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December 7

ICT
Applications 2019
In this chapter you will learn about Communication applications, Data
handling applications, Measurement applications, Microprocessors in
control applications, Modelling applications, Manufacturing applications,
School management systems, Booking systems, Banking applications, Chapter Six
Expert system, Computers in medicine, Computers in libraries, Computers
in the retail industry, Recognition systems, Monitoring and tracking
systems, Satellite systems.

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December 7

ICT
Applications 2019
In this chapter you will learn about Communication applications, Data
handling applications, Measurement applications, Microprocessors in
control applications, Modelling applications, Manufacturing applications,
School management systems, Booking systems, Banking applications, Chapter Six
Expert system, Computers in medicine, Computers in libraries, Computers
in the retail industry, Recognition systems, Monitoring and tracking
systems, Satellite systems.

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Communication applications
There are several communications systems that make use of ICT technology. For
example: -
1. Flyers, posters, brochures and newspapers.
2. Multimedia presentations.
3. Websites.
4. Music scores.
5. Cartoons.
6. Mobile phones.
7. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
8. Business cards and letterheads.

Flyers, posters, brochures and newsletters: -

These paper-based presentations are produced using the most common software; word processing
and desktop publishing software.

The sequence to produce such type of documents: -

1. Open a word processor, DTP or presentation application.

2. Create frames, boxes and or text boxes.
3. Take photos if necessary using a camera.
4. Upload the images from the camera or download photos form internet.
5. Save the photos to a file.
6. Import or copy and paste the photos into the document.
7. Edit the photos and import from a file or type any text.

The brochures and flyers can be sent out to every household in a given area.
o It can be inserted in daily newspaper ort magazines.
o Brochures can be a single sheet of paper or multiple sheets. It can be folded into 2 or 3 equal
parts. Small booklets are also referred to brochures.
o Brochures can include a flyer, pamphlet, or a leaflet.
o Posters are very large sheets of paper displayed on building, noticeboard, or advertising
hoarding. They are used along roadside and become eye-catching. These are expensive to make
and cost of rent for display is extra.
o The big disadvantage in putting the flyers and leaflets, is the tendency to throw the documents
away.
o Posters in the other hand has the big advantage that they are eye-catching and usually very difficult
to miss.
o The disadvantages of posters are the cost of display and that they are subject to weather conditions,
(limited life).

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o Newsletters are often produced by companies or clubs. They contain local information needed by
company employees or club members. It may include information like:
1) Marriages, deaths, and births.
2) Advertising by other companies.
3) News events.

Websites:

o The websites can be used by companies to advertise for their products and services. The big
advantage is that websites offer worldwide advertising capabilities, and no other printing and
distributing costs.
o It is a global way of communicating. The company develops its own website or company
pays to advertise on other website. If they need to create a website which may be costly
since they will need hardware, software, web designers, maintenance of website, and
security from hackers.

Advantages: -

• Use special effects like sound /videos/animation.

• Links to other websites/hyperlinks can be used.
• Buttons to navigate /move around the website.
• Hit counters to see how many people have visited the site.
• Can be seen by global audience.
• Can’t be defaced or thrown away.
• It is much easier to update a website.

Disadvantages: -

• Websites can be hacked or attacked by viruses.

• Risk of Pharming.
• Costumers must have computers and internet connections.
• It is not portable.
• Possible for costumers to go to undesirable websites.
• Once the website is set up needs to be maintained and regularly updated which is expensive.
• Because it is global it is difficult to target the correct audience.

Multimedia presentations: -

This type of presentation use animation, video, sound or music. They are more attractive than
presentations done in slides or paper. It is used with a multimedia projector so that a large number
of audiences can see at a time.
The presentations are produced using one of the many software on the market and then used with a
multimedia projector so that the whole audience is able to see the presentation.

Advantages: -

• Use special effects; sound/ animations / videos etc.

• Use hyperlinks.
• Use transition effects.
• Can be more interactive.
• Can be more flexible.

