Chapter 2

Input and
Two line
output
headingdevices

IN THIS CHAPTER YOU WILL:

• THIS
IN use your current knowledge
CHAPTER YOU WILL:as well as the internet to identify the ways that different input devices
in a computer system are used
• explain what is meant by input devices and how they are used
• find out about the different ways that data can be input directly into a computer and what their
• understand
advantages that
and manual input devices
disadvantages are need a person to enter the data but direct data-entry systems
do not need a human to enter data
• use your current knowledge as well as the internet to identify the ways that different output devices
• explain
in what issystem
a computer meant are
by output
used devices and how they are used
• describe the advantages and disadvantages of input
outputand output devices.
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GETTING STARTED
In Figure 2.1, you will see some images showing the use of input and output devices.

a Tablet b Automated factory line c Contactless payment

d Headphones e Video camera

Figure 2.1: The use of input and output devices

On paper write the headings ‘Input devices’, ‘Output devices’ and ‘Both’.
Write the names of the input and output devices from the images under the correct headings.

SENSORS IN EVERYDAY LIFE

A sensor is an input device that
detects and responds to some type of
stimulus from the environment – for CB Entry Loop
example, light, temperature or motion. Detector
Car parking can be controlled by a
barrier system containing sensors (see Parking
Figure 2.2). The barrier has to lift up to Barrier
allow a car into the car park and drop Wireless
down again when the car has passed Remote
through. It is important that the barrier
must not come down when there is Exit Loop
a vehicle underneath. Detector

Figure 2.2: Sensors monitor the area around the entrance barriers of car parks

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CONTINUED
Ultrasonic sensors are used to detect the presence of vehicles. Ultrasonic sensors emit ultrasonic sound waves
that are inaudible to humans. These waves are reflected back from objects and the sensor measures the
distance to the object by measuring the time between the emission of the wave and reception of the echo.
Ultrasonic sensors can also be used to notify users how many spaces there are and when the car park is full.
If every parking bay is fitted with an ultrasonic sensor, occupancy rates can be calculated with an accuracy of
99.9%. They can even notify the users where the spaces are in the garage.
Older car parks used coils of wire fitted into the concrete at the entrance to and exit from the car park.
They work just like a metal detector and record when a vehicle has passed over them, calculating how many
cars are currently in the car park.
Discussion questions
1 What are the advantages to using sensors in multi-storey car parks?
2 Can you think of any other use of sensors for cars when they are parking?

2.1 Input devices

Input devices are used to enter data into a computer. The
processor processes the data given by the input device.
There are two different categories of input device.
They are:
• Manual input devices, which people use to enter
data into a computer themselves. Figure 2.3: Qwerty keyboard layout with numeric keypad
on the right
• Direct data-entry (DDE) devices, which enable data
to be entered directly without a human having to
A QWERTY keyboard is the most common type of
input it manually (see Section 2.2).
keyboard and is used to type letters, numbers and
punctuation into a computer. It gets its name from
Keyboards and keypads the arrangement of letters on the top line of keys:
Q W E R T Y (see Figure 2.3). Other keyboard types
Keyboards are input devices used to enter fixed values,
include AZERTY and QWERTZ (which are modelled
often characters and numbers, into the computer system.
on the QWERTY keyboard) and the Dvorak keyboard,
There are many different types of keyboard. This section
which was designed to be more efficient by placing
looks at qwerty keyboards and numeric keypads.
common letter combinations together.
Keyboards are used for everything that requires a
KEY WORDS
text or numerical input, from writing an email to writing
input device: any hardware device that sends a book.
data to a computer
keyboard: an input device that is used to ACTIVITY 2.1
enter fixed values, often characters, into the Investigate different layouts of keys on keyboards
computer system used for different languages and alphabets.
numeric keypad: a keyboard with a group of How many can you find?
keys representing the digits from 0 to 9 arranged
in a rectangle

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The first mice (called mechanical mice) used to use

