Chapter2 Flascard

Front 1

Question 1.0 What is the name of the keyboard layout and how does it get this name?

Back 1

QWERTY layout. This name comes from the keys on the top row, which spell out 'QWERTY'. See page 19 [v01.10]

Front 2

Question 2.0 List 2 uses of a keyboard

Back 2

1 Input of data into applications software (for example, text into word processors, numbers into spreadsheets, etc.) 2 Typing in commands to the computer (for example, Prnt Scrn, Ctrl-P to print out etc.). See page 19 [v01.10]

Front 3

Question 3.0 Give 3 advantages of a keyboard

Back 3

1 Fast entry of new text into a document. 2 Easy to use for most people. 3 Easier to do verification checks as the data is entered (can immediately compare the source document with typed data on the screen). See page 19 [v01.10]

Front 4

Question 4.0 Give 3 disadvantages of a keyboard

Back 4

1 Can be difficult to use if the user has limited arm/wrist use. 2 Slow method when compared to direct data entry (for example, optical mark recognition). 3 Fairly large device that uses up valuable desk space. See page 19 [v01.10]

Front 5

Question 5.0 What does a concept keyboard use instead of standard letters?

Back 5

The concept keyboard uses icons or phrases instead of standard letters. See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 6

Question 5.1 Where are concept keyboard used?

Back 6

These are often used in fast-food restaurants, where a single key represents one item, for example an ice cream. The person serving only needs to touch this key to order the ice cream and bring up its price on a screen. See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 7

Question 6.0 What type of data is a numeric keypad used to enter?

Back 7

A numeric keypad is used to enter numbers only (although some have a function key to allow alphabetic characters to be input). See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 8

Question 7.0 Give 5 uses of a numeric keypad

Back 8

1 Automatic teller machines (ATMs), where the customer can key in their PIN, amount of money, etc. 2 Mobile phones, to allow phone numbers, etc., to be keyed in. 3 Point-of-sale (POS) terminals in case the barcode reader fails to read the barcode - the number has to be keyed in manually by the operator. 4 • Chip and PIN devices when paying by credit/debit cards (key in PIN, amount of money, etc.). 5• Fast entry of numeric data into a spreadsheet. See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 9

Question 8.0 Give 2 advantages of a numeric keypad

Back 9

1 Faster than standard keyboards when entering numeric data. 2 Since many are small devices (for example - mobile phones) they are very easy to carry around. See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 10

Question 9.0 Give 2 disadvantages of a numeric keypad

Back 10

1 Sometimes have small keys which can make input more difficult. 2 Sometimes the order of the numbers on the keypad isn't intuitive. See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 11

Question 10.0 List 3 different pointing devices

Back 11

1 Mouse 2 Touchpad 3 Tracker ball. See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 12

Question 11.0 What is an optical mouse?

Back 12

The optical mouse is where movement is detected by reflected light rather than the position of a moving ball. See page 20 [v01.10]

Front 13

Question 11.1 Give the advantage of the optical mouse over a moving ball type mouse?

Back 13

The optical mouse has no moving parts and it also doesn't pick up any dirt. This makes it more robust and improves its performance since the older type of mouse can 'skid' on certain surfaces, reducing the control of the pointer. See page 21 [v01.10]

Front 14

Question 12.0 What is a wireless mouse?

Back 14

The cordless or wireless mouse transmits signals to a USB wireless receiver plugged into the computer. See page 21 [v01.10]

Front 15

Question 13.0 Give 3 disadvantages of the mouse

Back 15

1 Can be more difficult for people with restricted hand/wrist movement than using a keyboard data entry. 2 Easy to damage, and the older type of mouse quickly becomes clogged up with dirt. 3 Difficult to use if no flat surface is readily available (for example, on an aeroplane). See page 21 [v01.10]

Front 16

Question 14.0 How do you left click with a touchpad?

Back 16

Gently tapping the touchpad to simulate the left button of a mouse (They also have buttons under the touchpad which serve the same function as the left and right buttons on a mouse). See page 21 [v01.10]

Front 17

Question 15.0 Give 3 disadvantages of a touchpad

Back 17

1 People with limited hand/wrist movement find the device difficult to use 2 Can be more difficult to control the pointer when compared to a mouse 3 More difficult to use when doing certain operations such as drag and drop. See page 21 [v01.10]

Front 18

Question 16.0 Who finds using a trackerball easier than a mouse?

Back 18

It is easier to use for people with limited hand/wrist movement. See page 22 [v01.10]

Front 19

Question 17.0 Give 3 uses of a trackerball?

Back 19

1 Used in applications where the user has a disability (such as RSI). 2 Used in a control room environment where it is faster than a mouse to navigate through process screens. 3 Used in some luxury cars to select functions such as radio, telephone, music, satnav and so on. See page 22 [v01.10]

Front 20

Question 18.0 Give 5 advantages of a trackerball?

Back 20

1 Doesn't need the same fine control as a mouse. 2 Easier to use than a mouse if the operator is disabled. 3 More accurate positioning of the pointer on screen than a mouse. 4 They are more robust than a mouse. 5 Needs less desk space than a mouse or a keyboard. See page 22 [v01.10]

Front 21

Question 19.0 Give 2 disadvantages of a trackerball?

Back 21

1 Not supplied with computers as standard, therefore more costly. 2 User may need training since it isn't standard equipment. See page 22 [v01.10]

Front 22

Question 20.0 What type of signal does a remote control use?

Back 22

A remote control is used to control the operation of other devices remotely using infrared signals. See page 22 [v01.10]

Front 23

Question 21.0 Give a use of a Joystick?

