Computer Hardware Intro&Input UACE Sub-ICT

S850/1 THEORY
UACE Subsidiary - ICT

Topic 5: Computer Hardware
Introduction and Input Devices
SHACK ICT DEPT.
UACE SUB-ICT Topic 5: Computer Hardware Slide 1 of 70

Presentation Outline
• UACE Sub – ICT Topic 5: Computer Hardware
– Sub Topic 1. Input Devices
– Sub Topic 2. Output Devices
– Sub Topic 3. Storage Devices
– Sub Topic 4. Processor Components
• Learning Outcome:
– The learner should be able to identify various hardware
devices; identify the uses of common hardware
devices; State their advantages and disadvantages.

Introduction
• A computer is made up of hardware and
software.
• An analogy can be made to humans that the
hardware is your body and the software is
your mind.
• a computer is nothing without both
• hardware and software.

What is Computer Hardware
• Computer hardware refers to the physical or
tangible components of the computer.
• Computer hardware is any physical part of the
computer that you can touch, see and pick up.
• Some examples of hardware include the
– Input hardware - keyboard, mouse, scanner, etc.
– Output hardware - monitor, printer, speakers, etc.
– Storage hardware - disk drives, memory chips
– Processing hardware – CPU, heat sink, PSU,
motherboard, adapter cards, etc.
• Hardware is physical
• Hardware works with computer code to carry
out jobs such as:
– Producing an image on a computer screen
– Producing sound
– Moving cursers / pointers around a screen
– etc

Images-Computer Hardware

Sub Topic 1: Input Devices
• Sub topic Objectives:
– Identifying the basic input devices
from an image.
– Explain what it is used for.
– Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of the input devices

What are Input Devices
• Input devices are hardware devices that allow data
to be entered into the computer.
• There are two different types of input devices:
– Manual input devices – data has to be input by
hand e.g. keyboard, mouse, touchpad, light pen,
etc.
– Direct input devices – data is input directly by a
machine/device e.g. bar code reader, optical
character reader, magnetic stripe reader, etc.

1. The Keyboard
• Keyboards are used to
input text, numbers and
instructions into the
computer.
• Keyboards are one of the
most commonly used
manual input devices.
• Most keyboards use
‘QWERTY’ key layout,
coming from the first five
lettered keys at the top
row.
Keyboard Divisions

• Alphanumeric (typing) keys
– Are labeled with alphabetic letters A to Z, numbers
1, 2, ….0 and special symbols such as ?, ] and %
• Function keys
– Function keys, which are labeled with the letter F
followed by a number, are special keys
programmed to issue commands to a computer.
– To issue commands, users often press a function
key in combination with other special keys
(SHIFT,CTRL, ALT, and others).

• Cursor movement and editing keys
– Cursor movement keys are used to move the
cursor on the screen. Movement keys include:
• Arrow keys:
• Page up and page down keys:
• Home and end keys
– Editing keys are used to delete or insert
characters in a document. They include:
• Insert key
• Delete (Del) key

• Numeric keypad
– The numeric keypad consists of a set numbers 0 to
9 and the arithmetic signs like +(addition), -
(minus), * (multiplication), and / (division).
• Indicator Lights
– Display the status of the Caps Lock, NumLock and
Scroll Lock keys whether they have been activated
or not.

Ergonomic Keyboards
• Special keyboards called 'Ergonomic
Keyboards' have been developed to
help reduce health problems (such as
repetitive strain injury)linked with
typing.
Ergonomic keyboards have a more

natural shape to them with reduces
stress on the wrist and hands.
Ergonomic keyboards also come with a

built-in hand-rest which further helps
prevent health issues such as RSI
(Repetitive Strain Injury).