ICT IN CONTEXT a ball and a sensor to detect movement, but modern
After a study by Microsoft, it was found that mice (optical mice) don’t have any moving parts. An
computer users hit the space bar on the keyboard optical mouse uses an optical sensor to detect changes in
an average of 669 times every hour. This one reflected light. The best surface to use it on is something
action being repeated so many times could make with any type of pattern, even just a grid design.
a computer user more likely to suffer from RSI A wireless mouse communicates with the computer
(repetitive strain injury, discussed in Chapter 5, using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. They are more convenient
Section 5.2 Health issues). and versatile as they are not connected to the
computer by a cable. They need their batteries
replacing or charging occasionally, which either means
Most keyboards have a section on the right with a group you might have to plug them in to the computer for a
of keys representing the digits from 0 to 9 arranged in a short while, or change their batteries depending on the
rectangle. This is a numeric keypad. type of wireless mouse you use.
Numeric keypads are also provided on their own for
people to input their PIN numbers when they pay KEY WORDS
for something by card, to input phone numbers on a
telephone keypad, or for an entry code. mouse: a hand-held device that is used with a
computer to move the pointer/cursor on the
Numeric keypads are small, easy to use and are not
screen. There are several different types of
dependent on language.
mouse such as mechanical and optical mice.
Advantages of keyboards: (Note: the plural of mouse is ‘mice’)
• They are so common that everyone is familiar optical mouse: an optical mouse emits light
with them. and uses an optical sensor to detect changes
• They are easy to use and people quickly become in the reflected light to move the pointer on a
familiar with their layout. computer screen

Disadvantages of keyboards: wireless mouse: a mouse that is not connected

to the computer by a cable but communicates
• It is very easy to make an error when entering
with it using radio waves
the data.
• Unless users learn how to touch type, it can be time
consuming to enter the data. Advantages of using mice as pointing devices:

• Can cause strain injuries if used for long periods. • They provide a fast method of input.

• Cannot be used for creating diagrams and artwork. • They are intuitive to use because they simply
involve pointing at things.
• Different keyboards are required for different
countries as their languages may use Disadvantages of using mice as pointing devices:
different characters. • Mice can be easily damaged or vandalised.
• Some people, particularly if they have physical
Pointing devices disabilities, find mice difficult to use.
• Overuse of a mouse can lead to repetitive strain
Mice injury (see Chapter 5, Section 5.2 Health issues).
A mouse is a pointing device that is used with a
• Mice need a flat surface to be moved around on.
computer with a graphical user interface (see Chapter 1,
Section 1.3 Operating systems). By moving the mouse
on a flat surface, you can move the pointer on the Touchpads
screen. Items can be moved or selected by clicking one A mouse is sometimes not a suitable way to control the
of the mouse buttons. pointer. A laptop computer is designed for use in places

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other than on a fixed surface. This means that there is

often no surface for the mouse. A laptop is designed
Remote controls
to have all the necessary peripherals in one case and a A remote control is a small, handheld device that
mouse would have to be carried separately. That is why can be used to operate equipment such as a TV or
laptops come with a variation on a mouse for a pointing stereo. It has a number of buttons. When a button is
device. It is called a touchpad and is a flat area next to pressed, the remote control sends an infrared signal
the keyboard (see Figure 2.4). to the equipment. Each signal contains a code; there
are enough different codes to allow all the buttons
Most touchpads have the ability to let you use the corners
to have their own code so that the equipment knows
of the pad for particular functions, such as a right-click.
what to do. Remote controls are used to control home
Touchpads allow you to swipe, use one, two of more
entertainment systems, satellite boxes, lighting and
fingers for different functions and with some you can use
shutters, for example.
your thumb and finger to zoom in or out.
Their main advantage is convenience; for example, you
do not need to stand up to change the TV channel.
A disadvantage is that the signal can interfere with other
equipment and can be blocked by objects between the
remote control and the equipment it controls.

Joysticks
A joystick can carry out the same tasks as a mouse as
well as other functions such as controlling the movement
of a motorised wheelchair (see Figure 2.5).

