IGCSE ICT ICT Applications 0417

Unit 6 –ICT Applications

Applications used in general purpose using ICT:

Purpose Application
1. Monitoring atmospheric pressure Measuring program
2. Keeping temperature constant in a greenhouse Control program
3. Modeling personal finances, storing student results, creating
Spreadsheet
graphs and charts, creating data model
4. Creating a slideshow Presentation
5. Finding information on the internet Search Engine
6. Using internet for various purposes or to enable to view web
Web browser
pages
7. Sending and receiving Email Email software
8. Producing & modifying pictures Picture Editing
9. Allowing to look for data and information from someone else
Spyware
computer over a network
10. Sending malicious code to computer to enable troubles to the
Malware / Virus
user
11. software which is used to store the reading & results from the
Spreadsheet
sensors
12. software which is used to produce a report using text
Word processor
incorporating graphs
13. To store customers details in a bank Database
14. To communicate through audio & video Video conferencing
15. Computer software used to prevent, detect and remove malicious
Antivirus
software
16. To creating web pages & web sites Web Authoring
17. To create and print books, magazines, flyers, posters & newspapers Desktop publishing
18. Communicating instantly through mobile phone or computer Instant messaging
19. Professional audio and music editor Audio editing software
20. Creating and editing movies/films, cartoons Movie making/editing

General Data handling Applications:

- School management system
- Library management systems
- Hospital management system
- Phone address book
- Results of surveys
- Sales records in a shop / supermarket

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Measurement applications:
Analogue data :
An analogue signal is one which has a value that varies smoothly.
The sound waves that your mouth produces when you speak are analogue - the waves vary in a
smooth way. These waves can be converted into an electrical signal by a microphone. This
electrical signal is also analogue.

Digital Data:
Computers and modern electronic devices are ‘digital’ devices
because they process data in the form of numbers (digits).
 Computer software is a collection of numeric codes which tell
the computer what to do
 Text that you type into a computer is stored as numeric codes
 Images inside a computer are stored as numeric values
(different values for different coloured pixels)

Everything stored and processed inside a computer is a number (digital).

Analogue to Digital Converter: The voice input through the microphone is converted and sends to
the computer as digital signal. Hence microphone is an ADC.

Digital to analogue converter: When we want to hear the voice from the computer we plug in a
loudspeaker. This works like a DAC.
Sensors used in environment applications:

 Temperature sensor  Light sensor

 pH sensor  Rain sensor
 O2 sensor  CO2 sensor
 Moisture sensor  Water-level

Eg(1) Steps involved in monitoring the pollution:

 Sensors are placed in the river.
 These sensors are continuously send data to computer using analogue to digital converter
 This data is stored in the computer through spreadsheets. (as data models)
 Graphs are automatically produced by computer against time.

Eg (2) Computer monitoring the level of pollution in the river before and after a factory.
1. Sensors read data before the factory location as well as after the factory location.
2. Each of the sensors reading is converted and fed to the processor using Analogue to Digital
converter.
3. Readings from the two locations in the river are compared by the processor and differences
are printed out.
4. Graphs are automatically produced by computer showing values from both the locations
plotted against time.
5. The Process 1 to 4 is continuous.

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Advantages of computer measurements:

1. Computers take much more accurate readings than humans can.
2. Computers can take data readings more frequently (1000s of times a second if necessary)
3. Since the logged data is already in a computer, the data can be analyzed more quickly and
easily (graphs drawn instantly, etc.)
4. Data logging systems can operate in difficult environments (e.g. in the Arctic, or on top of
a mountain)
5. Computers do not need to take breaks - they can log data all day, every day, without
stopping.

Microprocessors in control applications:

Difference between measurement and control: In measurement a sensor is connected to a
processor. The processor monitors the signals from the sensor, records the data from the sensor at
predefined time intervals, stores this data and may be analyzed by the processor later where as in
control, a sensor is connected to a processor, the processor monitors the signal from the sensor,
reacting to changes. It will take an action as a result of input, may send an output to control devices,
the output has an from the input.
Pre-set value: It is the required value input by the user & stored in the computer as a reference.

