Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Jones, and I'm really pleased that you've decided to learn with me today.

In this lesson, we're going to look at embedded systems and start to look at different software types.

So let's get started.

Welcome to today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called "Software and Embedded Systems," from the Unit Computer Systems, and by the end of this lesson, you'll be able to describe the differences between embedded and general purpose computer systems and the role of application and utility software.

Their are four key words in today's lesson, general purpose computer.

A general purpose computer is a computer designed to perform many different tasks.

Embedded computer.

An embedded computer is a small computer built into a device to control specific functions.

Utility software, utility software helps maintain and improve the performance of a computer system.

Application software, application software is software used by humans to complete a task.

There are three sections to today's lesson.

Define an embedded and general purpose system followed by explain where embedded computer systems are used.

And finally compare different types of software.

So let's start with define an embedded and general purpose system.

A computer is a programmable device that takes in data, processes it into useful information, and then outputs the information so it can be used.

General purpose computers are devices that have a variety of uses.

The user chooses the task for the computer to complete.

Examples of this are laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Embedded computer systems are more specialised.

They can only do a limited number of things, but they do them very well.

Examples are microwaves, washing machines, or automated robotic arms. Let's have a quick check.

Which is an example of a general purpose computer system? Is it A, a microwave.

B, a laptop.

C, a robotic arm.

or D, a smart thermostat.

Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was B, laptop.

Well done if you got that correct.

Let's have another check, which is an example of an embedded computer system.

Is it A tablet.

B, laptop.

C, smartphone.

Or D, microwave? Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was D, microwave.

Well then, if you got that correct.

Sam asks, "How is a mobile phone a general purpose computer?? It's a very good question.

You can do lots on a smartphone.

And you as a user select what you want to do next from the apps available, it has multiple purposes.

Characteristics of general purpose computer systems include, it can run multiple applications and switch between them.

It has a user interface to allow the user to select tasks or applications.

Higher cost with more advanced software and hardware.

Lucas says, "But you can select lots of different cycles on a washing machine.

How is that an embedded system?" And Lucas is correct.

You can select lots of different cycles.

It has multiple cycles, but they're all for the same purpose to wash the clothes on different settings.

Characteristics of embedded computer systems include, focused on one or a few specific tasks.

Limited or no user interface, lower cost as designed for just one set purpose.

Embedded systems are usually part of a larger system.

Each embedded system controls a set function.

A washing machine will have more than one.

Each to control a different function such as the water inlet, temperature, and cycle.

They are small in size as there is more than one inside a machine, each using less power.

Let's do an activity.

You'll need your worksheet for this.

Complete the table to define an embedded and a general purpose computer system.

You have a table with embedded and general purpose across the top.

And on the left you have the sections, number of tasks or purposes, examples.

Does it have a user interface and cost? Pause the video, go back through the slides, complete your worksheet and then we'll check the answers.

Let's check your answers.

For a number of tasks or purposes.

An embedded computer system focuses on one or a few specific tasks.

A general purpose computer system can run multiple applications and switch between them.

Examples of embedded computer systems are microwaves, washing machines, automated robotic arms. Examples of general purpose computer systems include laptop, tablet, and smartphone.

Does it have a user interface? An embedded computer system has limited or no user interface.

A general purpose computer system has a user interface to allow the user to select tasks or applications.

Cost, an embedded computer system has a lower cost as it's designed for a set purpose.

A general purpose computer system has a higher cost because it has more advanced software and hardware.

Well done if you've got that correct.

Let's go to the second part of today's lesson.

Explain where embedded computer systems are used.

Aisha asks, Can you give some more examples of embedded computer systems?" We can have traffic lights, fitness tracker, smart thermostat.

These are all examples of embedded computer systems. Inside this room, there are lots of computers.

Some of them are embedded computer systems. Remember, they are specialised to a specific task, set of tasks.

They have limited resources and often functions without a user.

The embedded computer systems here are, coffee machine, the vacuum robot, the thermostat, the security system, the Bluetooth speaker, the printer, and the game controller.

Let's have a quick check.

Which of the following is an embedded computer system seen in the image of the room? Is it A, the laptop.

B, the tablet.

C, the coffee machine.

Or D, the smartphone.

Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was C, Coffee machine.

Well done if you got that correct.

Izzy asks, "What is the function of the embedded computer system in a washing machine?" To control washing cycles, temperature and spin speed is the function.

It is dedicated to a specific task.

It reduces cost and complexity.

Alex asks, "What is the function of the embedded computer system in a traffic light system?" It is to control light timing based on traffic flow sensors or a set programme.

It is dedicated to a set task.

It ensures safety and smooth traffic flow.

