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, wordprocessing, 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
1. Play,
2. Rewind,
3. Fast-forward
4. 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;
1. keyboards
2. Mice
3. 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 airconditioner 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