Applications of ICT Year 12Revision Exercises

Topics covered: EFT ATM Batch processing Virtual Reality Simulations Computers in Control Data Logging Robots On-line Services

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Electronic Monetary Processing

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) – funds are transferred electronically between bank accounts. During a typical EFT transaction a customer pays for goods/services to a retailer using a credit/debit card. Swiping the card using a special magnetic stripe reader captures the card details needed to communicate with the customer’s bank. Once contacted, the authority to transfer funds is given by the customer’s bank and the funds are then transferred automatically from customer to retailer bank account.

Point of Sale (POS): this is the location in the shop where the customer pays for goods/services. Modern POS terminals are EFT enabled – resulting in EFT-POS systems

Questions

1. Name three locations where you would find EFT-POS systems

2. State 2 items of equipment that you would require to successfully communicate with a customers bank computer.

3. State 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of EFT-POS to the customer and the retailer

Customer RetailerAdvantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages

4. Word Processing: Visit a supermarket. Study the EFT-POS system in action. Describe in <150 words how a typical EFT-POS system works.

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Automated Teller Machines (ATM)

The ATM has become one of the most common sources of 24-hour/365 banking throughout the world.

a) Visit an ATM machine with your parents and complete the table below.

Facilities Offered Items of Data stored on Magnetic Stripe Card

Advantages Disadvantages

b) Security is a key concern for banks and customers. State 3 ways in which the bank ensures security during an ATM transaction

c) Complete the table below for each of the following card types

Card Type Key Features 2 Advantages 2 Disadvantages

Swipe Cards (magnetic stripe on back of card)

Smart Cards (as swipe cards except microchip embedded into card)

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Batch Processing

Batch Processing involves batching (collecting) data then applying the same repetitive process to the data to produce required output.

a) Study the system flowchart describing batch processing for an electricity billing company (shown below) and then construct a similar diagram for a phone company billing system using Smart Draw.

Batch Processing System for NIE

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What each symbol means

Note the direction of the arrow indicated data flow

b) In the context of the diagram explain the following terms:

Term Explanation

Source document

Verification

Validation

Sort

File

BF Master File

CF Master File

Make Bill

Error Report

Customer Bill

c) The school OMR mark registration system is an example of batch processing. Investigate and explain in <200 words how this batch processing system works.

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Virtual Reality

What is VR?1. Virtual Reality involves the use of a computer program to re-create a virtual 3-D world

2. Virtual Reality participants are totally immersed in the Virtual world by focusing on three of the five senses: sight, sound and touch

3. Sight and Sound: Participants wear VR headsets that feed sound and video directly to the wearer

4. Touch: Data gloves and pressure suits that excerpt pressures to simulate movement, falls, bumps etc

5. Methods of tapping into the taste and smell may be developed in later VR programs

6. Current VR programs have limited graphics at present – over time this will develop into full 3-D video realism

Questions

a) From the picture above identify 5 items of equipment used in a modern VR system

b) Identify 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of VR to users

Advantages Disadvantages

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VR in everyday use

1. Architects offices: architects and clients walk through a VR building, noting key features and changes needed before construction begins

2. Education: to recreate virtual past worlds e.g. Vikings, Romans—to allow participants to experience a day in the life of a Roman or Viking

3. Gaming: creating a virtual 3-D world that users can participate in and interact with other characters in real-time

4. Medicine: training doctors in surgical techniques by performing operations on virtual patients and learning from their mistakes

5. Military Training: using VR to train Tank Commanders and Helicopter pilots in new terrain/tactics using precise 3-D VR maps of actual battlefields

Internet InvestigationUse the Internet to locate and report on real-life examples of VR in each of the 5 areas mentioned above. A good starting point is news.bbc.co.uk

Area Findings

Architects Office

Education

Gaming

Medicine

Military Training

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Simulations

Simulations are computer models consisting of facts and rules that allow you to simulate real-life events with a high degree of realism. In a simulation the inputs can be varied to produce different experiences and affect different outcomes

Examples of simulations

1. Architects offices: Modelling heat loss using different materials2. Education: Spreadsheets for computing what-if scenarios3. Gaming: Sim City, RPG, Themepark4. Medicine: Research to simulate effects of different drug regimes on viruses 5. Military Training: Flight Simulator/Tank trainers

Complete the following table for a car simulation

Variable Inputs Types of Feedback provided Advantages Costs

Virtual Reality versus Simulations

Identify 3 similarities and 3 differences between VR and simulations

Similarities Differences

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Computers in Control

Computers can be used to control many different situations – from logging data in a science experiment to controlling robots on the factory floor.

Complete the table below. Explain what each term means in the context of computer control and name 8 different types of sensor used in computer control.

Term Explanation Example of Sensors

Sensor

Data Logging

Feedback

Actuator

Analogue

Digital

Interface

ADC

DAC

Closed loop

Open loop

Investigation: Use both the textbook and the Internet to investigate and report on the use of sensors in hospitals. Complete the table below.

Type of Sensor Analogue or Digital Range Check for Monitoring/ Sounding Alarm

Sensors are often analogue devices – the data they collect must be translated to digital using an ADC. An interface device contains an ADC.

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ADC 10001001

Interface

Data Logging – Local and Remote

Data logging systems use sensors, connected to a data logger, to take measurements at pre-set intervals. These measurements are transferred to a computer for storage and analysis.

Data logging may be Local – carried out directly in a room or buildingRemote – carried out in remote location and results fed back via comms links.

Investigate data logging, then complete the table below

Location Brief Overview of Data Logging undertaken (including control system used)

Type of Sensors used

Greenhouse

Traffic Control System

Domestic Heating System

Domestic Fridge

Remote Data Logging e.g. River/Volcano monitoring

Remember!

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ADC 10001001

Robots

A robot is a reprogrammable, multi-functional device designed to perform specific repetitive tasks.

Investigation: Use both the textbook and the Internet to investigate and report on the technology used by Robots and give 4 examples of how robots are used in everyday life.

Term Explanation Examples of Robots in everyday life

Manipulator

Power Supply

Controlling Computer

Software

Robots in the Movies

Questions to consider

A. Are robots becoming more human like?B. Will robots free humans from boring, repetitive jobs?C. Should sentient (thinking) robots have the same rights as humans?D. Will robots ever be able to exist like humans?E. Do you think robots pose a threat to the human race?

Investigation: Use both the textbook and the Internet to investigate and report your views on these questions in <200 words by reviewing the role of robots in movies such as AI, Bicentennial Man, Star Trek and Lost in Space.

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On-line Services

An on-line service is a service available on the Internet.

a) Complete the table below outlining the hardware/software needed to connect to on-line services

Hardware Software

b) Investigate and report on the following examples of on-line services.

Type of Service Facilities Offered 2 Advantages 2 Disadvantages

Banking

Shopping

Airline Reservations

E-Commerce

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Personal Notes

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