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TECHNICAL ENGLISH III

INTRODUCTION

The computer, as the main tool used by the students in administrative computer domain, needs to
be well analyzed and mastered by the students of this domain. Therefore, after acquiring enough
notions about the use of computer and its mechanism in different courses taught in French, this
course technical English three points up some important notions about the computer system in
English in order to interest the student to the use English in the domain of study.

The present study deepens notions related to software. Software is capable of performing many
tasks, as opposed to hardware which only perform mechanical tasks that they are designed for.
Software is the electronic instructions that tell the computer to perform a task. Practical computer
systems divide software systems into two major classes:

 System software: Helps run computer hardware and computer system itself. System
software includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools and more. System
software is almost always pre-installed on your computer.
 Application software: Allows users to accomplish one or more tasks. Includes word
processing, web browsing and almost any other task for which you might install software.
(Some application software is pre-installed on most computer systems.)

Software is generally created (written) in a high-level programming language, one that is (more
or less) readable by people. These high-level instructions are converted into "machine language"
instructions, represented in binary code, before the hardware can "run the code". When you
install software, it is generally already in this machine language, binary, form.

As far as English is one of international languages, it is necessary to initiate students to the way
this language should be used in their domain of study. This is due to the fact that one of students
can get chance of intending to increase their knowledge about computer science in the English
speaking countries. In such a case the technical English would have provided such students the
basic notions about their domain of study for them to no longer face problems in studies abroad.
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The present course is about technical English in the computer science domain. After
discussing the hardware description in the first undergraduate level study and the study of
elementary notions about how to get familiar and use the English Microsoft word, the technical
English three focuses its attention on the computer system organization. This course, centers on
the way the output and the input functions of a computer work.

More specifically, this course aims at:

 Recalling students the notions about technical English one and two;
 Interesting students to the use of technical terms related to the use of the computer;
 Describing the input and output system of the computer;
 Listing and classifying the devices serving as input and output peripherals of computer;
 Giving the roles of input and output devices.
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CHAPTEER ONE: COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM - INPUT,

PROCESS, OUTPUT

This chapter talks about the basic input output system thanks to which a computer renders
effective services to the user. There are devices acting as output as well as input facilitators.
Thus, this chapter enlightens the student about the functioning system of the computer
related to the input and output devices functionalities.

I.A. Basic computer organization

Infact, there are five basic operations of a computer system: the inputting, the storing, the
processing, the outputting, and the controlling. The inputting is the process of entering data
and instructions in the computer system. The storing is the saving data and instruction to
make them readily available for initial additional processing whenever required. The
processing is the performing arithmetic operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide etc.) or
logical operation on data to convert them into useful information. The outputting is the
process of producing useful information or results for the user such as printed reports or
visual displays as well as sounds reproduction. Controlling refers to directing the manner
and sequences in which all of the above operations are performed.

I.B. Generalities on BIOS

BIOS is an integral part of your computer and comes with it when you bring it home. (In
contrast, the operating system can either be pre-installed by the manufacturer or vendor or
installed by the user.) BIOS is a program that is made accessible to the microprocessor on
an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) chip. When you turn on your
computer, the microprocessor passes control to the BIOS program, which is always located
at the same place on EPROM.

When BIOS boots up (starts up) your computer, it first determines whether all of the
attachments are in place and operational and then it loads the operating system (or key parts
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of it) into your computer's random access memory (RAM) from your hard disk or diskette
drive.

With BIOS, your operating system and its applications are freed from having to understand
exact details (such as hardware addresses) about the attached input/output devices. When
device details change, only the BIOS program needs to be changed. Sometimes this change
can be made during your system setup. In any case, neither your operating system or any
applications you use need to be changed.

Although BIOS is theoretically always the intermediary between the microprocessor and
I/O device control information and data flow, in some cases, BIOS can arrange for data to
flow directly to memory from devices (such as video cards) that require faster data flow to
be effective.