Uses of a Keyboard:
• Keyboards are used to input data into applications
• Keyboards can also be used to enter commands
into the computer. For Example
– Keyboard shortcuts:
– CTRL + P to print
– CTRL + S to save
– CTRL + C to copy
– CTRL + V to paste
– PRT SC to take a screen shot of your work

Advantages/Disadvantages of Keyboards
Advantages Disadvantages
Enables fast entry of text into documents. People with wrist and hand problems can
find keyboards painful to use.
Very easy to use (you just press the keys). Keyboards are quite large and can take up
a lot of desk space.
Information that you input instantly Entering data is slow when compared to
appears on the screen. This lets you automatic methods.
quickly check that what you are entering For example - a barcode code scanner will
is correct. input data into the computer almost
instantly.

2. Numeric Keypads
• Numeric keypads are
used for entering
numbers into a
computer system
('Numeric' means
number).
• Some numeric keypads
also allow you to enter
simple text and
symbols.

Uses of Numeric Keypads:
• There are many day-to-day uses of numeric
keypads. Here are some of them:
ATM (Automatic teller machines) Entering personal identification
numbers (PIN) into an ATM to
allow us to access our cash.
Withdrawing from ATM Keying in how much money you
would like to withdraw from an
ATM.
Telephones These use numeric keypads to
allow us to enter phone numbers.
Chip and Pin devices These have numeric keypads to
allow users to enter PIN numbers
and payment amounts when we
buy goods and products.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Numeric
keypads
Faster than QWERTY keyboards when People with large hands can find them
used for entering numbers. hard to use because of their small keys.
Numeric keypads are small so they can Difficult (but not impossible) to enter text
easily fit on smaller devices like mobile information.
phones.

Pointing Devices (mouse, touchpad,
trackerball)
• Pointing devices are pieces of hardware that are used
to control a pointer (curser) on a screen.
• Pointing devices are frequently used with Graphical
User Interface (GUI) operating systems where
pointers are used to input commands by selecting
icons.
• There are three main types of pointing device:
– Mouse
– Touchpad
– Trackerball

3. Mouse
• A mouse is a pointing device
that allows users to control a
pointer on screen.
• There are two different types of
mice - a ball mouse and an
optical mouse.
– Ball Mouse - Uses a ball under
the mouse to detect movement.
– Optical Mouse - Uses reflected
light to detect movement.
– The ball (in a ball mouse) and the
reflected light (in an optical
mouse) allows the user to direct
and control an on-screen pointer.
• Mice have two buttons and a scroll wheel.
These provide users with different functions:
– Left button is used to select icons and click
options
– Right button is used to call up a drop-down menu
of options
– Scroll wheel is used to move up and down
through a document.

Cordless Mice
• Cordless mice work in the
same way as regular mice
but they do not need a wire
plugged into the computer.
• They are powered by
batteries instead of the
computer.
Cordless mice are an

example of a wireless
device.

Uses of Mice:
• Common uses of mice include:
– Opening, closing, maximizing
and minimizing programs and
– Zooming Windows
files. – Selecting/Highlightin
– Moving, grouping and g items or text
deleting files.
– Controlling a pointer on – Pointing at items on
screen to select icons or move screen
around the page (scrolling).
– Drawing images
– Dragging and
– Editing images in terms of size dropping items
and position on the screen. – Creating Shortcuts
– Clicking
Advantages/Disadvantages of Mice:
Faster to select icons and options when People with wrist and hand problems
compared to a keyboard. (like RSI) can find mice painful to use.
Very easy to move a pointer around a Ball mice can pick up dirt which will affect
screen and to navigate through the accuracy of pointer movement.
documents.
Mice are small and do not take up much Mice need a flat surface in order to work
space. properly
For example - they would be difficult to

use on train unless you had a flat table to
rest on.