KEY WORDS
Figure 2.4: A laptop computer with a touchpad touchpad: a pointing device, often found on a
laptop, that allows the user to use their finger to
move the pointer on the screen
Trackerballs
Trackerballs are like the original, mechanical mice trackerball: a device to move a pointer where
turned upside down so that the mouse remains a ball is rolled around directly by the user
stationary and the user moves the ball, which is rather than being moved by the whole mouse
obviously much larger in a trackerball. being pushed
Trackerballs have the following advantages over remote control: a small, handheld device that
a mouse: can be used to operate equipment such as a TV
or stereo
• A trackerball is stationary and does not need a
surface to be moved around on. joystick: a joystick can carry out the same tasks
• It can be built into a computer, such as as a mouse as well as other functions such as
in an information system in a museum, controlling movement
and is not as likely to get lost or damaged like a
mouse can.
It consists of a stick that pivots on a base and the top of
• It can also be used by disabled people who may not the stick can be moved in any direction. The direction
have the freedom of movement necessary to use and degree of the movement of the joystick are used to
other pointing devices. control the movement of an object on the screen. They
also have buttons that can be pressed – for example, for
A disadvantage is that trackerballs can be difficult to use
left- and right-clicking.
for some applications which need fine control.

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Figure 2.6: An arcade game using a driving or

Figure 2.5: Wheelchair operated by a joystick steering wheel

As a pointing device, a joystick can move a pointer, just Advantages of a driving wheel:
as a mouse can, but they are also used to move other
• Allows users to control movement far more
things, such as a character or spaceship in a game.
accurately that a mouse or joystick.
The joystick might have buttons with specific uses,
such as picking up an object in the game. Individual • Force feedback can also be added to provide
actions depend on how the joystick’s software has simulated road resistance.
been programmed. Joysticks are used in many Disadvantages of a driving wheel:
practical applications, not just as a pointing device in a
computer system. • Can only be used for one purpose. It would be very
difficult, for example, to write a document using a
Because of their advantages, joysticks are used in driving wheel as the input device.
applications such as:
• Adding mechanical elements, such as force
• Playing games because they give the user the feedback and gear levers, increases
impression of being in control, and there is a direct manufacturing costs.
and immediate result of the player’s actions that
adds to the enjoyment of the game.
• To control aircraft because they are easy to use in a Touch screens
very complex environment. A touch screen can be found on personal computers,
• To control wheelchairs that have motors laptops, tablets and smartphones. It is a display screen
because they allow the user to give many that is both an input and an output device.
different commands with very little A touch screen can determine where on the screen the
physical movement. user has touched and sends that information to
The disadvantage of using a joystick as a pointing the processor.
device is that it is more difficult to control the fine
movement of the pointer on the screen than with KEY WORDS
a mouse.
driving wheel: also called a ‘racing wheel’.
Used as an input device in racing games and
Driving wheel simulations where users control vehicles
A driving wheel is designed for use in racing touch screen: a display screen that is both an
video games, and driving and racing simulators input and an output device and that can respond
(see Figure 2.6). They are often packaged with pedals to a user interacting with a specific area
for acceleration and also brakes.

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You may have noticed that sometimes you can use a • Disabled people can find them difficult to
touch screen with your gloves on and sometimes you use if they cannot lift their arms or are sitting
can’t. That’s because there are two types of in a wheelchair and the machines are placed
touch screens: too high.
• Resistive, which means it is sensitive to pressure • Hygiene problems with lots of people touching
from your finger or other object pressed onto the the screen.
screen. The point of contact is detected because two
metallic layers touch at that certain point resulting
in a change in voltage. Scanners
• Capacitive, which means that the screen is Scanners are used to convert text, diagrams and images
sensitive to static electricity on an exposed finger. into digital data so that they can be manipulated by a
This is detected by sensors placed at the four computer. Flatbed scanners have a flat sheet of glass
corners of the screen allowing it to detect the on which the hard-copy (a photo or printed piece of
touch point. paper) is placed. The scanner shines a light at the
Touch screens are common in information systems in document and the reflected light is directed onto a
places like train stations (see Figure 2.7) or self-service light sensitive, integrated circuit, which sends the data
checkouts at a supermarkets. to the computer.

