Q1. In pairs, discuss the differences between applications software and systems software.
Explain why you think computer systems need both types of software.
Ans:
Applications software and systems software serve different but complementary roles in a computer system. Applications software refers to programs designed to fulfill specific tasks for the user, such as word processing, web browsing, or gaming. On the other hand, systems software is the backbone of a computer, including the operating system and utilities that manage hardware, system resources, and provide a platform for applications to run.
I think computer systems need both types of software because they work together to provide a functional and user-friendly experience. Systems software manages the complex operations of the hardware and provides a stable environment for applications software, which in turn allows me to perform specific tasks efficiently.
Q2. Open the file Software Knowledge Organiser.docx provided by your teacher.
- Complete the knowledge organiser with your own definitions of applications software and systems software.
- Add examples of applications software and systems software that you have used on a device.
- Complete the table to show the differences between applications software and systems software.
Produce a table with the headings:
- applications software
- operating systems.
Underneath the headings list some examples of applications software and operating systems that you are familiar with.
Ans:
Applications Software:
Systems Software:
Q1. In a group, make a list of the range of applications you have used at home or in school that use Al to support user interaction.
Describe the tasks you have completed with each device and explain how Al was used to complete the task, for example using a digital assistant to tell you a joke
Ans: I’ve used several AI-supported applications both at home and in school. For instance, I’ve used Google Assistant to set reminders and ask for weather updates. AI here understands my voice commands and processes them to provide the information I need. Similarly, I’ve used Grammarly while writing essays, where AI helps me by suggesting grammar corrections and better word choices. In school, we’ve used Kahoot! for quizzes, where AI analyzes the answers and ranks the participants, making the learning process interactive and fun.
Q2. Identify one device that uses image recognition, for example to gain access to a mobile phone. Think about how you use this device and consider how you do not need to look exactly the same each time for the device to recognise your image. Identify the range of ways your appearance can be altered while the Al is still able to recognise you and provide you with access to your device.
Ans: A device that uses image recognition is my smartphone with facial recognition technology. It allows me to unlock my phone without entering a password. The AI doesn’t require me to look exactly the same each time; it can recognize me even with changes like wearing glasses, a hat, or after a haircut. This is possible because the AI uses deep learning algorithms to identify key facial features that are less likely to change.
Q3. Some computer games use Al to make gameplay more interesting for the user. For example, as a user becomes more experienced in a game, the game becomes more difficult. Identify an example of a game you have played that uses Al to control user interactions or experiences.
- How was Al used to change your gaming experience in the game you have selected?
How might Al and image recognition be used to support user interactions in the Al system the school is hoping to develop? Make a list of possible ideas.
Ans:
An example of a game that uses AI to enhance user experience is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. As I become more skilled and my character levels up, the AI adjusts the difficulty of the enemies I encounter, making them stronger and more challenging. This keeps the game engaging as my skills improve.
AI and Image Recognition in School System:
AI and image recognition could be used in the school system to:
Q1. Use the internet to conduct some research into how automation is used in Al applications.
Open the PowerPoint template Al Around Us.pptx provided by your teacher.
Add information to this template to show how automation is used in:
- manufacturing
- retail (shops).
— For each Al application, consider the pros and cons of using Al in each area. Add your ideas to the template.
Ans:
For the PowerPoint template “AI Around Us,” here’s how I would add information about automation in AI applications in manufacturing and retail:
Manufacturing:
Retail (Shops):
Q2. Research the use of Al applications and automation in medicine. Complete the additional slides on the file to show your findings.
Present your findings to a small group.
Ans:
For the additional slides on AI applications and automation in medicine, here’s a summary of my findings:
AI Applications in Medicine:
Pros:
Cons:
Q1. Take a look again at the Al systems in the table on page 158. Choose an example and, with a partner, think carefully about the input, processing and output of that system.
Create a diagram to show INPUT, PROCESS and OUTPUT for the Al system you have selected. Look back to the Learn box on page 160 for an example diagram.
Ans:
Let’s take the example of a voice-activated digital assistant, like Google Assistant or Siri, which is a common AI system.
Here’s a simple diagram to illustrate the INPUT, PROCESS, and OUTPUT for this AI system:
INPUT: The input is the voice command given by the user, such as asking for the weather.
PROCESS: The AI system processes this input using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to understand the command and determine the user’s intent.