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Disadvantages: -

• Need special equipment.

• Tend to be expensive.
• Equipment failure can be a disaster.
• May need internet connection.
• When more effects is used the presentation is made bad.

Paper-based presentations: -
It is always possible to produce presentation in a hard-copy format. This has the following advantages
and disadvantages: -

Advantages: -

• Disabled people can have their copy; they don’t need to go anywhere.
• It is possible to print out in Braille for the benefit of blind people.
• Recipient can read the presentation at any time.
• The recipients have permanent copy.

Disadvantages: -

• The presentation needs to be distributed.

• There are no special effects
• There are printing cost.

Music scores: -

The generation of music and production of music scores can now be done by computer systems with the
appropriate software. Some of the features of this include:
1. Using Mixers and MIDI software recorded music can be modified.
2. Electronic instruments can play back.
3. Complex music can be produced.
4. Any music instrument can be mimic.
5. Music scores can be generated.
6. The music can be corrected electronically.
7. Music notes are automatically printed.

Cartoons:
o Cartoons can simply be freehand drawing and then scanned in. cartoons can be like moving
images. They are created by 3-D animation by using frames. These frames then can be made
moving partly or whole which is calculated by software. The process is known as morphing.
The field stage to make a rending. Sometimes a cartoon can have a message with good
humor(comedy).
o Animation movies can be produced using computer hardware and software.

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o The Steps to create cartoons are as follows:

1. With 3D animation, objects are designed
2. 3D skeleton produced.
3. The parts of the skeleton are moved by the animator using key frames.
4. The difference appearance in the skeletons is done by the software. (Tweening /
morphing).
5. The final stage is to make the realistic image using technique known as rendering.
6. Cartoons can simply be freehand drawings and then scanned in or can be computer-
generated (possible with the graphics tablets).

Mobile phones:

o Mobile phones communicate by using towers inside many cells networked together to cover
large area. The towers allow the transmission of data throughout the mobile phone network.
o Each tower transmits data within its own cell.
o The mobile phone technology can now be used by computers and tablets.

Advantages:

• There is no need to look for public telephone.

• It is possible to conduct calls on the move.
• It is possible to make calls from anywhere.
• It is easier to keep in contact with co-workers in the office.
• They allow text messaging, quicker and less expensive.
• They allow access to internet.

Text messages:

 It is quicker and less expensive then calls.

 Messages can be sent even if phone is switched off.
 Predictive texting makes typing faster.

Internet telephony: -

• One of the most common forms of internet telephony is the Voice over internet Protocol.
(VoIP)
• Voice over internet protocol is a method used to convert sound into discrete digital packets
which can be sent to their destination via the internet.
• VoIP can be used to make video calls (video chat).
• Usually video quality is not very good, but can be improved using more expensive webcam.

Business card and letterheads: -

1. The user can connect to an appropriate website and they will be given a number of business
card templates and letterheads design.
2. The user chooses a template and/or a letterhead design and keys in the suitable data.
3. The final version of the business card and/or the letterhead are then shown.
4. The customers place their order and the cards and the letters are printed and delivered.
 Business cards can be handed to people as personal advertisement etc…
 Business cards / Letter heads may lead to professionalism, company brand, can make the
company appear larger then it is.
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Advantages to a company in using corporate letterheads and business cards produced

by a printing website:

• Gives a degree of credibility to the company, (Professionalism).

• Advertises the company by using the same design to all products.
• Letterhead can be used for legal reasons.
• Helps to make the company stand out.
• Gives a degree of confidence to potential customer.

Data handling applications: -

A number of applications make use of simple data handling techniques, such as: -
1. Surveys
2. Address lists
3. Clubs and society records
4. School reports
5. School libraries.

Surveys: -

A survey can be held either by questionnaire handed out to people or posted on a website to allow
people to fill in online.
Online questionnaires would tend to use the radio buttons, since it is quick and easy.
In order to get faster results and fewer errors Paper surveys have to be scanned in using OMR or OCR
methods and the information is transferred to a database.

