CHAPTER #1 – BASIC CONCEPTS OF INFORMATION TECHONLOGY
XI-COMPUTER SCIENCE
Terminals
A terminal is a combination of input and output device (consists of a
keyboard, display screen) and communications cable with internet
connection and having direct connection to a main computer system
(main server).
Terminals are used for inputting data to and retrieving data from a remotely
located main computer system (main sever). Most terminals are desktop size and
some are small enough to be easily portable.
Three types of terminals are :
1. Dumb terminals
2. Smart terminal
3. Intelligent terminal
1.Dumb terminals are used only for data entry and retrieval.
They cannot process data independently dependent on main server.
They are called “dumb” because they have only enough computational power to display,
send, and receive text. You cannot run any programs on them.
It is used only to access data/information from a main computer system.
Don’t have secondary memory/secondary storage devices.
Example:
Terminal used by an airline reservations clerk (check in/passport counter).
2. Smart Terminals have some memory and hence can do limited processing as well
as data entry .and retrieval but no storage of data.
A savings and loan manager might use a smart terminal to do simple
computations on a customer's loan application before sending it to the
company's mainframe computer.
Example : Call centers data entry stations. POS point of sale terminals
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CHAPTER #1 – BASIC CONCEPTS OF INFORMATION TECHONLOGY
XI-COMPUTER SCIENCE
3.Intelligent· Terminals: Intelligent terminals includes:
1. processing unit
2. primary storage (RAM/ROM)
3. secondary storage such as magnetic. Disk/Hard disk
4. processing software for processing data.
It can do independent processing of their own, as well as act as terminals. An
intelligent terminal, which is also called a workstation, is actually a microcomputer with
communications link to a mainframe. Like client-sever
Example :
1. Oracle developer data feeding of multiple clients for one main server
2. Online test/quiz examination system
3. Online applications (sale purchase,
SCANNING DEVICES
Scanning devices use light-sensitive equipment to record data in the form of
bar codes, optical marks, typewritten character's, or magnetic-ink symbols, or
even just plain text or graphics. This data is then converted to electronic form
that can be processed by the computer.
Bar-Code Readers:
1. Black and white striped bar codes that appear on food products, cosmetics, and
magazine covers.
2. Barcode is 'data represented in the parallel lines of a universal coding
scheme. Coding scheme is the Universal Product Code (UPC). The UPC is
used by food stores and other retail merchants to represent pricing and other
data for various products,
3. Bar codes are read by bar-code readers. Bar-code readers are photo-
electric scanners that read bar codes by means of reflected light differentiating
the colour and width and comparing to the stored pattern for identifications .
4. Barcode working also similar to the principle of diffraction grating (related to
reflection of light with dark and bright fringes. Distance of product from bar
code scanner must be in the range of 3-20 inches.
5. Bar code consist of country code, product type, product code and
manufacturer id
6. Two types of bar-code readers are hand-held and stationary:
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CHAPTER #1 – BASIC CONCEPTS OF INFORMATION TECHONLOGY
XI-COMPUTER SCIENCE
Producttpart Code Number 66210 = 400 gm box of cookies 67670 = 1 kg box
of noodles etc.
Manufacturer's Identification Number 16000 =. General Mills
21000 = Kraft Foods, etc.
3.Hand-held: Hand-held bar-code readers are flat stick-like scanning devices that
analyze the bar codes and translate them into computer-process able data. User has to
move the items to and fro while keeping product still
4. Stationary bar-code readers are built into a countertop, as in the supermarket.
When a super market clerk moves your purchase past the countertop bar-code
scanner, the price and description of the item, which are stored in the store's
computer system, are sent to the cashier's terminal (cash register). This price
and description is printed out on a receipt for the customer. The information
from the terminal is also used by the store for accounting purposes and for
restocking the store's products. It is also used for marketing purposes-to
analyze which products sell and which don't.
MARK AND CHARACTER READERS : Certain direct-input devices use a light
source to read special marks or characters and convert the data to computer-
process able form. These include
1.optical mark recognition –OMR
2.Optical Character Recognition – OCR
3.Magnetic Ink Character Recognition - MICR
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CHAPTER #1 – BASIC CONCEPTS OF INFORMATION TECHONLOGY
XI-COMPUTER SCIENCE
1. Optical-mark Recognition: optical-mark recognition idea have been implemented in the
Test of English .as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Graduate Record Examination
(GRE). That test requires you to mark your answers on a pre-printed- examination
sheet with a pencil. An optical-mark recognition (OMR) device detects the presence or
absence of a mark and converts the data to computer-usable form.
2. Optical-Character Recognition: Optical-character recognition (OCR) devices, read pre-
printed characters through the use of light-sensitive device and convert them to
computer-usable form. It has ability to read printed numerals, special characters,
alphabetic characters, and hand written characters.
There are two basic OCR fonts in use, both of which are approved by the
International Standards Organization: (a) OCR-A and (b) OCR·-B. The OCR-A
was developed, and widely used, in the United States. It comprises 66 characters.
The OCR- B was developed by the European Computer Manufacturers'
Association (ECMA) , and is widely used in Europe. It comprises 113 characters.
Special ink is not required for printing OCR characters.
3.' Magnetic-ink Character Recognition: Magnetic-ink character recognition (MICR) devices
read pre-printed characters printed with special magnetic ink (i.e. ink .'
. containing iron oxide) and convert them to computer-usable form.
To handle the giant activity of processing check, the banking industry uses MICR
technology. The magnetic-ink characters and a few special symbols are printed at
the bottom of the cheque. The numbers are read and sorted by cheque-rea¢ng
machines, such as an IBM system that can sort 2400 cheques per minute
Magnetic-ink character recognition-Processing your cheque
1.Cheques are fed into large, high-capacity MICR reader/sorter devices.
2.MICR characters on cheques are read electronically.
3.Cheque data is stored on tape or disk for processing.
4.Cheques are sorted by bank number and returned to your bank.
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