chapter 3 monitoring
chapter 3 monitoring
[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
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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[8]
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
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
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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Evaluate, by weighing up the advantages and disadvantages, the use of computers rather than humans
in such scenarios.
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[8]
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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[5]
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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[4]
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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[8]
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
Describe, including the use of sensors, how a microprocessor controls this operation.
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[4]
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:
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
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[2]
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