Jun asks, "What is the function of the embedded computer system in a smart thermostat?" It is to adjust home temperatures based on user settings and sensors.

It is dedicated to a set task.

It reduces energy consumption by automating heating or cooling.

Laura asks, "What is the function of the embedded computer system in a fitness tracker?" It is to collect the step data, the step count, heart rate, and sleep data of the user.

It is dedicated to a set task.

It is a compact low power system for continuous monitoring.

Let's do an activity.

You'll need your worksheet.

Use the table to explain what the embedded computer system does and why it is used.

You have four devices, washing machine, traffic lights, smart thermostat and fitness tracker.

And you have a column to define the function.

And a column to describe why it is embedded.

Pause the video, go back through the slides and then we'll go through the answer.

Let's check your answers.

A washing machine's function is to control washing cycles, temperature and spin speed.

And it is embedded because it's dedicated to a specific task.

It reduces cost and complexity.

Traffic lights function is control light timing based on traffic flow sensors.

And it is dedicated to a set task.

It ensures safety and smooth traffic flow.

Smart thermostat, its function is to adjust home temperature based on user settings and sensors.

And it is embedded because it is dedicated to a set task.

It reduces energy consumption by automating heating or cooling.

Fitness tracker, is function is to collect step count, heart rate and sleep data.

And it's embedded because it's dedicated to a set task.

It is compact, low power system for continuous monitoring.

Well done if you got that correct.

The next section of today's lesson is compared different types of software.

In a computer, there are different types of hardware and software.

Hardware is something you can touch.

The physical components.

Software is something that runs on the hardware to allow us to complete tasks.

There are different types of software.

System software manages and controls the hardware and allows application software to run.

Application software is downloaded and used by a user to complete specific tasks or activities.

Application software is installed and used by the user to perform specific tasks on a computer.

Jun asks, "What are some examples of application software?" Really good question.

Some examples include word processing software, web browsers, gaming, media presentations, spreadsheets, and much more.

System software includes utility software.

Utility software is used to maintain and optimise or protect a computer system, and this includes encryption, defragmentation, and data compression.

Encryption software is used to convert any data to an unreadable format without a decryption key.

It protects any sensitive data by stopping unauthorised access whilst it is stored or in transmission.

Defragmentation software is used to reorganise any data on a hard drive by grouping related data together.

It can improve system performance by reducing the time to access files on a hard drive.

When a file is saved to your hard drive, it is saved in segments.

Defragmentation rearranges the files so the segments are stored together and speeds up accessing files.

On the left using the colours you can see the different segments.

The pink, for example, are not together.

They are scattered across.

All of them are not saved together.

Defragmentation on the right, you can see all the colours now together, it has rearranged the files that are needed to be stored together.

All those segments are now together, which will speed up accessing those files.

Let's have a quick check.

Defragmentation is used to complete which task? Is it A, reduce the file size to free up space.

B, rearrange file segments together.

C, encode data so others cannot read it.

Or D, backup data on another device.

Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was B, rearrange file segments together.

Well done if you got that correct.

Data compression software is used to reduce the size of any file.

It can help reduce storage space for other files and speed up file transfers over networks.

And example is compressing a folder into a zip format.

Let's do an activity.

You'll need your worksheet.

Let's describe the difference between utility and application software.

Pause the video, use your worksheet, go back through the slides and then we'll check your answer.

Let's check your answer.

System software is used to manage and control the hardware and allow any application software to run.

This includes utility software that is used to maintain, optimise, or protect a computer system.

Application software is downloaded and used by a user to complete specific tasks or activities.

This can include word processing, gaming, media, spreadsheets, et cetera.

Well done if got that correct.

Let's do another activity.

You'll need your worksheet and we need to complete the table below to compare the different types of utility software.

On the left, you can see utility software, encryption, defragmentation, and data compression.

And you need to define what does it do and what is the benefit.

Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

Encryption, this converts any data to an unreadable format without a decryption key, and it protects any sensitive data by stopping unauthorised access whilst it is stored or in transmission.

Defragmentation, this reorganises any data on a hard drive by grouping related data together.

It improves system performance by reducing the time to access files on a hard drive.

Data compression is used to reduce the size of files, it reduces storage space needed for files and speeds up file transfers over networks.

Well done if you got that correct.

In summary, general purpose computers are devices that have a variety of uses.

The user chooses the task for the computer to complete.

Embedded computer systems are specialised to a specific task or a set of tasks.

They have limited resources and often function without a user.

Utility software is to maintain, optimise, or protect a computer system.

This includes encryption, defragmentation, and data compression.

Application software is downloaded and used by a user to complete specific tasks or activities.

Well done for completing this lesson on software and embedded systems..