Module 1.

2 INPUT AND OUTPUT 21-01-2022

1 INPUT
1.1 Input can:

 Provide the running software with instructions with what to do next

 It can be data that must be processed

1.2 Image capture

Picture data has become increasingly important in the way we use computers

We use scanners, taking a photo (we need a digital copy or a printed copy of the
picture)

Images quality is important – what determines the quality?

1.3 Digital cameras
 Smart phones
 Digital compact cameras
 Top-end DSLR(digital single-lens reflex)

 Lenses; Larger lenses capture more light  improves quality and detail

 Sensor size: larger sensor will produce better quality images

 Optical zoom: to get closer to the object, while digital zoom, to edit, blurry

 Resolution: total number of pixels that make the picture

(eg. 10-15 MP)

 ISO rating: how sensitive the camera sensor is to light (taking a picture without a
flash)
1.4 Scanners

Scan images to a computer eg

 barcodes
 photographs
 documents
 3D objects
1.5 Quality of scanners

 Resolution (dpi) dots per inch

 Colour depth (number of different colours by a pixel

1.6 Advantages of scanners

 Large documents collated into a single digital file(usually a pdf file)

 Store digitally -take less office space as paper files do

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  Scanned copies can be emailed directly instead of faxed
1.7 Disadvantages and limitations of scanners

 Can take a lot of time(depend on type of scanner)

 Quality depend on the original hard copy

1.8 Biometric input

Capturing with unique biological features (fingerprint, or iris of eye)

Biometric input is used instead of typing in a password

1.9 Advantages

 Security

 Tied to a single person

1.10 Disadvantages

 Expensive to implement and maintain

 Needs additional hardware and software

1.11 INPUT AT ATM

 ATM gets input from user via PIN-plus your card

 Dedicated device

 Interact via touch screen/keypad/buttons

 Thieves use card skimmers and cameras to steel data from cards
1.12 The ATM work:

 Card reader
 Modem or network
 Touch screen
 Money counter
 Money deposit slot
1.13 Advantages of ATMs

 Allow for banking transactions at any time of the day or night

 Can use the facilities of any bank’s ATM

1.14 Disadvantages and limitations of ATMs

 Can be dangerous to use ATM

 People can install a skimmer over the ATMs card reader and capture your cards
details and so steal your money

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1.15 INPUT INTO POS SYSTEMS

(RFID) tags

 Uses barcode and RFID tags to record stock items in database

 Faster processing, greater accuracy and better stock control
 Scanners are used to record stock that is bought into the shop-store the data
 At the till the cashier used a scanner to record the sales
1.16 Advantages

 System work much faster

 Prices can be updated and enter with greater accuracy

1.17 Disadvantages and Limitations

 Difficult when system is offline

 Expensive equipment and software is required
1.18 TOUCH SCREENS (As input devices)

More natural way to interact with computing device

Pen tablets use a pen(stylus) for higher precision

1.19 Advantages

 No keyboard-more space on screen

 It is intuitive – very little training, allow input such as drawing

1.20 Disadvantages and limitations

 Typing not as fast or easy as on keyboard

 Screen can become dirty, oily and smudged if used with dirty fingers
1.21 DATA COLLECTION DEVICES

(Examples- meter readers to capture water consumption, blood pressure ex)

Advantages
 Data is capture more accurately than by using human input
 Data is captured faster than by using human input
1.22 Disadvantages

 Sensors can fail-result: incorrect data. Difficult to repair

 Only sensor-detectable data can be collected. No sensor no data

1.22 INPUT INTO SMARTPHONES AND CONSUMER

 Multiple types of user-controlled input e.g. cameras, touch screen, microphone

1.23 ALTERNATIVE KEYBOARDS -virtual keyboards, popping up

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  Mobile devices create virtual keyboards-images on screen

 Virtual keyboards projected onto surface using laser/LED light

Wireless technology generally uses radio waves to connect input devices to your
computing device. (keyboards and mice with Bluetooth)
2 OUTPUT
-allow user-interaction and give feedback to the user

-custom settings help the visually impaired

-help the user with more permanent copy of the results of processing

-allow the transmission of data between computers or electronic devices

2.1 Display devices
Comes in all sizes, from screen on cell phones to big screens in large auditoriums

Display devices all basically do the same things:

 Display option that allow the user to make choices or to interact with program

 Displaying the results of processing that has taken place.

(many display devices allow both output and input)

Advantages

 Provide immediate feedback to the user

 Display content is easily changed and quickly updated

2.2 TYPES OF OUTPUT
Output is usually visual, other forms of output include sound and touch ex
2.2.1 VISUAL OUTPUT

Is presented as text and images on a screen.(soft copy)

It is also text and images printed on paper(hard copy)
2.2.2 SOUND OUTPUT

Sound output is for interaction with computer, mostly for entertainment, through
speakers or headphones
2.2.3 TOUCH OUTPUT

Interact with computers and devices more naturally. (Simply touch the screen)

Advantages

More space on screen

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 Allows input such as drawings and gestures

Disadvantages

Typing on screen not that fast or easy as on a keyboard

Screen can become dirty, oily and smudge

Other output
Output not design for humans. Transmission of data between devises, or electrical
signals to control machines or equipment.