Back 23

1 Used in video/computer games. 2 Used in simulators (for example, flight simulators) to mimic actual controls. See page 23 [v01.10]

Front 24

Question 22.0 Name the device that is similar to a Joystick?

Back 24

A driving (steering) wheel is an example of an input device that is similar to a joystick in many ways. It connects to a computer (or games machine), usually through a USB port. The wheel allows you to simulate the turning of a steering wheel. See page 23 [v01.10]

Front 25

Question 23.0 Give 8 uses of touch screens?

Back 25

1 Self-service tills, for example at petrol stations, where the user just touches the screen to select the fuel grade and payment method. 2 Automatic teller machines (ATMs) to choose from on-screen options. 3 Point-of-sale terminals at, for example, restaurants. 4 Public information systems at airports, railway stations, tourist offices, etc. 5 Personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones and satellite navigation systems. 6 Interactive white boards in education. 7 Computer-based training (CBT) where answers are selected during on-screen testing. 8 They can obviously also be used as an output device, since they still work as a flat-screen monitor. See page 23 [v01.10]

Front 26

Question 24.0 Give 3 disadvantages of a touch screen?

Back 26

1 Limited number of options available. 2 Can lead to problems if an operator has to use the system frequently (straining of arm muscles, RSI, etc., are all possible) 3 The screen can get very dirty with constant touching - this can reduce its responsiveness and can also make it more difficult to read in strong light. See page 24 [v01.10]

Front 27

Question 25.0 What do you call the most common type of scanner?

Back 27

The most common type is the flatbed scanner, which is made up of a glass panel and lid. The hard copy document or photo is scanned by a light source and produces a computer-readable image. See page 24 [v01.10]

Front 28

Question 26.0What is the name of the process of getting the text from a scanned page into a word processor?

Back 28

Optical character recognition (OCR). See page 24 [v01.10]

Front 29

Question 27.0 Give 4 uses of a scanner

Back 29

1 Scan in documents and convert into a format for use in various software packages. 2 Scan in old/valuable documents/books, thus protecting the originals, as well as producing records in case the paper copies are lost/destroyed (this is also known as archiving). 3 Scan in photographs (not all cameras are digital, so some photographs are still printed on paper requiring conversion to computer format for storage). 4 Scan in barcodes at POS terminals. See page 24 [v01.10]

Front 30

Question 28.0 Give 3 advantages of a scanner. See page

Back 30

1 Images can be stored for editing at a later date. 2 Much faster and more accurate (i.e. no typing errors) than typing in documents again 3 It is possible to recover damaged documents and photographs by scanning in and then using appropriate software to produce an acceptable copy. See page 25 [v01.10]

Front 31

Question 29.0 Give 2 disadvantages of a scanner

Back 31

1 Quality can be limited depending on how good a resolution the scanner is capable of (since most scanners have a range of resolutions you can choose from) 2 They can be fairly slow at scanning, especially if the colour scanning mode is chosen or if the chosen scanning resolution is high. See page 25 [v01.10]

Front 32

Question 30.0 Where are the photos on a digital camera stored?

Back 32

The images are stored on a memory card (solid state memory). See page 25 [v01.10]

Front 33

Question 31.0 List the 3 ways photos can be transferred from a digital camera to a computer?

Back 33

1 directly reading the memory card (by slotting it into a card reader attached to a computer or a printer) 2 connecting the camera to the computer using a USB port 3 using wireless data transfer (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). See page 25 [v01.10]

Front 34

Question 32.0 Give 4 advantages of using a digital camera

Back 34

1 Easier to produce better-quality photographs than with a traditional camera. 2 Easier and faster to upload photographs to a computer rather than having to scan in hard copies when using traditional methods. 3 No need to develop film and print out photographs anymore - this saves money and is also environmentally more acceptable (saves paper and reduces the use of the chemicals used in developing traditional film). 4 Memory cards can store several hundred photographs. See page 25 [v01.10]

Front 35

Question 33.0 Give 4 disadvantages of using a digital camera

Back 35

1 Need to be computer literate in using the cameras properly - also, the transferring, storing and manipulating of the images via a computer requires some understanding of how computers work. 2 There is some artistry lost since clever software now corrects errors in the photographs (for example, incorrect exposure, removal of red eye, etc.). 3 The resolution still isn't as good as many expensive traditional cameras (this is improving all the time however - the quality of photographs depends on the number of pixels (many cameras now offer more than 20 mega pixels per image), quality of lens, etc.). 4 Images often need to be compressed to reduce the amount of memory used (a single image can use more than 4 MB of memory, for example). See page 25 [v01.10]

Front 36

Question 34.0 What device is making the digital camera obsolete?

Back 36

Many smartphones and tablets are now capable of taking photographs of a very high quality. Some of the latest smartphones are essentially making cameras almost obsolete for the casual photographer. See page 25 [v01.10]

Front 37

Question 35.0 Explain how a digital camera can do what a video camera does?

Back 37

Since the video footage is simply a number of still photos 'stitched' together, this allows a digital camera to take reasonable video. See page 26 [v01.10]

Front 38

Question 36.0 Give 2 advantages of how a Digital Video camera is better than the older video camera that needs to be loaded with a film?

Back 38

The advantages of using Digital Video (DV) cameras compared to traditional video cameras (that use film) are: 1 it is much easier to manipulate video footage using specialist software (for example, remove all the colour except one colour to give dramatic effects, ete.) 2 DV format gives a very high quality of image which lends itself to effective editing. See page 26 [v01.10]

Front 39

Question 37.0 What does a microphone do with sound in order to send it to the computer?

