Purpose of an HCI 2
see p. 74
What you need to know •
The purpose of an HCI
•
How an HCI is used in fitness, home appliances and retail.
The HCI controls how people navigate and use systems to find information, make choices and select items. Fitness
Home appliances
Description
An HCI combines the use of sensors and touchscreens which can then track progress. For example, a smart watch can provide health information such as heart rate.
A
To use a range of appliances, we rely on an HCI to be able to control that device. For example, the HCI on a washing machine allows you to select what program to use and warns you if there is a problem.
R Devices can be versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. A touchscreen is easier to use than trying to press a button especially when exercising.
D
Advantages
Disadvantages There is usually a cost, especially if it’s part of a subscription service.
It allows notifications when stock needs reordering or it can automatically reorder the necessary stock. It also prevents staff from making errors when entering information.
Software cannot be easily updated and appliances need replacing regularly.
An HCI in retail can be expensive. It also takes time to set up and/or update. Mistakes can be made when setting up the software.
Remember it!
1
•
Describe two advantages of using an HCI when monitoring your fitness.
An HCI can be used by both the customer and the business. For example, in major supermarkets stock is scanned and added into the system as it enters the store and removed from stock when a purchase is made. The manager is notified when stock levels for a specific product are low and reports can be generated about weekly/monthly sales of a specific product.
An HCI makes it safer to control the appliance as well as making it easy to use and to resolve any problems.
Practise it!
2
Retail
FT
Application area
Cost and ease of use must be considered when designing any HCI.
(4 marks)
Describe the disadvantages using an HCI might have in banking. (3 marks)
Revision Guide
25
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