☰ Year plan · Communication Technology

Operating systems: the manager inside every device

Week 4 · Lesson 3 Operating Systems · 3 lessons
2

One idea, many devices: where systems hide

ICT Prep 1 Term 1, Lesson 3: pp. 19–26
GoalMatch devices with the jobs an operating system does for them.
New words
server · a powerful computer that provides services to many other computersembedded system · a small computer built inside a machine to do one kind of jobwearable device · a device worn on the body, such as a smart watchindustrial control system · a system that watches and runs the machines of a factory
Explanation

Almost every smart device has an operating system, not only computers. The kind of system differs, but the idea is the same: it looks after the hardware and the programs of that device. A computer needs it for programs and files. A phone or tablet needs it for the touch screen and apps. A server needs it to serve many users and manage the network. A game console has a system tuned for games and media. A smart TV uses one for apps, streaming and the internet. A smart watch or fitness tracker has a system built for its few jobs. Network devices, such as a router, use one to manage the network, its settings and its security. Modern cars use one for navigation, information, entertainment and driver help. Embedded systems include the cash machine (ATM) and the shop payment terminal (POS). Industrial control systems watch and run machines, and keep people away from danger, for example in a chemical plant. We do not need brand names: the job matters.

DeviceWhat its system looks after
Computerprograms, files, keyboard, screen
Phone or tablettouch screen, apps, calls, battery
Serverserving many users and the network
Game consolegames and media
Smart TVapps, streaming, internet
Smart watchtime, steps and body sensors
Routernetwork connections, settings, security
Carnavigation, entertainment, driver help
Cash machine (ATM)reads the card, shows choices, hands out money
Shop payment terminal (POS)takes a payment from the buyer’s account
Factory control systemwatches and runs the machines
Worked examples
Farida’s mother pays at a shop. She touches her card to the shop payment terminal. Its system reads the card, asks for the payment to be taken from her account, and prints or shows a receipt. No cash changes hands.
carnavigationentertainmentdriver help
Youssef’s uncle has a modern car with a screen. The car’s system shows the map, plays music and warns the driver when another car is very close. A different kind of system, but the same idea: it looks after the hardware and the programs.
In a chemical plant, an industrial control system watches the machines through sensors and adjusts them. Because the machines are watched from a control room, people do not need to stand near a dangerous place.
Class activity

Draw six devices that you saw today, such as a phone, a TV, a car or a shop terminal. Next to each, write one thing its system looks after. Do not look up brand names; if you want to know more, ask a grown-up and answer only with “a computer system” or “a phone system”.

Practice
1
Why does a smart watch need an operating system?
2
Which device manages a network’s connections, settings and security?
3
Which picture shows a machine whose system watches and runs the machines of a factory? Say the letter.
ABC
4
What does a shop payment terminal do for the buyer?