Back 39

The input sound is converted to an analogue signal and then converted into a digital signal. The computer's sound card usually does this automatically, that is, it acts as an analogue to digital converter (ADC). See page 26 [v01.10]

Front 40

Question 38.0 Give 4 uses of a microphone

Back 40

1 To input speech/sounds to be used in various applications, for example in presentations, sampling (in films, music, etc.) and special effects (films). 2 Input in voice-recognition software: 2a the software converts the speech into text that can be used in, for example, a word processor or to input commands into a computer 2b to recognise commands - for example, some cars now have voice-activated systems to switch on the lights, turn the radio volume up, etc. 3 Microphones can also be used as a sensor to pick up sound (for example, in a burglar alarm system). 4 Used in video conferencing or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications. See page 26 [v01.10]

Front 41

Question 39.0 List 6 sensors

Back 41

1 Temperature 2 Pressure 3 Light 4 Sound/acoustic 5 Humidity/moisture 6 PH. See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 42

Question 40.0 Most sensors are analogue. What needs to happen in order for a digital computer to understand an analogue sensor?

Back 42

Since computers only understand digital data (1s and 0s), the information from the sensors needs to be converted - this is done using an analogue to digital converter (ADC). See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 43

Question 41.0 List 4 places a temperature sensor is used?

Back 43

A temperature sensor is used in 1 automatic washing machines, 2 central heating systems, 3 automatic glasshouses, 4 ovens. See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 44

Question 41.0 List 4 places a pressure sensor is used?

Back 44

A pressure sensor is used in 1 burglar alarm systems, 2 washing machines, 3 robotics, 4 environmental monitoring. See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 45

Question 42.0 List 4 places a light sensor is used?

Back 45

A light sensor is used in 1 automatic glasshouses, 2 automatic doors, 3 burglar alarm systems, 4 street lighting control. See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 46

Question 43.0 List 2 places a sound sensor is used?

Back 46

A sound sensor is used in 1 burglar alarm systems, 2 monitoring liquid and powder flow in pipes. See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 47

Question 44.0 List 2 places a humidity sensor is used?

Back 47

A humidity sensor is used in 1 automatic glasshouses, 2 environmental monitoring, used in 3 factories where moisture levels are crucial (for example, manufacture of microchips, paint spraying). See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 48

Question 45.0 List 3 places a PH sensor is used?

Back 48

A PH sensor is used in 1 automatic glasshouses, 2 chemical processes, 3 environmental monitoring.. See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 49

Question 46.0 Give 4 advantages of sensors

Back 49

1 More accurate readings taken when compared to human operators. 2 Readings are continuous - no break in the monitoring. 3 Because it is a continuous process, any necessary action (control system) or warning (monitoring system) will be initiated immediately. 4 Systems can be automatic, removing the need for human intervention (very important if the process is hazardous or needs precise control/monitoring). See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 50

Question 47.0 Give a disadvantage of sensors

Back 50

Faulty sensors can give spurious results (for example, sensors on the rear bumper of a car that monitors obstacles - if these become dirty, they may either not identify an obstacle or give a continuous alarm). See page 27 [v01.10]

Front 51

Question 48.0 What do you need to use when using a graphics tablet?

Back 51

A graphics tablet is used with a stylus to produce freehand drawings. See page 28 [v01.10]

Front 52

Question 49.0 Give 3 uses of a graphics tablet

Back 52

1 Used to produce drawings, computer graphics, etc. 2 In countries where the written language uses complex characters (for example, China and Japan) graphics tablets are used as a form of input as it is faster than typing in the characters with a keyboard. 3 Used in computer-aided design (CAD) work. See page 28 [v01.10]

Front 53

Question 50.0 Give 3 advantages of a graphics tablet

Back 53

1 It is possible to modify drawings before they are input. 2 They offer a very accurate method of drawing (better than using a mouse or trackerball) 3 They can record levels of pressure, unlike other point-and-click devices. See page 28 [v01.10]

Front 54

Question 51.0 Give 5 disadvantages of a graphics tablet

Back 54

1 They are more expensive than other pointing devices (such as a mouse). 2 It takes longer to produce a drawing using this equipment than doing it with pen and paper 3 Menus are often not very user-friendly 4 Larger drawings (such as A4) are expensive to produce 5 The touch screens are damaged easily. See page 28 [v01.10]

Front 55

Question 52.0 How is a webcam different to a digital video camera?

Back 55

Webcams are connected directly to the computer (through a USB port) and they don't have a memory. See page 28 [v01.10]

Front 56

Question 53.0 What type of monitor do you need to use a light pen?

Back 56

The light pen only works with CRT monitors as they rely on the screen image being built up row by row by an electron beam. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 57

Question 54.0 How often is the screen of the monitor refreshed?

Back 57

The screen is refreshed 50 times every second. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 58

Question 55.0 Explain how the light pen works

Back 58

Light pens are an input device. They detect light changes on a CRT monitors. They rely on the screen image being built up row by row by an electron beam. The screen is refreshed 50 times every second - because of this, the computer is able to determine the pen's position by noting exactly when the device detected the electron beam passing its tip. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 59

Question 56.0 Give 2 uses of a light pen

Back 59

1 Selecting objects on CRT screens 2 Drawing on screen (for example, with CAD packages). See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 60

Question 57.0 Give 3 advantages of a light pen

Back 60

1 Greater accuracy than touch screens. 2 Small (can be used where space is an issue). 3 Easy-to-use technology. See page 2 [v01.10]

Front 61

Question 58.0 Give 4 disadvantages of a light pen

Back 61

1 Problems with lag when drawing on screen. 2 Only works with CRT monitors (at the moment). 3 Not that accurate when drawing. 4 Rather dated technology. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 62

Question 59.0 What does POS stand for?

