What it is and/or what it means
A barcode is a machine-readable symbol that records data. It can be described as an “optical Morse code.” A barcode looks like a series of black lines or bars with white spaces between them. The bars and spaces vary in width. Barcodes are used to identify items. These labels are read by a scanner that processes the information when the reflected light interprets the code and sends it to a computer.
Why is it important?
Barcodes are important when trying to recognize an item. They are used in many ways every day. Barcodes help stores, mail rooms, security desks, and businesses run smoothly. It is the easiest way to control the workplace.
To whom is it important?
· Barcodes are important to grocery stores. Manufacturers place a barcode on every item they ship out. The grocery story enters all the items and barcodes into their computer system so when the cashier rings up the item the right information and price comes up. They are also important to department stores, airports, car rentals and much more.
Who should know about it?
Barcodes are used everywhere every day, so it is necessary for everyone to know about barcodes. Anyone that participates in the business world today or in business activities should know about them. They help organize and help run today’s society.
http://www.dataid.com/whatisbarcode.htm
What it is and/or what it means
The Universal Product Code (UPC) is widely used in the United States and Canada for tracking trade items in stores. It is a particular kind of bar code.
Why is it important
Tracking - (ex. Foods, rail)
Proof of Purchase
Trade/Marketing
To whom it is important
Supermarkets/Store Owners
Who should know about it
Grocery Industry Trade Associations (Uniform Grocery Product Code Council)
Technology Firms
Scanning systems- Operators
Cashiers
Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Product_Code
What is it? What does it mean?
RFID is an acronym that stands for Radio-frequency Identification. It refers to devices made of a chip and an antenna that can be used identify the object. They can be incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves.
Why is it important?
RFID is important because it is an effective method of identification because the object does not need to be precisely positioned in order to be scanned and identified. It can also work up to several feet away. It is quicker as well.
To whom is it important?
This technology is potentially important to anyone who is a consumer, because it can be used in a similar manner to barcodes or the strips on credit cards. Because of its benefits, store owners and businesses should know about it because it could make customers happier and more likely to purchase products.
Source: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RFID.html
Source:
http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp
What it is and/or what it means
Known as automatic speech recognition or computer speech recognition
Converts spoken words to machine readable input
The ability of a computer or program to receive dictation, interpret it, and carry out a spoken command. The efficiency of the program depends on the database of vocabulary stored in the program and the speech patterns stored. Background noise, such as loud music, can also interfere with the program’s effectiveness.
Applications include: voice dialing, call routing, domotic appliance control, content based spoken audio search, simple data entry, preparation of structured documents, speech to text processing and aircraft cockpits
Why is it important
Health Care- Speech recognition can be implemented in front-end or back-end of the medical documentation process.
Front-End SR is where the provider dictates into a speech-recognition engine, the recognized words are displayed right after they are spoken, and the dictator is responsible for editing and signing off on the document
Back-End SR or Deferred SR is where the provider dictates into a digital dictation system, and the voice is routed through a speech-recognition machine and the recognized draft document is routed along with the original voice file to the MT/editor, who edits the draft and finalizes the report.
Military- Used in high performance fighter aircrafts, or military (or civilian) air traffic controllers.
Useful for people who have difficulty with or are unable to use their hands, used in deaf telephony (voice-to-text voicemail, relay services, and captioned telephone)
Helps people with learning disabilities who have problems with thought to paper communication
To whom it is important
People with disabilities.
The program is important for people who type large amounts because the program can type for a person. Also, people who are handicapped can use commands to control a computer. People in businesses can use the program to pull up information by voice command.
Who should know about it
Radiologists
Military trainees
The disabled
Voice recognition technology should be known by computer engineers developing new ways to make computing easier. Handicapped people should know about the technology, specifically the paralyzed, because proper utilization of the technology could greatly improve their ability to use a computer.
Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_recognition
http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci213318,00.html#
Sources: http://www.hitl.washington.edu/scivw/EVE/I.D.2.d.VoiceRecognition.html
Adams, Russ, Sourcebook of Automatic Identification and Data Collection, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1990.
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_recognition#Applications
Is a computer keyboard designed with ergonomic considerations to minimize muscle strain, avoid stress relates injury to your hands and wrist, and maximize your speed and comfort of working. A keyboard that separates the keys into two halves shaped like a wide "V." Some keyboards have a fixed layout, while others are movable. It can be helpful for secretaries and typists because they spend most of their time typing on the keyboard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomic_keyboard
- a window that displays information to the user through interfaces. Some may just be a warning of sorts, or may request an action or decision from the user. Get its name from the fact that they create a sort of dialog between the user and the computer. For example, when one goes to shut down the computer the options box that appears is a dialog box, which asks for a direction of what to do.
- Since every computer uses these dialog boxes, from saying that a program is not running properly, to warning someone of navigation hazards when opening a new website, they are important to all people and are used by all computer owners. However, both the definition and creation of a dialog box are only important to program creators.
- http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Dialog_box.
- “an easy to use input device that allows users to control software applications and access information by simply touching the display screen”. Allows a user to navigate the PC simply by touching the screen, rather than having to click or use other keyboard commands. It is made up of a touch sensor which is a clear panel on top of the screen, a controller card which transfers info from the sensor to the PC, and a software driver which tells the computer how to interpret the info from the sensor.