In computing, input/output or I/O (or, informally, io or IO) is the communication between

an information processing system, such as a computer, and the outside world, possibly a
human or another information processing system. Inputs are the signals or data received by
the system and outputs are the signals or data sent from it. The term can also be used as part
of an action; to "perform I/O" is to perform an input or output operation.

I/O devices are the pieces of hardware used by a human (or other system) to communicate
with a computer. For instance, a keyboard or computer mouse is an input device for a
computer, while monitors and printers are output devices. Devices for communication
between computers, such as modems and network cards, typically perform both input and
output operations.

The designation of a device as either input or output depends on perspective. Mouse and
keyboards take physical movements that the human user outputs and convert them into
input signals that a computer can understand; the output from these devices is the
computer's input. Similarly, printers and monitors take signals that a computer outputs as
input, and they convert these signals into a representation that human users can understand.
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From the human user's perspective, the process of reading or seeing these representations is
receiving input; this type of interaction between computers and humans is studied in the
field of human–computer interaction.

In computer architecture, the combination of the CPU and main memory, to which the CPU
can read or write directly using individual instructions, is considered the brain of a
computer. Any transfer of information to or from the CPU/memory, for example by reading
data from a disk drive, is considered I/O. The CPU and its supporting circuitry may provide
memory-mapped I/O that is used in low-level computer programming, such as in the
implementation of device drivers, or may provide access to I/O channels. An I/O algorithm
is one designed to exploit locality and perform efficiently when exchanging data with a
secondary storage device, such as a disk drive.

Conventional and assistive computer technologies are similar in that both employ the core
concepts of input, information processing, and output (ATA, 2000). Understanding these
concepts is essential to understanding how AT helps individuals with disabilities access a
computer. Each system first must have a means to input information. This information is
then processed. From the processed information, the computer produces some type of
output. Input or output devices can be modified to provide access to individuals with
disabilities who cannot use standard input or output devices. To provide a better
understanding of input, output, and processing, these concepts are defined as follows.

 Input - the information entered into a computer system, examples include: typed
text, mouse clicks, etc.
 Processing - the process of transforming input information into and output.
 Output – the visual, auditory, or tactile perceptions provided by the computer
after processing the provided information. Examples include: text, images,
sound, or video displayed on a monitor or through speaker as well as text or
Braille from printers or embossers.
 Input Device – any device that enters information into a computer from an
external source. Examples include: keyboards, touch screens, mouse, trackballs,
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microphones, scanners, etc.

 Processing Device – the electronics that process or transform information
provided as an input to a computer to an output. Examples include: the Central
Processing Unit (CPU), operating systems (e.g. Windows, Apple software),
microprocessors (e.g. Intel, Pentium), memory cards (RAM), graphic and other
production application or programs (Adobe, Microsoft Word, etc).
 Output Device - a device used by a computer to communicate information in a
usable form. Examples include: monitors, speakers, and printers, etc.

The following is an example showing how these three concepts work together: To
access a website, the user opens an internet browser and, using the keyboard, enters a
web address into the browser (input). The computer then uses that information to find
the correct website (information processing) and the content of the desired site is
displayed in the web browser (output).

I.C. Interface

An I/O interface is required whenever the I/O device is driven by a processor. Typically
a CPU communicates with devices via a bus. The interface must have necessary logic to
interpret the device address generated by the processor. Handshaking should be
implemented by the interface using appropriate commands (like BUSY, READY, and
WAIT), and the processor can communicate with an I/O device through the interface. If
different data formats are being exchanged, the interface must be able to convert serial
data to parallel form and vice versa. Because it would be a waste for a processor to be
idle while it waits for data from an input device there must be provision for generating
interrupts and the corresponding type numbers for further processing by the processor if
required

Both input and output devices have a data processing rate that can vary greatly. With
some devices able to exchange data at very high speeds direct access to memory (DMA)
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without the continuous aid of a CPU is required.

