Data Collection Systems
J. C. Cluley · 1985
In many computer systems there is a need to gather data from a plant, factory or store. We have discussed the collection of small volumes of data from analogue inputs, sensing switches, etc., but in some applications the input may involve a block of data. For this, special input devices have been developed, some of which include writable data stores. One example which uses input material that can be generated without any special instrument or machinery involves optical sensing. This uses a document which has a number of rectangular spaces for the user to enter data. The spaces are either left blank or filled in with a pencil mark. The form is subsequently scanned in a machine to detect whether or not each space has been filled in, and the results are stored in a computer. These forms can be used for stores records, questionnaires, multiple choice examination papers etc.