Back 62

Point-of-sale (POS) terminals. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 63

Question 60.0 Give another name for a POS

Back 63

Cash register or till [v01.10]

Front 64

Question 61.0 What does EFTPOS stand for?

Back 64

Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale.. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 65

Question 62.0 Give another name for an EFTPOS

Back 65

Cash register or till. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 66

Question 63.0 What does ATM stand for?

Back 66

Automatic teller machines (ATMs). See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 67

Question 64.0 What 2 cards does a magnetic stripe reader read?

Back 67

A credit or debit card [v01.10]

Front 68

Question 65.0 List 4 pieces of information contained on a card’s magnetic strip contain?

Back 68

The stripe contains useful information, for example: 1 account number, 2 sort code, 3 expiry date and 4 start date. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 69

Question 66.0 Give 2 uses of a magnetic strip reader

Back 69

1 On credit/debit cards for use at ATMs or EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at point of sale) terminals. 2 Security devices to allow entry to buildings, hotel rooms, etc. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 70

Question 67.0 Give 6 advantages of a magnetic strip reader

Back 70

1 Fast data entry compared with keying in with a keyboard or keypad. 2 Error free (since no typing is involved). 3 Secure (information not in human readable form and, since there is no typing, removes the risk of somebody observing your key strokes). 4 Prevents access to restricted/secure areas. 5 Not affected by oil, water, moisture etc. 5 No moving parts - so physically very robust. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 71

Question 68.0 Give 3 disadvantages of a magnetic strip reader

Back 71

1 If the magnetic stripe gets damaged (for example, due to exposure to a strong magnetic field) the data is lost. 2 Doesn't work at a distance (card needs to be in close contact with the reader). 3 Since the information is not human readable, this can be a disadvantage in some applications. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 72

Question 69.0 How much can you spend with a contactless debit or credit card?

Back 72

Items worth up to $25 without entering their PIN. See page 29 [v01.10]

Front 73

Question 70.0 What technology is inside a contactless debit or credit card?

Back 73

All contactless cards have a small chip that emits radio waves embedded in them. .. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 74

Question 71.0 How far from the contactless card reader do you hold the card?

Back 74

The card is held within a few centimetres of the payment terminal to pay for an item. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 75

Question 72.0 List the 5 steps of what happens when a contactless card reader detects a contactless card i.e. the steps involved in processing the transaction

Back 75

The terminal picks up the signal from the chip and allows the transaction to be processed. The steps taken are: 1 Customers look out for the contactless symbol on the payment terminal. 2 The shop assistant enters the amount for payment. 3 The card reader informs the customer to present their con tactless card. 4 The customer holds their card in front of the card reader. 5 The terminal display will indicate that the card has been read. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 76

Question 73.0 Give 5 advantages of a contactless card reader

Back 76

1 Faster transaction (typical transaction takes 15 seconds as opposed to 30 seconds using a magnetic stripe reader) 2 The system uses 128-bit encryption to protect data. 3 Customers do not have to worry about typing errors (such as incorrectly typing in a PIN). 4 Retailers no longer have access to the customer's credit/debit card information. 5 The chip in the con tactless credit card responds to the payment terminal reader with a unique number used for that transaction only - it does not simply transmit the consumer's account number - this number is also encrypted. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 77

Question 74.0 Give 5 disadvantage of a contactless card reader

Back 77

1 They are more expensive than normal credit/debit cards. 2 A thief with a suitable reader could monitor your contactless card transaction while standing at the counter with you, or just behind you (the third point above reduces this risk considerably however: because you don't have to type in a PIN, somebody standing behind you couldn't steal your PIN and use it). 3 Can take money twice if the customer uses it as a chip and PIN card (one is contactless and the other is chip and PIN). 4 Transactions are usually limited to a small maximum value (e.g. $25). 5 Transactions have been carried out without the card holder being aware of this while they were just standing in the payment queue. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 78

Question 75.0 What does PIN stand for?

Back 78

Personal Identification Number [v01.10]

Front 79

Question 76.0 Where is a chip and PIN reader used?

Back 79

A chip and PIN reader is used at EFTPOS terminals. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 80

Question 77.0 Describe how to use a chip and PIN reader?

Back 80

The device has a slot into which the card is placed and the chip is read. The PIN is entered using the keypad. The reader also has a small screen which gives instructions to the operator. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 81

Question 78.0 How does a chip and PIN reader differ from a contactless card reader?

Back 81

The Chip and PIN reader is similar to the contactless system, except for two points: 1 the customer has to key in their PIN to make a transaction 2 the cards do not make use of RF technology. See page 30 [v01.10]

Front 82

Question 79.0 What is the chip and PIN reader used for?

Back 82

A chip and PIN reader is used when making payments cards at restaurants, supermarkets, travel agents, etc. See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 83

Question 80.0 Give 2 advantages of a chip and PIN reader

Back 83

1 More secure system (PIN typed in must match up with PIN stored on chip). 2 More robust system than magnetic stripe cards. See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 84

Question 81.0 Give 1 disadvantage of a chip and PIN reader

Back 84

Fraud - need to be careful to ensure PIN isn't read by somebody else while typing it in. See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 85

Question 82.0 What does RFID stand for?

Back 85

Radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 86

Question 82.1 Describe what an RFID read does

Back 86

Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers use radio waves to read and capture information stored on a tag. The tag can be read from a distance of several metres. See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 87

Question 82.2 What are the 2 components that an RFID is made of?

Back 87

The RFID tag is made up of two components. 1 a microchip that stores and processes information 2 an antenna that is used to receive and transmit data/information. See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 88

Question 83.0 Where do RFIDs get their power?