I.D. Associative technology (AT)

AT refers to the companies making devices that work hand in hand with computer. AT
for computer access can be applied by adapting either the input or output component of
a computer system. Doing this provides an individual with a disability with a tool that
utilizes his or her abilities to access a computer. An example of adapting an input device
is providing an individual who does not have use of his or her hands with speech
recognition software to enter text into a computer as opposed to a keyboard. As for
adapting an output device, an individual with a visual impairment can use either a screen
magnifier or screen reader to access output on a computer screen. Information
processing, in terms of a computer, does not involve a human element and thus does not
require assistive technology adaptations.

Operating systems

The user can serve as input sending information in the

CPU as well as other hardware devices.
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CHAPTER TWO: MEMORY ORGANIZATION IN COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

II.A. introduction

A memory unit is the collection of storage units or devices together. The memory unit stores the
binary information in the form of bits. Generally, memory/storage is classified into 2 categories:

 Volatile Memory: This loses its data, when power is switched off.
 Non-Volatile Memory: This is a permanent storage and does not lose any data when
power is switched off.

The memory hierarchy system consists of all storage devices employed in computer system
from the slow by high capacity (auxiliary memory) to the relatively faster main memory, to
an even smaller and fast cash memory. Then the device that provide the backup storage are
called auxiliary memories, yet the memory unit that directly communicates with the CPU is
called the main memory.
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Memory Hierarchy

II.B. Storage unit

Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, refers to computer components and
recording media that retain digital data. Data storage is a core function and fundamental
component of computers. The price of solid-state drives (SSD), which store data on flash
memory, has dropped a lot in recent years, making them a better choice than ever to add to a
computer to make booting up and accessing files faster.

Fixed media

Data is stored by a computer using a variety of media. Hard disk drives are found in virtually all
older computers, due to their high capacity and low cost, but solid-state drives are faster and
more power efficient, although currently more expensive than hard drives, so are often found in
more expensive computers. Some systems may use a disk array controller for greater
performance or reliability.

Removable media
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To transfer data between computers, a USB flash drive or Optical disc may be used. Their
usefulness depends on being readable by other systems; the majority of machines have an optical
disk drive, and virtually all have a USB port.

The storage unit of a computer system holds (or stores) the following:

- Data and instructions required for processing (received from input devices);
- Intermediate results for processing;
- Final results for processing, before they are released to an output device.

There are two types of storage: the primary storage or primary memory and the secondary
storage or the auxiliary memory.

 The primary storage or primary memory is used to:

- Hold running program instructions;

- Hold data, intermediate results, and
- hold results of ongoing processing of job;

This storage is fast in operation, small in capacity and is volatile (loses data on power
dissipation).

 The secondary storage or secondary memory is used to:

- Holds stored programs and instructions;

- Hold data and information of stored jobs

This storage is slower than primary storage, large in capacity and retains data even without
power in other words this storage is non- volatile.

II.C. Storage evaluation criteria

Property Desirable Primary Secondary storage

storage
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Storage capacity Large storage Small Large

capacity
Access time Fast time access Fast Slow
Cost per bit of Lower cost per bit High Low
storage
Volatility Non-volatile Volatile Non- volatile
Access Random access Random Pseudo-random access or
access sequential access.

The total memory capacity of a computer can be visualized by hierarchy of components. The
memory hierarchy system consists of all storage devices contained in a computer system from
the slow Auxiliary Memory to fast Main Memory and to smaller Cache memory.

Auxillary memory access time is generally 1000 times that of the main memory, hence it is at
the bottom of the hierarchy. The main memory occupies the central position because it is
equipped to communicate directly with the CPU and with auxiliary memory devices through
Input/output processor (I/O).

When the program not residing in main memory is needed by the CPU, they are brought in from
auxiliary memory. Programs not currently needed in main memory are transferred into auxiliary
memory to provide space in main memory for other programs that are currently in use.

