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chapter 3 monitoring

Chapter 3 discusses the use of monitoring and control technologies, particularly focusing on CCTV surveillance and employee monitoring systems in workplaces. It outlines the benefits, such as crime deterrence and productivity tracking, alongside drawbacks like privacy invasion and potential employee resentment. Additionally, it covers environmental monitoring through sensors and computers, highlighting their advantages over human monitoring in terms of accuracy and efficiency.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views12 pages

chapter 3 monitoring

Chapter 3 discusses the use of monitoring and control technologies, particularly focusing on CCTV surveillance and employee monitoring systems in workplaces. It outlines the benefits, such as crime deterrence and productivity tracking, alongside drawbacks like privacy invasion and potential employee resentment. Additionally, it covers environmental monitoring through sensors and computers, highlighting their advantages over human monitoring in terms of accuracy and efficiency.

Uploaded by

raniyazain2008
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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Chapter 3 Monitoring and control

3.1 Monitoring Tech.


1 Many people complain about the number of CCTV cameras there are in public places. Q8W17P13
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of CCTV monitoring in public places such as on streets or inside shops.
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[8]
If CCTV cameras constantly monitor a retail business, criminals will likely seek
an easier target/may not commit the crime
If employees know that they are constantly being watched, they are less likely
to steal from their employer or waste time on the job
Benefits

If a crime occurs in an establishment that has installed CCTV surveillance,


investigation will be aided by the recorded video/can be used as evidence in court cases
If an argument occurs between two employees, the employer can examine the
videotape to determine what actually occurred
CCTV can help settle disputes when a customer has a complaint cameras are effective in
apportioning blame
CCTV is usually not able to display every bit of an area
Some people object to the invasion of privacy due to constant video monitoring
Drawbacks

Employees under constant surveillance by CCTV cameras often dislike monitoring of their daily
behaviour
The cameras can sometimes be thwarted by covering them up
Someone who is familiar with the property may still be able to avoid being caught on camera
Hackers can get into the system and control which ways the cameras are
2 Many major supermarkets now use a variety of monitoring technologies to check the work of their
employees. Q11-S18-P12
Evaluate the use of technology to monitor employees in the workplace.
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  Employers can keep track of the amount of time an employee spends away from the
computer or idle time at the terminal
 Video monitoring can deter theft thus maintaining security
 Video monitoring can monitor employee productivity/work is up to standard/employees
are working efficiently
 Provides an opportunity to watch for mistakes and errors throughout the workday to help
an employee cut down on his mistakes in the future by pointing out ways he can improve
 Use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices to track employees in employer-owned
vehicles
 If employees understand that the monitoring system is not being used solely to point out
weaknesses, they may become more accepting of being monitored
 Can have video monitoring to catch all safety issues and so able to bring safety issues to
benefits:

the forefront
 Catching blatant disregard for safety on video may also save employer from potential
lawsuits

Employer

Can catch those who willingly violate company policy and immediately employ disciplinary
action
 Can increase productivity if employees know they are being monitored
 Software can also be used to monitor or track employee activity and productivity...
 ...ensuring data is secure by using the software to block certain websites
 With a GPS device, dispatchers can give drivers very specific driving directions to a location
saving time and money for fuel
 If dispatchers know where every van is they can dispatch the one closest to a particular job
 By tracking which drivers are exceeding the speed limit companies can educate those
drivers about the result of speeding, and discipline them as necessary
 Vehicle fleet managers can also improve efficiency by tracking and eliminating employees’
unauthorised breaks
 Software is expensive to purchase
 System is expensive to set up
drawbacks

 Can lend itself to lawsuits for infringement of privacy


 Can make employees resentful (and less productive) of infringement of privacy
 Mistrust of their employer leads some workers to leave and thus creates increased
turnover of employees
 A company may also use video monitoring in a parking garage as a security measure for
benefit

employee safety Provides employer with detailed snapshots of how an employee is going
s:

above and beyond the call of duty and can acknowledge employee excellence
Employee

 Most computer monitoring equipment allows employers to monitor without the


drawbacks

employees' knowledge...
 ...although some employers do notify employees that monitoring takes place
 Messages sent within the company as well as those that are sent to another company or
from another company to employee can be subject to monitoring by employer.

3 People in a village are aware that the local river is being polluted. They are concerned that this is being
caused by a nearby factory. Q3P12S19
Describe how computers and sensors could be used to monitor the level of pollution in the river in order
to determine whether the factory is responsible for the pollution.
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 Place sensors upstream and downstream from the factory


 Temperature / light / turbidity sensors would be connected to computer
 (Analogue) data is converted into digital using an analogue to digital converter / ADC Conversion /
use of ADC enables the computer to understand the data
 Computer receives data from sensors / ADC
 Readings from above the factory are compared with those from below the factory by the computer
 Differences / results are printed out / displayed on screen
 Graphs are automatically produced by the computer showing values from below and above the
factory
 Computer stores readings in a table ready for processing.
4 Computers are often used for environmental monitoring applications such as pollution in rivers.
Q13S20P11

Evaluate, by weighing up the advantages and disadvantages, the use of computers rather than humans
in such scenarios.