Back 88

The tags can be 1 passive or 2 battery powered. Passive tags use the reader's radio wave energy to relay the information - battery powered tags use a small embedded battery to power the RFID. See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 89

Question 84.0 Give 4 uses of RFID readers

Back 89

1 Livestock tracking (so that the whereabouts of each animal on a farm is known - it also identifies which farm owns the animal). 2 Retail (it is similar to barcodes but doesn't require any scanning - details, such as price, can be stored on the tag and then automatically read at a checkout - a big advantage is that several tags can be read at the same time, thus speeding up the checkout process). 3 Admission passes (for example, in theme parks RFID cards eliminate the need to scan or swipe people before 'rides', reducing the waiting time - it also allows the tracking of people in the theme park and certain information, such as height or age, can be stored to prevent entry to certain rides on safety grounds). 4 Libraries (books can be tracked in and out automatically by readers at the library entrance - no need to scan barcodes or magnetic stripe cards, making the process quicker and more accurate). See page 31 [v01.10]

Front 90

Question 85.0 Give 5 advantages of RFID readers

Back 90

1 No line-of-sight contact is necessary - the tags can be read from a distance. 2 It is a very robust and reliable technology. 3 Very fast read rate (typically < 100 milliseconds to respond). 4 Bidirectional data transfer (that is, it allows read and write operations to take place). 5 Bulk detection is possible (i.e., detect several RFID tags at the same time). See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 91

Question 86.0 Give 4 disadvantages of RFID readers

Back 91

1 Tag collision (this is when the signals from two or more tags interfering with each other) 2 Because RFID uses radio waves, they are relatively easy to jam or interrupt 3 It is relatively easy to hack into the data/signal transmitted by the tag 4 RFID is more expensive than a comparable barcode system. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 92

Question 87.0 What does MICR stand for?

Back 92

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR). See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 93

Question 87.1 What is MICR used on?

Back 93

The system is now used primarily for reading the characters at the bottom of a bank cheque. See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 94

Question 87.2 Describe how MICR works

Back 94

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) is a system that can read characters printed in a special ink (containing iron particles). Only certain characters written in a standard font can be read. See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 95

Question 87.3 What type of processing is MICR connected to?

Back 95

MICR is used with the Batch processing of cheques. See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 96

Question 88.0 Give 3 an advantages of MICR

Back 96

1 Offer greater security than OCR since the printed characters cannot be altered. 2 There is no manual input, so errors are reduced. 3 The magnetic ink characters can still be read even if somebody writes over them (for example, a signature). See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 97

Question 89.0 Give 2 disadvantages of MICR

Back 97

1 Only certain characters can be read and the number of different characters is very limited. 2 More expensive than other methods used in direct data entry. See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 98

Question 90.0 What does OMR stand for?

Back 98

Optical mark recognition (OMR). See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 99

Question 90.1 What does an OMR reader do/work?

Back 99

Optical mark recognition (OMR) is a device that can read marks written in pen or pencil. The position of the mark is stored in the computer's memory after being read by the OMR device. See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 100

Question 91.0 Give 2 uses of an OMR reader

Back 100

Used to read 1 questionnaires and 2 multiple-choice examination papers where responses are registered in the form of lines or shaded areas. See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 101

Question 92.0 Give 3 advantages of an OMR reader

Back 101

1 Very fast way of inputting the results of a survey, etc. The documents are fed in automatically and there is no user input. 2 Since there is no typing, they are more accurate than keying in the data. 3 They are more accurate than OCR methods. See page 32 [v01.10]

Front 102

Question 93.0 Give 2 disadvantages of an OMR reader

Back 102

1 The forms need to be carefully designed to make sure that the marks/shading are correctly positioned to gather accurate information. 2 There can be problems if the forms haven't been filled in correctly sometimes they have to be checked manually before being read, which is both time consuming and expensive. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 103

Question 94.0 What does OCR stand for?

Back 103

Optical character recognition (OCR). See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 104

Question 94.1 What does OCR do with the text on a scanned page?

Back 104

Optical character recognition (OCR) is the name given to software that takes scanned text and converts it into a computer-readable form. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 105

Question 95.0 Give 1 use of OCR

Back 105

One of the most recent uses is the processing of passports and identity cards. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 106

Question 96.0 Give 2 advantages of OCR

Back 106

1 It is a much faster data-entry system than manually keying in data. 2 Since no manual data entry, the number of errors is also reduced. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 107

Question 97.0 Give 2 disadvantage of OCR

Back 107

1 The system still has difficulty reading handwriting. 2 Still not a very accurate technique. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 108

Question 98.0 Comparing OCR with OMR. Which method can read handwriting?

Back 108

OCR. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 109

Question 98.1 Comparing OCR with OMR. Which method has more instructions that need to be read by the user?

Back 109

OMR needs more “how to fill in” instructions than OCR. See page 33 [v01.10]

Front 110

Question 98.2 Comparing OCR with OMR. Which method has a more complex form?

Back 110

OMR requires complex (and expensive) forms to be completed. See page 34 [v01.10]

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Question 98.2 Comparing OCR with OMR. Which method is more accurate?

Back 111

OMR is a more accurate method for reading data than OCR. However OCT is more accurate than entering data using a keyboard. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 112

Question 99.0 List 2 types of barcode reader?

