. Awesome.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
In fact when someone doesn’t understand after that itsup to other viewers that they will assist, so here it happens.
I think this is a real great blog.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Thanks , I’ve just been searching for info approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the best I havefound out so far. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Areyou sure in regards to the source?
Of all my writings the only books that can stand are these
I really enjoy the article post. Great.
Major thankies for the blog.Much thanks again. Really Great.
I think this is a real great blog.Thanks Again. Cool.
A big thank you for your article.Really thank you! Great.
Thanks a lot for the article post. Really Cool.
Hello all, here every one is sharing these kinds of familiarity, thus it’s pleasant to read this blog, and I used to go tosee this blog every day.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading?I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or ifit’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this post i thought i couldalso make comment due to this brilliant post.
I am now not sure the place you are getting your information, however good topic.I needs to spend a while finding out more or understanding more.Thank you for wonderful information I was looking for this information for mymission.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for peoples bank
Good web site you have here.. It’s difficult to find high-quality
writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you!
Take care!!
This post will help the internet viewers for building up newblog or even a blog from start to end.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
It’s an awesome post in support of all the online people;they will take benefit from it I am sure.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post.Much thanks again. Great.
Hello. Great job. I did not anticipate this. This is a splendid articles. Thanks!
Awesome article. Much obliged.
That is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read post!
A round of applause for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article!
Fantastic blog post.Really thank you! Want more.
Very good article post.Much thanks again. Cool.
Really informative blog.Really thank you! Awesome.
The facts mentioned within the article are a few of the most beneficial readily available
Thank you ever so for you article.Really thank you! Want more.
I really liked your post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
A big thank you for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Hey, thanks for the article post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Major thanks for the blog article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Say, you got a nice article.Thanks Again. Want more.
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It trulyhelpful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to provide something again and help others like you aided me.
My family members every time say that I am wasting my time here
at web, however I know I am getting knowledge daily by reading thes fastidious articles or reviews.
I think other web site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and fantastic user genial style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
Thanks so much for the article.Really thank you! Cool.
I am so grateful for your blog post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
I appreciate you sharing this article post.Really looking forward to read more.
Thanks for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Thank you ever so for you blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
It’s really a cool and useful piece of info.I’m happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us.Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Usually I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice post.
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may come back once again since I book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Very neat blog article.Much thanks again. Great.
I really like and appreciate your blog.Much thanks again. Cool.
I really liked your blog.Much thanks again. Will read on…
Say, you got a nice post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Great, thanks for sharing this post.Thanks Again. Want more.
Major thanks for the blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Wow, incredible weblog format! How lengthy have you been running a blog for? you make blogging look easy. The entire look of your web site is great, as well as the content!
The piece was great, but adding more images could really bring it alive!
It’s laborious to search out educated people on this topic, however you sound like you recognize what you’re speaking about! Thanks
Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and amazing style and design.
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
I must get across my affection for your kind-heartedness giving support to all those that really need help with the concept. Your special dedication to passing the message around became extremely effective and have surely allowed guys and women like me to attain their goals. This useful guidelines signifies so much a person like me and far more to my mates. With thanks; from everyone of us.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Thank you for some other informative web site. The place else could I am getting that type of information written in such a perfect means? I’ve a venture that I’m just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
Wow, great article. Will read on…
Very informative blog.Really looking forward to read more.
I really like and appreciate your post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Hey, thanks for the article post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Very good article.Much thanks again. Want more.
That is a really good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise info… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
Very good blog.Much thanks again. Will read on…
I haven¡¦t checked in here for a while because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I¡¦ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am having issues with your RSS. I donít know why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Hello, this weekend is nice designed for me, as thismoment i am reading this enormous educational paragraph here at my residence.
I want to to thank you for this great read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to look at new things you post…
I need to to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I’ve got you book-marked to check out new things you post…
Whats up very nice web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?KI am glad to seek out numerous helpful information here within the publish, we need work out more strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Some genuinely nice and utilitarian info on this web site, besides I believe the design and style has superb features.
wow, awesome post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Very neat article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Thanks-a-mundo for the post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
This post gives clear idea in favor of the new viewers of blogging, that really how to do blogging.
You can certainly see your expertise within the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
A fascinating discussion is worth remark. I think that you need to create more on this subject, it could not be a taboo subject however usually individuals are not enough to speak on such subjects. To the following. Cheers
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own blog now 😉
Hello colleagues, how is everything, and what you wish for to say about this piece of writing, in my view its truly remarkable in support of me.
Hello. excellent job. I did not anticipate this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!
I do not even know how I finished up right here, but I believed this put up was good.I do not understand who you are but certainly you are going to a well-known blogger when youaren’t already. Cheers!
Good way of telling, and pleasant paragraph to obtain information on the topic of my presentation topic, which i am going to present in institution of higher education.
I truly appreciate this blog article. Great.
I value the blog post.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
Hi there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
That is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise informationÖ Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!
Perfectly indited content, Really enjoyed examining.
Say, you got a nice post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
I am so grateful for your article.Really looking forward to read more.
Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Really great visual appeal on this website , I’d rate it 10 10.
Fully resonate with the sentiments shared above – this post is a gem!
incredible sunrise starting with an outstanding reading 🌞📚
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I am happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Much thanks again. Great.
Normally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
So impressive!
Very neat blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Really enjoyed this post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Simply wanna tell that this is very beneficial, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this site. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?