← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

Smart objects and the Internet of Things

A network of everyday objects with sensors and software that connect to the internet so they can collect and share data and act on it, such as smart lights or thermostats.

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 24

Understanding Smart objects and the Internet of Things in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

What it does: The condition checks sensor data and the heater turns on in response, which shows an IoT device acting on data. Setting a strong password reduces the privacy and security risk of smart devices like home cameras being accessed by strangers. IoT objects have sensors and software and connect to a network. A paper calendar has none of these, so it cannot collect or share data. The core idea of IoT is collecting data, sharing it over a network and acting on it, such as turning the heating on or off. Sensors detect things in the environment, such as movement, light or temperature. The software then decides what action to take.

Common mistakes: A single = assigns a value. A condition needs == to compare the sensor reading with True. It should be: if motion == True:. The heater should switch on when the room is colder than the target, not hotter. The condition should be: if temp < target:.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–58) and word search (Modules 1–81).

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Learning

Duo

Which of these is an example of an Internet of Things device?

A paper calendar pinned to the wallA smart thermostat that senses room temperature and connects to Wi-Fi

Matches

smartDoorbell = "a normal doorbell with no network or sensors"

↓

This is not an IoT object because it has no sensors and no connection to a network, so it cannot collect or share data.

Applying

Meanings

Term

Internet of Things (IoT)

Meaning

A network of everyday objects with sensors and software that connect to the internet so they can collect and share data and act on it, such as smart lights or thermostats.

Practice

READ temp FROM room_sensor

Testing

Gaps

temp = .read()

Check Answer

Spots

2motion = sensor.read()

3if motion = True:

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Quick Questions

1. Which of these is an example of an Internet of Things device?

A. A paper calendar pinned to the wall

B. A smart thermostat that senses room temperature and connects to Wi-Fi ✓

IoT objects have sensors and software and connect to a network. A paper calendar has none of these, so it cannot collect or share data.

2. What is the main thing an IoT device does with its sensor data?

A. Keeps it hidden inside the device and never uses it

B. Collects and shares it over a network so it can act on it ✓

The core idea of IoT is collecting data, sharing it over a network and acting on it, such as turning the heating on or off.

3. A smart light turns on when you walk into a room. Which part detects you?

A. A motion sensor ✓

B. The light bulb's glass cover

Sensors detect things in the environment, such as movement, light or temperature. The software then decides what action to take.

4. Which connectivity does a smart home speaker usually need to work with other devices?

A. A network connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth ✓

B. No connection at all

IoT objects must connect to a network, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, to share data and be controlled by apps or other devices.

5. Which problem does a smart smoke alarm solve?

A. It alerts your phone about a fire even when you are away from home ✓

B. It makes the house cooler in summer

IoT objects solve real problems. A connected smoke alarm senses smoke and sends an alert to your phone, which a normal alarm cannot do.

Match the Pairs

smartThermostat.readSensor("temperature") → A smart home device uses a sensor to collect data about the room so the system can act on it

smartLight.connect("home_wifi") → The object joins a network so it can share data and receive commands over the internet

An IoT object acts on the data it collects, such as turning on the heating when a room is cold → if temperature < 18: heater.turnOn()

Data from an IoT object should be protected so that unauthorised people cannot access it → camera.setPassword(strongPassword)

smartDoorbell = "a normal doorbell with no network or sensors" → This is not an IoT object because it has no sensors and no connection to a network, so it cannot collect or share data.

smartSpeaker.sendAudioToServer() # no user consent asked → The device shares recordings without asking the user, which is a privacy concern.

Key Term

Internet of Things (IoT)

A network of everyday objects with sensors and software that connect to the internet so they can collect and share data and act on it, such as smart lights or thermostats.

Fill in the Blanks

1. temp = sensor.read()

Hint: Type the IoT component that measures things like heat or movement in the surroundings.

2. IF temp > 25 THEN fan.turn_on() END IF

Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks if the temperature is greater than the limit.

3. network.send(temp)

Hint: Type the function name that shares the sensor reading over the network.

4. camera.encrypt(video)

Hint: Type the method name that scrambles the video so only the owner can read it, which helps protect privacy.

5. IF door.locked = FALSE THEN alert(phone)

Hint: Type the Boolean value that means the smart lock is not secured.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A light_on = False

B motion = sensor.read()

C if motion = True:

D light_on = True

Line C — A single = assigns a value. A condition needs == to compare the sensor reading with True. It should be: if motion == True:

Question 2

A temp = sensor.read_temp()

B target = 22

C if temp > target:

D heater.turn_on()

Line C — The heater should switch on when the room is colder than the target, not hotter. The condition should be: if temp < target:

Question 3

A import wifi

B wifi.connect("HomeNet")

C reading = sensor.read()

D wifi.send(readng)

Line D — The variable is misspelled. The sensor value is stored in reading, so readng does not exist. It should be: wifi.send(reading)

Question 4

A while True

B if doorbell.pressed():

C phone.notify("Visitor")

Line A — A while statement must end with a colon. It should be: while True:

Question 5

A data = camera.capture()

B data = encrypt(data)

C cloud.connect(user, key)

D cloud.upload(data

Line D — The closing bracket is missing, so the function call is incomplete. It should be: cloud.upload(data)

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