The cache memory is used to store program data which is currently being executed in the CPU.
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II.D. Memory Access Methods

Each memory type, is a collection of numerous memory locations. To access data from any
memory, first it must be located and then the data is read from the memory location. Following
are the methods to access information from memory locations:

1. Random Access: Main memories are random access memories, in which each memory
location has a unique address. Using this unique address any memory location can be
reached in the same amount of time in any order.
2. Sequential Access: This methods allows memory access in a sequence or in order.
3. Direct Access: In this mode, information is stored in tracks, with each track having a
separate read/write head.

II.D. Main Memory

The memory unit that communicates directly within the CPU, Auxillary memory and Cache
memory, is called main memory. It is the central storage unit of the computer system. It is a large
and fast memory used to store data during computer operations. Main memory is made up of
RAM and ROM, with RAM integrated circuit chips holing the major share.

 RAM: Random Access Memory

o DRAM: Dynamic RAM, is made of capacitors and transistors, and must be
refreshed every 10~100 ms. It is slower and cheaper than SRAM.
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o SRAM: Static RAM, has a six transistor circuit in each cell and retains data, until
powered off.
o NVRAM: Non-Volatile RAM, retains its data, even when turned off. Example:
Flash memory.
 ROM: Read Only Memory, is non-volatile and is more like a permanent storage for
information. It also stores the bootstrap loader program, to load and start the operating
system when computer is turned on. PROM(Programmable ROM), EPROM(Erasable
PROM) and EEPROM(Electrically Erasable PROM) are some commonly used ROMs.

II.E. Read Only Memory (ROM)

ROM a non-volatile memory chip
Data stored in a ROM can only be read and used – they cannot be changed
programs and data, which do not change and are frequently
used. For example boot program
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a. Types of ROMs

II. F. Auxiliary Memory

Devices that provide backup storage are called auxiliary memory. For example: Magnetic disks
and tapes are commonly used auxiliary devices. Other devices used as auxiliary memory are
magnetic drums, magnetic bubble memory and optical disks. These devices are used for the
hardware upgrade.

II.G. Hardware upgrade

When using computer hardware, an upgrade means adding new hardware to a computer that
improves its performance, adds capacity or new features. For example, a user could perform a
hardware upgrade to replace the hard drive with a SSD (solid state drive) to get a boost in
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performance or increase the amount of files that may be stored. Also, the user could increase the
RAM so the computer may run more smoothly. The user could add a USB.0expansion card in
order to fully use USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices, or could upgrade the GPU (Graphic
Processing Unit) for extra rendering power. Performing such hardware upgrades may be
necessary for older computers to meet a programs' system requirements. It is not directly
accessible to the CPU, and is accessed using the Input /Output channels.

II.H. Cache Memory

The data or contents of the main memory that are used again and again by CPU, are stored in the
cache memory so that we can easily access that data in shorter time.

Whenever the CPU needs to access memory, it first checks the cache memory. If the data is not
found in cache memory then the CPU moves onto the main memory. It also transfers block of
recent data into the cache and keeps on deleting the old data in cache to accommodate the new
one.

II.K. Hit Ratio

The performance of cache memory is measured in terms of a quantity called hit ratio. When the
CPU refers to memory and finds the word in cache it is said to produce a hit. If the word is not
found in cache, it is in main memory then it counts as a miss. The ratio of the number of hits to
the total CPU references to memory is called hit ratio.

II.L. Associative Memory

It is also known as content addressable memory (CAM). It is a memory chip in which each bit
position can be compared. In this the content is compared in each bit cell which allows very fast
table lookup. Since the entire chip can be compared, contents are randomly stored without
considering addressing scheme. These chips have less storage capacity than regular memory
chips.
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Memory Organisation provides backup storage. magnetic disks, and magnetic tapes referred to as
Auxiliary Memory occupies central position as far as it communicates directly with the CPU.
CPU logic is usually faster than main memory access time, with the result that processing speed
is limited primarily by the speed of main memory.