Back 112

1 built into POS terminals in supermarkets 2 Hand-held scanners or wands [v01.10]

Front 113

Question 100.0 List 3 uses of a barcode reader

Back 113

1 Used in supermarkets and other shops where the goods are marked with a barcode - the barcodes are used to give information about the product which enables automatic stock control, itemised billing, etc. to take place. 2 Used in libraries to keep track of books on loan. 3 Used as a safety function in many companies to ensure that electrical equipment is checked on a regular basis (barcodes are placed on an item to identify it and a database holds all the information related to that barcode so it is possible to interrogate the system as part of a safety audit). See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 114

Question 101.0 Give 4 advantages of a barcode reader

Back 114

1 Much faster than keying in data manually and fewer mistakes will be made. 2 If used as a way of recording data, they can improve safety. 3 They allow automatic stock control. 4 They are a tried and trusted technology. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 115

Question 102.0 Give 3 disadvantage of a barcode reader

Back 115

1 Relatively expensive system to administer. 2 Not fool proof (barcodes can be swapped around on items) 3 Can be more easily damaged than RFID tags or magnetic strips. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 116

Question 103.0 What does the QR in QR code stand for?

Back 116

Quick response (QR) code. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 117

Question 103.1 Describe what a Quick response (QR) code looks like

Back 117

This is made up of a matrix of filled in dark squares on a light background. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 118

Question 105.0 How many digits can a QR code hold?

Back 118

QR codes can hold over 7000 digits (normal barcodes can hold up to 30 digits). See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 119

Question 105.1 Describe how to read a QR code using a smartphone?

Back 119

Using the built-in camera facility on modern phones, and by downloading the appropriate application (or App), it is possible to read the QR code. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 120

Question 105.2 List 3 things a QR code can contain?

Back 120

The code may contain a 1 website link, 2 a phone number or 3 some form of advertising. On scanning the QR code, the phone number and advertisement will appear on the mobile phone's screen. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 121

Question 106.0 List 2 advantages of QR codes

Back 121

1 There is no need for the user to actually write down or key in a website address - this is done automatically by scanning the QR code 2 QR codes can store website addresses/URLs that appear in magazines, trains, buses or even business cards, providing a very effective method of advertising. See page 34 [v01.10]

Front 122

Question 107.0 What does CRT stand for?

Back 122

Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. See page 35 [v01.10]

Front 123

Question 108.0 List 2 uses of a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor

Back 123

1 They were used as the primary output device for computers so the user can see immediately what they are typing in 2 They are used with light pens, for example, to allow designs to be created on screen. See page 35 [v01.10]

Front 124

Question 109.0 Give 2 advantages of a CRT monitor

Back 124

1 The angle of viewing is still better than with most TFT monitors 2 They work with light pens in CAD/CAM applications. See page 35 [v01.10]

Front 125

Question 110.0 Give 4 disadvantages of a CRT monitor

Back 125

1 They tend to be rather heavy and present a safety hazard if not supported properly 2 They run very hot and can cause fires if left unattended (especially as they get older). 3 They consume considerably more power than modern TFT monitors. 4 They can flicker, which can lead to headaches and eyesight problems with prolonged use. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 126

Question 111.0 What does TFT stand for?

Back 126

Thin film transistor. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 127

Question 112.0 What might be another name for a Thin film transistor (TFT) monitor?

Back 127

Flat-screen monitor. See page 24 [v01.10]

Front 128

Question 113.0 What is a Thin film transistor (TFT) monitor screen made up of?

Back 128

The screen is made up of thousands of tiny pixels. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 129

Question 113.1 A Thin film transistor (TFT) monitor screen is made up of pixels. What are these pixels made up of?

Back 129

The screen is made up of thousands of tiny pixels, which are made up of transistors controlled by a microprocessor. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 130

Question 113.2 A Thin film transistor (TFT) monitor screen is made up of pixels. These pixels made up of transistors. How many transistors per pixel and what colour?

Back 130

Each pixel has three transistors that are coloured red, green or blue - the intensity of each governs the effective colour of the pixel seen by the eye. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 131

Question 113.3 Give 2 disadvantage of a Thin film transistor (TFT) monitor

Back 131

1 The angle of viewing a TFT is fairly critical otherwise the image isn't very clear (for example, if several people are looking at a screen at the same time) 2 Definition is sometimes not as good as a CRT monitor. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 132

Question 114.0 What does LCD stand for?

Back 132

Liquid crystal display/diode (LCD) technology. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 133

Question 114.1 What monitors have come about because of the Thin film transistor (TFT) monitor?

Back 133

These days, most monitors and television sets are made using liquid crystal display/diode (LCD) technology which are simply a development of the TFT monitors. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 134

Question 114.2 What does LED stand for?

Back 134

Light emitting diode (LED) technology. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 135

Question 114.3 What CCFL stand for?

Back 135

cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 136

Question 114.4 LEDs have become increasingly more popular due to a number of advantages over older CCFL technology. Give 6 advantage of LEDs over CCFL technology

Back 136

1 LEDs reach their maximum brightness almost immediately (there is no need to 'warm up' before reaching full efficiency) 2 LEDs give a whiter light, which sharpens the image and makes the colours appear more vivid - CCFL had a slightly yellowish tint 3 LEDs produce a brighter light, which improves the colour definition 4 monitors using LED technology are much thinner than monitors using CCFL technology 5 LEDs last almost indefinitely - this makes the technology more reliable and makes for a more consistent product 6 LEDs consume very little power, which means they produce less heat as well as using less energy. See page 36 [v01.10]

Front 137

Question 115.0 What screen technology comes after LCDs and LEDs?

Back 137

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). See page 37 [v01.10]

Front 138

Question 115.1 What makes up the screen of an organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) monitor?

Back 138

These use organic materials (made up of carbon compounds) to create semiconductors that are very flexible. See page 37 [v01.10]

Front 139

Question 115.2 What shape can an OLED screen have?