Advantages: -

• Faster to get results.

• Fewer errors.
• Less expensive.
• Easier to do a statistical analysis.

Address lists: -

Computers, tablets, and mobile phones are all used to store information such as people’s home
addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or personal data such as date of birth.

Records can be organized into various grouping:

• family
• Friends
• Work colleagues.
Many address book applications allow synchronization with tablets and mobile phones. So it is
possible to change the data on one system but ensure all devices are kept up to date.

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Clubs and society records:

 Clubs and societies often keep records of their membership which typically include: membership
number, name, payment details, personal details, (phone number, address), their interests, etc.
 A simple database could easily hold all this information making it unnecessary to keep paper
records.

 Also if a particular item of interest comes up, then the system could scan all records and
automatically contact the member by email, mail merges etc. It would also check
subscriptions and send reminders.

Advantages of keeping records in computer database: -

• More data can be stored.

• Quicker and easier to scan and search for information.
• Members can be contacted automatically by email.
• Easy to check membership subscriptions.
• Save on space in the office area.
• Inexpensive.

School reports: -

Computers can be used to keep data on the academic performance of all the student in a school.
The database could be used to produce a printed copy of the student’s progress in the form of a report.
It will be easy to track the performance of every student during the year.
The database might contain: -
Student ID
StudName
TutorGroup
Term1Grade
Term1Attend
* The reports can be sent out automatically to parents.

Measurement applications: -

 Measurement applications use sensors and other electronic hardware such as microprocessor.
The sensors are constantly taking measurement data such as temperature, rate of rotation or
light intensity.
 Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) is used in such applications to convert the data to digital,
because the microprocessor and computer understand only digital data.
 After conversion, the data is sent to a microprocessor where it is processed.
 In measurement applications the microprocessor simply reviews the data from the sensors and
compare it to data stored in memory, updates its files and sometimes gives a warning signals if
the values are outside a given range, (parameters).
The microprocessor will take no action to change any of the conditions during the measurement
process.

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Examples of measurement applications: -

• Weather stations
• Scientific experiments
• Measuring a patient’s vital signs on a hospital
• Pollution monitoring
• Burglar alarm systems.

1. Weather stations:

Are set up to automatically gather data form the environment.

Sensors used:
• Rainfall
• Wind speed
• Temperature
• Wind direction
• Air pressure
• Humidity, etc.

2. Measuring a patient’s vital sign in a hospital: -

The process taking place:

1. Sensors read key vital signs (such as pulse rate, body temperature, blood pressure, respiration
rate, etc.
2. The data then converted into digital (ADC).
3. The data is stored in the computer memory.
4. The computer compares the data form the sensors with the values stored in its memory), i.e. the
pre-set values.
5. The results are output on a screen in the form of graphs and/or numbers.
6. The alarm is activated if any of the data is outside the given range.
7. The system continues to measure the patient’s vital signs.

3. Measuring pollution in a river: -

The steps taken to measure pollution in a river: -

1. The sensors are placed at least in two positions (such as light sensors, oxygen level, acidity level
sensors, etc.
2. The data from the sensors is converted to digital.
3. The computer stores the received data.
4. The data from the sensors are compared to the data stored previously and compared to the pre-
set levels.
5. The data is compared also with reading form different positions in the river.
6. Then the data is stored in CD/DVD or memory stick and/or sent to the weather station.

Measurement applications advantages and disadvantages: -

Advantages: -

• The computer wouldn’t forget to take readings.

• The computer’s response time is much faster.

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• People can get on with other tasks.

• The computer works 24/7
• The readings are very accurate.
• Reading are more frequent
• It is more safer
• Inexpensive (less staff is used).
• Computers produce graphics automatically for analysis.

Disadvantages: -

• The computer is unable to respond to unusual circumstances.

• Computer equipment and software are expensive.
• People rely on computer.
• The computer can’t be used if malfunctions or power is off.