Advantages of touch screens:

KEY WORDS
• They are intuitive and easy to use. A user merely
taps an image on a screen. resistive touch screen: a touch screen that is
sensitive to pressure from your finger
• Space-saving as input and output devices are
the same. capacitive touch screen: a touch screen that is
sensitive to the static electricity from your finger
• Cost effective for shops and restaurants as fewer
staff are needed if customers can order and scanner: a device that digitises text, diagrams
serve themselves. and images
Disadvantages of touch screens: hard-copy: a document printed on paper
• Not suitable for inputting large amounts of data. (a soft-copy is a digital version)
• Not very accurate for selecting very small areas.
Hand-held document scanners can be used to scan
relatively small areas of text by rolling the scanner
across it.
Advantages of scanning:
• Flatbed scanners are very accurate and can produce
reasonably high quality images.
• Hard-copy material can be changed into a form that
can be edited or stored on the computer system.
• Any material that is digitised by a scanner can then
be included on electronic documents (e.g. in reports,
as photos on posters, in presentations, etc.).
• Scanned images can be imported into graphics
applications, and enhanced, improved or changed
Figure 2.7: A touch screen computer for buying tickets at a as needed.
railway station

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• Specialist scanners can convert old material such store the data on a memory card, or it can be linked to
as 35 mm negatives into digital files, which means a computer in order to feed the video directly into the
sentimental images can be kept safe – although not computer. Once the video is stored on the memory card
in the original form. or computer, it can be edited and used.
Disadvantages of scanning: Advantages of video cameras:

• While scanners make it possible to put images of • Take moving images and not just still ones.
hard-copy photographs and printed illustrations • Record audio as well as images.
into a computer, there may be a reduction in the
quality of the image, and scanned diagrams can • Provide a more realistic record of an event.
sometimes appear distorted. Disadvantages of video cameras:
• Scanned images can take up a lot of space • File sizes can be very large.
in storage.
• May need expensive software to edit them.

Cameras The cameras can be used for leisure, by organisations

for producing commercial videos and also for security
Digital cameras purposes using closed-circuit television (CCTV).
Digital cameras capture digital photographs that can be Video footage can also be taken using digital cameras
stored on a memory card or a hard disk and displayed and mobile phones.
on a screen. The lens of the camera focuses the light
onto a sensor which is covered with millions of light Webcams are a special category of video camera
sensitive elements called pixels which can detect the that have no storage capacity but are connected
intensity of the light falling on them and the relative directly to a computer. Laptops may have a webcam
amounts of red, green and blue wavelengths. The greater built into the lid, just above the screen. Another type of
the number of pixels, the more detailed the image. webcam can be plugged into a desktop computer and
used that way.
Most cameras can be connected to the computer using
a USB cable, or via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, to upload the
images directly. KEY WORDS
Advantages of digital cameras over traditional digital camera: produces digital images that can
film cameras: be stored in a computer and displayed on a screen
• The picture can be seen immediately and erased if it memory card: a type of storage device that is
is not good enough. used for storing data files and media. They are
• Digital images can be manipulated more readily often used in small, portable devices, such as
than those on film. cameras and phones

• The image can be used in other electronic documents. pixel: an individual point of light in a digital image.
(It is a shortened version of ‘picture elements’)
Disadvantages of digital cameras over traditional
film cameras: video camera: a camera to make a record of
moving pictures that are stored electronically
• The storage device, usually a memory card, may
become full so that images are not saved. webcam: a special category of video camera
that have no storage capacity but is connected
• The memory card may become corrupted.
directly to a computer
• The camera battery may run out so that
photographs cannot be taken.
Webcams are often used to provide live video pictures
Video cameras and webcams when chatting with friends and family members using
Video cameras are used to record moving pictures, or applications such as Skype. They can also be used to
video, that are stored electronically. A video camera can provide pictures to accompany an audio meeting held by