OUTPUT: The output is the AI system’s response, which could be a spoken answer detailing the weather forecast or displaying the information on a screen.
Q2. Use the internet to carry out research into the sensors below. Copy and complete the table.
With a partner, discuss each of the examples you have found .
- Can you think of any other ways in which each Al system can be used or any improvements that could be made to the examples so that the system could be used to help carry out another task? Add your ideas to the table.
Ans:
Pressure Sensor:
Data it collects: Measures atmospheric pressure, force exerted by a fluid, or force exerted on a surface.
Examples of AI systems where this sensor is used: Autonomous vehicles and drones use pressure sensors to measure altitude and ensure accurate navigation1.
Improvements/additional uses: Pressure sensors could be integrated into smart packaging to monitor and report the condition of perishable goods during transport.
Color Sensor:
Data it collects: Detects color by measuring the intensity of light reflected from an object.
Examples of AI systems where this sensor is used: Robotics use color sensors for object differentiation and navigation2.
Improvements/additional uses: Color sensors could be used in environmental monitoring to detect changes in foliage as an indicator of plant health or pollution levels.
Smoke/Gas Sensor:
Data it collects: Identifies the presence of smoke or various gases in the environment.
Examples of AI systems where this sensor is used: AI-based sensor fusion is used in smoke detection to reduce false alarms and detect sensor failures3.
Improvements/additional uses: Smoke/gas sensors could be enhanced with AI to differentiate between types of smoke/gases, providing more detailed information for safety systems.
Tilt Sensor:
Data it collects: Measures the angle of tilt or inclination with respect to gravity.
Examples of AI systems where this sensor is used: Service and industrial robots use tilt sensors for balance and to monitor the angle of limbs4.
Improvements/additional uses: Tilt sensors could be used in smart furniture to adjust positions automatically for ergonomic benefits or in sports equipment to analyze and improve athlete performance.
Q1. Use what you have learned about sensors; Al; and input, output and processing to design an Al system. The system should help you to complete a daily task or something else of your choosing.
Before you design your Al system, you need to think about these questions:
- What type of input should the Al system collect? What sensors will it need?
- What do you want the Al system to do? What processing will it do?
- What type of output will the Al system provide? Will it need a screen to display results of processing? Will it be able to move? Will it need speakers?
Some examples of Al devices you might want to consider include:
a robot toy that can be taught tricks and provide company but that also needs to be fed virtually an Al system that could be used with virtual-
reality glasses to allow you to visit and move around new locations, for example exploring space.
Ans:
I would design an AI system that acts as a Personal Health Assistant. This system would help me maintain a healthy lifestyle by monitoring my daily activities, providing health tips, and reminding me of health-related tasks.
Input: The AI system would collect data through sensors like a heart rate monitor, pedometer, and sleep tracker. It would also need access to my calendar and dietary preferences.
Processing: The AI would process the collected data to analyze my physical activity levels, sleep quality, and dietary habits. It would use this information to create personalized health recommendations and reminders.
Output: The output would include spoken reminders and notifications on my smartphone or smartwatch. It would also provide weekly health reports and suggestions on a screen.
Q2. Create a sketch of your device. As part of your design you should identify:
- the purpose of your device
- the input and output devices your device will have
- how you would interact with the device
- what the device will be used for
- what sensors the device will require and what they would be used for.
Ans:
Purpose: To assist in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by monitoring and providing recommendations based on personal health data.
Input Devices: Heart rate monitor, pedometer, sleep tracker, microphone for voice commands.
Output Devices: Smartphone/smartwatch for notifications, speaker for verbal interaction, display screen for detailed reports.
Interaction: I would interact with the device through voice commands and a dedicated app on my smartphone or smartwatch.
Use: The device would be used for daily health monitoring, providing activity suggestions, dietary tips, and reminding me of health-related tasks like medication and hydration.
Sensors Required:
Q1. Describe in detail to a partner how analogue images are digitised.
Ans:
Digitizing an analogue image involves converting the visual information into a digital format that a computer can read and process. This is done by scanning the image and transforming it into a series of numbers that represent discrete points or samples1. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Scanning the Image: The first step is to scan the analogue image using a scanner or a digital camera. The scanner illuminates the image and measures the intensity of light reflected or transmitted by it.
Sampling: The scanner divides the image into a grid of pixels. Each pixel’s color is then sampled, meaning the scanner records the color intensity at that point.