The cache is used for storing segments of programs currently being executed in the CPU and
temporary data frequently needed in the present calculations. It is worthy to note that the
memory hierarchy system consists of all storage devices employed in a computer system from
the slow by high- capacity auxiliary memory to a relatively faster main memory, to an even
smaller and faster cache memory as said before.

Each memory is a collection of various memory locations. Accessing the memory means finding
and reaching desired location and reading information from memory location. The information
from locations can be accessed as follows: 1. Random access 2. Sequential access 3. Direct
access Random Access: It is the access mode where each memory location has a unique address.
Using these unique addresses each memory location can be addressed independently in any order
in equal amount of time.
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Generally, main memories are random access memories (RAM). Some storage systems follow
Sequential Access. If storage locations can be accessed only in a certain predetermined sequence,
the access method is known as serial or sequential access. Opposite of RAM: Serial Access
Memory (SAM). SAM works very well for memory buffers, where the data is normally stored in
the order in which it will be used (a good example is the texture buffer memory on a video card,
magnetic tapes, etc.). Direct Access: In this access information is stored on tracks and each track
has a separate read/write head. This features makes it a semi random mode which is generally
used in magnetic disks.

Most of the main memory in a general purpose computer is made up of RAM integrated circuits
chips, but a portion of the memory may be constructed with ROM chips. RAM– Random
Access memory are available in two possible operating modes, Static and Dynamic.

CHAPTER THREE: SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES

Within this chapter we talk about other devices that can save data away from the computer
storage. However, the device concerned work hand in hand with the computer whenever
necessary. In other words the devices of the kind should be compatible with the computer
system. Therefore, this chapter classifies the the commonly used storage devices, stating the
difference between sequential and direct access storage devices focusing on the basic principles
of operation, types and uses of secondary storage devices .