Examples of microprocessor controlled applications:

(1) Microprocessor-controlled central heating system
1. Temperature sensors are used to read the temp inside the systems
2. This temperature is sent to the processor using analog to digital convertor
3. This temperature is compared with the preset value of the processor.
4. If the temperature is less than the preset value, the processor sends the feedback to the
actuator to set the heater ON or else the heater will be set OFF.
5. The output affects the input and the process is continuous.

(2) Microprocessor-controlled central cooling system

1. Temperature sensors are used to read the temp inside the systems
2. This temperature is sent to the processor using analog to digital convertor
3. This temperature is compared with the preset value of the processor.
4. If the temperature is more than the preset value, the processor sends the feedback to the
actuator to set the cooler ON or else the cooler will be set OFF.
5. The output affects the input and the process is continuous.
6. The process is continuous till the set timer is ON.
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(3) Microprocessor controlled washing machine.
Sensors used: Water level, temperature & pressure sensors
1. Each of the sensors data is sent to the processor using respective analogue to digital
converters.
2. Microprocessor continually monitors sensors
3. It Compares water level with pre-programmed value of the processor. If water level is
reached microprocessor switches off valve else valve left on.
4. It Compares temperature with pre-programmed value of the processor. If temperature is
higher microprocessor switches off heater else heater left on.
5. It Compares the weight of clothes with pre-programmed value. If clothes too heavy
microprocessor sounds alarm, stops machine, motor stops running else cycle continues and
motor remains ON.

(4) An Example Control System - An Automated Greenhouse

A computer-controlled greenhouse might have a number of Sensors:

 A light sensor to detect how much light the plants are getting
 A temperature sensor to see how cold/hot the greenhouse is
 A moisture sensor to se how wet/dry the soil is.
Actuators:
 Lights to illuminate the plants if it gets too dark
 A heater to warm up the greenhouse if it gets too cold
 A water pump for the watering system
 A motor to open the window if it gets too warm inside

The process for this system would be...

1. Check light sensor
o If it is dark, turn on the lights
o If it is not dark, turn off the lights
2. Check temperature sensor
o If it is too cold, turn on heater and use motor to close window
o If it is too warm, turn off heater and use motor to open window
3. Check the moisture sensor
o If soil is too dry, turn on the water pump
o If soil is too wet, turn off the water pump
4. Go back to step 1 and repeat

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(5) Computer controlled burglar alarm:
Sensors used are Temperature, Infra red sensor/motion sensor, light sensor, Pressure sensor/pad,
Contact switch, Sound sensor, Biometric devices
1. Microprocessor checks input from the user is authentic
2. Microprocessor (continually) monitors sensors.
If light/infra red sensor reading changes
If movement sensor activated...
If contact switch activated...
If pressure greater than pre-set value.....
If sound greater than pre-set value.....
If temperature greater than pre-set value....
3. Microprocessor sends signal to sound alarm, flashing light , lighting the house lights,
automatically sends signal automatically to police, sends message to the owner.
The above task is continuous.

(6) Cooking a meal using a microprocessor controlled oven:

The pre-set variables: Temperature & Time
Processing:
1. Microprocessor switches heater on
2. Microprocessor receives data from temperature sensor
3. Temperature of oven is compared with pre-set value by microprocessor
If higher microprocessor switches heater off
If lower microprocessor leaves heater on
4. Time is constantly monitored by microprocessor
Time elapsed or finish time is compared to pre-set time by microprocessor
If equal then heater is switched off by microprocessor & sets the buzzer to sound.

(7) Computer controlled ICU:

Sensors used:
 Blood pressure sensor
 Body temperature sensor
 Breathing rate
 Sugar level
 Oxygen level
 Heartbeat
Processing :
1. Each of the sensor’s input is sent to the processor using respective analog to digital
converter.
2. The sensor input is compared with the pre-set range of the processor.
3. If it is outside the range, nurse/doctor is indicated using an alarm, message & the lights
indicating the patient bed are flashed in the nurse control room.

