1 Fundamentals of hardware and software

into a computer a second time to transfer the added Sensors

information to the computer. The music industry uses musical instrument digital
interface (MIDI) systems. Here, data is input through
Magnetic ink cha acter recognition (MICR) a piano-type keyboard or by sensors that respond to
Banks process millions of cheques each day. Every cheque being struck. A wide variety of sounds can then be
has the cheque number, account number and branch code generated from one keyboard or set of pads.
printed on it using magnetic ink (Fig 1.9).A magnetic
Sensors are available which respond to a wide
ink character reader (lvllCR) reads this information
variety of signals. They can be used to collect data
along with the amount of the cheque into the banks'
automatically into a system. For example, the
information systems, so that the cheques can be cashed.
Meteorological Office has weather forecasting systems
MICR readers can only read one special font, which that collect data from sensors around the world and
includes only numbers and a few punctuation marks. in space. These sensors collect data on temperature,
They can read characters very quickly and with 100% wind speed and direction, hours of sunshine and
accuracy. Information printed in magnetic ink is humidity. This data is processed to help meteorologists
also very secure since it is not possible to change to predict the weather. As we know, the forecast is not
the information by writing over it with a pen. The always accurate, but large amounts of precise data are
magnetically printed numbers are also not damaged collected.
by folding the cheque (as often happens). Both
Information sys rems use sensors to input data so that
the reader used by MICR and the magnetic ink the systems can decide what to do. When you approach
are expensive.
an automatic door, a sensor tells the system you are
there and makes the door open. Burglar alarms use
sensors to inform the system when doors or windows
have been opened or broken. This causes an alarm ro
Fig 1.9 Mogne1icinlc symbolspnnted on 1he cheque sound or the police to be alerted automaticaUy.

Table 1.1 Input devices: advantages and disadvanrages

lnputdevke Application Advantages Disadvantages
Manual inputdevkes
Keyboard (touch)
Convertskey strokes into • Used to manually input • Most common means of • Continued use can cause
binary digits. text into the computer entering text repetitive strain injury
Carries out the commands of • Used to type commands • Relatively inexpensive • Errors in transcription are
function keys such as 'End' and and instructions to common
'PgUp' computer systems • Speed of input depends
on the user's experience
Mouse (touch)
Sends positional information • Acts as an interface • Commands can be given • Hand·to-eye coordination
to the computer, by clicking or between the user and the directly to the computer (e.g. can be a problem
scrolling of mouse buttons computer page down) • Shifting between
• Used to issue commands • Can activate commands by keyboard and mouse can
directly to the computer selecting icons directly be confusing
(continued)
 1.2 Input devices and media

Table 1.1 lnpur devices: advanrages and disadvanrages (conrinued}

Input device Applle11tlon Advaintaiges Dlsaidwntaiges
Joystlc.k (touch)
Similar to a vehicle gear shift, • Generally used in game • Ideal for games such as car • User has to become
but with buttons for different playing racing and combat skilled at the sensitive
commands movement of the joystick
Touchscreen (touch)
Allows the user to press parts • Are located in public • Easy way to input options • A limited number of
of the screen to activate places such as restaurants and choices values can be displayed
different functions and shopping malls where • Can be used by children and on one screen at a time
transactions can be made the physically challenged • More expensive than a
and Information given who are unable to use other standard monitor
input devices
Scannl!t' (light)
Used to capture an Image In • Conversion of hard·copy • Relatively cheap and easy to • The quality of the image
hard-copy and create a digital Images to soft-copy can be install depends on the quality
copy of the image used to import and export • Depending on use, flatbed of the hard-copj; scanner
documents and images or hand held scanners can be and scanner software
across different applications chosen
Graphics tablet (machine·readable)
Used to input lines and • Captures input like hand- • Allows artists to sketch • Requires some practice
shapes through pressure and created drawings and detailed digital drawings more • More expensive than a
movement of a sty1us on the signatures easily than by using a mouse mouse
tablet • Resulting images can be • Can be used to capture
displayed on a monitor signatures as a biometric
Voice-recognition system (sound)
Data that is input in audio • Allows users to dictate text • The user can speak normally • Must be trained to
form. The input is analysed or give commands directly for dictation recognise voice patterns
for commands which are then to the computer • Softwarecannotinterpret
processed all English meanings
Direct daita entry devices
Barcode reader (light orlaser)
Barcodes are groups of bars of • Different groups of • Data can be Input much faster • The order of the data
different widths and are found bars represent different than it takes to be keyed in stored cannot be changed
on almost every product you numbers. These numbers • Not easily damaged easily
buy. The codes are read into represent the product's • Can be printed using a
the computer using a wand or country of origin, normal printer and ink and
a fixed scanner manufacture and item code so cheap to produce
Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) (laser)
Data collected from the barcodes • Used to record transactions • Prices of products can be • Depends on a reliable
is used toproduceinfonnation and track inventory easily updated Internet connectivity
and update the database • Items can be easily scanned
Optical Character (light)
Recognition (OCR)
Text and graphics are scanned • Can be used to input large • Can speed up the typing • Accuracy of the text can
as soft copy blocks of typed text process be poor
(continued)
1 Fundamentals of hardware and software

Table 1. 1 lnpuc devices: advancages and disadvancages (cancinued)

lnputdevke Application Advantages Dlndvantages
Magnetic Ink character (magnetic)
recognition (MICA)
Data is printed as special • Used by banks to process • Is quick and highly efficient • Has limited applications
characters using magnetic ink. cheques, by printing • Both humans and machines • As the use of cheques
This data is translated into text additional bank details can interpret the data becomes obsolete, its use
or values (branch, account number) • Not easy to forge is in decline
Optical Mark Recognition (light)
(OMA)
Relies on the presence • Popular with lotteries • Data input is very fast and • There is a limit to the
or absence of precisely and multiple-choice accurate number of responses
positioned marks on a form question sheets issued by • Incorrect or inconsistent
being read by a special examination boards marking on the sheet
scanner. This data is then may result in the data
processed by the system being rejected
Smart card (magnetic)
A magnetic strip containing • Used to store data on • Can be used to store • Can be damaged
encoded data about the debit, credit, loyalty, phone financial transactions • May soon be replaced by
owner of the card is placed on and other cards • Transactions are fast embedded microchips
a plastic card • Saves the user from carrying
cash
Musical Instrument Digital (sound)
Interface (MIDI)
Can be used by musicians to • Used to store music from • Once stored, the data can be • Special software must
create, manipulate and store instruments or voice for arranged in many ways be used to translate the
sounds in a computer editing music into a musical score

Ou
1 What is the general name for each of the following f relies on precisely positioned marks on a form
devices: being read by a specia I scanner
a transfers data from the outside world into a g a document which has some unique information
computer printed on it by a computer, but other information
b a flat rectangular surface which also senses needs to be added to it by a human before it is
movement of a finger on its surface fed back into the computer.
c a system that uses some part of a person's body to 2 What is the general name for each of the following
uniquely identify them processes:
d transfers pictures, graphics and text to a a data is entered or transferred inco the computer
computer by hand
e transfers information automatically from a b to send data at a distance through signals each
document, such as a form or barcode into the time a button is pressed on the device.
computer