This document discusses computer control systems and how computers are used to control machines and everyday objects without needing keyboards or monitors. It provides examples of control systems like traffic lights, car park barriers, and automatic doors. It also explains that sensors are often required for computers to control things, with sensors able to measure physical quantities in the environment and send signals back to the computer to influence its decisions.

1. Computer
Control
Year 8
Miss Baboolall

2. Control
 Youprobably don’t realise it, that
you’re surrounded by computer
control systems everywhere.
 Computersare used to control the operation of
machines and everyday objects.
 The computers that control them don’t have to look
like computers that you normally see – they don’t
need keyboards and monitors

3. Control
Outside the home there are many examples of
control systems being used:
Traffic
Lights
Car park barriers
Automatic Doors
Cash point machines
How many more can you think of?

4. Sensors
In order for computers to control things, they often
require sensors.
Sensors measure physical quantities
in the environment such as heat,
light, pressure, sound and humidity.
They send signals back to the
computer, and the computer decides Senso
r
Alarm
whether to make any changes based
on this information.

5. Sensors
 A security alarm system may have an infra-red sensor,
which sends a signal when the beam is broken.
 A heat sensitive sensor in the corner of a room may
detect the presence of a person.
 Temperature sensors could be used to control the
heating in a large building.
 Pressure sensors can be used to detect
whether somebody is close to the
automatic door and is used in
the Wii Fit board.

6. Sensors