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Modeling in spreadsheets (personal finance):
More effective data handling
 Formulae /functions can be used to instantly calculate & recalculate totals.
 You can carry out "what if?" investigations to see the effects on changes made to the model.
 The information can be presented in different ways like graphs & charts, in table formats,
highlighting values in ranges etc.
 Automatic re-calculations once the values are changed.

More flexible presentation

 Data can be arranged in rows and columns having numbers, text, functions & formulae
 Alter column widths and easily delete or add columns and rows.
 Underline, embolden text and use different fonts and graphics.
 Justify your data to the left, centre or right.
 Control the types of numbers you enter - for example you can choose percentage, currency
or set the number of decimal places.

Robots in manufacturing industries - The robot has joints and some sort of manipulator device
on the end of the arm. The robot's joints are powered by very strong electric motors. These motors
are controlled by a computer.

How Are Robots Used in a Factory?

Robots in factories are used to:
 lift heavy items into from place to place
 assemble parts together to create things
 join parts together using glue, or by welding (melting metal)
 paint things
Robots often work in groups, one robot holding a part, whilst another robot does something to it.

Benefits of using robots in manufacturing:

 Robots are extremely accurate compared to humans, so product quality is high.
 Robots can perform tasks more quickly than humans, so more products can be made
 Robots can work in very dangerous / unhealthy conditions (e.g. with dangerous chemicals)
 Robots can work 24 hours a day, every day, consistently without breaks.
 Robots don't need to be paid a wage & Robots don't get bored & do not hate their job!
 Factories with robots don't need to be heated or even have the lights on, and they don't need
food (so lower day-to-day costs)

Drawbacks of suing robots in manufacturing:

 Robots are cannot easily adapt to unusual conditions like a human can (e.g. if an item on the
line is not in the correct place, a human worker would notice and correct it)
 People are made unemployed because robots are doing their jobs (however some new jobs
are created - looking after the robots - and some employees can be retrained)
 People are deskilled (this means that, because the robots are doing the complex, skilled tasks
that the people used to do, the people are left doing simple, boring jobs)

Benefits and to the workers of using robots in the production line:

 More technical staff has been employed
 Work areas are cleaner and hygienic
 There is a healthier environment set up to work
 Workers have a safer environment since machine maintenance is always been carried out.
 Fewer manual tasks, less labour work, less effort, more relaxed working environment.
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Benefits and to the workers of using robots in the production line:
 Car workers have been made unemployed
 Car workers have had to be retrained
 Car workers have become deskilled

What tasks humans will do in spite of robots being in manufacturing industry?

 Programming robots
 Changing robot arm tools/end effectors
 Maintaining robots
 Supervising operations
 Quality control/inspecting finished cars

School management systems:

Manage learner registration and attendance:
 Maintenance and reporting of student data
 Handling inquiries from prospective students
 Handling the admissions process
 Enrolling new students and enabling online scheduling
 Maintaining records of absences and attendance
Record learner performance:
 Handling records of examinations, assessments, marks, grades and academic progression
 Providing statistical reports
 Communicating student details to parents or other persons authorized by the student,
through a portal
 Special Education / Individual Education Plan (IEP) services
 Maintaining discipline records
 Student health records
 Student-Teacher interaction
Organizing examinations, creating timetables and managing teaching cover/substitution:
 Student assignment results management
 Automatically creating class and teacher schedules
 Recording communications with students
 Career services management for student portfolios and matching with potential employers
 Human resources services
 Accounting and budgeting services

Modes of Computer Use

Batch Processing
The data is collected offline and stored in a secondary storage device. Once the processing has
begun, no user interruption is used. The computer works its way through the data automatically.
The data is prepared into a set or 'batch' and handed over to the computer to be processed in one
go. Once the processing begins no user input is required - the computer works its way through the
data automatically. This type of data processing is known as batch processing.
Examples:
Payroll processing
 Working hours data is collected into a batch
 The data can be processed in one go at the end of the week/month
 The same calculations will be performed on all the data
 No user input is required during the processing
 The processing can be done during quiet times when the computer system is not being
used for other things

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Batch processing in a library:
 data are collected together, during the course of the day, then processed all at once,
processed overnight
 letters are created for those borrower to be sent to borrowers who are overdue
 letters would be sent to borrowers following morning, no human intervention

Processing bank cheques

 Hand-written or printed paper cheque arrives at a bank, the information on the cheque has
to be entered into the bank’s computer system so that the correct funds can be transferred
between the correct accounts.
 These cheques are collected during the course of the day.
 At the bottom of every cheque, printed in a special font using magnetic ink, is the bank
account number and cheque number: Each cheque is passed through an MICR reader that
can read these special numbers and store in the computer and also to accept or reject the
cheque.
 The cheques are processed over night ,the transfer of funds will be done in one go on
following morning.

