Automated Data Capture

Automated Data Capture

1. Automated Data Capture

   • Data is captured automatically to control an air conditioning system or when selling goods at a supermarket checkout, for instance. Data about physical parameters is collected by sensors.
   • pH sensors measure the pH of a swimming pool for use in water control systems.
   • Light sensors measure the light level in the room for controlling lighting systems.
   • Pressure sensors measure water pressure in a central heating system.

2. Analogue and Digital Data

   • Data collected by sensors is in analogue form and has to be converted to digital data systems. sensors are connected via an analogue to digital converter to a computer which can record or use the data.

3. Bar Codes

   • All goods for sale in supermarkets have bar codes which contain data that can uniquely identify the item.
   • The barcode is read by a barcode scanner at the checkout and the data is read and used to look uo the details of the item on the database on the supermarkets computer system.
   • Self service checkouts work because all the information on the item does not have to be entered again since it is already on the stores database.
   • The customer scans the barcode and the details on the item are displayed on the screen.
   • staff also use the hand held or portable readers to: Scan the items on the shelves Count the number of items on the shelf Send data to the stores computer system to update the database so the store knows how many of the items are in stock.

4. RFID Tags

   • Radio Frequency Identification tags are small devices which use radio waves to transfer data from the tag to a computer system.
   • RFID tags are used by supermarkets to automatically identify items.