Knowt
Chapter 2
Compare Optical Mark Readers (OMRs) with Optical Character Readers (OCRs). Your answer must include similarities and differences.
Similarities
Both read/scan data using optical methods
Both use direct data entry Both are input devices
Both read data from printed documents Both input large amounts of data
Both read data very quickly
Differences
OMR does not need to read the characters written only the marks
OMR is unable to recognise machine or hand-printed characters
For OMR to read, marks need to be within a specified area
The OMR marks have to be in the correct location
OCR is more accurate at reading detailed data
Data read from an OCR can be manipulated by word processing software
OCR requires manual intervention to change the scanned words.
Identify two uses of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR).
1 Multiple Choice forms/Questionaries
2 Attendance registers
—> Lottery tickets, Bar codes/QR codes
A headteacher is producing a web page about the history of her school. She has been given some old hard-copy photographs which she will include on the web page. She has a digital camera and a scanner to use to convert the hard-copy photographs into a digital format.
Compare the use of a digital camera with a scanner in this scenario. Your answer must include similarities and differences.
Similarities
Both capture images
Both store digital data
Both create digital images
Differences
Digital camera is more portable
Scanner captures the image in more detail
Scanners do not have a keystone effect
Digital camera may capture glare/shadow off the image
Digital camera has faster data capture
The products in a warehouse contain either a bar code or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The data about each product is read electronically.
(a) Compare bar code readers and RFID readers. Your answer must include similarities and differences.
Similarities
Both readers scan the product code
Both readers use direct data entry
Both readers allow tracking of products
Both readers are contactless
Differences
Bar code readers only scan one bar code at a time whereas RFID readers read multiple tags at the same time
Bar code readers require a direct line-of-sight with the code
RFID readers use near-field technology
Bar code readers need to be close to the bar code
Bar code needs to be in the correct position for reader to be able to read it
Bar codes readers might not be able to read a damaged/scratched bar code whereas RFID can read data as long as chip/tag is not severely damaged.
Bar code reader might have read errors if the bar code is damaged/scratched whereas RFID readers are more likely to read damaged/scratched tags
Bar code readers emit/use light whereas RFID uses electromagnetic/radio waves
(b) Identify two other uses of RFID.
Race timing Tracking
Event Attendee Tracking
Livestock Tracking
Library book Tracking
Contactless/credit/debit card payment
Tick ( ✓) the device which produces hard copy.
A Buzzer
B Laser printer
C Touch screen
D Webcam
Movies can be stored on Blu-ray discs or an internal hard disk.
(a) Describe why Blu-ray discs are preferred to an internal hard disk for storing movies
Data cannot be erased/edited
Blu-ray discs are portable
As it is on an external device it does not take up internal storage
You can have large number of Blu-ray discs therefore more storage
Hard Disk is fixed in the computer
(b) Hard disks and Blu-ray discs are examples of backing storage.
(i) State two characteristics of backing storage.
1 Non-volatile
2 Stores data permanently
—>Slower to access than internal memory
(ii) Identify two other types of backing storage
1 CD
2 DVD
—> DVD RAM, Memory cards Pen drives, SSD, Cloud storage, Flash memory
The students have decided to use a smartphone. Data for the newsletter will be input, stored and output by the smartphone.
Identify two devices that are part of the smartphone that could be used to input the data for the newsletter.
1 Camera
2 Microphone
—>Touch screen
Identify two devices that are part of the smartphone that could be used to output data from the newsletter.
1 Speaker
2 Screen
Bluetooth is a method of wireless communication. State two devices found in the home which could be connected via Bluetooth
Keyboard
Headphones
—>Printer, Smart phone
Some computers have touch screens. Describe three benefits of using a touch screen.
Quick to select options
Small footprint
Improved hand/eye coordination
—>Allows the user to use zoom and pinch making item selection quick
Tick which device produces solid objects.
A Inkjet printer
B Dot matrix printer
C Laser printer
D 3D printer
For each of the following uses of data capture, name one appropriate direct data entry device. The devices must be different in each case.
(a) Contactless credit cards
Radio Frequency Identification/RFID reader
(b) Multiple choice answers in an examination paper
Optical Mark Reader/OMR
(c) To scan items at a computerised till
Bar Code reader/scanner
A glasshouse is used to grow plants and is computer controlled.
(a) Name three sensors which could be used in this glasshouse.
Temperature sensor
Humidity/moisture sensor
Light sensor
pH sensor
Give two reasons why data from the sensors need to be converted for use by a computer
So that the data from the sensor can be understood by the computer
The output from a sensor is analogue
—>The input to the computer is digital
A student is carrying out a scientific experiment to measure the temperature of a liquid as it cools down. The student uses a sensor connected to a computer to read the temperature.