III.A. Classification of commonly used secondary storage devices: Direct- access Storage
Devices
The secondary storage devices include the direct access devices like: 1) the magnetic disc(floppy
disks) and hard disks (Zip disk, disk pack, Winchester disk); 2) optical disks as : CD- ROM,
CD-RW (compact disk read and write), DVD; 3) memory storage devices like: flash, memory
card, magnetic tapes.
The direct- access storage devices are the ones on which any storage location may be selected
and accessed at random. They permit access to individual information in a more direct or
immediate manner. They are suitable for direct processing applicatioms such as on-line ticket,
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booking (advanced reservation) system, on-line banking system. Magnetic, optical and magneto-
optical disks are typical examples of such a device storage.
1) The magnetic tape disk
The magnetic tape disk is commonly used with sequential access secondary storage device. Data
are recorded on the tape in a form of tiny invisible magnetized and non- magnetized spots. Their
data density is the amount of data that can be stored on a given length of tape. It is measured in
bytes per inch. (bpi).
The advantages of the magnetic tapes
Magnetic tapes are advantageous because they:
- Store capacity is virtually unlimited because as many tapes as required can be used
for storing very large data sets;
- Cost per bit of storage is very low for magnetic tapes;
- Are Easily handled and store on;
- Keep very large amount of data to be stored in a small storage space;
- Are often used for transferring data and program from one computer to another that
are not linked together.
Limitation of magnetic tapes
Magnetic tapes are limited in a way that they must:
- Be stored in dust-free environment, because specks of dust can cause tape reading
errors
- Due to their sequential access nature, they are not suitable for storage of those data
that frequently require to be accessed randomly.
2) Optical disk
The optical disk consists of a circular disk which is coated with a thin metal or some other
material that is highly reflective. The optical disk is used for reading and recording the data on
disk.
Among the types of the optical disk we can mention the case of CD-ROM stands for Compact
Disk Read Only Memory. The storage capacity of this optical disk is of 650 megabytes. The
disks of this kind are pre-recorded and the information stored on them cannot be altered. Disks
are used for distribution of electronic version of conference proceedings, journals, magazine
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books, multimedia applications such as video games and configuration programs. It is also used
by software vendors for distribution of software to their customers.
Aside from the CD-ROM we can mention the case of the CD-R CD-Recordable. It is a Work
Disk with the system write once read many. Data can be written only once on them, but can be
read many times. As the CD-ROM the CD-R has the same capacity. It allows users to create
their CD-ROM disks by using a CD-Recordable. This disk can be erased and written afresh.
Additionally, we can mention the case of the Digital Video/ Versatile Disk (DVD) it looks same
as a CD-ROM but has a capacity of 4.7 gigabyte or 8.5 GB. It is designed primarily to store and
distribute movie. It can be used for storage of large data.
III.B. Memory storage devices
Apart from the direct access storage devices, there exist the memory storage devices as such. In
this case we mention the flash drive (Pen Drive),the memory card, the mass storage device, the
disk array the automated tape library and the CD-ROM Jukebox.
1) Flash drive
It is relatively new secondary storage device based on flash memory, enabling easy transport of
data from a computer to another. The compact device is of the size of the pen. It comes in
various shapes and stylish designs and may have different added features. Plug-and-play device
that simply plus into a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port of a computer is treated as removable
device. The available storage capacities are of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 MB etc.
2) Memory card
It is similar to a flash drive but in card shape. It is a plug-and-play device that simply plugs into a
port of a computer, treated as removable drive. As an electronic device it is useful in other
devices like camera and music player.
3) Mass Storage Devices
- As the name implies, these are storage systems having several trillions of bytes of data storage
capacity
- They use multiple units of a storage media as a single secondary storage device
- The three commonly used types are:
o Disk array, which uses a set of magnetic disks
o Automated tape library: which uses a set of magnetic tapes
o CD-ROM Jukebox: which uses a set of CD-ROMs
- They are relatively slow having average access times in seconds
4) Disk Array
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- Set of hard disks and hard disk drives with a controller mounted in a single box, forming a
single large storage unit
- It is commonly known as a RAID (Redundant Array in Inexpensive Disks)
- As a secondary storage device, provides enhanced storage capacity, enhanced performance, and
enhanced reliability
- Enhanced storage capacity is achieved by using multiple disks
- Enhanced performance is achieved by using parallel data transfer technique from multiple disks
- Enhanced reliability is achieved by using techniques such as mirroring or striping

- In mirroring, the system makes exact copies of files on two had dirks
- In striping, a file is partitioned into smaller parts and different parts of the file are stored on
different disk

5) Automated Tape Library

- Set of magnetic tapes and magnetic tape drives with a controller mounted in a single box,
forming a single large storage unit.
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- Large tape library can accommodate up to several hundred high capacity magnetic tapes
bringing the storage capacity of the storage unit to several terabytes
- Typically used for data archiving and as on-line data backup devices for automated backup in
large computer centers

6) CD-ROM Jukebox
- Set of CD-ROMs and CD-ROM drives with a controller mounted in a single box, forming a
single large storage unit
- Large CD-ROM jukebox can accommodate up to several hundred CD-ROM disks bringing the
storage capacity of the storage unit to several terabytes
- Used for archiving read-only data in such applications as online museums, online digital
libraries, on-line encyclopedia, etc
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CHAPTER FOUR: INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES

IV.B.1. Objectives:
This chapter aims at listing Input/Output (I/O) devices and it has as sub headings
- Commonly used input devices
- Commonly used output devices
- Other concepts related to I/O devices

IV.B.2. I/O Devices

- Provide means of communication between a computer and outer world
- Also known as peripheral devices because they surround the CPU and memory of a computer
system
- Input devices are used to enter data from the outside world into primary storage
- Output devices supply results of processing from primary storage to users

