big test :)

Question 1

how does a barcode scanner work?

Answer 1

• red laser shone on barcode
• light is reflected back
• sensors detect the light
• pattern is converted to digital
• micro-roster interprets the data
• each digit is made up of 2 dark and 2 white lines

Question 2

most common use of barcodes and barcode scanners?

Answer 2

electronic point of sale

Question 3

what are some input/output devices found at a checkout?

Answer 3

keypad
screen/monitor
speaker
printer
touchscreen

Question 4

advantages of barcode scanner

Answer 4

advantages to company: easier+ faster to change prices on stock items, gives better/up-to-date sales info, allows automatic stock control, checks customer buying habits

advantages to customer: faster checkout queues, errors reduced, itemized bill, better track of ‘sell by date”s so there is fresher food

Question 5

barcodes and stock management

Answer 5

• barcode identifies a (unique) product
• barcode can be used to look up a product in a database
  -data about stock levels can be stored in a system
• stock can automatically be deducted from the system
• automatic re-order is possible
• locate if an item is available in another location

Question 6

QR codes (how do they work)

Answer 6

• QR code scanned by camera
• Light reflected back
• black squares reflect less than white squares
• 3 large squares used to define alignment
• square data is decoded - each square has a binary value
• processed by an app
• links to website or document
• QR code can be saved and used again

Question 7

advantages of QR codes:

Answer 7

• can hold much more information
• there will be fewer errors (they have error checking systems)
• QR codes are easier to read
• easy to transmit as texts or images
• possible to encrypt QR codes

Question 8

disadvantages of QR codes

Answer 8

• more than one QR format is available
• can be used to transmit malicious codes
• when the code is scanned, it is possible the creator of the malicious code could gain access to everything on the user’s phone

Question 9

new developments in the QR code

Answer 9

• Newer QR codes (called frame QR codes) are being used because they can add logos
• they have a canvas area where it’s possible to include graphics
• software to do this usually isn’t free