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people who are talking to each other over the internet, • If the sensors are left at a remote location and
called a video-conference. malfunction then their users will not know.
The live images provided by a webcam can be uploaded Temperature sensors read the temperature of
to a website so that people can see what is happening their surroundings and send the readings to
at a given site in real time. They are often used to show the processor.
people the nests of birds and the development of their
chicks or the traffic flow in a particular street. For
KEY WORDS
example, some webcams show live street scenes; others
might show wildlife habitats. video-conference: a meeting held by people
who are talking to each other over the internet

Microphones microphone: a device that converts sound to an

analogue electrical signal
Microphones can be used to input sounds into a
computer by converting sound waves into digital sensor: a device that detects and responds to
data. They can be used in a number of different some type on input from the environment, e.g.
applications, for example, in video-conferencing, light, temperature, motion, pressure
in adding speech to a presentation, controlling the
computer using spoken commands and for dictation. temperature sensor: a device that reads the
Microphones can be used by disabled people to input temperature of its surroundings and sends the
data when using a more common input device is not readings to the processor
possible for them.
A disadvantage of using a microphone is that many
cheap ones do not give a true representation of the Check that
input sounds. door is shut

Sensors Check temperature

A sensor is a device that detects and responds to of water
some type on input from the environment, e.g. light,
temperature, motion, pressure.
Advantages of using sensors as devices to collect data:
• They are more reliable than a human being because
a human may forget to take readings. Is it hot no Heat
enough? water
• Readings are more accurate than those taken
by humans.
• It is not possible for a human to go to some
places where readings need to be taken, like yes
the inside of a reaction vessel, where chemical
reactions take place.
Disadvantages of using sensors as devices to Start wash
collect data:
• Digital sensors are active sensors and need a power
Figure 2.8: Flowchart showing use of a temperature sensor
source. If there is a power cut or their battery
in a washing machine
dies, they will stop working. Passive sensors do
not need a power source, for example, a mercury
thermometer or a barometer.

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For example, think about how an automatic washing room and a decision whether to turn the alarm on
machine works. When a washing machine is turned on would be made.
to do the wash, the tub will fill with water. The processor
in control of the wash cycle will need to ensure that
the water is hot enough to do the wash. If it is not hot Light pen
enough, the processor will turn on the heating element
Light pens were light sensitive input devices that
until the temperature sensor reports that the water is
were used before the development of touch screens.
hot enough. If the water is too hot then the processor
They were first used in 1955 and were used to
may let in some cold water to cool the water down
select text, draw pictures and interact with user
until the temperature sensor reports that the water is
interfaces. They were used on the old-style CRT
cool enough.
monitors (see Figure 2.9) and detected changes in the
Temperature sensors are also used in many other brightness of the minute picture elements that make
applications, including: up the screen.
• Regulating the temperature of a room in a centrally
heated or air-conditioned house. KEY WORDS
• Controlling temperatures in greenhouses. smartphone sensor: a sensor in a smartphone
• Controlling the heat in reaction vessels in a for measuring such things as movement and
scientific experiment. rotation, pressure and light intensity
pressure sensor: a device that measures
ICT IN CONTEXT pressure and sends the data to a processor

Smartphones have sensors in them such as light sensor: a device that measures light
gyroscopes that detect angular rotational velocity intensity and sends the data to a processor
and motion and accelerometers that measure
light pen: a specialised pen that works with a
linear velocity. These smartphone sensors
CRT monitor
enable your smartphone to perform tasks such
as tracking the number of steps you have taken, CRT monitor: a monitor with a cathode ray
checking out information on specific stars in the tube; CRT was used in the traditional TV sets
sky or using the phone as a spirit level to check and monitors
whether something is horizontally straight.