IV.B.3. Role of I/O Devices

IV.B.4. Commonly Used Input Devices

- Keyboard devices
- Point-and-draw devices
- Data scanning devices
- Digitizer
- Electronic cards based devices
- Speech recognition devices
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- Vision based devices

IV.B.5. Keyboard Devices

- Allows data entry into a computer system by pressing a set of keys (labeled buttons) neatly
mounted on a keyboard connected to a computer system

IV.B.6. Point-and-Draw Devices

- Used to rapidly point to and select a graphic icon or menu item from multiple options displayed
on the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of a screen
- Used to create graphic elements on the screen such as lines curves, and freehand shapes
- Some commonly used point-and-draw devices are mouse, track ball, joy stick, light pen, and
touch screen
o Mouse: commonly used in personal computers and workstations
o Trackball: Commonly used in laptop (notebook) computers
o Joystick: commonly used for video games, flight simulators, training simulators, and for
controlling industrial robots
o Electronic Pen: Pen-based point-and-draw device used to directly point with in on the screen
to select menu items or icons or directly draw graphics on the screen.
o Touch Screen: Most simple, intuitive, and easiest to learn of all input devices. Enables users to
choose from available options by simply touching with the finger the desired icon or menu item
displayed on the screen. This is the most preferred human-computer interface used
in information kiosks (unattended interactive information systems such as automatic teller
machine or ATM)

IV.B.7. Data Scanning Devices

- Input devices that enable direct data entry into a computer system from source documents
- Eliminate the need to key in text data into the computer
- Due to reduced human effort in data entry, they improve data accuracy and also increase the
timeliness of the information processed
o Image Scanner
- Input device that translates paper documents into an electronic format for storage in a computer
- Stored image can be altered or manipulated with an image-processing software
- Two common types of image scanner: flat-bed scanner and hand-held scanner

o Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Device

- Scanner equipped with a character recognition software (called OCR software) that converts
the bit map images of character to equivalent ASCII codes
- Enables word processing of input text and also requires less storage for storing the document as
text rather than image
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- OCR software is extremely complex because it is difficult to make a computer recognize an

unlimited number of typefaces and fonts
- Two standard OCR fonts are OCR-A ( American standard) and OCR-B (European standard)
o Optical Mark Reader
- Scanner capable of recognizing a pre-specified type of mark by pencil or pen
- Very useful for grading tests with objective type questions, or for any input data is of a choice
or selection nature
- Technique used for recognition of marks involves focusing a light on the page being scanned
and detecting the reflected light pattern form the marks
o Bar-code Reader

- Scanner used for reading (decoding) bar-coded data

- Bar codes represent alphanumeric data by a combination of adjacent vertical lines (bars) by
varying their width and the spacing between them
- Scanner uses laser-beam to stroke across pattern of bar code.
- Universal Product Code (UPC) is the most widely known bar coding system
o Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
- MICR is used by banking industry for faster processing of large volume of cheques
- Bank’s identification code (name, branch, etc.), account number and cheque number are pre-
printed (encoded) using characters from a special character set on all cheques
- Special ink is used that contains magnetizable particles of iron oxide
- MICR reader-sorter reads data on cheques and sorts them for distribution to other banks or for
further processing
- It consists of numerals 0 to 9 and four special characters
- MICR is not adopted by other industries because it supports only 14 symbols

IV.B.8. Digitizer
- Input device used for converting (digitizing) pictures, maps and drawings into digital form for
storage in computers
- Commonly used in the area of Computer Aided Design (CAD) by architects and engineers to
design cars, buildings medical devices, robots, mechanical parts, etc.
- Used in the area of Geographical Information System (GIS) for digitizing maps available in
paper form

IV.B.9. Electronic-card Reader

- Electronic cards are small plastic cards having encoded data appropriate for the application for
which they are used
- Electronic-card reader (normally connected to a computer) is used to read data encoded on a
electronic card and transfer it to the computer for further processing
 25

