VII. Computers all around us

Viewdata6

Viewdata is an exciting new development in the field of tele­communications. A Viewdata service offered by the British Post Office⁷ enables people to call up information over their television sets, The information comes from a computer which stores informa­tion provided by various organizations. Stock market prices, sport results, news, weather reports, traffic information, house and car prices, travel timetables, games and puzzles are Just some of the

' from memory—no памяти ^г background material — исходный материал

³ at least — по меньшей мере

⁴ I don't,,, view computers as a threat — Я не смотрю на ЭВМ как на угрозу

infinite openendedness to language — бескрайние возможности языка ⁰ Viewdata — информационная система связи, основанная на ЭВМ и соединяющая

индивидуальные телеприемники с центральной ЭВМ с помощью телефонных

проводов ' the ftritish Post Office—Министерство связи Великобритании

^\л"" 67

subjects currently on offer.' The fact that a computer is involved need'l put anyone ott.² Everything is done automatically.

Called "Prestel", the system works by linking a Post Office computer to a special type of television receiver using the sub­scriber's own telephone line. "Prestel" currently offers nearly two hundred thousand pages of detailed information on subjects ranging from "amusements" to "employment statistics".

Integrated work station3

In this age of office automation, some executives turn to their terminals as often as they turn to their telephones. Now a sophisticated office terminal manufactured by a Canadian telecom­munications firm allows executives to do both at once. The Kontact, manufactured by Mitel Corp., of Canada, Ont., integrates the telephone and the business computer, giving each the advantages of the other at a price that is said to be as little as one-fifth that of comparable work stations.

Kontact combines a key pad,⁴ a 12-inch video-display screen, a telephone and a computer memory unit in a sleek, two-piece console-⁵ The system acts as a telephone operator, allowing the user to dial numbers by entering a brief code, automatically redial busy numbers at a single touch and set up a conference call⁶ without operator assistance. The computer will even time and log calls for billing⁷. With a Kontact at the other end of the tine, the telephone caller can leave a message in an electronic mail-box. Kontact's computer capability enables the user to process words or numbers for storage or transmission to another Kontact. Company officials say that eventually Kontact will be able to transmit information to many kinds of computers. In addition, Kontact can tap into any number of subscription data bases⁸ now available.

^! currently on offer — постоянно имеющийся в наличии

'•ⁱ The fact that a computer is involved needn't put anyone off.-- Пусть вас no смущает, что а системе задействован компьютер-

³ Integrated work station — Комбинированный рабочий пульт

⁴ key pad —цифровая клавиатура

⁵ a sleek, two-piece console — блестящий корпус, состоящий из двух частей

^й conference call — групповой телефонный вызов

' will... time and log calls for billing -- чронометрирует и регистрирует

телефонные разговоры для оплаты ^N tap into... subscription data bases — подключаться к абонентным базам

д.шных (см. Глоссарий)

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TYPING ON TAPE

Makers of electronic devices are always looking for a new field to go into.' One of recent novelties in consumer electronics is a'Typecorder. It is an addition to the automated office products.² The Typecorder is a word-processing device that is part taperecord-er and part typewriter, and portable enough to allow a user to write letters or dictate memos.

Though the Typecorder's principal function is as a portable typewriter, it does not use paper. Instead, words typed out on a standard typewriter keyboard appear on a display panel while they are at the same time recorded on a built-in microcassette tape machine.³ Printed version of the electronically encoded material can be retrieved on a compatible portable printing machine that is designed to fit side by side with the Typecorder in a standard attache case. The tiny tape cartridge can also be plugged into a desk-top processor and printer.

The Typecorder's second function is as a dictation and tran­scription machine, since the microcassette machine will also record and play back spoken words A user on the go can transmit either the typed reports or the verbal ones by hooking up the Typecorder to a telephone handset with the aid of a special coupling device.⁴

The Typecorder is packed with sophisticated electronics, yet it is remarkably small and Hghtweight: it measures only 1.5 inches high and weighs a mere 3 pounds. It is nearly noiseless. For those who do not like silent typing, engineers have installed a special switch that provides the familiar sound effects⁵ when the keys are depressed.

BADGE READERS⁶ AND OTHER DATA CAPTURE⁷ DEVICES

A card reader is a type of data capture device that is being employed increasingly to authorize the use of⁶ unattended equipment or facilities.

^! are... looking for a new field to go into—ищут новые области применения

² office products —канцелярское оборудование

^]i recorded on a built-in inicrocassette tape machine — записываются на

встроенный мнкрокассетный магнитофон ⁴ by hooking up the Typecorder to a telephone handset with the aid of a special

coupling device — подключив “Тайпкордер” к -микротелефонной трубке с

помощью специального соединительного устройства " provides the familiar sound effects - яд. воспроизводит знакомый стук

пишущей машинки"

" badge reader — устройство для считывания с жетонов ' data capture - сбор данных ^ to authorize the use of для допуска к поль:отванию

69

The card carries coded data on" a magnetic stripe. When the user inserts the card into the reader, the use of the system is authorized or denied according to the code presented. ,

Typical applications for card readers include access control to restricted areas,' such as research laboratories or car parks, and to the use of equipment such as VDUs or photocopiers. A further use is as authorization to carry out banking transactions at a banking terminal,

The interrogation system used in conjunction with² badge readers can be programmed to suit many circumstances. Time zones can be established allowing access only during predetermined hours. This aspect may be developed further to monitor and control the times when security guards^ report via terminal devices on their tours-⁴ The equipment can also incorporate anti-passback features to avoid more than one person using the same card by passing it back from one person to another.

Badge card⁵ readers used as access control devices are connected to a central controller. This central controller may be a dedicated piece of microprocessor equipment⁶ rather than part of a general computer system. The central controller is linked to the badge readers via a common two-wire cable. One such system allows the wire to be up to 5 miles long. Additional readers are connected into the system by tapping the wires with a connection box.⁷ A typical central controller can have up to 120 card readers connected and handle over 600 card holders. In addition to moni­toring the use of cards the controller can monitor up to four environmental alarms from each card reader station. Self-contained power supplies⁸ enable the controller to function for 48 hours in the event of a mains power failure.⁹

It is possible to change the void/valid status of a card imme­diately at the control unit. If necessary, a printer can be incorpo­rated in the system to provide a record of-movement through the card-controlled barriers.

Badge card readers can be the basis of more elaborate data entry equipment¹⁰ that include a keyboard to enter unique data and

' access control to restricted areas — контроль доступа и закрытые зоны

² in conjunction with — в сочетании с

³ security guards — охрана

⁴ on' their tours — во время обхода

⁵ badge card —личная карточка

⁶ a dedicated piece of microprocessor equipment — специализированный участок

микропроцессорного устройства

connection box— соединительная коробка ⁸ Self-contained power supplies — Самостоятельные источники электропитания

in the event of a mains power failure — в случае аварии электросети

can be the basis of more elaborate... equipment — могут лежать в основе более

сл(1ЖЖ)г“,,. оборудования

a printer to output responses from the central control unit or computer.

This type of unit is used by banks to allow customers to withdraw money, pay in money or request statements,' etc.