Back 139

OLEDs allow screens to be curved, which ensures a good picture from any angle. See page 37 [v01.10]

Front 140

Question 115.3 Give 7 advantage of using OLED compared to existing LED and LCD monitors/Screens

Back 140

1 the plastic, organic layers of an OLED are thinner, lighter and more flexible than the crystal structures used in LEDs or LCDs 2 the light-emitting layers of an OLED are lighter - OLED layers can be made from plastic rather than the glass as used in LED and LCD screens 3 OLEDs give a brighter light than LEDs 4 OLEDs do not require backlighting like LCD screens - OLEDs generate their own light 5 since OLEDs require no backlighting, they use much less power than LCD 6 screens (most of the LCD power is used to do the backlighting) - this is very important in battery-operated devices such as mobile phones 6 since OLEDs are essentially plastics, they can be made into large, thin sheets (this means they could be used on large advertising boards in airports, subways, and so on) 7 OLEDs have a very large field of view, about 170 degrees, which makes them ideal for use in television sets and for advertising screens. See page 37 [v01.10]

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Question 116.0 What 3 devices might a multimedia projector be plugged into?

Back 141

1 Computer 2 Television 3 DVD player. See page 38 [v01.10]

Front 142

Question 117.0 How is a multimedia projector controlled?

Back 142

Remote control. See page 38 [v01.10]

Front 143

Question 118.0 Give 3 uses of a multimedia projector

Back 143

1 Training presentations (to allow the whole audience to see the images from a computer). 2 Advertising presentations (large images showing product features, for example a new car, can be shown at exhibitions, shopping malls, etc.) 3 Home cinema systems (projecting the images from a DVD or television). See page 38 [v01.10]

Front 144

Question 119.0 Give 2 advantage of a multimedia projector

Back 144

1 Enables many people to see a presentation rather than crowding round a small computer screen. 2 Avoids the need for several networked computers (for example, when looking at a video clip on an internet site - everybody can see the video on the large screen rather than logging on to a number of computers). See page 38 [v01.10]

Front 145

Question 120.0 Give a disadvantage of a multimedia projector

Back 145

1 Images can sometimes be fuzzy. 2 Expensive to buy from the outset. 3 Setting up projectors can be a little difficult. See page 38 [v01.10]

Front 146

Question 121.0 List 4 different types of printer?

Back 146

1 Laser 2 Inkjet 3 Dot matrix 4 3-D printer. See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 147

Question 122.0 What is the quality and speed of a laser printer?

Back 147

Very high-quality hard-copy output. The print rate per page is very quick if a large number of pages are being printed. See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 148

Question 123.0 Give 2 uses of a laser printer

Back 148

1 They are used where low noise is required (for example, in an office). 2 If fast, high-quality, high-volume printing is required then laser printers are the best option. See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 149

Question 124.0 Give 4 advantage of a laser printer

Back 149

1 Printing is fast (unless only a few pages are to be printed, in which case they are little faster than inkjet printers) 2 They can handle very large print jobs. 3 The quality is consistently high 4 Toner cartridges last for a long time (and the printers can sometimes be a cost effective option, particularly if colour outputs are not required). See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 150

Question 125.0 Give 3 disadvantage of a laser printer

Back 150

1 Only really fast if several copies are being made. 2 Colour laser printers tend to be expensive to run (four colour/black cartridges are needed, as well as diffuser kits, which are expensive to purchase). 3 They produce ozone and volatile organic compounds because of their method of printing and type of toner/ink used (these have been linked to health hazards in the office). See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 151

Question 126.0 What is the quality and speed of Inkjet printer?

Back 151

Inkjet printers are used to produce good quality hard copies. Printing is done a bit at a time and sometimes pauses as it has to wait for the computer to send more data. See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 152

Question 127.0 Give 3 uses of an Inkjet printer

Back 152

1 Used where low output volumes are required (high-volume jobs are difficult to do since the ink cartridges tend to be used up very quickly). 2 If high -quality printing is required for single pages (or only a small print job) then these printers are ideal - for example, they are very good at producing photo-quality printouts. 3 3-D inkjet printers are now being used in industry to produce prototypes (see page 40). See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 153

Question 128.0 Give 4 advantages of an Inkjet printer

Back 153

1 High-quality output. 2 Cheaper to buy than laser printers. 3 Very lightweight and have a small footprint. 4 Don't produce ozone and volatile organic compounds, unlike laser printers. See page 39 [v01.10]

Front 154

Question 129.0 Give 4 disadvantages of an Inkjet printer

Back 154

1 Slow output if several copies needed (little buffer capacity to store the pages). 2 Can't do large print jobs (ink cartridges run out too quickly). 3 Printing can 'smudge' if user is not careful. 4 Can be expensive if used a lot (original ink cartridges are expensive to buy). See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 155

Question 130.0 What is the quality and speed of Dot matrix printer?

Back 155

Dot matrix printers tend to be slow, noisy and the output is not that good. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 156

Question 130.1 What type of paper or stationery is used by Dot matrix printer?

Back 156

Multi-part or continuous stationery. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 157

Question 131.0 Give 2 uses of a Dot matrix printer

Back 157

1 They can be used in noisy environments (for example, garage workshops) and in applications where print quality is not that important. 2 They are used in applications where multi-part stationery or the fact that they are an impact printer is of value (for example, producing wage slips). See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 158

Question 132.0 Give 4 advantages of a Dot matrix printer

Back 158

1They can be used in environments that would be a problem to laser or inkjet printers (for example, dusty/dirty or moist atmospheres) 2 Carbon copies or multi-part outputs can be produced. 3 Very cheap to run and maintain. 4 Easy to use if continuous stationery is required (for example, long print jobs such as wages slips). See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 159

Question 133.0 Give 3 disadvantages of a Dot matrix printer

Back 159

1 Very noisy - not good in an office environment. 2 Actually cost more than an inkjet printer to buy initially. 3 Very slow, poor-quality printing. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 160

Question 134.0 What does CAD stand for?