4. Touchpad
• The touchpad allows us to
control a screen pointer by
moving and tapping your
finger on the surface of a
pad
• Used as a replacement to a
mouse in many laptops.
• Users lightly brush their
finger over the touchpad in
order to control a pointer.
• Touchpads have two Uses of Touchpads:
buttons which have the Touchpads have the same uses
same purpose as mouse as mice
buttons.
Advantages/Disadvantages of
Touchpads:
Easier than QWERTY keyboards when More difficult to control a mouse pointer
used to select options and icons when compared to a mouse.
Touchpads are built into laptops so there People with wrist and hand problems
is no need for a separate mouse. This (like RSI) can find touchpads painful to
helps improve portability. use.
Can be used even when there is no flat Some operations are more difficult to
surface available. perform when compared to a mouse. For
example drag and drop.
Won't get clogged with dirt (as can
happen with ball mice) so performance is
never reduced.
Touchpads enable rapid navigation

through applications and the internet.

5. Trackballs
• Trackballs are similar to
mice but the ball is on the
top of the device instead
of the bottom.
• Screen pointers are
controlled by rotating the
large ball with your hand.
• The buttons on trackball
perform the same
functions as those on
mice and touchpads.

Uses of Trackballs:
• Trackballs are used to control the pointer by rotating a ball
with your thumb.
• Trackerballs have the same uses as mice. (Refer to uses of a
mouse)
• They are used in applications where the user has a disability
(such as RSI).
• Some arcade gaming machines use trackballs to control
games characters on screen.
• They are used in a control room environment, where it is
faster than a mouse to navigate through process screens
and is more robust than a mouse.
Trackballs:
People with hand/wrist problems can still More expensive than mice.
use trackballs
The pointer can be positioned more More difficult to learn to use than a
accurately on the screen than with a mouse.
mouse.
They take up less desk space than mice User may need training since they are not
since they are stationary. standard equipment.
Can be used even when there is no flat
surface available.

6. Remote Control
• Remote controls are used
to control other devices
using infra-red signals.
• Buttons on the remote
control can be used to
perform functions such
as:
– Changing the channel on a
T.V
– Increasing/Decreasing the
volume on a music player
– Selecting a different
chapter on a DVD player

Uses of Remote Controls:
• Home entertainment devices use remote controls.
Examples are:
– Hi-Fi systems (music centers), DVD / Blu-ray Players, some
projectors (like ours in the classroom).
• Industry uses remote controls to operate machinery that
might be too dangerous to get near to. Examples include:
– Cranes with heavy loads, activating explosives in demolition,
operating robot arms in hazardous chemical plants.
• Remote controls are also used to control multimedia
systems.

Remote Controls:
Devices can be operated without having People with limited hand movement can
to go to them. This is useful for people find them difficult to use.
with disabilities.
They can operate devices that are in an The infra-red signal between the remote
unsafe environment. control and the device it operates can be
easily blocked.
For example: Explosives to demolish a
building can be set off at a safe distance.

7. Joysticks
• Joysticks control a pointer on a
screen.
• There are two main parts to a
joystick:
– Handle / Stick - Allows us to move
a pointer in the direction we want.
– Buttons - Allow us to select
options or 'click stuff'.
• Joysticks are also popular
devices for gaming. The handle
allows gamers to control on-
screen characters and the
buttons are used for things like
firing weapons.

Uses of Joysticks:
• They can control characters
or objects in video games.
• Can control industrial
machinery (cranes for
example)
• They are used in
simulators. For example
flight simulators use
joysticks in order for
trainee pilots to control the
simulated plane.

Joysticks:
Easier to control an on-screen curser or Not as easy to control an on-screen
move an in-game character than it is curser when compared to using a mouse.
when using a keyboard.
Very simple to get used to. People with hand/wrist issues (like RSI)
can find them painful to use.
Anyone can just pick one up and use it!
Can be used by disabled people. Joysticks Difficult (but not impossible) to enter text.
can be operated by hands or even feet.
For example: some games allow you to
select individual letters using the joystick
in order to spell out your name when
entering a high score.