Printing of bank statements - An account statement or a bank statement is a summary of all financial
transactions occurring over a given period of time on a deposit account, a credit card, or any other type of
account offered by a financial institution.
Updating of a stock database - Barcodes of goods purchased are input, after transaction the
payment is made, updates the stock-level of goods whenever they are sold and automatically
re-order goods that have low stock-levels. A receipt for purchases is printed.

Calculating utility bills – telephone bills, electricity bills & gas bills, water bills.
Real-Time Processing
The processing of data occurs immediately when an input is received and the result is ready before
the next input data is accepted, this is known as a real-time system.
Examples:
 Any type of monitoring system (e.g. hospital patient monitoring)
 Any type of computer control system (working of AC, refrigerator)
 Computer games (e.g. FPS, driving games, etc.)

On-Line Processing
The processing of data occurs immediately when an input is received but always a database is
involved. An on-line system is one where the user is directly interacting with the computer - the
user is 'on-line' with the computer. So, any system where the user is entering data directly into the
computer must be an on-line system. If data is being entered and then processed, it's an on-line
processing system.

Examples:
Online processing in a library:
 Book details inputted as soon as book is borrowed or is returned
 Records are searched until match is found
 Recorded as being borrowed or being returned
 This results in immediate updating of records before any other book is being borrowed or
returned.

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Updating the stock file when a product is sold and checking whether it needs re-ordering:
 Product number is searched for in stock file
 Matching number in stock reduces by 1
 Compare number in stock with re-order level
 If number in stock is less than re-order level product is re-ordered
 Order is automatically sent to supplier

Computer processing in taking payment from the customer’s bank for paying for the
purchase made at EFTPOS:
1. The operator inserts the card, the customer enters PIN, The cashier enters the value of the
purchase.
 The PIN on the chip is compared with the typed in PIN, if they match, the supermarket
computer contacts the customer’s bank.
 Bank looks up customer account number
 Checks available balance, card not expired, not reported as stolen, appropriate spending
patterns.
 If all checks are true, transaction is authorized then amount deducted from customer
account, credited to supermarket account else transaction is rejected.
 Acknowledgement slip is printed.

Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) - Money transfer instructions are sent directly to a bank’s
computer system. Upon receiving these instructions, the computer system automatically transfers
the specified amount from one account to another.
Example: A business organization pays its employees’ salaries. On pay day, the businesses
instructs the bank to move money from the business account to the employees’ bank accounts

Using Cash Machines (ATMs) -Withdrawing cash, Depositing money, Checking the balance of
accounts & Transferring money between accounts

Using Cash Machines (ATMs) - How?

1. The customer inserts the card. It is read by a magnetic strip reader or a smart card reader
and validates the card.
2. The customer types a secret PIN into the ATM's numeric keypad to confirm that they are
the real owner of the card.
3. The computer displays various options like only mini statement, withdrawal, transfer from
one account to the other etc.
4. On choosing an option to withdraw money, the bank will verify whether there is enough
money in the account. If yes, it will subtract the amount needed from the existing balance,
rewrite the new balance, send the money, acknowledge slip and the card out.
ATMs can be used by customers of other banks as the ATM can use Electronic Fund Transfer.
1. A customer of Bank A uses her debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM belonging to Bank B:
2. Bank B gives her the cash
3. Bank B now is owed money by Bank A
4. Bank B sends an EFT instruction to Bank A asking for money to be transferred from the customer’s
account to Bank B.
5. Bank B has now been paid back.

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Process Control: Process control is used in industry and enables mass production of consistent
products from continuously operated processes such as chemicals, power plants, food processing,
etc. It enables automation, by which a small staff of operating personnel can operate a complex
process from a central control room.