Quantization: Each sampled pixel is assigned a digital value based on its color intensity. For a color depth of two, there are four possible values (00, 01, 10, 11), which correspond to different colors or shades.
Creating a Bitmap: The digital values of all pixels are compiled into a bitmap, a matrix of binary numbers that represents the image.
Storing the Image: The bitmap is then saved as a digital file, which can be stored, edited, or shared.
Q2. Open the file Bitmap Practice.docx provided by your teacher.
Use the key provided in the document to help you complete the bitmap image represented. The image has a colour depth of two. A copy of the bit pattern for this image is shown below.
Use the file Your Bitmap.docx provided by your teacher to create your own image in binary format.
- The colour depth for the image should be no larger than two.
- Include a colour key.
- Ask a partner to colour the image for you.
- Complete the calculation to show how many bits you would need to store your image with a colour depth of two:
( ______ _ X _______ ) X ______ =
Ans:
To complete the bitmap image with a color depth of two, you would follow the key provided in the document. Each bit pair (00, 01, 10, 11) would correspond to a specific color or shade. You would fill in each pixel according to the bit pattern to recreate the image.
For creating your own image in binary format, you would:
To calculate the number of bits needed to store your image, use the formula:
(Width in pixels×Height in pixels)×Color depth in bits
For example, if your image is 10 pixels wide and 10 pixels high, the calculation would be:
(10×10)×2=200 bits
This formula will give you the total number of bits required to store your image with a color depth of two.
Q1. Driverless cars are an example of an Al system that uses cameras and microphones to collect input from their environment. Use the internet to carry out research into other Al applications that use cameras and microphones in the same way. Make a list of these applications and describe how they use each image and sound input.
Ans:
AI applications that use cameras and microphones to collect input include:
Q2. Open the file ASCII Conversion Chart.docx provided by your teacher.
- Use this chart to write a message to a partner.
- Swap messages and try to work out what your partner's message says.
Ans:
Using an ASCII conversion chart, you can write a message by converting each letter into its corresponding ASCII code. For example, if you want to write “HELLO,” you would find the ASCII codes for each character and write them down. Then, your partner would use the same chart to convert the ASCII codes back to letters to decipher the message.
Here’s a simple message encoded in ASCII:
72 69 76 76 79
This corresponds to “HELLO” when decoded using an ASCII chart. Your partner would use the chart to match each number to its corresponding character to read the message.
Q1. As a class, make a list of the devices you use at home and at school that require electronic circuits to support the processing of data.
Ans:
Devices that require electronic circuits to process data are ubiquitous in both home and school environments. Here’s a list of such devices:
Q2. Look back to the Scenario on page 152 at the start of this unit. Discuss with a partner: Will the Al device you design need to use electronic circuits and logic gates?
Explain your answer.
Ans:
Yes, the AI device I design will need to use electronic circuits and logic gates. Electronic circuits are fundamental to any electronic device as they provide the pathways for electric currents to flow and perform various functions. Logic gates are the building blocks of digital circuits, processing binary input (0s and 1s) to produce a specific output.
For an AI device, electronic circuits and logic gates would be crucial for:
Q1. Open the file Using Logic Gates.xlsx provided by your teacher. Open the tab AND Gates on the file.
- Complete Part 1 to test your understanding of how an AND gate operates.
- Complete Part 2 by describing a problem that requires you to consider two important factors before you make the decision.
- Complete the table with the explanations in a similar way to the 'Lunch decisions using an AND gate' table in the Learn box above.
Explain your output in the Output column. What did Z equal? What does this mean your decision will be?
- Save your files.
Ans:
An AND gate operates on the principle that the output is true (1) only if all the inputs are true (1). Here’s an example problem for Part 2:
Problem: I want to go out for a run. The two important factors I need to consider are:
The table would look like this:
If Z equals 1, it means both conditions are met, and I will decide to go for a run. If Z equals 0, I will not go for a run.
Q2. Open the tab OR Gates on the file.
Complete Part 1 and Part 2 of this task using a decision you might make in the same way as an OR gate operates.
Ans:
An OR gate outputs true (1) if at least one of the inputs is true (1). For example:
Decision: I will watch a movie if I have free time or if there is a new release I’ve been waiting to see.
The table would look like this:
Q3. Open the tab NOT Gates on the file.
Test the NOT gate model using a problem with only one question that has a TRUE/ FALSE answer and where the outcome must be the opposite of the answer to your question.