8. Touch Screens
• Touch screens allow users to
input commands into a computer
by pressing or touching
buttons/icons on the screen with
a finger.
• Giving users this ability to touch
or press icons on the screen
removes the need to use a
mouse.
• Touch screens are more suitable
for use with a limited amount of
options.

Uses of Touch Screens:
• Common uses of touch screens include:
– Touch screens are used for self-service tills, e.g. petrol stations,
where the user just touches the screen to select the fuel grade and
payment method.
– Touch screens are used where selections are made on screen, for
example ATMs, point of sale terminals (e.g. at restaurants), public
information systems at airports, railway stations, tourist offices.
– Mobile phones and PDA's, satellite
navigation systems use touch screens as a
way of saving space
– Interactive white boards used for education
are large touch screens.
– Touch screens are used in computer base training (CBT) where
selections are made in answering on screen testing.
Touch Screens:
Very fast and easy to enter options (you just Limited number of options available on the
press them). screen.
No training needed in order for people to be Expensive compared to other input devices.
able to use them. All people do is press the
correct option.
Can be used by disabled people. Joysticks can be The screen can get very dirty with constant
operated by hands or even feet. touching.
The touch screen technology is simple and user Although user friendly, touch screens cannot be
friendly. used to enter large amounts of data
Touch screens virtually eliminates operator Touch screen systems cost about twice the
errors, because users select from clearly defined amount of an existing keyboard display
menus
Touch screens provide fast access to any and all
type of digital media.
Touch screens provide sufficient security It’s tiring to use if many choices have to be made
for long periods.
No space is wasted as the input device is They are not very accurate. Selecting detailed
completely integrated in the monitor. objects can be difficult with fingers.

9. Scanners
• Scanners are devices
used to read text or
illustrations printed on
paper (hard copies) and
translate the information
into a form a computer
can use.
• Scanners can convert
hard copies (printed
documents, photographs
etc) into digital data.

• Scanners reflect light off the hard copy in
order to capture an analogue image of the
document. The scanner then converts the
received analogue data into a digital format.
• Once the hard copy has been converted to
digital data, it can be stored on a computer
and manipulated using Graphics Editing
Software (such as Photoshop).

• Images can also be used with optical character
recognition (OCR) software to allow the
information to used in a word processor,
desktop publishing, presentation software,
etc.

Types of Scanners
• Flat bed scanner which
is made up of a glass
panel and lid that scans
an entire page at once.
• Hand held scanner
which means the user
physically moves the
scanner across the
image in order to send a
copy to a computer

Uses of Scanners
• Scanners are used to scan in documents and
convert them into a format for use in various
software packages.
• Old and valuable documents and books can be
scanned, thus protecting the originals from damage
through handling and also producing records in
case the paper copies are lost or destroyed.
• Non-digital photographs need to be scanned if they
are to be stored on computer.

Scanners:
Very fast to enter hard copies into the Scanned images are usually of lesser
computer (compared to retyping with a quality than the original document.
keyboard).
Very easy to scan and store documents Scanned images can take up a lot of disk
and images into the computer. space (especially if you scan them at a
high resolution).
Digital copies of the stored data can easily
be duplicated and backed up.
Old photo's that may be damaged can be
scanned into the computer then repaired
using Graphics Editing Software.
Images can be stored for editing at a later

date (paper documents cannot be edited
unless they are scanned first).

10. Graphics Tablet
• A graphics tablet is used with a
stylus (a special pen) to produce
freehand drawings. For example
computer aided design and
drafting by architects, mapmakers
artists and designers.
• The images produced can then be
stored in a file on a computer.
• Graphics tablets are used by artists
and designers to easily create and
store digital graphics in a computer.

Uses of Graphics Tablets
• Allow designers to produce digital images
much more accurately than if they were using
a mouse.
• Graphics tablets are used to produce
drawings, computer graphics, etc.
• They are used in computer aided design
(CAD) work.