Process control is the use of computers to monitor manufacturing processes and to take actions to prevent
malfunctions or errors. The computer will have sensors that feedback data to the main computer such as
temperature, pressure, and work and volume flow from the process using sensors.
How does it work?
 Sensors constantly monitor process the computer can set off an alarm and turn off process if there is
a problem
 Maintain product quality
 Employees can have better working conditions
 Operating cost are lower because system is more efficient

Example: Chemical Process Control

Chemical process control involves using a microprocessor to control the conditions of producing chemicals,
medicines and food.
 Using a temperature and pH sensor to read data from the chemical process
 Data from sensors is converted from analogue to digital using an ADC
 The microprocessor compares the sensor reading with PRE-SET values
o IF the temp is less than 85 degrees it turns heating ON
o IF temp is 85 degrees or more it turns heating OFF
o IF pH is greater than 3.5 microprocessor sends a message to open a valve and add acid
o IF pH is less than or equal to 3.5 microprocessor sends a message close valve
 Microprocessor continuously monitors the temp

Batch process control- Ingredients are mixed, under a specific temperature, for a fixed length of
time, by the computer.

Continuous process control – The temperature of the refrigerator where food is preserved after
come out of batch process is maintained consistently. The maintaining of temperature is
called continuous process control.

Discrete process control- Specially used in packaging stage where when a container arrives to be
filled in, the robot fill in the material, the robot will move the container for the next level for
covering the lid, meanwhile a new container will come in to fill in again. This ON/OFF or
START/STOP process is discrete.

Use of computers in hospitals:

 Healthcare and medicine : More and more health services are using ICT in health care and
medicine as ICT systems help doctors to provide better medical care and medicine.
 Computerised patient records : Many hospitals use computer system to store patient data. This
helps with the organisations of patients records and can be used to retrieve patient records quickly.
The system can record doctors notes and store x-ray images and vaccination records of patients that
can be accessed by both the hospital and GP surgery.

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 Patient Monitoring : Patient monitoring system help doctors and nurses to monitor by providing
24/7 monitoring of a patients in intensive care such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and
oxygen levels.

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) : MRI machines scan a patient’s body using very large
magnets. The MRI scanner scans a small area at a time and sends an image to an MRI computer. The
MRI computer reconstructs the image in 2D or 3D so it can be viewed. MRI machines are
particularly good at showing abnormalities in the brain such as strokes, tumours and infections and
can be used to detect diseases in the neck and spine.

 Computer Axial tomography (CAT Scanning) : A CAT scan machine is basically an X-Ray tube
that rotates in a circle around the patient taking as many as 30 images a second as it rotates. The
images are then reconstructed by a computer. They are particularly useful for detecting brain
tumours.

Using 3D printers in medicine: Images from MRI and CAT scanners can be used to produce solid objects
using a 3D printer. Doctors could use a 3D printer to print solid objects of organs to help explain to patients
what is wrong using the 3D of internal organs (i.e. a brain tumor).

Internet Banking
It is now very common for bank customers to access their bank account from home using on-line
banking services.
Customers use a computer and connect to the bank’s secure (encrypted) website where they login
(usually with a username and a password)

Customers can use the on-line banking system to...

 Check the balance of bank accounts
 Pay bills
 Transfer money between accounts (using EFT)
 Apply for loans, or other services
Advantages to the customer:
 More convenient - can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
 Saves time and money since you don't have to travel anywhere to use it
 Data can be downloaded and analysed (e.g. in a spreadsheet) which can help with planning
budgets

Disadvantages to the customer:

 Requires you to have a computer and Internet access to use it
 Some people prefer to speak to a person (personal service)
 If your account is hacked, or your username / password is stolen (e.g. if your computer has
malware) money could be stolen from your account
Telephone Banking
This is similar to Internet banking, but does not require a computer, only a normal telephone.