Give three advantages of using computers and sensors rather than the student taking the temperature readings herself.
Measurements can be taken continually
Safer to take the measurements
Measurements can be taken outside school hours
—> The computer will not forget to take readings, Readings are taken at a more consistent time interval, The computer reads the data more accurately
Describe how the readings taken by the sensor are displayed on a graph using the computer
The data from the sensor is read/received by the computer
The data is converted to digital by the ADC
The software is opened on the computer
The graph type is loaded/selected
The data is uploaded to the graph
The graph is plotted/created
Axes/legend/title added
(c) Explain the differences between measurement systems and control systems
Measurement
Automatically detects changes in the environment
Measurement takes the readings and stores the result
Measures/reads physical quantities
Control
Changes the environment
Compares against preset value
Action taken depending on comparison to preset value
The students need to test their multimedia presentation before it can be used. Name the output devices they can use and for each one, write down a reason for its use
Monitor/data projector
To show what the presentation looks like
To show the layout of the presentation
Speaker
To listen if the sound matches the images
Printer
To check that handout format works
A research student is undertaking a study of endangered animals in the Amazon rainforest. She is using a drone to replace surveys carried out on foot. A drone is a remote-controlled flying vehicle. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using a drone to monitor the animals in the rainforest.
Benefits
Safer to use drones than human life being risked in forest areas
Drones can gain a better overall view of the forest than the human
Drones can be used in areas that would not be accessible to humans
Drones can cover a greater area than a human in the time available
Data from the drone can be automatically uploaded to computer system
May change animal behaviour if humans are used/Less invasive for the animals
Drawbacks
Damp conditions/environment/weather may cause issues with the electronics
Difficult to navigate in the tree areas
Noise/sight of the drone may affect the animals
More chance of collision/bird attack
If drone crashes it could be difficult to find/retrieve
Potential danger to other animals/birds
In 2019 Cambridge recorded the highest temperature for July in the UK. The data was collected automatically using sensors by a weather station and sent to a computer.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using sensors to collect data rather than humans collecting the data.
Advantages
Readings are taken at a more consistent time interval
The sensor reads the data more accurately
Safer as humans do not need to take the measurements
Computers can analyse the data continuously
Readings taken more frequently
Multiple variables can be monitored at the same time
Disadvantages
Sensors can malfunction due to the temperature
If sensors malfunction this could lead to incorrect readings
Sensors could be stolen
Sensors are placed in the river to check the water level. If the water level in the river rises more than 5m above normal river levels, a flood barrier is raised to safeguard the village. The flood barrier remains raised until the water level drops to normal levels.
Explain why the data from the sensors cannot be read directly by the computer and name the device that needs to be used so that the computer can read the data
Data from sensor is in analogue form
Computer only reads digital data
Analogue to Digital Convertor
Describe how a microprocessor uses the data from the sensors to raise and lower the flood barrier
Microprocessor reads the data from the ADC
Microprocessor stores pre-set value
Microprocessor compares current water level with preset value
If the current water level is greater than the pre-set value the microprocessor sends a signal to the DAC to convert data to analogue signal sent to an actuator
Actuator raises the flood barrier
Continual process
A computer controlled glasshouse is used to grow plants. State the sensors that could be used in the glasshouse
Light
Temperature
Humidity/moisture
pH
CO2
One input device used on a tablet computer is a touch screen. Name other input devices built into a tablet computer.
Microphone
Camera
Sensors
Write down examples of system software
Compiler
Linker
Operating system
Utilities
Device driver
Interpreter
Which two items that contain personal data.
bank card, bar code, laser, printer, medical record, mouse, sensor
Bank card
Medical record
A touch screen is both an input device and an output device. Touch screens are used on many devices. A tablet computer uses a touch screen. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using a touch screen rather than a monitor and keyboard for the tablet computer
Advantages
The footprint of the computer will be smaller
Fewer peripherals needed therefore saves money
Makes the computer lighter
Easier to select icons
Disadvantages
If the screen is damaged, then the device cannot be used to input data
Keyboards and monitors can be replaced more easily
Large fingers could mis-key data therefore more errors on data entry
Screens can become dirty more easily therefore affects reading of data
Complete the question using an appropriate item from the list given.
Bar code reader, Blu-ray drive, DVD drive, Hard Disk Drive, Keyboard, Memory stick, Mouse, Optical Character Reader, SSD, TFT monitor
Identify two direct data entry devices from the list.
