Speech recognition systems A BS Listen to an interview with Anne Simpson, an expert in voice input technologies and tick () the features she mentions. computer program, .gnition software? ith the software hat kinds of words aren't in the C ED) ingroups, discuss these questions. 1. What are the benefits of spee nition software 2 What kind ould you find speech recognition useful for?CYB iol mc \elt ate tele ( 1 The eyes of your computer A [Gd inpairs, discuss how many ways there are of capturing an Image ona computer. B Read the text and see how many things from your list are mentioned. C Read the text ag: and answer these questions. 1 Which device is used to input text and graphic images from a printed page? aunwn The eyes of your computer What does a scanner do? Ascanner'sees’ images and converts the printed text or pictures into electronic codes that can be understood by the computer. With a flatbed colour scanner, the paper with the image is placed face down on a glass scien, as with a photocopier. Beneath the glass are the lighting and measurement devices. Once the scanner is activated, it reads the image as a series of dots and then generates the digitized image that is sent to the computer and stored asa file. ‘The scanner operates by using three rotating lamps, each of which has a different coloured filter: red, green and blue. The resulting three separate images are combined into one by appropriate software. # What does a digital camera do? Adigital camera takes photos electronically and converts them into digital data (binary codes made up of 1s and (5) Itdoesn't use the film found in a traditional camera; instead it has a special light-sensitive silicon chip. How does a scanner send information to the computer? How do digital cameras store photographs? What feature allows mobile phone users to take pictures? hich device would you use to take digital video? What kind of software is used to manipulate video clips on the Photographs are stored in the cameras memory card before being sent to the computer. Some cameras can also be connected to a printer ora TV set to make viewing images easier. This is usually the case with camera phones = mobile phones with a built-in camera, What does a camcorder do? camcorder, or digital video camera, records moving pictures and converts them into digital data that can be stored and edited by a computer with special video editing software, Digital video cameras are used by home users to create their own movies, or by professionals itt computer art and video conferencing, They are also used to send live video images via the Internet. In this case they are called web cameras, or webcams.2 Scanners Listen to a conversation between Vicky Cameron, an Information Technology (IT) lecturer, and one of her students, and complete the student's notes. 1 The Lechnology used in scanners is similar to Lhak used in a + where you can monipuake it. B To scon kexts you need special software called 2 The sconned image is sent to the A handheld scanner eet forscanning text, bar codes and handwritten numbers “© Plakbed Scanners con scon S Skide scammers ove used Lo scon — © Hondheld Scammers ore used For capturing oF film negatives. Aslide scanner 3 Factsand opinions A What is the difference between facts and opinions? Complete these definitions. 1 are real, objective information 2 usually include emotive words and subjective statements B Read these advertisements and underline the facts andircléthe opinions. ‘The ColourScan XR from Sunrise is a flatbed scanner with 1,200 dots per inch (dpi of resolution and 9°x15" of scanning area. Just think of the possibilities You can enter data and graphic images directly into your applications (word processors or databases), You can get crisp, clean scans for colour compositions, video and animation work. ‘The ColourScan XR comes complete with its own image-capture software, Which allows for colour and grey retouching. And its easy to use. What ‘more could you want for only £797 tt couldn't be cheaper. In the field of flatbeds, the ColourScan XR is the clear winner. The ScanPress DF is a self-calibrating flatbed scanner with 2,400 dpi of resolution. You can scan everything from black and white to 24-bit colour. The package includes a hardware accelerator for JPEG compression and decompression. JPEG technology saves disk space by compressing images by up t0 50 to 1 In creating the ScanPress DE, we have chosen the most advanced technology to give you the best scans with the least effort. It produces images with high colour definition and sharpness. And it ‘comes with OCR software and Adobe Photoshop, so you can manipulate all the images you capture. The ScanPress DF is a fantastic machine that you will love working with. And at only £309, an excellent investment.Pa capture your favourite image | C Insmall groups, compare your answers and decide about the following. 1 Which text uses more persuasive language? 2. Which text is more factual or objective? Language work: superlatives A Apart from catchy slogans and other ia dts persuasive techniques, advertisements often use the superlative form of adjectives and adverbs. Read the following examples from advertisements for input devices. What can you say from these examples about how superlatives are formed? Look at the HELP box to check your answers. 1 We have chosen the most advanced technology 2. The fastest personal scanner 3. The most revolutionary computer peripheral .. 4. The best scans with the least effort B Complete these sentences with the superlative form of the adjectives in brackets. 1 Always buy the (fast) scanner with the (high) resolution you can afford, 2 They have created the (revolutionary) ‘camera to date. 3. Fotofinish is the (easy) photo editing software for your digital camera, 4 This scanner gives you the (good) scans with the (litle) effort 5 Our university has bought the (modern) 4 ‘computer equipment. El in pairs, discuss who or what you think is the most difficult computer game you've ever played. the most exciting film you've ever seen. the funniest programme on TV. the most dangerous computer virus, the best blogger or webmaster on the Web. the most popular web browser. anewunangLanguage work: suffixes tor Suffixes A Look at the HELP box and then use Sreneeeeien ease tees suitable suffixes to make adjectives or Far Barpetyacar nouns from these words. In some cases, you can make more than one word. Use a dictionary to help you. suffix al, the noun digit is chang into the adjective digital, Suffixes can help you tell ifa word isa noun 1 adjective or a verb. : Common adjectival suffixes 3 -able, ible, ive, al, -ed,-ful-ic 4 wire -less,-ing 5 blur Common noun suffixes are:-er,-oF, 6 innovate -ion,-tion, -ation, -ment,-ness,-ity, 7 ince oe -ant,- logy, -ing,-y,-ure, sion ¢ When using suffixes, always check in B Complete these sentences with the word Yu! appeal lied in brackets and one of these noun suffixes: Ciaie a yearaa -tion, -er, -ing, -logy, -ness. Use a dictionary scan —> scanner (double n) tohelp you. ee: 1) Kodakis a (manufacture) imaging equipment. 2 Toa Use the cameras red eye (reduce) feature 3. (Crop) 3 photograph means cutting out the parts of an 4 The (harp) ofap and acutance — the ability to represent clear edge: jotograph is a combination of resolution 5 Digital (techno) is evolving so rapidly that some cam 2 megapixels ~ that's 12 million pixels. have a resolution of6 Press release: a digital camera Complete the press release with words from the box. [colour megapinels shot video optical brighter reduction | Kodak has introduced the EasyShare M753 digital camera, with 7.0 (1) resolution, a huge 2.5-inch LCD screen, and a professional 3x 2 zoom lens. itis the first camera to incorporate proprietary Kodak Perfect Touch Technology. At the touch of a button, this innovative feature creates better, (3) pictures by bringing out detail in shadows without affecting lighter areas. I's ideal for underexposed pictures caused by shooting beyond the flash range or in adverse lighting conditions. The M753 uses the exclusive Kodak Colour Science chip for phenomenal image quality with rich (4) and accurate skin tones. Seventeen programmed scene modes (e.g. party, fireworks, children) and five colour modes (high, low, natural, sepia, and black and white) help capture the best (5) with the least effort. Other features include cropping, auto picture rotation, digital red-eye 6) , and blurry picture alert. For capturing more than just still pictures, the camera also features high-quality (VGA) (7) capture and playback 7 Describing a camera 5) inpairs, describe your digital camera, webcam or video camera. Think about, these questions. @ What do you use the device for? @ Why did you buy that particular make/model? @ What are your favourite functions? © What improvements would you make to the device?