Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Magnetic Stripe Card
A
magnetic stripe card
stores limited amounts of data by modifying the magnetism of tiny
iron-based particles contained in a band on the card. The magnetic stripe is read by physically
swiping the card past a reading head. Magnetic stripe cards are commonly used in credit
cards, transportation tickets, and driver's licenses. The Revolution Card credit card is being
touted as more secure than traditional credit cards such as those from Discover, Visa, and
MasterCard. The cardholder's name does not appear on the card nor does the card contain
any information about the cardholder in the magnetic stripe. Instead, the user must enter a
personal ID number to use the card.
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magnetic stripe card
A type of card that stores limited
amounts of data by modifying the
magnetism of tiny iron-based parti-
cles contained in a band on the card.
Point-of-Sale Devices
Point-of-sale (POS) devices
are terminals used in retail operations to enter sales information
into the computer system. The POS device then computes the total charges, including tax.
Many POS devices also use other types of input and output devices, such as keyboards, bar-
code readers, printers, and screens. Much of the money that businesses spend on computer
technology involves POS devices. First Data, Hewlett-Packard, and Microsoft have collabo-
rated to create a combined hardware and software point-of-sale solution for small retailers
called First Data POS Value Exchange. The system can handle all forms of payment including
cash, check, credit, debit, and gift cards. The software comes installed on Hewlett-Packard's
rp5000 computer, complete with a touch screen interface.
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point-of-sale (POS) device
A terminal used in retail operations
to enter sales information into the
computer system.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Devices
Another type of special-purpose input/output device, the automated teller machine (ATM)
is a terminal that bank customers use to perform withdrawals and other transactions with
their bank accounts. The ATM, however, is no longer used only for cash and bank receipts.
Companies use various ATM devices, sometimes called
kiosks,
to support their business pro-
cesses. Some can dispense tickets, such as for airlines, concerts, and soccer games. Some
colleges use them to produce transcripts. AT&T and Wireless Advocates (a provider of mobile
phones and services) sell mobile phones from manufacturers such as Samsung, Nokia, and
Motorola plus services at kiosks inside Costco stores.
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Pen Input Devices
By touching the screen with a pen input device, you can activate a command or cause the
computer to perform a task, enter handwritten notes, and draw objects and figures. Pen input
requires special software and hardware. Handwriting recognition software can convert hand-
writing on the screen into text. The Tablet PC from Microsoft and its hardware partners can
transform handwriting into typed text and store the “digital ink” just the way a person writes
it. Users can use a pen to write and send e-mail, add comments to Word documents, mark
up PowerPoint presentations, and even hand-draw charts in a document. The data can then
be moved, highlighted, searched, and converted into text. If perfected, this interface is likely
to become widely used. Pen input is especially attractive if you are uncomfortable using a
keyboard. The success of pen input depends on how accurately handwriting can be read and
translated into digital form and at what cost.
Touch-Sensitive Screens
Advances in screen technology allow display screens to function as input as well as output
devices. By touching certain parts of a touch-sensitive screen, you can start a program or trig-
ger other types of action. Touch-sensitive screens are popular input devices for some small
computers because they do not require a keyboard, which conserves space and increases
portability. Touch screens are frequently used at gas stations for customers to select grades
of gas and request a receipt, on photocopy machines to enable users to select various options,
at fast-food restaurants for order clerks to enter customer choices, at information centers in
hotels to allow guests to request facts about local eating and drinking establishments, and at
amusement parks to provide directions to patrons. They also are used in kiosks at airports
and department stores. Touch-sensitive screens are also being considered as a technology to
use in capturing voter choices.