Microprocessor in control applications: -

In control applications, sensors and a microprocessor are used. Sensors send data to the microprocessor
or computer which then compares the incoming data to stored values or data entered earlier on.
The microprocessor /computer will check whether the incoming data is outside the given parameters
and will take any necessary action, e.g. the computer will send a signal to switch off/on a heater.

In other words:

And similar to measurement applications here also sensor, microprocessor and other hardware is
used to control an application. In control applications normally a present value is set. Then the
sensors send data accordingly to real time. If the single is above the preset value the micro
processer will shut off the process and if the signal is below the prese4t value the microprocessor
will switch on the process, thus controlling the application.

Some control applications include:

• Automatic washing machines.

• Automatic ovens/cookers
• Central heating/cooling systems
• Chemical plants
• Glasshouse environment control

Additional advantages
 The response time is much faster.
 If a process is dangerous it is better to control it from a distance.

Automatic oven/cooker

Automatic cooker/oven has temperature sensors a number of controls to set the cooking time.
First of all, the start time and end time are entered. Finally, the cooking temperature is selected.
The microprocessor checks the set time against the current time and when they are equal, the cooker
/oven heating elements are switched on.

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Then the microprocessor constantly checks the end time against the current time, when they are equal,
the cooking process is stopped. Also the heating elements is checked constantly and once the meal is
ready the microprocessor send signal to a beeper to make sound.

Central heating system: -

In this system a gas supply is used to heat water in a boiler. A valve on the gas supply is controlled by a
microprocessor and is opened if the heating level need to be increased. A water pump is used to pump
hot water around the central heating system whenever the temperature is drops below a preset value.
Sensors, ADC, microprocessor, DAC, actuators, and control devices are used in the same way the control
applications are work.

Chemical process control: -

A certain chemical process only works if the temperature is above 70 C and the pH level is less than 3.5.
Sensor, microprocessor, ADC, and control devices are used the same way the other control systems are
processed.

Glasshouse environment control

Glasshouse environment control system is a system in which a growing condition of a plant is controlled,
using number of sensors and microprocessor and control devices.
Sensors used:
• Temperature
• Humidify
• Moisture
• pH
• Lights, etc.

Turtle graphics:

This is based on the computer language called LOGO and is now usually known as turtle graphics.
This is essentially the control of the movement of a turtle/pen on a computer screen by a number of key
commands which can be typed in.

COMMAND MEANING
Forward x
Move x mm forward
Backward x
Move x mm backward
Left d
Turn left through d degrees
Right d
Turn right through d degrees
Repeat n
Repeat next set of instructions n times
End repeat
Finish the repeat loop
Pen up
Lift the pen up
Pen down

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Lower the pen

Model applications: -

A computer model is the creation of a model of a real-life system in order to study the behavior of the
system. The model is a computer generated and is based on mathematical representations.

The main advantages of the model application

 • Save money
 • Safe lives
 • Save time.

Uses of model appications:

 Population Growth.
 Training Pilots.
 Running Chemical and Nuclear Plant.
 Testing of Cars.
 Traffic Light.

Example of model applications:

• Spreadsheet model.
• Tuck shop model.
• Traffic light simulation

The spreadsheet is used for modeling application e.g. to optimize the profit and loss.

In traffic light simulation the computer model should consider the following:

1. How and what data need to be collected?

2. The number of vehicles passing the junction.
3. How long it takes a vehicle to clear the junction.
4. How much different is the number of vehicles considering different days of the week.
5. Other factors that affect the junction.

How is the computer model carried out?

The data collected is entered into the computer and the computer model is run. Once the designers are
satisfied that it models the real situation accurately then different scenarios can be tried out. For
example: -
1. Vary the timing of the lights.
2. Increase the number of vehicles stopped at part of the junction.
3. Increase or decrease traffic flow in all directions.
4. Consider how emergency vehicles affect traffic flow.

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How would the system work in real life?