Ans:
A NOT gate inverts the input; the output is true (1) if the input is false (0), and vice versa. For example:
Problem: Is it raining?
If the answer is TRUE (it is raining), the NOT gate would give an output of FALSE (0), and if the answer is FALSE (it is not raining), the NOT gate would give an output of TRUE (1).
Q4. Look back to the Scenario on page 152 at the start of the unit. The Al system being developed by the school is expected to include a login system. Discuss with a partner which of these gates you would use to help manage student logins to the system.
Ans: For managing student logins to the AI system, an AND gate could be used to ensure that two conditions are met before access is granted, such as a correct username (Input A) and a correct password (Input B). Only when both inputs are true (1), the output (Z) would allow access to the system. This ensures a secure login process. An OR gate would not be suitable for this scenario because it would grant access if either the username or password is correct, which is not secure. A NOT gate is not applicable here as it inverts the input, which doesn’t align with the requirements of a login system.
You have learned how logic gates can be used to help computers make decisions. For complex decision-making, a number of logic gates can be combined together to make a logic circuit.
Q1. Consider how two logic gates could be combined together to manage user access to a simple digital device such as an air-conditioning system in the home. The system uses inputs from temperature sensors in the home but it can also be switched ON/OFF by the homeowner using an app on their mobile phone: The access system on the alarm follows these simple rules to determine whether the air-conditioning unit should be switched ON or not: The air conditioning system will be switched on if the temperature in the house is >20 c; it will be switched off when the temperature is < 20 c). The air-conditioning system will operate only if the homeowner has switched the power on.
Ans:
To manage user access to an air-conditioning system, we could use an AND gate combined with a sensor input. The AND gate would have two inputs: one from the temperature sensor (input A) and one from the homeowner’s app (input B). The output (Z) would control the air-conditioning system.
Q2. Copy the table below and place the following descriptions and gates under the correct headings to help you decide which are INPUT, PROCESS or OUTPUT.
I AND I I Air-conditioning system ON | Temperature <20 I I Temperature >20 I
Ans:
Q3. Draw a diagram like the one on page 173 to place the descriptions and gates in the correct order to help you understand how this system operates.
Ans:
The diagram for the air-conditioning system logic would look like this:
Q4. There are more than three different types of logic gates. One additional example is the Exclusive OR gate.
- Use the internet to find out more about the Exclusive OR logic gate.
- Write a description of how the Exclusive OR logic gate operates.
Draw the symbol used to represent an Exclusive OR logic gate.
Design a problem that can be solved using an Exclusive OR gate. The problem should have two input questions where the answers can be only TRUE or FALSE.
Ans:
The Exclusive OR (XOR) logic gate operates such that the output is true only when one of the two inputs is true. If both inputs are the same (both true or both false), the output is false. The symbol for an XOR gate is a standard OR gate with an additional curved line on the input side.
Here’s a problem that can be solved using an XOR gate:
Problem: You have two tasks to complete today: attend a meeting and write a report. You can only do one at a time. If you attend the meeting, you cannot write the report, and vice versa.
The XOR gate ensures that you can only choose one task, as choosing both (or neither) would result in a false output. This setup helps in decision-making where mutually exclusive options are present.
Part 1
Look back to the Scenario on page 152 at the start of this unit. Your school has provided the template deisgn below that shows an outline of the Al system required. The device will include a virtual reality headset and will run on a hardware platform such as a PC or a portable tablet, or a mobile phone.
The school plan to trial the system in two subject areas, geography and history, before expanding the application to include other subjects, such as science and mathematics. The application will have a login screen and allow students to select a subject area from a menu. Each subject is divided into a series of topics and each topic is contains a Learn, Practise and an Assessment area. In geography the school would like to use: digital text books with:
— videos, images and text to help student learning
- interactive quizzes and games in the learn section a method of helping students keep track of where they left off in each topic area virtual-reality smilations to allow students to visit different countries
image recognition to help students identify different geographic items such as rock types
practice questions with automated feedback for each question to help students's understanding of difficult questions assessments with multiple-choice questions.
1 The school is unsure whether the software they are developing is applications software or systems software.
a Write a short paragraph to explain which it will be. Include examples of each type of software to illustrate your answer.
b Evaluate the template design and make recommendations on the type of devices the school would need to collect input from the users. Write a paragraph about how well you think the design would:
- use student input to help student learning, for example would it be enjoyable to use, and why?