The system works by you calling the bank's telephone banking number then...
 You enter your account number (using the phone's number keys)
 You enter your PIN / secret code
 You then hear various options: ("Press 1 to find your balance, Press 2 to transfer money...")
 You pick an option (using the phone's number keys) and so on…

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Advantages:
 Check the balance of bank accounts & Pay bills
 Transfer money between accounts (using EFT)
 Speak to a bank representative to get financial advice
 You don't need a computer & You can speak to an actual person
The disadvantage compared to Internet banking...
 The system can be difficult to use (working through all of those menus)

Booking systems
Every input is processed immediately, so that the resulting output is ready before the next
input is processed. When a booking request arrives, the previous booking has already been fully
processed. This is what prevents double-booking. Here,
 The inputs are booking requests
 The processing involves checking if bookings are possible, and if so making the bookings
 The outputs are booking confirmations or rejections

Advantages:
 you can make the booking any time you want
 special offers are so easy to find
 You can check in from the comfort of your own home or office, print out your boarding
pass, rebook your Flight or buy a business class upgrade yourself there and then.
 Credit card and direct banking payments are encrypted. Hence payments are safe.
Disadvantages:
 Online booking rarely gives you the opportunity to speak with someone knowledgeable about the
service you are booking
 Low cost booking sites offer deep discounts for booking travel blindly, but the discount you receive
comes with many conditions.
 You have to pay the ticket fare at the time of booking.

Computers in medicine: Applications involve :

 Patient records
 Pharmacy records
 Monitoring systems (ICU)
 Expert systems for diagnosis

Use of 3D printers in producing medical aids:

How does 3D printing works: Additive processes are used, in which successive layers of material are laid
down under computer control to create required 3 dimensional shape.

In medicine:
1. Tissues with blood vessels: Using bio printing, the printing of tissues with a blood supply &
the dissolving ink. This swatch (a sample piece) of tissue containing skin cells interwoven
with structural material that can potentially function as blood vessels.
2. 3D printed models of cancerous tumors to aid discovery of new anti-cancer drugs and to
better understand how tumors develop, grow, and spread.
3. 3D printer to bind chemicals to a ceramic powder, creating complex scaffolds (temporary
structure) that promote the growth of bone in any shape.

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4. A 3D printer can print skin straight onto the wounds of burn victim. With the ability to
scan a wound, the printer can then fabricate the appropriate number of skin layers to fill the
wound.
Why use computer database in hospitals?
 Patient is recorded accurately so that the correct diagnosis can be made, and the correct
treatment can be given.
 Patient data can be easily shared between doctors, pharmacies and other hospitals
 It is easy to search for and retrieve patient records
 Doctors can instruct a pharmacy to issue medication for a patient (no paper note needs to
be written)

Why are weather stations useful?

 Weather stations can be used by local councils to help be better prepared for bad weather conditions
such as heavy rain, snow, sand storms, hurricanes etc.
 Weather balloons have a more complex set of instruments than weather stations. Weather balloons
tend to be placed across many locations around the planet and feedback data to a supercomputer.
 The supercomputer uses a mathematical model of the atmosphere to try to predict what the weather
will be like in the near future. The models are constantly improving and becoming more and more
accurate.

What are the benefits of SIMS(School Information Management Systems) software?

 Can produce automatic reporting – attendance can be tracked and the system can automatically
generate an email, text message that can be sent to parents
 Statistics such as attendance and average exam scores can be generated automatically
But....
 Can be expensive to purchase, School admin staff may require training & Records needs to be kept
up-to-date

Expert Systems
What is an Expert System?
An expert system is computer software that attempts to act like a human expert on a particular
subject area. Expert systems are often used to advise non-experts in situations where a human
expert in unavailable.
How Do Expert Systems Work?
An expert system is made up of three parts:
 A knowledge base : Consists of Resources database which is also called Facts database,
Experts database which is the information about human expert & Rule base – all the rules
set to seek data from the databases
 An inference engine - This acts rather like a search engine, examining the knowledge base
for information that matches the user's query
 A user interface - This is the system that allows a non-expert user to query (question) the
expert system, and to receive advice. The user-interface is designed to be a simple to use as
possible.

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Where Are Expert Systems Used?

