Inputs, Outputs and Storage

OCR AS Level

(H046)

OCR A Level

(H446)

Teacher site: craigndave.org | Student site: student.craigndave.org | Smart revise: smartrevise.co.uk

SLR3 Input, output and storage

• How different input output and storage devices

can be applied as a solution to different
problems

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Input device: “Any device that allows
you to pass information from the
outside word into a computer system.”

Input devices

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Examples of inputs devices

Open Ended

Name 3 input devices, other than a keyboard and a mouse.

​ISSAC Chart of devices.

​A barcode is a means of representing data in a machine-readable form. Traditional barcodes represent data by using a set of parallel lines of varied width and spacing. Although it is hard for you to see, each character in a barcode is represented by seven equal-sized bars.

These are coloured in either black or white (sometimes a different secondary colour is used) to represent the characters in the code. Many systems use codes that include a check digit for validation.

A check digit is an extra digit or character added to the end of a long code. It is computed by applying an algorithm to the other digits. When the long code is entered, the check digit is calculated and compared to the check digit at the end of the code. If it doesn't match, there must have been an input error. This type of validation can be carried out by software embedded within the barcode reader. The code is usually printed below the barcode in case the barcode cannot be read. This allows the code to be entered manually.

Example of a standard barcode as a set of parallel black and white lines Figure 1: A barcode You can see in Figure 1 that there are three pairs of longer narrow bars (on either side and in the middle of the barcode).

These are guard bars, which serve as reference points for the barcode reader. Every number has a unique pattern that is designed so that it cannot be confused with any other number, even if you turn it upside down. Most barcode readers indicate that the barcode has been read successfully, for example by sounding a beep or showing a green light.

Types of barcode reader

Barcode readers are very common; the technology is reliable and well understood. Laser scanners, such as those that you might find in a supermarket, are the most common type of barcode reader. Laser scanners can be small wired or wireless handheld devices, or larger fixed units.

Consumer devices, such as those found at self-service checkouts, will usually have multiple lasers so that they are easier to use.

QR codes

QR codes are typically used to provide a link to a particular page on a website, or to provide a link to an email or app that holds, for example, purchase details for concert tickets or travel information such as train times and seat numbers for a journey. 'QR' stands for 'quick response'.

Figure 2: A QR code

A QR code can store up to 7,089 numbers or 4,296 characters. Because of the higher storage capacity, some businesses are using QR codes to replace barcodes in their business systems.

QR code scanners do not use lasers; the codes are captured and read by taking an image of the QR code, either with a dedicated scanner, or by using a camera and app on a mobile device.

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Output device: “Any device that can
take data stored in digital form and
convert it into another format that
humans can process such as sound,
images or vibrations.”

Output devices

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Examples of output devices

​ISSAC Chart of devices.

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Storage device: “Any device used for
either temporary or permanent storage
of data – can be internal or external.”

Storage devices

Open Ended

Name 3 storage devices

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Examples of storage devices

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Examples of storage devices

​ISSAC Chart of devices.

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

•Is this gaming controller an input or
output device?

Blurring the lines

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

•Is this gaming controller an input or
output device?

•It translates your button presses and
joystick movements into digital
signals, so it’s an input device, right?

Blurring the lines

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

•Is this gaming controller an input or
output device?

•It translates your button presses and
joystick movements into digital
signals, so it’s an input device, right?

•However, modern controllers also
have built-in speakers and provide
vibration feedback – both of these
also make it an output device.

•Don’t worry too much about this in
your exam. You can consider this an
input device primarily, but be aware
that the lines can get a bit blurry.

•It is always a good idea to justify
your answer.

Blurring the lines

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

Typical examples of input, output and storage devices

Input devices

Output devices

Storage devices

Mouse

Monitor

CD

Keyboard

Printer

DVD

Microphone

Speaker

Blu-ray

Sensor

Headphone

USB/flash drive

Touchpad

Digital/data projector

SD card

Remote control

Plotter

Portable solid-state drive

Scanner

Actuators

Internal solid-state drive

Camera/webcam

Touchscreen

Magnetic hard drive

Touchscreen

Mass storage tape

Barcode reader

External hard drive

Magnetic stripe reader

Cloud storage

Chip and pin

Optical character recognition

Joystick

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

•What input, output and storage
devices might be used as part of this
cashpoint system?

Appropriate devices for specific situations

Open Ended

What input, output and storage
devices might be used as part of a
cashpoint system?

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

•What input, output and storage
devices might be used as part of this
cashpoint system?

•Input

oCard reader

oKeypad

oButtons

oCamera

Appropriate devices for specific situations

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

•What input, output and storage
devices might be used as part of this
cashpoint system?

•Input

oCard reader

oKeypad

oButtons

oCamera

•Output

oMonitor

oPrinter

oSpeakers

oActuator/motor

Appropriate devices for specific situations

OCR H046/H466

SLR3 Input, output and storage | Input, output and storage devices

•What input, output and storage
devices might be used as part of this
cashpoint system?

•Input

oCard reader

oKeypad

oButtons

oCamera

•Output

oMonitor

oPrinter

oSpeakers

oActuator/motor

•Storage

oInternal hard drive

oMemory (RAM)

Appropriate devices for specific situations

Open Ended

Name and explain an input or output device that will support people with a physical disability.

Class Notebook Questions

Use the following website to help you as well: https://isaaccomputerscience.org/topics/a_level?examBoard=all&stage=all#ocr