Bar code reader
Optical Character Reader
Choose the two most appropriate input devices associated with the computerised glasshouse
Chip and PIN reader, Hard Disk Drive, Laser printer, LED monitor, Moisture sensor, Numeric keypad
Moisture sensor
Numeric keypad
4. A headteacher is considering setting up a card system for students to buy food in the school canteen. The headteacher is trying to decide whether to install a system that uses magnetic stripe card readers or one that uses chip and PIN card readers.
Compare the use of magnetic stripe card readers with the use of chip and PIN card readers. Your answer must include similarities and differences.
Similarity
Both readers are in direct contact with the card
Both readers can cause wear and tear on the cards
Both are input devices
Difference
Chip and PIN readers the user needs to know the PIN
The chip and PIN reader is susceptible to shoulder surfing
Chip and PIN reader prompts the user to enter a PIN
It is more secure as a PIN is needed
In the magnetic stripe reader the card can be used by anyone as no PIN is needed
The transaction is faster using a magnetic stripe reader
Less data entry errors using a magnetic stripe reader as no manual input
Many Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) allow customers to print out mini statements of their bank accounts. Describe the inputs and processing involved in printing out a mini statement.
Inputs
Insert card
System reads the details on the card
Select the language you would like to use
Enter PIN
Select print (mini statement) option
Select Account
Select ‘confirm’
Processing
Checks the card is correct/valid
Checks the account number is correct
Check the PIN is correct
If incorrect three times then card is retained
Checks the correct account selected
Sends a signal to/communicates with the bank
Bank computer creates the statement
Details of the amount in the account are sent to ATM
Details are sent to the printer
Some of the components used in the manufacture of aircraft are produced using a 3D printer. Analyse the use of a 3D printer to make the components rather than making the components by hand
The manufacture of components is cheaper
The whole process of setting up and printing the components can be quicker
Quality is consistent
Minimises waste
Fewer sub-components making it stronger and safer
The size of the component is limited to the size the 3D printer can product
If the initial design is incorrect it is harder to correct
Initial cost of the printer could be more costly
Requires skilled programmers/operators therefore the initial costs could be higher
choose two input devices that could be used in a smartphone.
HDD, magnetic stripe reader, microphone, mouse, remote control, speaker, touchpad, touch screen
touch screen
microphone
Bluetooth is a method of communication to connect devices together. Describe how a smartphone can use Bluetooth to connect to another device.
Smartphone sends data to its Bluetooth connector
Data is converted to radio waves
The smartphone automatically detects nearby devices
The smartphone pairs to the other device if in range
The smartphone randomly chooses one of 79 possible channels
If the channel is in use, it randomly chooses another
The connection changes channels, every few seconds
Sends the radio wave to the other device
A computer consists of both hardware and software. Give examples of input devices which are part of a laptop computer
Touchscreen
Touchpad
Webcam
Microphone
Keyboard
Tick the most appropriate printer which relates to the following statements
An air-conditioning system has been fitted in a hotel bedroom. The air-conditioning system will contain fans which operate at varying speeds. Identify the devices used in the system from the descriptions given.
(a) This device captures the temperature from the room.
Sensor
(b) This device changes the data from the microprocessor into a form that can change the speed of the fan.
Digital to Analogue Convertor/DAC
(c) This output device operates the fan.
Actuator/motor
Choose items that could be used to output data directly from a smartphone.
Blu-ray disc microphone mouse screen SD card sensor speaker webcam
Speaker
Screen
Tick (✓) whether the following are examples of internal or external hardware devices.
Complete the following sentences, using the most appropriate direct data entry device.
a bar code reader, a chip reader, MICR, a magnetic stripe reader, OCR, OMR, PIN pad, RFID reader
(a) The device that reads data from a card in a contactless card system is called
RFID reader
(b) The device that reads scanned text and converts it into a readable form is called
OCR
(c) The device that reads the data made up of black lines and spaces on household goods is called
a bar code reader
Complete the question using an appropriate item from the list given.
Blu-ray disc drive DVD RAM drive Hard disk drive Keyboard Laser printer LCD monitor Magnetic tape drive Mouse Pen drive SSD
(a) Identify output devices from the list.
LCD monitor
Laser printer
(b) Identify two optical storage devices from the list
DVD RAM drive
Blu-ray disc drive
Data can be read directly by using a number of different devices. Name the most appropriate device used to read the following data.
(i) 
RFID reader
(ii)
Magnetic Ink Character Reader/MICR
(iii)
Bar code reader
(iv)
Chip reader