Graphics Tablet
Much easier to draw images using a pen They are more expensive than other
than it is to draw them using a mouse. pointing devices, such as a mouse.
They offer a very accurate method of Not useful for some input needs. For
drawing, which is better than using a example entering data into a computer by
mouse or trackball. using a mouse
Stylus pens make it better for the artist to

capture fine detail than they could using a
mouse.
Useful in countries where drawings and

symbols are used instead of text (like
China and Japan).

11. Light Pens
• Light pens are used by directly drawing or selecting
icons on a computer screen.
• Light pens can make selections, place images, draw
and indicate dimensions by simply touching the
screen.
• They work by picking up light from the computer
screen and then signal to the computer exactly
where the light was picked up.
• This allows the computer to 'draw' on the part of
the screen where the pen picked up the light.
Uses of Light Pens
• Used for selecting
objects on a CRT
screen.
• They are also used
for directly drawing
onto the screen (e.g.
with CAD packages).

Light Pens
More accurate than touch screens Not as accurate as a graphics tablet
because the end of the pen is much when used for producing drawings.
thinner than a finger.
They are very small and so can be Can only be used with CRT (cathode
used where there is no room for a ray tube) screens.
mouse or graphics tablet
They are easy to use. Can be quite uncomfortable to use as
you have to hold your hand raised up
to the computer screen for long
periods.
There are problems with delays when
drawing on screen.

12. Microphones
• Microphone is an input device that allows a
user to speak and input analogue sounds
into a digital computer.
• Sounds exist in the form of sound waves
(analogue signals that change slowly).
• A microphone inputs analogue sound
signals into the computer where the sound
card will convert analogue sound into
digital (the sound card will 'digitize' the
analogue sound into 1's and 0's)

Uses of Microphones
• Microphones are used to input speech/sounds
to be used in various applications. For example
– Narration (spoken words) in presentations or in web
sites
– Voice-over's in movies
– Speaking over the Internet using VoIP (Voice over
Internet Protocol) An example of this would be using
Skype to hold an online conversation
– Conducting videoconferencing (e.g. business
meetings online).
Uses of Microphones
• Used in voice recognition software for a
number of purposes. For example:
–Converting speech into text for use in word
processors (useful for people who do not
have use of their hands)
–Issuing commands (e.g. some cars allow for
speech to activate certain features like
'starting the engine' or 'altering radio
volume').
• Hands-Free mobile phones use a • Used (along with
microphone to allow people to hold headphones) in gaming
conversations without using their hands (this so that gamers can talk
makes driving much safer). to each other.

Microphones
It is faster to read in text than to type it in using Sound files can use up a lot of computer
a keyboard. memory.
Using special software, it is possible to Voice recognition software isn’t as accurate as
manipulate sound in real time rather than typing in manually. Speaking words into a word
working on a recording done at some earlier processor is not as accurate as typing. Mistakes
stage. are common with words that sound the same
but have different meanings. For example: 'see'
and 'sea'.
Makes driving safer because people do not Background noise can interfere with voice
need to take their hands off the steering wheel recognition systems.
in order to use their mobile phone.
Words are simply spoken into the software

instead of typed.
Microphones are very cheap to buy.

13. Digital Cameras
• Digital cameras record
images digitally on a
memory card rather than on
a film and the images are
transferred on downloaded
onto a computer for viewing
or editing.
• Most digital cameras have a
built-in screen to allow for
previewing the digital
photograph.