- help teachers with marking and adminstration.
c How difficult it would be to collect all of t he information needed to suit the school curriculum?
d Comment on how suitable this type of app lication would be to run on each of the following :
- a PC
- a portable digital device such as a tablet or a mobile phone.
e Comment on any additional features you t hink could be added to the system to improve the design.
Ans:
a. The software being developed by the school is applications software. This type of software is designed to help users perform specific tasks and is user-oriented. For example, a digital textbook with interactive quizzes is applications software because it directly assists students in learning. Systems software, on the other hand, includes operating systems like Windows or macOS, which manage the computer’s hardware and software resources and provide common services for application software.
b. The template design is innovative and interactive, which should engage students and make learning enjoyable. To collect input, the school would need devices with touchscreens for easy navigation, microphones for voice commands, and cameras for image recognition. This design would greatly assist student learning by providing a dynamic and immersive experience. For teachers, the automated feedback and assessments would streamline marking and administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on teaching.
c. Collecting all the information to suit the school curriculum could be challenging. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum, sourcing or creating suitable digital content, and ensuring the information is up-to-date and accurate. Collaboration with educators and subject matter experts would be essential.
d. Running the application on a PC would likely provide a stable and powerful platform, suitable for detailed virtual reality simulations. However, a portable digital device like a tablet or mobile phone offers greater accessibility and convenience for students to learn anytime, anywhere, though it may have limitations in processing power and screen size.
e. Additional features that could improve the system include:
Part 2
The school needs some advice on developing the login system for the device. They woud like to make sure that only students who have user accounts on the application are able to log in to the system. Students must use a username and password to access the system.
2 The school have asked you to design a login system using either an AND, OR or NOT gate to help with this process. Students can speak either their username or their password into the system.
Explain to the school how the letters and numbers used to represent a password can be stored using binary digits.
Explain how the analogue voice pattern of a username could be converted into digital.
Draw a diagram to show how the login system could work using a logic gate.
Design a simple logo for the history section in the software system.
Open the file Your Bitmap.docx provided by your teacher. Use the 10 x 10 digital grid to design a suitable logo. You should use a colour depth of two to represent your image.
Ans:
Explaining Binary Storage of Passwords:
Every letter and number in a password can be represented by binary digits, which are the basic units of data in computing, known as bits. Each character is assigned a unique binary code using an encoding system like ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange). For example, the letter ‘A’ is represented by the binary code 01000001
and the number ‘1’ by 00110001
.
Converting Analogue Voice to Digital:
The analogue voice pattern of a username is converted into digital format through a process called sampling. Here’s how it works:
Login System Diagram Using a Logic Gate:
For the login system, an AND gate would be appropriate because it ensures that both the username and password are correct before granting access.
Bitmap Logo Design:
Using a 10x10 grid and a color depth of two, you could design a bitmap logo with a simple representation of a historical element, such as a column from ancient architecture. Here’s a textual representation of how you might design it:
Part 3
The principal would like to find out about how Al could be used in other areas around the school.
Q3. Write a short paragraph explaining your ideas, how they would work and how they would benefit the students and staff at school.
Ans:
Smart Scheduling Systems: AI can optimize school schedules, managing class times, teacher availability, and room assignments efficiently. This would benefit staff by reducing administrative burdens and students by ensuring they have balanced schedules.
Personalized Learning Platforms: AI can tailor educational content to meet individual student needs, adapting to their learning pace and style. This would help students by providing customized support and challenges, and teachers by offering insights into each student’s progress.
Automated Administrative Tasks: AI can handle routine tasks like attendance, grading standardized tests, and tracking student progress. This would free up teachers’ time to focus on teaching and provide them with detailed data to inform instruction.
Enhanced Security: AI-powered surveillance systems can improve campus safety by detecting unusual behavior or unauthorized individuals, providing peace of mind for both students and staff.
Maintenance and Energy Efficiency: AI can manage school facilities, predicting maintenance needs, and optimizing energy use, which can lead to cost savings and a more sustainable environment.
28 videos|17 docs|5 tests
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1. What is the difference between applications software and systems software? |
2. How is artificial intelligence used in industry? |
3. How can one design their own AI system? |
4. What are logic gates and how do they work? |
5. How are images, sound, and text represented in data processing? |
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