5.3.1 Part 1

So What is This About?

Types of Hardware:

Mainframe Computers:

1. One of the most powerful types of computer that can process millions of instructions each second

2. Mainframes are large computers that need air-conditioned rooms so they don’t overheat.

3. Used by the insurance and banking industries.

Microcomputers:

1. They are not as powerful as mainframe computers

2. Microcomputers can be found in the home, at school and in many businesses Personal Computers (PC’s), laptops, palmtops etc.

3. Advantages
Affordable way of storing data
A useful communication tool by providing access to the Internet

Uses of Microprocessors:

1. Mobile phones
Stores other numbers, performs calculations, WAP Internet access etc.

2. Personal Computers (PC’s)
Use Internet, e-mail, write letters

3. Security systems

Computerised control panel can set off an alarm which could alert the police if there is an intruder

Stock Control:

1. Items that are bought and sold can be recorded

2. The number of items sold are instantly deducted from the amount in stock

3. Data can be kept on suppliers, stock levels and re-order levels
Part of an EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) system at shop checkouts

Data Collection Methods:

Optical Mark Reader (OMR):

1. An OMR can detect carbon marks on paper

2. OMR scanners use reflected light to detect these marks on paper

3. Uses of OMR
National lottery (Lotto) tickets,
Multiple choice exam papers, School registration.

Optical Character Reader (OCR)

1. OCR reads written or printed characters on paper as it is scanned.

2. The scanner detects patterns of marks Letters, numbers, symbols.

3. Once scanned, the characters are converted into digital format (ASCII)
American Standard Code for Information Interchange.

4. Once converted, it can be read and edited in a word processor.

5. OCR software can be purchased for use with a standard flatbed scanner.

6. Uses of OCR
Useful for companies who want to go ‘paperless’ and have all correspondence in digital form.

Advantages
Using OCR can mean less typing and faster data entry
Once in digital format, the document can be saved or edited

Disadvantages
Some characters may not be converted if they can’t be understood
Difficult to convert diagrams

MICR

1. Stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

2. On the bottom of a cheque, numbers are printed in ink, but they also contain iron
The ink is magnetised

3. An MICR scanner reads these numbers. The numbers relate to the account number, branch (sort) code and cheque number.

Advantages
Large volumes of data can be processed quickly MICR is fairly secure More accurate than other data collection methods

Disadvantages
Very expensive to set up because of the specialist equipment that is required

Bar Code Readers

1. Bar codes are a series of vertical lines (of different thicknesses) which appear on most products

2. Bar code readers use a laser beam to read these lines

3. Uses of bar code readers
Part of an EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) system at shop checkouts
Assist stock control and re-ordering in the shop

4. The bar code is made up of 13 digits.

The first 2 digits represent the country

The next 5 digits represent the manufacturers code

The next 5 digits represent the product code

The final digit is known as the check digit Usually calculated from the other digits in the bar code.

Check digit ensures the bar code is read properly.

Advantages
Data entry is fast
The code contains many details about the product
Bar codes follow a general standard of 13 digits

Disadvantages
The bar code can become damaged or unreadable
If the bar code cannot be read then manual entry is needed, which is slower to input

Touch Screen

1. A touch screen can detect exactly where on its surface it has been touched.

2. They are used, for example, in photograph kiosks.

3. hey are easy to keep clean and re-program if changes need to be made.

4. The screen may become damaged or broken more easily as they are fragile.

Graphics Tablet

1. Has a flat surface and a pen, or stylus, which can be used to draw

2. As the stylus touches the surface of the graphics tablet, data about its position is sent to the computer

3. Produces an exact copy of what is being drawn on the VDU

Voice Input

1. Voice entry can be made through a microphone

2. ‘Voice recognition’ software can transfer what is said into text data or instructions

Uses
Dictating a letter into a word processor
Instructing a computer or device to operate

Advantages
Helpful for people with disabilities who may be unable to use a keyboard or mouse
Voice recognition software is more affordable

Disadvantages
The system has to be trained to recognise voices
Training the software can take some time
Software is not 100% accurate

Participation

Touch Screen

EPOS

Barcode

Graphics Tablet

Voice Recognition

OCR

OCR software - scan to text

MICR

MICR used on cheques

OMR

Stock Control with EPOS

Stock

Benefits

1. Most supermarkets have Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals which use bar code readers to input data. These produce itemised bills for customers.

a. Give two advantages to the customer of receiving an itemised bill.[2marks]

b. Give two advantages to the supermarket of giving the customer an itemised bill. [2 marks]

June 2006

2. A supermarket uses Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to accept payment.

(a) At the checkout, a customer uses a bank card to pay for goods.
Describe the steps that occur after the card is handed to the cashier.

[4 marks]

(b) Give one advantage to the supermarket of using EFT instead of accepting cheques for payment of goods. [1 mark]

3. Powerful mainframe computers are used for weather forecasting.
(a) Give one reason why powerful mainframes rather than personal computers are used for
weather forecasting.[1mark]

4. Shaun, a web site developer, is going to buy a desktop computer. Identify three features of the technical specification that Shaun needs to consider and give a reason for each. [6 marks]

Jan 2007

9. A computerised registration system is to replace the manual system in a school.
Give three possible benefits of the computerised system.[3]

June 2006

6 A supermarket uses Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to accept payment.
(a) At the checkout, a customer uses a bank card to pay for goods.
Describe the steps that occur after the card is handed to the cashier.[4]

(b) Give one advantage to the supermarket of using EFT instead of accepting cheques for payment of goods. [1]