Unit 10 Database Design 2 Sketches

These are some of my hand-drawn designs for my database for a doctors' surgery

Unit 9 Database Design 2 Hand-Drawn Screenshots

Underneath are the photos I scanned in of what my hand-drawn designs look like:

Season Ticket-holder Information

Season Ticket-type Details sheet

Home-screen with macros-enabled buttons to other sheets

Summary of Information sheet

Ubiquitous Computing System

Ubiquitous Computing Systems (Ubicomp)

1.     Definition of Ubiquitous Computing

Ubiquitous computing, also known as ‘exists everywhere’, is where processors can be put in any device, format or location in order to connect the internet so data will be generated by that processor and will be already available.

2.     Definition of RFID

RFID, also known as radio frequency identification, is where an object within a ubiquitous computing location contains RFID chips. This means the radio waves can transfer data to a tag a person or object so it can be tracked.

 

3.     How does a RFID work?

In a ubiquitous computing environment, a RFID chip is placed in a processor which enables data to be transferred and transmitted electronically as effectively as possible. These chips are generally placed on an object or person so it can be tracked down, but it isn’t like a GPS. It just monitors the amount of stock available, examples of this include:

Tags on groceries in the supermarket so when the data reaches a minimum number of quantities an automatic order will be sent out by the processor. RFID’s are similar to barcodes but do not need to be scanned and can transfer data electronically and be transmitted.

 

4.     What are 2 examples of ideas of unicomp being used now

·        Currently, unicomp is used generally on an everyday basis in many types of industries. Whether this is, motoring, supermarkets, clothing stores, and so on. If the shop is a CD store, then when the amount of CD’s are down to a certain number, the processor then automatically sends out data for more CD’s to be replaced in an order.

·        Another example includes, if a cat flap opens, it’ll only open for the cat if the correct chip is in its collar so no other cats with no RFID chip in its collar can come in.

5.     What are 2 examples of unicomp being used in the future

·        If an RFID chip is placed on a car, then on that person’s device it can automatically transfer data about when their car needs servicing, an MOT, to book itself into the garage, if it’s low on petrol and place orders if a part in the car isn’t working or broken.  It may also send information to their nearest garage to book an MOT or so on.

·        Another example is when a refrigerator is low on stock of food, and it automatically sends out an order to a supermarket for another order of that food to be sent in when it’s on a low quantity. The data will be sent out to the online website of the most common used supermarket.

6.     What does the acronym RFID stand for and what is it used for? (6)

RFID stands for radio frequency identification and is frequently used in ubiquitous computing, as it appears everywhere at the same time on any device. RFID is used for monitoring the information in industries, mainly in a ubiquitous computing environment, but also so everyone can connect to the internet or mobile device at the same time. It works in the RFID system, by having a RFID chip (radio frequency identification) installed into a processor, which then enables information to be transferred and transmitted through signals in the antenna. It’s used now on an everyday basis as the shopping industries use ubiquitous computing to keep track of the amount of stock in stores, and if a minimum number of that product is in place then an automatic order is placed. It can be used in the future by perhaps putting a RFID chip on a vehicle so it can transfer data about if the vehicle needs a MOT, servicing, is low on petrol or if it needs a spare part, for example.

 

 

Zipped Files

What is a QR Code

What is a QR code?

A QR code – also known as a quick-response code- is a machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, to enhance social communication and business directories.

In which industry and country were QR codes first used?

The first use of QR codes was in 1994 in Japan and was invented by the Denso Wave Company to track the vehicle manufacturing process.

List 5 items/media that a QR code can link to

QR codes can be linked to:

Website URL’s, SMS messages, a phone number, advertisements, companies promotions.

List 5 ways in which they can be used, e.g. – a business card

•   Business cards

•    Promotions and coupon codes

•   Directed to a website/company URL

•     A geographical location

•  A phone number of SMS message of some sort

Which equipment do you need to scan a QR code?

You need a smart phone which has a camera and an application (QR barcode scanner) to scan a QR code. If you don’t have a smart phone with either of those software’s, then you can use a QR code reader on a device such as a tablet or computer instead.

Read one QR code with an iPad or smartphone

I searched for a QR code on Google images and found this one.

On a smart phone with a camera and an application for scanning QR barcodes I downloaded, I scanned it and was directed to a website called http://www.qrstuff.com

This is the application I downloaded and scanned the barcode to the left. It recognised the barcode within seconds and instantly came up with this page above. It gave you the full URL address straight away and gave you the option to open it in your browser.

Read one QR code with an online reader

It came up with this page on the left so I clicked the ‘browse’ option. I then entered the full URL address of the QR code I want to find out about and then clicked ‘send file’. It then came up with the URL of the company’s website to direct me there.

Generate your own QR code

I used the website http://www.qrstuff.com/ to generate my own personalized QR code as a majority of websites didn’t work as effectively or you had to pay to make your own. I used my http://annieclarkx.blogspot.co.uk/  blog website to link my QR code to as it’s my own blog and would perhaps attract more viewers. I entered the full URL address in the ‘content’ section and it gave me the option to change the foreground colour which is effective for businesses as it gives the QR code more colour as makes it stand out, e.g. when it’s on the corner of a business card. It gave you a preview and you can download it for future use. QR codes are a cheap and easy way to direct people to your website for business purposes and enhance more information in one place at once.

 My personalized QR code for my blog looked like this, above.

Advantages and Disadvantages of QR codes:

 

Advantages:

• There is no need to write vital details down. A simple scan captures the desired information.

• QR Codes can be used to store addresses and URLs that can appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards or just about any product that users might need information about.

• The main advantage of a QR code is its versatility.

• Save money and time

• Scans in an instant

Disadvantages:

•  Users must be equipped with a camera phone and the correct reader software that can scan the image of the QR Code

• Lack of familiarity of the QR code among people

• Can take some time to scan the barcode and for the software to recognise it

• Some customers doesn’t know how to find the information, then they might not buy the product or service and this can lose business