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Advantages:
 Computers never forget to take readings/they take readings constantly/at regular intervals.
 The readings are more accurate when taken by a computer.
 Readings of several variables can be taken simultaneously by a computer, saving time.
 Results are processed automatically/graphs can be produced almost instantaneously/more quickly
than relying on a human.
 Computers can take readings in dangerous areas for humans to go/humans only have to go once to
a dangerous area to place the sensors.
Disadvantages:
 Humans are still required to place the sensors in appropriate locations.
 Humans are still needed to interpret results/graphs.
 Humans are still needed to repair/maintain computers and sensors.
 Humans still have to program the computers.
 Humans still have to plan/decide where to place sensors and which sensors to use/which variables to
monitor.
5 A city suffers from the lack of fresh air because of its heavy traffic. A local government agency uses
sensors to monitor the level of pollution in the air. The computer system monitors a number of physical
variables. Q3W20P11

(a) Describe how this system collects and processes this data.

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 Naming two appropriate physical variables and the sensors/devices used to gather data –
 Sensors are used to feed data back to a computer
 Analogue data is converted into digital for the computer to process using an analogue to digital
converter
 Computer stores readings/data in a table/database/file/spreadsheet ready for processing
 Computer calculates/compares differences in temperature/gas content between readings and
normal values
 Computer performs calculations automatically
 Calculates this at set intervals Plots graph of values against normal values
 Computer produces graphs automatically
(b) Compare and contrast the use of monitoring systems with the use of control systems.

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Similarities
 They both involve the use of sensors
 They both do not require human input
 They both require Analogue to Digital Converters to convert input
Differences
 Control systems act in real time
 Control systems use output devices such as motors/actuators
 In a monitoring system the output does not affect the input
6 Describe how the data from an air pollution monitoring system is collected and prepared, ready for
processing by a computer. Q4P11S21
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 Sensors are used to feed data back to a computer
 Naming two sensors/devices used to gather data
 Analogue data is converted into digital data for the computer to process using an analogue to digital
converter
 The computer stores readings in a table/database/file/spreadsheet
7 Sensors are used in both monitoring and control applications. Q2P12S21
(a) Tick the most accurate statement referring to the use of technology to monitor weather conditions.

Readings from sensors are not processed before being output.
A sound sensor is the sensor most frequently used in a weather station.
Rainfall is measured using a computerised measuring stick.
Graphs can be produced automatically from a weather monitoring system.
[1]
Ans 4
(b) Tick the most accurate statement referring to the use of technology when used in systems which
control traffic lights.

An actuator is the most important input device in such a system.
The timing sequence of the traffic lights is randomly generated.
An induction loop is used to detect the presence of an automobile.
Traffic light systems use moisture sensors to detect the presence of pedestrians.
[1]
Ans 3
8 Many supermarkets employ checkout operators. Their job is to sit at a terminal for a set number of
hours, scanning products bought by customers and handling payments. Information Technology (IT) is
used to monitor the performance of these checkout operators. Q4P13S21

Evaluate, by weighing up the advantages and disadvantages to the employer, the use of IT for this
purpose.
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Video monitoring is more likely to deter theft, thus maintaining security
Video monitoring can monitor employee productivity/check that work is up to standard/check
that employees are working efficiently
Video monitoring provides an opportunity to watch for mistakes and errors throughout the
Advantages

workday…
…to help an employee cut down on their mistakes in the future by…
…pointing out ways they can improve
The employer can more easily catch those who willingly violate company policy…
…and immediately employ disciplinary action
Video monitoring can increase productivity if employees know they are being monitored
constantly
Software can also be used to monitor or track employee activity and productivity
Software/hardware is expensive to purchase…
…and to set up
Disadvantages

More likely to lend itself to lawsuits for infringement of privacy


More likely to make employees resentful and less productive…
…because of infringement of privacy
More likely to lead to mistrust of their employer…
…causing some workers to leave…
…and thus creating increased turnover of employees
3.2 Control Tech.
1 A school has a computerised weather station which monitors a number of atmospheric conditions or
variables. Q7-S17-P12
Describe how data is collected, processed and displayed using such a system.
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 Sensors are used to feed data back to a computer
 Naming of physical variables and the sensors/devices used to gather data
 Analogue data is converted into digital for the computer to process using an analogue to digital
converter
 Computer stores readings in a table ready for processing
 Computer plots graphs automatically
 Computer calculates minimum and maximum temperature/rainfall/wind speed/atmospheric
pressure for the day/month/year so far
 Computer outputs the results/graphs on screen/printer. 
2 Control technologies are affecting everybody in their normal way of life. Some people think this is good;
others disagree with this.Q11-S18-P11
Evaluate the use of control technologies in everyday life.
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 Computer controlled production lines using robots instead of humans has increased unemployment
 Computer-controlled printing presses have replaced many print workers
 IT Technicians are needed to maintain computers and robots increasing employment
 Programmers are needed to program computers and robots
 However, number of new jobs is far less than old jobs lost
 Microprocessor-controlled devices in the home allow people to have more leisure /free time instead
of doing household work
 Burglar alarms give people a greater sense of security
 Can lead to people becoming lazy/over reliant on microprocessor-controlled devices in the home
 There has been a loss of manual household skills due to increase in use of microprocessor-controlled
devices in the home
 Traffic lights – fewer traffic jams than manually controlled
 Street lights – more economical – only come on when needed
 Air conditioning units in shopping malls make shopping a more comfortable experience…
 …. but increases costs for stores… and therefore prices to the customer. 
3 A car park has a barrier which operates automatically. It opens when a car approaches it and closes when
the car is clear of the barrier. Q10P11S19