Pressure sensors measure pressures and send the results

to the processor where the decision is taken as to what
to do.
They could be used as part of a burglar alarm system:
if pressure readings are sent to a processor, then
a decision can be made. The processor can decide
whether it is enough pressure to indicate a human
being or whether it is the cat and so the alarm should
not go off.
Light sensors measure the amount of light falling on
them. This could be used for something simple like a
sensor in a car to decide whether or not to turn the
headlights on. In a burglar alarm system, if a beam
of light is shone onto a light sensor then someone
walking through the beam will reduce the light hitting
the sensor. The information sent to a processor would Figure 2.9: A light pen being used on a CRT monitor
indicate to it that there was something moving in the

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A light pen was also often used with a graphics tablet Advantages Disadvantages
to ‘draw’ diagrams and illustrations. A graphics tablet
is a flat pad that you can draw on using the light pen Both are easy to use. Light pens can only be
or – these days – a stylus. It senses the progress of the used with some screens.
pen moving over its surface and sends this information Both provide accurate Light pens don’t work on
to the computer. The computer converts the drawing positioning. LCD screens.
strokes into digital form, displaying them on the Both are ergonomically Both can impair the view of
computer screen. designed for ease of the computer screen that
hand movement. they are being used on.
KEY WORDS Both don’t take up Both are not good for
much space on basic operations such
graphics tablet: an input device consisting of
your desk. as printing, clicking and
a flat pad which the user ‘draws’ on or points at
selecting from menus.
with a special light pen or stylus
Both are lightweight. Graphic tablets are
stylus: a pen-shaped instrument whose tip position relatively expensive.
on a touch screen or tablet can be detected
Both have no
moving parts.
Usually, a graphics tablet’s active surface is treated Table 2.1: Advantages and disadvantages of a stylus and
as though it was the computer’s screen: touching light pen
the top left of the tablet will move the pointer to the
top left of the screen, for example, and touching the
bottom right will move the pointer straight to the Questions
bottom right.
1 Touch screens are used for smartphones and tablets
Today, light pens are no longer used due to the invention as well as for some laptops.
of touch screens, and the light pen had been replaced by a Name two other situations where touch screens
a stylus, which allow users to ‘write’ on the touch screen are used.
much as they would a pad of paper, allowing input of
b Give three advantages of using a touch screen
handwriting, drawings and other gestures. They are
as an input device.
available for tablets and smartphones, and for graphics
tablets. A stylus can be used with both the resistive and 2 Burglar alarms use sensors to detect a person
capacitive touch screens. entering the house or building.
a Name two types of sensors that could be used
A graphics tablet and stylus can also be used to capture
in burglar alarm systems.
a user’s signature for digital legal documents.
b State how each of them can detect a human
Table 2.1 shows the advantages and disadvantages of a or burglar.
stylus and light pen.

PRACTICAL TASK 2.1

1 Create a spider diagram of input devices and their uses.

Practice
2 Use your spider diagram to create a presentation on the input devices you have studied so far.

Challenge
3 Create a series of flash cards with the name and an image of the device on one side and an
explanation on the reverse to help you revise.

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2.2 Direct data entry and

associated devices
Apart from sensors, the input devices discussed so far
have required a person to enter the data using manual
input devices, but there are other methods that allow
data to be entered directly, without human intervention.
These are direct data-entry methods, used when large
amounts of similar data need to be entered, often in
commercial or business applications.

