Dedicated Computer Systems General Purpose Computer Systems Dedicated Computer Systems Embedded Control Process Control Examples of Dedicated Computer Systems Specialised I/O Devices Software for Dedicated Systems

General Purpose Computer System A general-purpose computer is capable of performing a variety of tasks When using a PC one can perform a many different tasks such as spreadsheets, word- processing, browsing the Internet, playing games, creating music, editing videos and so on General-purpose computers are not limited to a single task.

Dedicated Computer System A dedicated computer is designed to do a specific task The single task may not be a simple task, it can be complex Dedicated computers can only do what it was created for and nothing else Common examples are Sony Playstation, ATM, Mobile Phones, GPS

Embedded Computer Systems An embedded system is a special-purpose system that is enclosed in a certain device It is not a general-purpose system, so engineers can reduce its size since its function is known before Engineers could simplify it in order to be easily embedded and cheaper Typical examples of embedded systems are VCR (Video Cassette Recorders), Washing Machines and Microwave Ovens

Process Control Systems A process control system is the automatic monitoring and control of industrial activities A computer is programmed to respond to feedback signals from different sensors The operation controlled may be as small as packing boxes or as complex as the control of an automated bakery, where the mixing, cooking and packaging are controlled within a single integrated process.

Examples of Dedicated Systems

VCR – Video Cassette Recorder A VCR has a number of options related to its specific task You can find the following options on a VCR Play, Rewind, Fast-forward In modern VCR one can also program the VCR to record what‟s on TV

Auto-Pilot Modern aircrafts have a system called auto-pilots This special-purpose system helps the pilot to travel with very little human interaction The auto-pilot automatically plots the route the aircraft needs to take and then the speed and altitude and so on

Mobile Phones Technology has gone through many advances These advances have made it possible to integrate very small dedicated machines into mobile phones These machines apart from handling normal mobile phone functions such as making or receiving a call, can also handle more features such as sound management, messaging, use of JAVA programs and more!

Global Positioning System A GPS makes travelling in foreign countries much easier and safer This dedicated machine, helps the user to keep on the right track to reach their location This eliminates us getting lost

Specialised I/O Devices

Specialised I/O Devices As we know we have many input and output devices Apart from the general I/O devices such as; keyboards Mice Monitors etc… Some input/output devices are created especially for their dedicated systems

Sensors A sensor is an electronic component which converts one form of energy into another; A sensor responds to some physical property such as pressure, flow, humidity ect....

Sensors – Examples Alarm Systems: When an alarm system is installed, many sensors are places around the building. These sensor detect movement within the building. If there is movement, the sensor will set off the alarm system Climate Control: Air-conditions have sensors to detect the temperature in a room. So, when a temperature is set, the air- conditioner will constantly monitor the temperature of the area through the sensor and react accordingly

Buttons Another common form of input devices are button Buttons are included in almost all computerized appliances and these act as the main source of input from the user to the machine.

Monitors LCD – (Liquid Crystal Display) allow the computer to show the output of something. LCD screens are used for example GPS systems, where the current location on the map is displayed. LED – (Light Emitting Diodes) these screens have been around from the early years. LEDs are very small diodes that can generate a small amount of light usually in the color green, red or blue. This type of output indicates various states of the dedicated-machine. Almost all appliances when turned on have a small LED which indicated that the machine has been turned on.

Software for Dedicated Computer Systems

Software Dedicated computer systems have specially made software which is solely aimed to perform the required tasks and thus cannot handle any other functions This software is normally found in the ROM of the dedicated computer as it never needs to change. Dedicated computer systems usually have a limited amount of RAM so if software needs to be changed, the ROM is flashed and the new software is put into it