Describe, including the use of sensors, how a microprocessor controls this operation.

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 Induction loop / pressure sensor
 ....sends signal/data to microprocessor
 Analogue to digital converter changes the analogue input to digital for the microprocessor to
process
 Microprocessor compares reading with pre-set value
 If pressure is greater than/if inductance is different to preset value
 Microprocessor sends a signal to an actuator...
 ....which raises the barrier
 Light sensor detects the break in the beam of light
 When the beam of light resumes the microprocessor sends a signal to an actuator...
 ...which lowers the barrier
4 Chung and Fai both work at the Vacation Hotel. Chung told Fai that the hotel had just installed a car park
barrier system to prevent local shoppers from using the car park. He told her that the manager had said
that it was a computer-controlled system. Pressure sensors have not been used and it is impossible for
the barrier to lower itself on to a car. Q4S20P13

Describe, in detail, how such a system would operate both for a guest arriving at the hotel and for a
guest leaving the hotel.
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 The car’s presence would be detected by an induction loop…
 … because the electromagnetic field in the loop/coil is disturbed by a metallic object/car.
 The computer/microprocessor would receive a message from the induction loop to this
effect.
Guest arriving:

 The computer/microprocessor would send a signal to a motor to operate.


 The motor would cause the barrier to raise.
 A light beam from one post passes across…
 …to a light sensor in the other post.
 The computer/microprocessor receives a signal or not from the sensor.
 If the light sensor does not send a signal the bar remains vertical.
 If the light sensor sends a signal, the computer/microprocessor sends a signal to the motor to
lower the barrier
 The guest would receive a ticket with a bar code/Q code/receive the PIN from reception.
 On arriving at the exit barrier the guest would present the ticket to a scanner/keys in the PIN.
 The computer/microprocessor would compare the code/PIN with acceptable codes/PIN.
Guest departing:

 If it matches, the computer/microprocessor would send a signal to a motor to operate.


 The motor would cause the barrier to raise.
 A light beam from one post passes across…
 …to a light sensor in the other post .
 The computer/microprocessor receives a signal or not from the sensor.
 If the light sensor does not send a signal the bar remains vertical.
 If the light sensor sends a signal, the computer/microprocessor sends a signal to the motor to
lower the barrier.
5 (c) Describe the inputs, processing and outputs involved in the cooking of a meal using a
microprocessor-controlled oven. Include the devices required in your answer. Q2cP12S21
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The start time of the cooking is set using buttons/switches/remote control
inputs

The required temperature is set using buttons/switches/remote control


The length of cooking time/end time is set using buttons/ switches/ remote control
The start time/cooking time/end time/temperature are stored as preset values
The microprocessor continuously checks the start time against its internal clock/timer
If the start time is equal to the internal clock time, the microprocessor sends a message to an
actuator...
If the start time is not equal to the internal clock time, the microprocessor takes no action
The temperature sensor reads the temperature inside/of oven...
... ADC converts analogue data from sensor to digital data...
...and sends/inputs temperature of oven to microprocessor
The microprocessor continuously compares the temperature of the oven against the required
temperature/preset value
processing

If the temperature of the oven is equal to/greater than the required temperature, the
microprocessor sends a message to an actuator...
... the actuator switches off the heater (and fan)
If the temperature of the oven is not greater than the required temperature and the heater (and
fan) is/are off, the microprocessor sends a message to an actuator...
...the actuator switches on the heater (and fan)
The end time can be calculated by adding the length of the cooking time to the start time
The microprocessor continuously checks the end time against its internal clock/timer
If the end time is equal to the internal clock time, the microprocessor sends a message to an
actuator...
...The actuator switches off the heater (and fan)

The actuator switches on or off the heater (and fan) depending on processing
outputs

The time/temperature output goes to the (LED) display


6 Johann wishes to convert his glasshouse so that a computer controls the amount of light inside it. In
the glasshouse he has a light source which is switched on and off by an actuator. Q3P1SP22
a) Describe two other ways an actuator could be used in a computer-controlled glasshouse.
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 Motors to open/close windows in glasshouse
 Actuator to operate a water solenoid valve to activate air spray to increase humidity
 Actuator to operate a water solenoid valve to activate water hose to water plants
 Actuator to operate a fan
 Actuator to switch on/off heaters

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