As we looked at in the previous lesson, a digital device is a piece of physical equipment that uses digital data, such as by sending, receiving, storing or processing it. We saw a number of devices, many of which had multiple capabilities, like browsing the web, playing games and writing reports. Show
However, there are many specialist digital devices that perform a single, or small number, of specific tasks. We saw one of these, a navigation system. In this lesson we’ll look at the features and uses four more of these digital devices:
1. Multifunctional DevicesA multifunctional device, sometimes known as an MFD, is one that is capable of performing more than one specific function. We also often refer to these as multifunctional peripherals. A common example of this is a peripheral device that can perform both input and output. However, it is not exclusive to this. A printer/fax is a multifunctional device, even though both functions are output. In fact, multifunctional printers often combine several functions, such as printing, scanning, faxing and photocopying. Examples of multifunctional devices include multifunctional printers, touchscreens, and force-feedback game controllers. UsesA multifunctional printer is a device that usually combines printing, scanning & faxing functions all into a single device. These are particularly popular for use in home offices for people who work from home and do not have the space or money for three separate devices. Touch screens are used on tablet devices to allow users to input without a separate keyboard or mouse. The screen the user views on is also how they input, by touching objects on the screen or by using an onscreen keyboard. Force-feedback game controllers are used on games consoles to allow you to control the game and receive vibration output. The vibration output is usually designed to improve the immersive experience of the game, such as rumbling in a car game when you go off track, or a fighting game when you’re hit. Further ThoughtWhat other devices can you think of that are capable of both input and output? 2. Digital CamerasThis is a device that is capable of taking photo and video and recording it as digital data. It does this by using a grid of photosensors that convert light into digital pixels that our computer can store, usually on a memory card. When we refer to a camera having a certain number of ‘megapixels’ (million pixels), this refers to the number of individual pixels of colour that are used to record an image. The more megapixels a camera uses to record an image, the higher quality the image is. 20 megapixels is relatively common in modern digital cameras. Most digital camera devices contain a built-in memory card slot to store the digital pictures and videos directly on the digital camera device. As the memory card is removable it allows you to then transfer them to another device such as a laptop so that they can be stored on a computer and displayed on a screen. Examples of digital cameras include digital still cameras and digital video cameras. UsesOne of the uses of digital cameras is to allow us to share them using a computer. We often upload pictures and videos to our social networking profiles, like Facebook or Instagram, in order to share them with family and friends. We might also send them to others through the use of email as attachments. We also use them as we can edit the digital pictures and videos on our computer using photo & video editing software. You’ve often heard of the term ‘Photoshopping’ an image, which refers to the use of a software program called Photoshop that we can use to remove blemishes or perform even heavier changes to a photo. Further ThoughtCan you think of any other ways you would use digital videos or photos? What if you want to display them at home? 3. Data Capture & Collection SystemsData capture & collection systems input and store data through methods other than direct data entry (such as typing on a keyboard). Rather, the data is entered as a result of a related activity. This allows the data to be entered into a computer system directly during the data capture stage and so greatly reduces the number of human error issues that happen when manually entering data. Examples of data capture & collection systems include barcode scanners, optical mark readers (OMR) and magnetic ink character readers (MICR). UsesThese devices are often used at the EPOS till in shops such as supermarkets. Barcode scanners capture data by reading the widths of dark & light bars. We use these input product items by reading the barcode we find on the back of most products. When the barcode is read it matches it to a database of products on the computer and returns things like the price of the product. OMR is used in shops for inputting lottery tickets. Pre-printed forms like lottery tickets are designed so that when marks are placed on it, the OMR device can detect what numbers you have selected from the marks’ location on the form. MICR is used for verifying that cheques are legitimate. A special kind of magnetised ink is used to write a code on the bottom of a cheque. The MICR device reads the magnetic field of the characters to read the code to ensure it is a legitimate cheque. Obviously, these types of devices are only useful for very specific reasons. They aren’t flexible enough for the general uses we want at home or even in most workplaces. Further ThoughtOther than in a shop like a supermarket, where might you see barcode scanners, OMR or MICR being used? 4. Communication Devices & SystemsA device that is used to move data between two other devices, such as two computers. It has become almost essential for all of our computing systems to be able to communicate with each other, such as through the internet or other smaller networks. Communication devices allow us to transmit data between devices over a network in various ways. Sometimes through wired cabling, sometimes wirelessly. Examples of communication devices include network interface cards (NIC), wireless dongles and routers. UsesThese devices are all used to allow you to transmit data over a network, commonly the internet, but they are also used in other types of network like a local area network (LAN). Network Interface Cards, for example, allow data to be transferred to and from a networked computer by connecting an ethernet cable. We commonly use these with desktop personal computers. Wireless dongles allow you to either transfer data to a router wirelessly as part of a local area network or connect to a mobile broadband network. We commonly use these with laptops. WiFi and even mobile broadband connectivity are often integrated directly into mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. A router directs data to its correct destination over a large network. Wherever two networks meet, a router is required to direct the data in the right direction along the next network in order to reach its destination. You probably use a router at home to allow the multiple different devices in your house to connect to the same internet connection. Further ThoughtCan Network Interface Cards only be used for wired data communication? Do you need a WiFi dongle to use wireless networking? Lesson SummarySo to summarise what we’ve learnt in this lesson:
What types of functions are performed by an MFd multi function device)? select all that apply?Office multifunction devices (MFDs) handle all kinds of office tasks, such as copying, printing, scanning, and faxing, with a single device.
What are the main disadvantages of dial up connections Select all that apply?What are the main disadvantages of dial-up modems? (Select all that apply.) Data transfer rates are low. Connection takes time. The telephone line can't be used for calls while data is being transferred.
When disassembling a PC that's been powered off what is the first step in the process?How to Disassemble a Computer. Step 1: Detach the Power Cable. The disassembling of the computer system starts with externally connected device detachment. ... . Step 2: Remove the Cover. ... . Step 3: Remove the Adapter Cards. ... . Step 4: Remove the Drives. ... . Step 5: Remove the Memory Module.. How can you tell if your motherboard has distended capacitors choose all that apply?Checking for bad capacitors. Bulging or cracking of the vent on top.. Casing sitting crooked on board as the base may be pushed out.. Electrolyte that may have leaked out on to motherboard (rust-colored). Case is detached or missing.. |