 Medical diagnosis (the knowledge base would contain medical information, the symptoms
of the patient would be used as the query, and the advice would be a diagnose of the
patient’s illness)
 Playing strategy games like chess against a computer (the knowledge base would contain
strategies and moves, the player's moves would be used as the query, and the output would
be the computer's 'expert' moves)
 Providing financial advice – query is the status of the organization in the market, past few
years sales/profit sheets and the suggestion is to know the investment is worth or not (the
knowledge base would contain data about the performance of financial markets and
businesses in the past)
 Helping to identify items such as plants / animals / rocks / etc. (the knowledge base would
contain characteristics of every item, the details of an unknown item would be used as the
query, and the advice would be a likely identification)
 Helping to discover locations to drill for water / oil (the knowledge base would contain
characteristics of likely rock formations where oil / water could be found, the details of a
particular location would be used as the query, and the advice would be the likelihood of
finding oil / water there)
 To diagnose car engine problems: The problems in the car are sent to the computer using
data logging systems and probable faults in the car and suggested repair methods.
Note : while using the Expert system, the query and advice must be given carefully where as
the processing pattern for all examples remains the same.

How is an expert system made? (Medical diagnosis)

1. A Knowledge-base is designed and created
 Experts are interviewed, ideas are taken and an Expert’s database is designed and
created.
 A resources data base is designed and created by collecting facts from various
resources
 A Rule-base is designed and created.
2. An inference Engine is designed and created to compare the user queries with the expert’s
ideas & resources data, using the rule-base to obtain probable solutions.
3. User interface is designed and created.
4. Sample exercises are loaded.

How an expert system is used? (Medical diagnosis)

Input: The symptoms of the patient are typed in or sent to the computer using data logging systems
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Processing: These symptoms are compared with the (knowledge-base) experts ideas & resources
data base using the rule-base by the inference engine to obtain probable solutions.
Output : Probable diagnosis of the patient’s illness and suggested medication.

Can Expert Systems Make Mistakes?

Human experts make mistakes all the time (people forget things, etc.) so you might imagine that a
computer-based expert system would be much better to have around.

However expert systems can some problems:

 Can't easily adapt to new circumstances (e.g. if they are presented with totally unexpected
data, they are unable to process it)
 If the user is not well versed with the computer, it can be difficult to use (if the non-
expert user makes mistakes when using the system, the resulting advice could be very
wrong)
 The system is entirely on the basis of data available and have no 'common sense‘. So,
do not notice users obvious errors. (a human user tends to notice obvious errors, whereas
a computer wouldn't)

Computers in the retail industry:

How a stock file is updated at POS and how new stock is ordered automatically?
Consider the following table of stock-database
Product- barcode Description Number- in-stock Reorder- level Reorder- qty

1. A product barcode is read at POS and searched in the stock-database.

2. When found, number purchased is subtracted from the number-in-stock and the table is
rewritten with new number-in-stock.
3. Number-in-stock is compared with Reorder-level. If it is less than Reorder-level, the
supplier is contacted with Reorder- qty, sent a stock request letter and telephone call to
confirm the order.
4. When the ordered stock arrives, number-in-stock is updated with new stock.
5. This process is automatic.

Internet Shopping (e-Commerce)

In the last few years, Internet shopping has become very popular. Stores like Amazon and the
iTunes Store are some of the largest retail businesses in the world. Online you can buy anything
from air flights to fresh eggs.

Advantages to the customers:

 The convenience of being able to browse goods from your home
 Stores are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year
 The wider range of choice - can access stores all over the world
 Easy if you have limited mobility (due to a disability, or old age)
 Goods are often cheaper than in stores & Payment is simple using credit cards.
Disadvantages to the customer:
 You cannot try items before purchasing (e.g. clothes)
 You may have to wait several days before receiving your goods
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 Returning goods or getting help can be difficult
 There is a security risk using credit cards online. The card details may be stolen and used to
commit fraud.
Advantages to the Business:
 Lower costs since no expensive retail stores and less staff
 Lower costs = lower selling prices = higher sales = bigger profits
 Many more potential customers
Disadvantages to the Business: Large initial expenditure to set up e-shopping and professional IT
staff to manage the website and other related features.