Disadvantages and limitations

 Output is not permanent

 Output is difficult to share

 Can lead to eyestrain and headaches

2.2.4 SPECIFICATION THAT DETERMINE QUALITY
 Screen size (diagonally in inches)

 Resolution – number of pixels display, e.g. (1920 x 1440)

 Contrast ratio – number of shades between white and black

 Aspect ratio – ratio between the width and the height of the screen

 Response time – how quickly the monitor updates its pixels

 Lumens for data projectors – means the brightness of the images they project

 DVI and HDMI – connecting ports

 Other features – viewing angle (how far you can move to the side of the screen

2.2.5 PRINTERS
Laser printers and Inkjet printers (3Dprinters and dot-matrix
Looking at speed, Resolutionoptions (Max number that can be printed in one
month), Number of colours, Paper options(sizes) connections(USB,card)

Wireless -printing, within range

Sound without wires – Bluetooth technology
Wireless video and images
2.2.6 INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS
(Input and output in same device)

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 Advantages
 Can manipulate the computer functions on the board

 Allows for better interaction

 Notes on the board can be saved, or printed later

Disadvantages and limitations

 Needs a dimly lit venue

 If board is to small it is difficult to read

 Repairs to board are expensive

What make it all work?

 Drivers

 Plug-and-play
2.2.7 Input and output for physically challenged users
Visually /blind

Braille keyboard/Braille printer

Large-key keyboard

Hearing Impaired/Deaf

On-screen notices of flashing screen

Vibration devices

Motor control(Paralyzed/poor motor control/arthritic/etc

Eye tracking devices

Head movement devices

Joysticks/Foot pedal control devices

2.2.8 Input and output and health issues
The way we sit, the keyboard the mouse can easily have a negative impact on
our health

Back problems, headaches, RSI (Repetitive Strain Injure)

Do not sit for hours, stand up and move

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Module 1.1 It's all about ICT

Written module activity
1. Give two ways in which ICT can assist us in the workplace, specifically in terms of information
processing.
1. We can make better, more informed decisions far quicker as we can search for and process data
very quickly.
We can more easily store and make ‘sense’ of vast quantities of data.
We can identify and adapt to changing trends far quicker, e.g. sales figures and patterns in the
workplace.
2. How does ICT promote more effective communication in a business?
2. There is now a variety of ways for us to communicate instantly, regardless of the physical
distance between the sender and recipient of a message.
3. Give two possible drawbacks of the use of ICT in the workplace.
3. Fewer staff needed.
Can be expensive with a constant need to upgrade skills, hardware and software, which could
get expensive.
Staff may end up working longer hours to meet modern customer expectations.
4. Name a few careers in which ICT skills play an important role, and describe the skills broadly.
4. Fashion, game and web page designers – use graphics software for their designs
DJs and musicians – combine and compose music using ICT
Accountants – use spreadsheets, etc.
5. Dedicated devices and general-purpose computers all play a key role in the field of ICT. Briefly
explain the difference between these two categories.
5. Dedicated devices are built for specific purposes. General-purpose computers can perform a
variety of tasks as different programs (software) can be loaded and run on them.
6. Briefly explain why having more memory available makes a computer more ‘powerful’.
6. The larger the memory is, the more programs and data can be loaded to be processed at any
one time.
7. Besides the size of the memory, which other hardware specifications generally determine the
overall ‘power’ of a computer?
7. The speed and performance of the CPU(s).
The amount of storage.
The type of graphics card installed.
8. What are the two the main advantages of computers such as laptops compared to desktop
computers?

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8. Portability and the ability to work on battery power for a limited period of time.
9. Give three common settings one can use on a laptop computer in order to preserve battery life.
9. Specifying that the portable computer must switch to a lower, power-saving state when it has
not been used for a period of time, e.g. 20 minutes.
Setting the brightness of the screen to reduce the power consumption.
Choosing a balance between power consumption and performance.
10. Name the popular range of tablet computers manufactured by Apple.
10. iPad
11. From which two words is the word ‘phablet’ derived?
11. phone + tablet
12. What do we mean when we say smartphones are examples of convergence?
12. They combine the features and technologies of many separate gadgets into one device.
13. Give two examples of operating systems used on smartphones besides the Windows range.
13. Google Android, iOS
14. What is the difference between a client computer and a server computer on a network?
14. Servers are computers that provide services or resources to other computers called clients that
are also linked in a network. A network typically consists of one or more servers and many client
computers. A client computer does not have to be as powerful as a server.
15. Why do some organisations disable the USB ports on their computers?
15. To prevent portable storage devices being inserted, so that data cannot be copied on them and
taken away.
16. What is a micro-USB? Also name a device on which this is found.
16. A smaller version of the USB port, e.g. on a smartphone
17. Name a commonly used piece of equipment to prevent computers, especially laptops, from
being stolen from the workplace.
17. Cable locks
18. What additional level of security can be used to ensure that data will not be able to be used,
even if it is stolen?
18. Password protection, encryption
19. Why should backups be stored off-site?
19. So that they will be safe in the case of fire or theft, etc.
20. Give two reasons why you should consider purchasing a UPS.
20. To protect your hardware and data against power dips and surges as well as power outages.