- It is important because it is a growing technology that is being produced in many electronics, such as iPods, phones, and computers, and is the future technology. People interested in technology should know about this, and also purchasers of electronics.
- http://www.touchscreens.com/. Introduction to Touch Screen Systems. Mass Multimedia Inc.
9) Biometric Device – A biometric device pertains to the field of biometrics, which is the study of how an individual’s physical characteristics make them unique. A biometric device thus is used for identifying a person based on individual biological patterns. Things that are used for recognition include voice, fingerprints and retina size. A device analyzes and interprets data and recognizes those who have permission to perform certain tasks. These devices are predominantly seen as security measures for projects involving more sensitive information. It is far more difficult to override or falsify unique biological data such as a voice or eye patterns. With the threat of hackers and more sophisticated technology easily accessible to the public these days, biometric devices are an important measure in preventing the disclosure or forced entry into secret information. Anyone involved in dealings that require the utmost secrecy should know the basics of biometric devices or even invest in them for whatever they may be working on.
Source: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741500789/Biometrics.html
Sources:
“An Introduction to Biometrics”
http://www.biometrics.org/html/introduction.html
“Biometric Reader” Oxford Online Encyclopedia http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?entry=t183.e7429&srn=1&ssid=1159898522#FIRSTHIT
Concept: fingerprint scanner
Definition: provides the identification of a person by scanning and recognizing the unique patters of a fingerprint. Fingerprint scanners are forms of biometric security, which consist of automated methods of recognizing a person based on a unique physical characteristic such as a person’s fingerprint (as in this case), iris, voice pattern or facial pattern.
Importance: fingerprint scanners are a automated way of preventing access to valuable or personal information to people other than the person identified with the scanner; to ensure safety and security.
To whom it is important: the scanning devices are intended for mass market usage and are readily available on many laptop computers, USB ports and even on a computer mouse; such small home and office products are designed to protect the computer’s hard drive, notebook, or to remove the need for users to remember passwords. In government organizations and large corporations such biometrics are very important to employee identification and security.
Who should know about it: Large businesses, system administrators, and the government should know about this; also lay people who just want a method for keeping their files safe and accessed solely by themselves.
Source: (Beal)
9) Retinal Scanner (Input)
*A retinal scanner uses a low-intensity infrared light to scan the back of a person’s eye. A computer code is formed from the results of the scan and is stored in a database.
*Because the pattern of blood vessels in the area where the scan takes place is distinct to every individual, and is virtually impossible to alter, retinal scans have become extremely important in security applications. This scanner is used in high security complexes to make sure that that person is allowed to pass through. It can match up the scan of the eye to ones that it has stored in its system and be another effective means of high end security measures.
*Retinal scans are very important to the security of nations as well as cities. They are even often used by average people who wish to add extra security to their homes or computers because some retinal scanners are relatively inexpensive.
*The people who should know about retinal scans include people working in the field of biometrics whose job it is to create security measures such as this. Also, because of such high accuracy, people working in the military, government facilities, prisons, and jails should know about retinal scans. Other people who may want to know about them are those who wish to add security to their homes or computers.
Sources:
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-a-retinal-scan-work.htm
http://www.espionageinfo.com/Pr-Re/Retina-and-Iris-Scans.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_scanner
Ÿ Refers to the sharpness and clarity of an image. The term is most often used to describe monitors, printers, scanners,and bit-mapped graphic images. Resolution usually refers to the number of pixels in every dimension that can be displayed. Use scanners to convert pictures into pixels and digital printers to convert pixels back into pictures. In the case of dot-matrix and laser printers, the resolution indicates the number of dots per inch. Printers, monitors, and other I/O devices are often classified as high resolution, medium resolution, or low resolution. The actual resolution ranges for each of these grades is constantly shifting as the technology improves. This is important to all computer users
Ÿ http://www.bowhaus.com/news/inputoutput.php4
A megapixel refers to one million pixels, and is commonly used in reference to digital cameras as an indication of resolution capability. A pixel is a tiny square on a computerized display and the display screen is a solid grid of these squares or dots. The more pixels or dots that make up the display screen, the clearer the resolution or image will be. A greater number of dots or pixels allow for more refinement of the image, which results in higher, truer image replication. When it comes to digital cameras, the picture quality capability is measured in megapixels. The higher the resolution, or greater the megapixels, the more flexibility the camera will have in terms of being able to deliver high resolution prints in large sizes. Megapixels would be important to someone looking to buy a digital camera or trying to print their pictures from a digital camera.
Sources: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-megapixel.htm
Head-mounted pointers use optical sensors to detect head movement that is then relayed to the mouse pointer. Typing is performed using onscreen Keyboard Emulation software. Board games and electronic/computer games are also well suited to play with headsticks and pointers. For communication, head-mounted aids can be used to operate electric typewriters and alphabet boards. In the classroom, textile handicrafts and music can be performed through use of head-mounted aids. Head-mounted pointers are very important and convenient for people with severe physical disabilities.
Sources: http://www.gawds.org/show.php?contentid=98, http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED310581&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED310581
· Haptics is a type of technology that allows the user to interact with the machine by the sense of touch through forces, vibrations, and motions sent to the user. Haptic technology has a lot of promising purposes and was already used to develop the sense of touch in humans and to what extent they actually are feeling the stimulations. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haptic_technology) It is said that by using certain input and or output devices, such as joysticks, data gloves, and others that the user can feel the feedback sensations. http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid183_gci212226,00.html