Is a small touch sensitive pad used as a pointing device on portable computers?

Scanners and Reading Devices
Some input devices save users time by capturing data directly from a source documents which is the original form of data.  Devices that can capture data directly from a source documents like the optical scanner, optical reader, bar code readers, RFID readers, magnetic stripe card readers, and magnetic-ink character recognition readers.

Optical Scanner
It is a light-scanning input device that reads printed text and graphics and then translates the results into a form the computer can process.  Once you can scan a document, you can display the scanned object on the screen, modify its appearance, store it on a storage medium, print it, fax it, and etc.

Optical Reader
 A device that uses a light source to read characters, marks, and codes then converts them into digital data that a computer can process.  Two technologies used by optical reader are optical character recognition and optical make recognition.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Involves reading typewritten, computer-printed or hand-printed characters from ordinary documents and translating the images into a form the computer can process.

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
Devices that read hand-drawn marks such as small circles or rectangles.  A person places these marks on a form, such as test, survey, or questionnaire.

Bar Code Readers
They are also called a bar code scanner.  Uses laser beams to read bar codes.  A bar code is an identification code that consist either of a set of vertical lines and spaces of different widths or a two-dimensional pattern of dots, squares, and other images.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) 
Uses radio signals to communicate with a tag placed in or attached to an object, an animal or a person.  It is an alternative to bar code identification because it does not require direct contact or line-of-site transmission.

Magnetic Stripe Card Readers
They are also called magstripe reader.  It reads the magnetic stripe on the back of credit cards, entertainment cards, bank cards, and other similar cards.  The stripe contains information identifying you and the card issuer.

Magnetic-ink Character Recognition (MICR)
Read text printed with magnetized ink.  MICR readers converts MICR characters into a form the computer can process. The banking industry almost exclusively uses MICR for check processing.

Biometric Input
A technology of authenticating a person's identity by verifying a personal characteristic.  Users access to programs, systems or rooms by analyzing some physiological characteristics.  Most widely used is a fingerprint reader.

Terminals
A computer, usually with limited processing power that enables users to send data to and/or receive information form a host computer. Special-purpose terminals perform specific tasks and contain features uniquely designed for use in a particular industry.  Three special-purpose terminals are point-of-sale terminals, automated teller machines, and DVD kiosks.

Point-of-sale (POS) Terminal
The location in a retail or grocery store where a customer pays for goods or services is the point-of-sale (POS).  Most retail stores use a POS terminal to record purchases, process credit or debit cards and update inventory.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) 
A self-service banking machine that connects a host computer through a network.  Banks place ATM's in convenient locations, including grocery stores, convenience stores, retail outlets, shopping malls, and etc.

DVD Kiosks
A self-service DVD rental machine that connects to a host computer through a network.  Located nationwide at retail sources, fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, airport convenience public locations.