Input Output Design and Prototyping

Objectives:

• Define the appropriate format and media for a computer

input.
• Explain the difference between data capture, data entry,
and data input.
• Identify and describe several automatic data collection
technologies.
• Apply human factors to the design of computer inputs.
• Design internal controls for computer inputs.
• Select proper screen-based controls for input attributes
that are to appear on a GUI input screen.
• Design a web-based input interface.
Data Capture and Data Entry

Data capture – the identification and

acquisition of new data (at its source).
• Source documents – forms used to
record business transactions in terms of
data that describe those transactions.

Data entry – the process of translating

the source data or document (above) into
a computer readable format.
Data Processing
Data processing is all processing that
occurs on the data after it is input from a
machine readable form.
• In batch processing, the entered data is
collected into files called batches and
processed as a complete batch.
• In on-line processing, the captured data is
processed immediately
• In remote batch processing, data is entered
and edited on-line, but collected into batches for
subsequent processing.
Input Implementation Methods
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Touch Screen
• Point-of-sale terminals
• Sound and speech
• Automatic data capture
• Optical mark recognition (OMR)
• Bar codes
• Optical character recognition (OCR)
• Magnetic Ink
• Electromagnetic transmission
• Smart cards
• Biometric
 Taxonomy for Computer Inputs
Process Data Capture Data Entry Data Processing
Method
Keyboard Data is usually captured on a Data is entered via OLD: Data can be collected into
business form that becomes keyboard. This is the batch files (disk) for processing
the source document for most common input as a batch.
input. Data can be collected method but also the most NEW: Data is processed as
real-time. prone to errors. soon as it has been keyed.
Mouse Same as above. Used in conjunction with Same as above, but the use of a
keyboard to simplify data mouse is most commonly
entry. Mouse serves as a associated with online and real-
pointing device for a time processing.
screen.
Touch Same as above. Data is entered o a touch On PCs, touch screen choices
Screen screen display or are processed same as above.
handheld device. Data On handheld computers, data is
entry users either touch sorted on the handheld for later
commands and data processing as a remote batch.
choices or enter data
using handwriting
recognition.
 Taxonomy for Computer Inputs (continued)
Process Method Data Capture Data Entry Data Processing

Point of Sale Data captured as close to Data is often entered directly by Data is almost always
the point of sale as the customer or by an employee processed immediately
humanly possible. No directly interacting with the as a transaction or
source documents. customer. inquiry.
Sound Data is captured as close Data is entered using touch- Data is almost always
to the source as possible, tones (typically from a processed immediately
even when the customer telephone). Usually requires rigid as a transaction or
is remotely located. command menu structure and inquiry.
limited input options.
Speech Same as sound. Data (and commands) is Data is almost always
spoken. This technology is not processed immediately
as mature and is much less as a transaction or
reliable and common than other inquiry.
techniques.
Optical Mark Data is recorded on Eliminates the need for data Data is almost always
optical scan sheets as entry. processed as a batch.
marks or precisely formed
letter, numbers, and
punctuation.
 Taxonomy for Computer Inputs (concluded)
Process Method Data Capture Data Entry Data Processing
Magnetic Ink Data usually prerecorded A magnetic ink reader reads Data is almost always
on forms that are the magnetized data. The processed as a batch.
completed by the customer-added data must be
customer. The customer entered using another input
records additional method.
information on the form.
Electromagnetic Data is recorded directly Data is transmitted by radio Data is almost always
on the object to be frequency. processed immediately.
described by data.

Smart Card Data is recorded directly Data is read by smart card Data is almost always
on a device to be carried readers. processed immediately.
by the customer,
employee, or other
individual that is described
by that data.
Biometric Unique human Data read by biometric Data is processed
characteristics become sensors. Primary applications immediately.
data are security and medical
monitoring
 Automatic
Identification:

Bar Codes
Input Design Guidelines

• Capture only variable data.

• Not data that can be looked up.
• Do not capture data that can calculated
or stored in computer programs as
constants.
• Extended Price, Federal Withholding, etc.
• Use codes for appropriate attributes.
Source Document /
Form Design Guidelines
• Include instructions for completing the
form.
• Minimize the amount of handwriting.
• Data to be entered (keyed) should be
sequenced top-to-bottom and left-to-
right.
• When possible use designs based on
known metaphors.
Bad Flow in a Form
Good Flow in a Form
Internal Controls for Inputs
• The number of inputs should be monitored (to
minimize risk of lost transactions).
• For batch processing
• Use batch control slips
• Use one-for-one checks against post-processing detail
reports
• For on-line systems
• Log each transaction as it occurs to a separate audit file
• Validate all data
• Existence checks
• Data-type checks
• Domain checks
• Combination checks
• Self-checking digits
• Format checks
Repository-Based Prototyping and
Development