Monitoring and tracking systems:

Computer and network surveillance is the monitoring of computer activity and data stored on a
hard drive, or data being transferred over computer networks such as the Internet.
 The monitoring is often carried out secretly and may be completed by governments,
corporations, criminal organizations. It may or may not be legal and may or may not require
authorization from a court or other independent government agency.
 Computer and network surveillance programs are widespread today and almost all Internet
traffic can be monitored for illegal activity.
 Surveillance allows governments and other agencies to maintain social control, recognize
and monitor threats, and prevent and investigate criminal activity.
 Governments now possess an unique ability to monitor the activities of citizens
What is a cookie?
 Cookies are small text files, given ID tags that are stored on your computer's browser
directory.
 Cookies are created when you use your browser to visit a website that uses cookies to keep
track of your movements within the site, help you resume where you left off, remember your
registered login, theme selection, preferences, and other customization functions.
 The website stores a corresponding file(with same ID tag)to the one they set in your browser
and in this file they can track and keep information on your movements within the site and
any information you may have voluntarily given while visiting the website, such as email
address.
 Cookies can be used to create a profile of your surfing habits
 Cookie files are automatically lodged into the cookie file - the memory of your browser -
and each one contains the name of the server the cookie was sent from, the lifetime of the
cookie.

Key logging software:

 Many employers are making use of key logging to monitor their employees' computer
habits.
 The practice of secretly recording and monitoring keystrokes made on a remote computer,
typically using a dedicated software application or piece of implanted hardware
 A key logger recorder can record instant messages, e-mail, and any information you type at
any time using your keyboard. The log file created by the key logger can then be sent to a
specified receiver. Some key logger programs will also record any e-mail addresses you use
and Web site URLs you visit.

Satellite systems:
 The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based
navigation system. (there are approximately 29 satellites in
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the space orbit) A GPS receiver is always under 4 satellites at a given point since GPS
calculates locations in all three dimensions.
 Each satellite contains a computer, an atomic clock, and a radio. With an understanding of
its own orbit and the clock, it continually broadcasts its changing position and time.
 GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal
information to earth.
 GPS receivers which contain a computer take this information and "triangulate" its own
position using three satellite distances. It compares the time a signal was transmitted by a
satellite with the time it was received.
 The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance
measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and
display it on the unit's electronic map.
 If a fourth satellite can be received, the receiver/computer can figure out the altitude as well
as the geographic position.
 If you are moving, your receiver may also be able to calculate your speed and direction of
travel and give you estimated times of arrival to specified destinations.

Advantages of GPS:
 GPS is extremely easy to navigate as it tells you to the direction for each turns you take or
you have to take to reach to your destination.
 GPS works in all weather so you need not to worry of the climate as in other navigating
devices.
 The most attractive feature of this system is its100% coverage on the planet and updated
regularly by US government
 It also helps you to search the nearby restaurants, hotels and gas stations and is very useful
for a new place.
 Due to its low cost, it is very easy to integrate into other technologies like cell phone.

Disadvantages of Global Positioning System

 If you are using GPS on a battery operated device, there may be a battery failure and you
may need a external power supply which is not always possible.
 GPS signals are not accurate sometimes due to obstacles to the signals such as buildings,
trees and sometimes by extreme atmospheric conditions such as geomagnetic storms.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers – how it works

 Information stored on RFID passports : Name, Passport number, Date of birth, Place of birth,
Nationality, Issue date, Expiry date, Facial characteristics/photograph/fingerprint/retina scan,
Biometric measurements (face), Signature, Gender & Place of issue
Describe how RFID and RF technology is used in a range of applications (e.g. tracking stock,
passports, automobiles, contactless payment:
 The chip is presented near a computer with a radio-frequency scanner
 The scanning antenna puts out radio-frequency signals in a relatively short range.
 It provides a means of communicating with the transponder/the RFID tag
 The scanning device provides energy so that the chips can broadcast the information in them for the
computer to read.

Why RFID technology is used for reading data from passports

 More secure than a traditional passport as biometric measurement data difficult to forge
 Counterfeits can be more easily identified than non-RFID passports
 More rapid flow at security check points/quicker than reading it manually
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