• Digital camera image quality is
measured in 'Megapixels'.
These are the number of dots
that make up the image.
Generally speaking, the higher
the Megapixels, the higher the
detail quality of the image.
– 3 Megapixel cameras produce
images made up of 3 Million Digital photographs are stored on memory cards
pixels (dots).
– 24 Megapixel cameras produce
images made up of 24 Million
dots (8 times more detail)
• Most digital cameras can also
capture video and sound as
well as images.
Reels of films used to store traditional photos

Uses of Digital Cameras
• Used to capture digital images for uses such as:
– Saving special moments (weddings, birthdays, family snaps etc)
– Gathering images for use in presentations, web pages or publications
(newspapers and magazines etc.)
• Easy to transfer images to a computer for editing.
• Images can be printed easily by:
– Uploading to a computer and then printing
– Connecting directly to a photo-printer and printing straight from the camera
(no need to upload to a computer)
• Many digital cameras also allow short high quality video clips to be
produced.
• Photographs can be uploaded directly into applications software such
as word processors, desktop publishers, etc.

Digital Cameras
It is easier to produce better quality photographs than with a Camera user needs to have computer skills to be able to
traditional camera. transfer and print digital photographs.
It is easier and faster to upload photographs to a computer Not all digital cameras produce images as high-quality as
rather than having to scan in hard copies when using traditional cameras.
traditional methods.
There is no need to develop film and print out photographs Artistry of traditional photography is being lost. Camera
any more software can automatically correct 'bad images' making
photography easier to master without as much skill.
Unwanted images can easily be deleted from the memory card. Images often need to be compressed to reduce the amount of
memory used. For example a single image can use more than 2
Mbytes of memory.
Memory cards can store thousands of digital photographs
Because the images are digital it is easy to make copies of

them.
Digital images can easily be transferred using Bluetooth, email

attachments and mobile phones.
Digital images can be improved and edited easily using

software (sharpening the image for example)

14. Web Cameras (web cams)
• Web cams are cameras that
capture images and send
them to a computer over the
Internet.
• Web cameras can capture
both digital images and
video.
• They are connected directly
to the computer through a
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
port.
• Many modern computing
devices (such as laptops)
come with built-in web
UACE SUB-ICT cams.
Topic 5: Computer Hardware Slide 60 of 70
Uses of Web Cameras
• Used to conduct face-to-face conversations with friends and family
online over VoIP applications such as Skype.
• Used to conduct face-to-face job interviews over the Internet. This
removes the need for job applicants to travel very large distances to
attend the interview.
• Used to hold video-conferencing meetings over the Internet.
• Can capture image and video content for presentations, web sites and
even YouTube content.
• Web Cameras are sometimes used by parents to keep an eye on their
children when they are in another room.
• Some people use web cams as a cheap alternative to security cameras.
• Sometimes used to allow drivers to view the traffic conditions on roads.

Web Cameras
Allow for long-distance face-to-face They do not have their own storage and
conversations. This removes the need for so must be permanently fixed to the
people to travel. computing device.
Web cams can be left running constantly Webcams have very limited features and
which makes them useful as security the picture is often of poor quality.
devices on properties.
Video conference business meetings and Are usually in a fixed position and so
job interviews can be conducted very cannot be easily moved around.
cheaply over long distances.
Parents can keep an eye on their children

from a different location.

15. Magnetic Stripe Reader
• Magnetic Stripe readers are
used to read information
from magnetic stripes found
on cards such as on Bank
Cards, Membership Cards
and Hotel Door Cards etc.
• The strip on the cards holds
• Data contained on the card's
information such as: stripe is read by pulling the card
– Bank account number through the magnetic stripe
– Name of card holder reader. This is known as 'swiping'.
– Expiry date of membership • The magnetic stripe reader then
– etc. sends data from the card into the
computer for processing
Uses of a Magnetic Stripe Reader
• ATM's use these readers to process the
information on bank cards.
• EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer Point of
Sale) use the readers to transfer customer's
money from their bank accounts when they
purchase goods in stores.
• Security cards for entry to buildings, hotel
rooms, etc. use magnetic stripes.