Define
properties and
constraints for a
reusable field
Common GUI Controls
(Windows and Web)
• Text boxes
• Radio buttons
• Check boxes
• List boxes
• Drop down
lists
• Combination
boxes
• Spin boxes
• Buttons
Common GUI Controls Uses
• Text boxes
• When the input data values are unlimited in scope
• Radio buttons
• When data has limited predefined set of mutually exclusive
values
• Check boxes
• When value set consists of a simple yes or no value
• List boxes
• When data has a large number of possible values
• Drop down lists
• When data has large number of possible values and screen
space is too limited for a list box
• Combination boxes
• To provide user with option of selecting value from a list or
typing a value that may or may not appear in the list
• Spin boxes
• When need to navigate through a small set of choices or
directly typing a data value
Advanced Controls (mostly
Windows interfaces)
• Drop down
calendars
• Slider edit
controls
• Masked edit
controls
• Ellipsis controls
• Alternate
numerical
spinners
• Check list
boxes
• Check tree
boxes
Advanced Controls (mostly Windows
interfaces)
Automated Tools for Input
Design and Prototyping
• Old Tools
• Record Layout Charts
• Display Layout Charts
• Newer Prototyping Tools
• Microsoft Access
• CASE Tools
• Visual Basic
• Excel
• Visio
Input Design Process
1. Identify system inputs and review logical
requirements.
2. Select appropriate GUI controls.
3. Design, validate and test inputs using
some combination of:
a) Layout tools (e.g., hand sketches, spacing
charts, or CASE tools.
b) Prototyping tools (e.g., spreadsheet, PC
DBMS, 4GL)
4. As necessary design source documents.
A Logical Data Structure for
Input Requirements
ORDER = ORDER NUMBER
+ ORDER DATE
+ CUSTOMER NUMBER
+ CUSTOMER NAME
+ CUSTOMER SHIPPING ADDRESS = ADDRESS >
+ ( CUSTOMER BILLING ADDRESS = ADDRESS > )
+ 1 { PRODUCT NUMBER +
QUANTITY ORDERED } n
+ ( DEFAULT CREDIT CARD NUMBER )

ADDRESS = ( POST OFFICE BOX NUMBER )

+ STREET ADDRESS
+ CITY
+ STATE
+ POSTAL ZONE
Input Prototype for Video Title Maintenance
 Input
Prototype
for Member
Order
Input Prototype for Member Shopping
 Input
Prototype
for Web
Shopping
Cart
Input Prototype for Web Interface
System Boundary
Types of Outputs

• Internal outputs stay inside the system to

support the system's users and managers
• External outputs leave the system to
trigger actions on the part of their
recipients or confirm actions to their
recipients
• Turnaround outputs are those which are
typically implemented as a report eventually re-
enters the system as an input
 S o u n d S ta g e E n te r ta in m e n t C lu b
F a x 3 1 7 -4 9 4 -0 9 9 9

T h e fo llo w in g n u m b e r m u s t a p p e a r o n a ll r e la te d c o r r e s p o n d e n c e ,
s h ip p in g p a p e r s , a n d in v o ic e s :
P .O . N U M B E R : 7 1 2 8 1 2

T o : S h ip T o :
S o u n d S ta g e E n te r ta in m e n t C lu b S o u n d S ta g e E n te r ta in m e n t C lu b
2 6 2 5 D a r w in D r iv e S h ip p in g /R e c e iv in g S ta tio n
In d ia n a p o lis , IN 4 5 2 1 3 B u ild in g A
2 6 3 0 D a r w in D r iv e
In d ia n a p o lis , IN 4 5 2 1 3

P .O . D A T E R E Q U IS IT IO N E R S H IP V IA F .O .B . P O IN T T E R M S
5 -3 -9 6 ld b u p s N 3 0

Q T Y D E S C R IP T IO N U N IT P R IC E T O T A L
1 0 0 0 0 P o w d e r - V H S 1 9 .9 9 1 9 9 ,9 0 0 .0 0

5 0 0 0 N o w a n d T h e n - V H S 1 5 .9 5 7 9 ,7 5 0 .0 0

2 5 0 0 P u lp F ic tio n S o u n d tr a c k - C D 7 .9 9 1 9 ,9 7 5 .0 0

4 5 0 U 2 o n T o u r - T - s h ir t 3 .4 9 1 ,5 7 0 .5 0

S u b to ta l 3 0 1 ,1 9 5 .5 0

T a x 1 5 ,0 5 9 .7 7

T o ta l 3 1 6 ,2 5 5 .2 7

1 . P le a s e s e n d t w o c o p ie s o f y o u r in v o ic e .