1. Sensors gather data and count the number of vehicles.

2. The data is sent to the computer or the control box.
3. The gathered data is compare to the data stored.
4. The microprocessor decides what action to be taken.
5. Signals are sent out to the traffic lights to change their timing if necessary.

Why are computer models used?

1. They are less expensive.

2. They are safer.
3. They are much easier.
4. It is nearly impossible to try out some tasks in real life.
5. Time scales are reduced by doing a computer model.

Other examples of computer models: population growth, training pilots and drivers, running chemical
and nuclear plants, crash testing of cars, financial modeling and weather predications.

Manufacturing applications: -

Manufacturing uses ICT (i.e. automation) in a number of areas to improve productivity, reduce costs,
improve consistency and to make factories safer and more environmental friendly.
One of the most common forms of automation is the use of robots.

Robotics: -

Robots are used in many areas of manufacturing, from the heavy work right through to delicate
operations. E.g. include;
• Paint spraying of car bodies.
• Welding body work on cars
• Manufacturing of microchips
• Manufacturing of electrical goods
• And automatic warehouses.
Control of robots is either through built-in microprocessor or linked to a computer system.

Advantages of using robots: -

• Can work in hard environments

• The can work non-stop 24/7.
• They are less expensive in the long term.
• Higher productivity.
• Greater consistency
• They can do boring, repetitive tasks.

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Disadvantages: -

• They find it difficult to do unusual tasks.

• They can cause higher unemployment
• Humans loss their skills.
• The initial cost is high.

School management systems: -

Schools have to manage a number of different tasks in the day-to-day running of the school. These
include:
• Registration and attendance records of the students.
• Student performance.
• Organisation of school exam.
• Creation of timetables.
• Teacher substitution.

Possible ways of automating the registration process:

Method1:

Use the ID card that contains a magnetic stripe, and the student details. Each morning on arrival at
school the student swipes their ID card and on leaving the school. The arrival and leaving time and date
are recoded on the database. In other words the students need to sign in i.e. swipe card on every
entry to school and sign out when leaving. This will help to get the full record of the student like
when he arrived, numbers of hours attended etc. Further security can be added such as PIN, GPS
Tracking or use of RFID system.

Method2:

The second method could make use of biometrics. Each student would have their fingerprints taken.
Their personal details, plus fingerprints would be stored on a database. When the student entered the
school premises, they would be asked to put their hand on a scanner which would read their fingerprints
and store the data in the database.

Advantages: -

• Fingerprints are unique, with a magnetic card a student could give his card to a friend to sign for
him.
• Fingerprints are part of you, the ID cards could easily be lost.
• ID cards could be affected by magnetic fields.
• It is easy to copy an ID card, then it would be to copy a fingerprint.

Disadvantages: -

• It would take a long time to set the system.

• The equipment are expensive.
• If the finger is injured the system wouldn’t identify the student.
• Parents may object to have their children fingerprints stored on a database.

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Student performance: -

The spreadsheets can be used to monitor the performance of the students. The spreadsheets could
record the test results of each student over a term/year. It is also easy to import data into reports.

Exam timetables, subject timetables, and teacher substitution: -

Timetables are often required for the following: -

• The exams scheduling.

• Subject scheduling.
• Producing cover/substitution plans for teachers ….

Factors to be considered for making a timetable:

 Availability of teachers.
 Availability of rooms for each subject.
 Subject clashes.
 Number of hours for each subject.
 Making a room for double lessons

The ICT software could be used for the following advantages:

 Faster and error free.

 Less error-prone than the older paper-based systems.
 Easier to try ‘what if’ scenarios to ensure the most efficient use of the time is utilized.
 Can make teacher substitution.
 The main subject specialty is known to help in free lessons.

Factors to be taken into account when producing timetables for each student:

 Availability of teachers.
 Availability of rooms.
 Subject clashes.
 Number of hours for each subject.
 Double lessons are for certain practical subjects only.

References:
IGCSE ICT notebook.

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