Magnetic Stripe Readers
Entering data is very fast. You just The magnetic stripe on cards can only hold a
swipe the card through the machine. small amount of data.
No possibility of data entry errors since The cards need to be in contact with the
no typing involved. reader in order to be used.
The information held on the magnetic If the stripe does get damaged then the
stripe is secure because it cannot be data is lost (unreadable).
read directly by a person.
They can prevent access to Magnetic stripes on cards are easily
restricted/secure areas. duplicated (known as card cloning). This can
lead to theft of funds.
The stripes on cards are not affected by
water, oil or moisture and so cannot be
easily damaged.

16. Chip and PIN Reader
• These allow people to pay for
goods and services electronically
at EFTPOS (electronic funds
transfer point of sale) terminals.
• The chip and pin reader works by
inserting a bank/credit card into a
slot and then entering a PIN
(personal identification number).
• If the correct PIN is entered, the
cost of goods/services will be
taken from the card holder's bank
and transferred to the companies

Uses of Chip and PIN Readers
• Used to make secure payments for
goods/services in places such as:
– Supermarkets
– Restaurants
– Cafes
– Buying petrol
– etc

Chip and PIN Readers
Chip and PIN readers provide a People can look over your shoulder as
more secure payment system than you enter your PIN.
requiring a signature or using a
magnetic stripe.
Information contained on the chip It is possible to forget your PIN which
is harder to clone (copy) than it is means you cannot make payments with
to copy magnetic stripes . your card .
Chips can hold more data than
magnetic stripes.
Chip and PIN Readers are portable
so they can be brought to you by a
waiter in a restaurant for example.

17. Barcode Scanner/Reader
• Barcode readers are used to read
information in the form of a bar code
seen on most manufacture products
into digital form before sending it to
the computer for processing.
• The barcode scanner reads the
information stored on the barcode
using a visible red light which is
reflected and translated into digital
information.
• The barcode is present on products
and holds information about each
product including:
– Product Id number
– Product Name
– Manufacturer
– Country of origin

• The barcode does not store the price of the product.
This information is held in a computer database and
accessed using the product id.
• Once a barcode has been scanned, a computer can
read the information stored on the barcode and
access details about the product that are stored in a
database.
• Barcode scanners are usually built into POS (Point of
Sale) terminals in supermarkets.

Uses of Barcode Scanners/Readers
• Used in supermarkets, stores and warehouses where

goods are marked with a barcode.
• They are used in libraries to scan in library cards and
read ISBN numbers on books to find out which ones
are on loan.
• They are used in keeping track of packages that are
being delivered to different locations.
• Also used in organizing luggage in airports to ensure
that luggage is loaded onto the correct plane.

Barcode Scanners/Readers
Scanning barcodes is much faster than Barcode scanning is a relatively expensive system
keying in data manually and fewer mistakes to administer since every item in the shop needs a
are made barcode and every barcode needs to be entered
into the central database.
Quick and easy to change product prices. The scanners / computer technology / database
Only the price data in the database needs to needed is also expensive.
updated.
Very accurate as there is no manual typing Bar codes can be changed on items which means
involved. people may pay less for more expensive items.
Quick and easy way of getting information Rely on undamaged bar codes in order to
into a system. function. If a bar code is damaged, item numbers
have to be typed into the system by hand)
When barcodes are used as a way of
recording data, they can improve safety.

18. Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
• These are devices which
automatically read pencil or pen
marks and converts them into
computer usable form for
processing.
• They are typically used to read
multiple choice examinations
where students shade in (mark)
answers that they think are correct.
• The OMR reader shines a light onto
the form and allows the reader to
tell which options have been
chosen and sends the results back
to a computer.

Uses of OMR's
• OMR devices are used to read
– Multiple choice questionnaires,
– Multiple-choice examination papers
– Lottery tickets
– and many other types of forms
• where responses are registered in the form of lines
or shaded areas.

Optical Mark Readers
Extremely fast way of inputting Forms need to be accurately designed
information into a computer. to make sure that the marks/shading
are in correct position to be read by the
device.
They are very accurate as data from If forms have been incorrectly filled in
documents data is fed into the they cannot be read properly.
computer automatically with no
manual typing.
Can save money as there is no need Can only read shaded areas. It cannot
to employ workers to enter input or read text.
information from forms into a
computer.