Back 160

Computer-aided design (CAD). See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 161

Question 135.0 What other 2 printers are 3-D based on?

Back 161

They are primarily based on inkjet and laser printer technology and can produce solid objects that actually work. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 162

Question 136.0 How does a 3-D printer produce an object?

Back 162

The solid object is built up layer by layer. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 163

Question 136.1 What 4 materials can a 3-D printer use to produce an object, layer by layer?

Back 163

1 powdered resin 2 powdered metal 3 paper or 4 ceramic. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 164

Question 137.0 What sizes are 3-D printers available in?

Back 164

Various types of 3-D printers exist - they range from the size of a microwave oven up to the size of a small car. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 165

Question 138.0 Give 5 uses of a 3-D printer

Back 165

1 Prosthetic limbs can be made to fit exactly on to the injured body part 2 making items to allow precision reconstructive surgery (for example, facial reconstruction following an accident) - the parts made by this technique are more precise in their design as they can be made from exact scanning of the skull 3 in aerospace, manufacturers are looking at making wings and other aeroplane parts using 3-D technology - the bonus will be lightweight, precision parts 4 fashion and art - 3-D printing allows new creative ideas to be developed 5 making parts for items no longer in production, for example, parts for a vintage car. See page 40 [v01.10]

Front 166

Question 139.0 Give 5 advantages of a 3-D printer

Back 166

1 The manufacturing of items has become much easier than ever before. It is now theoretically possible to manufacture any product a user wants using only a 3-D printer. This has led the way for customised products, as it allows a user to create their own designs in 3-D and have them printed in solid form.3 Because 3-D printers can manufacture items relatively quickly, it allows rapid prototyping. This means that it will take a really short length of time for designs to be converted into working prototypes.3 Even though the cost of 3-D printing is very high, it is still less when compared to labour costs and other costs involved in manufacturing a product in the more conventional way. The fact that the cost of manufacturing using 3-D printers is the same for both small-scale and mass production is also a very useful benefit. 4 Medical benefits are emerging, such as producing artificial organs, prosthetics and precision-made items for reconstructive surgery. 5Parts for machinery that are no longer made could now be manufactured using 3-D printers. A car made in the 1930s, for example, will no longer have parts available off-the-shelf. By scanning the broken part (using a 3-D scanner), or by obtaining its blueprint, it will be possible to simply email the file to a company and have the part made on an industrial 3-D printer. This clearly has many benefits in a number of applications. See page 41 [v01.10]

Front 167

Question 140.0 Give 3 disadvantages of a 3-D printer

Back 167

1 The biggest possible drawback of 3-D printers is the potential to make counterfeit items or items that infringe others' copyright. 3-D printing technology essentially turns every owner of one of these printers into a potential manufacturer. Thus, it could become very difficult to trace the source of fake items - copyright holders would also have great difficulty in protecting their rights. 2 All new technologies in the hands of the wrong people can lead to dangerous or illegal activities. With the possibility of creating almost anything with a 3-D printer, this technology could be used to manufacture dangerous items by almost anyone. 3 There is the potential for job losses if this technology takes over from some types of manufacturing. Of course, this could also be seen as a benefit by some companies as it could lead to lower manufacturing costs for certain items. See page 41 [v01.10]

Front 168

Question 141.0 What two places can you find loud speakers built into another device?

Back 168

(Loud) speakers can be 1 connected directly to a computer or 2 are built into the monitor or casing (as in a laptop computer). See page 42 [v01.10]

Front 169

Question 142.0 Actuators are transducers. What can they do with a signal from a computer?

Back 169

Actuators are used to take signals from a computer and convert them into some form of motion. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 170

Question 143.0 Give 4 examples of devices that an actuator can turn on or off i.e. when a signal is sent to the actuator from the computer which devices can it switch on or off

Back 170

1 operating motors, 2 pumps, 3 switches and 4 valves. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 171

Question 144.0 What can an actuator do to a motor?

Back 171

The motor is turned on or off by the actuator. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 172

Question 145.0 What 3 uses, can a computer controlling an actuator connected to a motor be put to?

Back 172

1 Used in automatic washing machines (to make the drum rotate), cookers (to switch on fans), water pumps in central heating systems, and in automatic glasshouses to open windows and switch on fans. 2 Control of robot arms in industry. 3 In computers to control fans, disk drives and DVD drives. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 173

Question 146.0 What can an actuator do to a buzzer?

Back 173

Buzzers can be switched on or off by an actuator. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 174

Question 147.0 What 2 uses can a computer controlling an actuator connected to a buzzer be put to?

Back 174

1 The buzzer can be turned on in a cooker and microwave oven to tell you when the cooking process is complete 2 The buzzer can be used in burglar alarm systems to warn of intruders. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 175

Question 148.0 What can an actuator do to a light?

Back 175

The actuator is connected to the switch that turns the lights on or off. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 176

Question 149.0 What 2 uses can a computer controlling an actuator connected to a light be put to?

Back 176

1 Security lights. 2 In glasshouses to control the lighting conditions. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 177

Question 150.0 What can an actuator do to a heater?

Back 177

Actuators are connected to switches that turn the heater on or off. See page 43 [v01.10]

Front 178

Question 151.0 What 4 uses can a computer controlling an actuator connected to a heater be put to?

Back 178

1 Automatic washing machines to heat up the water if necessary. 2 Automatically control the temperature in an oven or hot plate.3 Control the heating in a central heating system. 4 Temperature control in an automatic glasshouse. See page 43 [v01.10]