2 . E n t e r t h is o r d e r in a c c o r d a n c e w it h t h e p r ic e s , t e r m s , d e liv e r y m e t h o d , a n d
s p e c if ic a t io n s lis t e d a b o v e .

3 . P le a s e n o t if y u s im m e d ia t e ly if y o u a r e u n a b le t o s h ip a s s p e c if ie d .

M a d g e W o r th y 5- 4- 96
A u th o r iz e d b y D a te
 S o u n d S ta g e In v o ic e N o . 301231

E n t e r ta in m e n t C lu b
2 6 3 0 D a r w in D r iv e - B ld g B
In d ia n a p o lis , IN 4 5 2 1 3
3 1 7 -4 9 6 -0 9 9 8 fa x 3 1 7 -4 9 4 -0 9 9 9 IN V O IC E
C u s to m e r
N am e C a r lin a S m ith D a te 7 /2 1 /9 7
A d d re s s 3 0 1 9 D u r o c D r iv e O rd e r N o . 346910
C ity L ittle R o c k S ta te A R Z IP 4 2 6 5 3
P hone 5 0 2 -4 3 0 -4 5 4 5 P aym ent A m t

D e t a c h a n d r e t u r n t o p p o r t io n w it h p a y m e n t

Q ty D e s c r ip tio n U n it P ric e T O TA L
1 S ta r W a r s - E m p ir e S tr ik e s B a c k V H S $ 1 9 .9 9 $ 1 9 .9 9
1 E r ic C la p to n U n p lu g g e d C D $ 1 3 .9 9 $ 1 3 .9 9
1 A lla d in V H S $ 1 7 .9 5 $ 1 7 .9 5

S u b T o ta l $ 5 1 .9 3
Paym e n t D e ta ils S h ip p in g & H a n d lin g $ 7 .0 0
C ash Taxes $ 2 .9 5
C heck
C r e d it C a r d T O TA L $ 6 1 .8 8
N am e
C C # O f f ic e U s e O n ly
E x p ir e s

P le a s e r e t u r n t o p p o r t io n in v o ic e w it h p a y m e n t . M a k e c h e c k s p a y a b le t o :
S o u n d S t a g e E n t e r t a in m e n t C lu b .

R E T U R N T O P P O R T IO N W IT H P A Y M E N T
Types of Outputs
• Detailed Reports:
• Present information with little or no filtering or restrictions.
• Some detailed reports are historical in nature.
• Detailed reports confirm and document the successful
processing of transactions and serve as an audit trail for
subsequent management inquiry.
• Exception Reports:
• Filter data before it is presented to the manager as
information.
• Exception reports only report exceptions to some condition
or standard.
 Page 1
SOUNDSTAGE ENTERTAINMENT CLUB
 Products Ordered on 6-31-1996 

PO Number Product Number Product Type Quantity In Stock Quantity On Order

112312 102774 Merchandise 273 450

202653 Title 75 325
393752 Title 251 125
112313 109833 Merchandise 0 200
111340 Title 46 150
231045 Title 225 1,500
253967 Title 332 850
112314 287904 Title 0 2,000
699034 Merchandise 0 300
836785 Merchandise 35 175
984523 Title 213 250
 Page 1
SOUNDSTAGE ENTERTAINMENT CLUB
 Delinquent Member Accounts as of 7-9-1996 
 (90 Days Overdue) 

Number Name Area Code Phone Extension Balance Due

137842 Joe Dunn 317 490-0012 111 29.43

142314 Bob Fischer 501 282-7996 43.97
157723 Mary Slatter 218 993-9091 56.99
209438 Harold Martin 823 231-8355 33.17
237121 Kevin Ditmano 655 219-0988 99.23
384563 Rick Carlina 501 454-6311 11.23
421134 Barb Kitts 393 789-5412 231 23.66
476688 Kenny Bum 443 234-8845 123.77
Output Media

• Paper
• Screen
• Microfilm/Microfiche
• Video/Audio
• CDROM, DVD
• Other electronic media
Output Formats

• Tabular output
• Zoned output
• Graphic output
• Narrative output
System User Issues for Output
Design
• Be aware of output bias.
• Computer outputs should be simple to read
and interpret.
• The timing of computer outputs is important.
• The distribution of computer outputs must be
sufficient to assist all relevant system users.
• The computer outputs must be acceptable to
the system users who will receive them ->
Need for training.