Magnetic stripe readers

On credit cards, bank cards, library cards and hotel
room key cards you may see a black magnetic stripe
(Figure 2.10). This cannot store much information,
but many tasks do not require a lot of data.
Imagine a hotel room key card. At check-in,
information such as your hotel room number and Figure 2.10: A credit card, showing the chip (on the front)
duration of stay are written onto the magnetic and the magnetic stripe (on the back)
stripe on the back of the card using a magnetic
stripe writer. When you eventually find your room
and insert or swipe your card, the reader in the lock
cross-checks the data with the information held on the
Chip and PIN readers
guest system. Credit and debit cards have always had a magnetic stripe
on the back in order to store information that needs
Advantages of magnetic stripes: to be kept secret. To make the cards more secure, they
• Simple for people to use – no training needed. now include a computer chip on the front of the card.
The chips hold the same data as on the stripe, but it is
• Very inexpensive. more secure as the data is encrypted (see Chapter 4,
• Entering data is fast – just swipe the card. Section 4.2 Network issues and communication). They
can also generate and store details of the transaction
• No errors on inputting data – it’s all stored on
each time they are used.
the card.
When making a payment using a chip and PIN card, the
• Data on the card can be altered if necessary.
user puts the card into an input device called a chip and
Disadvantages of magnetic stripes: PIN reader, which reads the information stored in the
chip (see Figure 2.10).
• Very small storage capacity.
• Data can be destroyed by magnetic field,
KEY WORDS
e.g. by placing next to a speaker.
• Insecure – criminals can easily obtain card readers magnetic stripe reader: a device used to read a
and writers. magnetic stripe of a card, which contains data, or
to write to the stripe
• You need to be with the reader to use the card;
cannot use a card with just a magnetic stripe over chip and PIN reader: device used to read the
the internet, for example. data stored in the silicon chip of a credit or debit
card to verify the personal identification number
(PIN) entered using a numeric keypad

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The most important piece of information in the Almost anything can have an RFID tag; for instance,
chip is the PIN (personal identification number), merchandise in supermarkets or stores, shipping
which is a digit code that the user must know to containers, train carriages, expensive musical
be able to use the card. The user types the PIN on instruments and so on. When animals are tagged,
the numeric keypad attached to the reader. That they have an RFID tag inserted under their skin.
PIN is checked against the PIN stored on the Contactless payments also use RFID.
card’s chip, and if the two match then the payment
RFID has three elements:
goes through.
• a scanning antenna
Advantages of chip and PIN:
• a decoder to interpret the data
• The information held is more secure than just the
magnetic stripe because the chip is difficult to read • the RFID tag itself, which will have been
and chips are harder to clone. programmed with information.
• The computer chip can hold more information than When triggered by a signal from the reader, the tag
the magnetic stripe can hold. transmits data back to it.
• Chip and PIN readers can be wireless, which means Passive tags use the power provided by the reader to
they can be brought to you when you’re in a shop transmit their data and active tags are powered by their
or restaurant, rather than you having to go to the own battery.
till to pay.
Advantages of RFID:
Disadvantages of chip and PIN:
• The chips do not need to be positioned precisely on
• People tend to be careless when entering their the scanner like a bar code.
PIN and people watching can see it. This is called
• RFID devices work within a few metres of
‘Shouldering’ or ‘shoulder surfing’.
the scanner.
• You can forget your PIN, meaning you can’t make
• At a supermarket, all of the items in a trolley could
payments with that card until you get a new one.
be read at once.
• You can write data to RFID tags as well as being
RFID readers able to read them.

RFID stands for radio-frequency identification, and an • RFID tags can be used for tracking items,
RFID reader will read data stored on RFID tags. e.g. luggage or animals.

An RFID device has similar uses to a bar code or the Disadvantages of RFID:
magnetic stripe on the back of a credit card in that once • The tags can be read without authentication and
it is scanned, it provides a unique identifier for the object so hackers could be able to read any sensitive
it is attached to. information or even clone them.
• RFID scanning can be affected by other electrical
KEY WORDS devices in the vicinity.
RFID (radio-frequency identification): an RFID • The range of RFID is limited to about three metres.
reader uses radio waves to identify and track
special tags attached to objects
ICT IN CONTEXT
RFID tag: radio-frequency identification tag.
By fixing RFID labels to the shoes or bibs of
Contains digital data that can be interrogated by
each runner and placing mats with RFID readers
and send the data to a reader device using
at different points on the course, it is possible
radio waves
to record accurate start and finish times and
unique identifier: a characteristic or element that allows friends and relatives to track the progress
is found only on one particular item of runners.

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