19. Optical Character Recognition(OCR)
Readers
• Optical character recognition
devices read special preprinted
characters and convert them in a
form which can be understood by a
computer.
• Optical character readers consist of
a scanner along with special
software.
• OCR's allow us to scan text on
paper (hardcopy) into a computer.
• Optical character recognition
software takes scanned text and
converts it into a computer
readable form.

Uses of OCR's
• Used in the processing of Passports and
Identity Cards.
• OCR is also used in the process of digitizing
books.
• OCR is used when scanning in documents so
that they can be modified using a word
processor or desktop publisher package.

Optical Character Recognition
Very fast way of entering The system can have difficulty
hard-copy text into a reading handwriting especially if
computer. it is messy.
Cheaper than paying an It is still not a very accurate
employee to manually re- technique because it relies on
type printed text into a being able to read the original
computer. text.
Avoids typing errors as the Information needs to be
process is automatic that is manually checked for errors. This
no typing involved. is time consuming.

20. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
(MICR) Devices
• MICR devices are used by
banks to automatically read
information printed in a
special ink on the bottom of
cheques and deposit slips.
• This special ink is used to
write customer account
numbers.
• The converted information is
then sent to the computer so
the cheque can be processed.

Uses of MICR
• MICR devices are mainly used to process
cheques.
• MICR can be used to read the following
information:
– Customer account number
– Bank sort-code/branch number
– Cheque number.
• Some countries also use MICR devices to read
the passport number on passports.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
MICR offers greater security than Only a very limited number of different
OCR since the printed characters characters can be read.
cannot be altered.
Cheques. can be processed very Both the MICR device and Magnetic Ink
quickly. are more expensive than other methods
of direct data entry.
No manual input… therefore less

errors.
Information can still be read even if

someone writes over the magnetic
ink characters.

21. Sensors
• Sensors are devices which
automatically inputs data into a
computer system, where the data
is constantly changing in an
environment and can be
measured.
• Used to detect data in the
surrounding environment that
constantly changes. For example:
– Temperature - measuring heat in a
room
– Light - setting off a burglar alarm
– Humidity - detecting when plants
become too dry.

Uses of Sensors
• Sensors are used in monitoring and control applications.
For example
• A burglar climbs through a window and walks through an alarm’s light
sensor. The computer inside the alarm will pick up on the broken light
signal and use this information to sound the alarm
• Sensors can also be used for a wide range of data
collection and everyday applications. For example
• Taking measurements in scientific experiments
• Measuring pollution in the atmosphere
• Sensing the temperature in a room and using this to either turn a
heating system on or off
• Automatic doors open themselves when they detect a person nearby.

Sensor Types
Type of Sensor: Used For:
Temperature Automatic washing machines, Central heating systems,
Automatic greenhouses, Cookers.
Pressure Burglar alarm systems, Washing machines, Robotics,
Environmental monitoring.
Light Automatic greenhouses, Automatic doors, Burglar alarm
systems, Street lighting control.
Sound Burglar alarm systems, Voice recognition systems (like
using a voice command to start a car).
Humidity/Moisture Automatic greenhouses, Environmental monitoring,
Agriculture, Factories that manufacture items that can
be ruined by too much air moisture (microchips etc).
pH Automatic greenhouses, Chemical manufacturing,

Environmental monitoring, Aquariums (wrong pH can kill
fish).

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S850/1 THEORY

UACE Subsidiary - ICT

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Ergonomic keyboards have a more

Ergonomic keyboards also come with a

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Cordless mice are an

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For example - they would be difficult to

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Touchpads enable rapid navigation

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Images can be stored for editing at a later

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Stylus pens make it better for the artist to

Useful in countries where drawings and

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Words are simply spoken into the software

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