- Used by banks for use in automatic teller machines (ATMs) and by organizations for
controlling access of employees to physically secure areas

IV.B.10. Speech Recognition Devices

- Input device that allows a person to input data to a computer system by speaking to it
- Today’s speech recognition systems are limited to accepting few words within a relatively
small domain and can be used to enter only limited kinds and quantities of data
a. Types of Speech Recognition systems
o Single word recognition systems can recognize only a single spoken words such as YES, NO,
MOVE, STOP, at a time. Speaker-independent systems are mostly of this type
o Continuous speech recognition systems can recognize spoken sentences, such as MOVE TO
THE NEXT BLOCK. Such systems are normally speaker-dependent
b. Uses of Speech Recognition Systems
o For inputting data to a computer system by a person in situations where his/her hands are busy,
or his/her eyes must be fixed on a measuring instrument or some other object
o For data input by dictation of long text or passage for later editing and review
o For authentication of a user by a computer system based on voice input
o For limited use of computers by individuals with physical disabilities

IV.B.11. Vision-Input Systems

- Allow computer to accept input just by seeing an object
- Input data is normally an object’s shape and features in the form of an image
- Mainly used today in factories for designing industrial robots that are used for quality-control
and assembly processes

IV.B.12. Commonly Used Output Devices

- Monitors
- Printers
- Plotters
- Screen image projector
- Voice response systems

a. Types of Output
o Soft-copy output: Not produced on a paper or some material that can be touched and carried for
being shown to others
o Hard-copy output: produced on a paper or some material that can be touched and carried for
being show to others

IV.B.13. Monitors
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- Monitors are the most popular output devices used for producing soft-copy output
- Display the output on television like screen
- Monitor associated with a keyboard is called a Video Display Terminal (VDT). It is most
popular I/O device
Types of Monitors
- Cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors look like a television and are normally used with non-
portable computer systems
- Flat-panel monitors are thinner and lighter and are commonly used with portable computer
systems like notebook computers.

IV.B.14. Printers
Most common output device for producing hard-copy output
Dot-Matrix Printers: character printers that form characters and all kinds of images as a
pattern of dots
Inkjet Printers: character printers that form characters and all kinds of images by spraying
small drops of ink on to the paper
Drum Printers: line printers that print one line at a time

Chain/Band printers: Metallic chain/band on which all characters of the character set
supported by the printer are embossed. Prints one line at a time
Laser printers: Page printers that print one page at a time

IV.B.15. Plotters
- Plotters are an ideal output device for architects, engineers, city planners, and others who need
to routinely generate high-precision, hard-copy graphic output of widely varying sizes
- Two commonly used types of plotters are:
o Drum plotter: in which the paper on which the design has to be made is placed over a drum
that can rotate in both clockwise and anti clockwise
o Flatbed plotter: in which the paper on which the design has to be made is spread and fixed
over a rectangular flatbed table

IV.B.16. Screen Image Projector

- An output device that can be directly plugged to a computer system for projecting information
form a computer on to a large screen
- Useful for making presentation to a group of people with direct use of a computer
- Full-fledged multimedia presentation with audio, video, image, and animation can be prepared
and made using this facility

IV.B.17. Voice Response Systems

- Voice Response Systems enables a computer to talk to a user
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- Has an audio-response device that produces audio output

- Such systems are of two types:
o Voice reproduction systems:
-recorded
audio responses
iding how to operate a system, automatic answering
machines, video games, etc
o Speech synthesizers

persons who cannot speak to communicate effectively.

References

1. Null, Linda; Julia Lobur (2006). The Essentials of Computer Organization and
Architecture. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 185. ISBN 0763737690. Archived from the original
on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
2. Abd-El-Barr, Mostafa; Hesham El-Rewini (2005). Fundamentals of Computer
Organization and Architecture. John Wiley & Sons. p. 161-162. ISBN 9780471478331. Archived
from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.