PhoneSecure
On 12 January, 2005, by se99jmk
I'm not generally an insecure person. I'm perfectly happy with carrying in excess of ?1000 in electronics on my person... well, maybe I should get some protection after all, and I've found it, in the form of PhoneSecure.
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Phraselator
On 12 January, 2005, by se99jmk
One step closer to the babelfish from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
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Epson fabricates 20-layer PCB using InkJet tec
On 05 November, 2004, by Dreadnought
Epson has fabricated a 200micron thick 20 layer using their own InkJet technology with a conductive ink containing silver micro-particles measuring from several nanometers to several tens of nanometers in diameter, and a newly developed insulator ink.
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PetaPixel displays, 100TB storage and more...
On 05 November, 2004, by Dreadnought
Colossal Storage is developing 14M dpi or 200Tpixels per square inch of near-non-volatile display. It is based on a ferroelectric material which gives each pixel a state retension of up to 12 hours. Display resolutions of up to 4Petapixel will be possible with this technology.
Colossal Storage is also developing a holographic media which can store 10TB on a single 3?" disc. The theory behind it can go up to 1.5Exabytes (1.5x10^1
.
They are currently looking for companies who are interresting in licensing the products.
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3D Imaging
article written by : elesueur released on : 02 October, 2000 | send elesueur a private message! elesueur's rating : ***** |
The next question I asked myself was about transferring the video stream from computer to the hemisphere. This is done by a special imaging technology, which uses advanced 3D software algorithms and revolutionary lens design to enable high quality projection into such screen. Revolutionary lens just distribute pixels equally throughout the hemispherical surface eliminating distortion. And advanced software is just a set of plug-ins for the most popular rendering packages. I agree that both lens and software are essential parts of this system, but I prefer to use things' real names.
I don't know why, but this autumn is very productive regarding various display technologies. 3D imaging was described here and here, interesting stuff about 2D displays is here and here. Maybe I have missed something, laziness prevents me from thorough check :-) Nevertheless, today I'll describe one more type of 3D displays (it's not my fault that all these technologies are so interesting.
Elumens Corporation have created a 180 degree hemispheric screen and called it VisionDome. The idea is simple: hemispherical screen creates a sense of immersion in the same way that large-screen cinemas draw the audience into the scene. The observer loses the normal depth cues, such as edges, and perceives 3D objects beyond the surface of the screen. The screen allows freedom of head motion, so that the observer can change their direction of view, and yet still have their vision fully encompassed by the image.
The next question I asked myself was about transferring the video stream from computer to the hemisphere. This is done by a special imaging technology, which uses advanced 3D software algorithms and revolutionary lens design to enable high quality projection into such screen. Revolutionary lens just distribute pixels equally throughout the hemispherical surface eliminating distortion. And advanced software is just a set of plug-ins for the most popular rendering packages. I agree that both lens and software are essential parts of this system, but I prefer to use things' real names.
Of course we are promised to get the most realistic 3D image ever seen, and of course, according to the manufacturer, these displays are the best solution for all problems - this is normal. But in my personal opinion, it would be difficult to achieve 3D effect with such equipment. I have been in D.C. 2 years ago. In one of the museums I saw such hemispherical screen (it was much larger than these ones). The effect was amazing, but it wasn't 3D. Everything looked cool, but I could still sense the surface. Maybe it can be called 2D+, I don't know, but I can say for sure - that was not real 3D. This is raw truth.
- thrawn
Cybersphere
article written by : elesueur released on : 02 October, 2000 | send elesueur a private message! elesueur's rating : ***** |
In the previous note I wrote about hemispherical displays. In this one I'll describe more advanced thing called Cybersphere. Developed in Warwick University, this spherical device is able to immerse the user into more realistic virtual reality, where he can to walk, run, or crawl in any direction.
The system comprises a large, hollow, translucent sphere, 3.5 metres in diameter, supported by means of a low pressure cushion of air. This air cushion enables the sphere to rotate in any direction. Springs help keep the ball central, and prevent any sort of oscillation and pendulation problems associated with balloons.
An observer is able to enter the large hollow sphere by means of a closable entry hatch. Walking movements of the observer cause the large sphere to rotate. Rotational movement of the large sphere is transferred to a smaller secondary sphere, which is supported by means of a ring, mounted upon a platform, within which are mounted bearings. Rotational movement of the smaller sphere is measured by means of rotation sensors.
Images are projected upon the surface of the large sphere by means of five high power projectors (one of them is mounted on the ceiling). Each projector projects an image, generated by a computer, onto a segment of the outer surface of the large sphere. The combination of the images from each projector provides a fully immersive visual experience for the observer. Signals provided by the rotation sensors are fed to the computer and used to update the projected images in order to provide the observer the illusion of walking freely through the computer generated environment.
However there are many problems with this technology.
The sphere is made up from two layers of 30 polycarbonate segments. Each segment is 3mm thick, and interlocks with the next by being shaped like a large piece of jig-saw puzzle. The two layers, one inside the other, overcome the problems of joins between the segments. In fact, the sphere should be thicker and more rigid but this would have made the ball even heavier: it already weighs 270kg and presents about twice the inertia of a man starting or stopping walking.
The images projected onto the ball must be distorted to compensate for the geometry. So merging the edges of the projected images can also be a problem, after all, we are speaking about full immersion... Another thing I don't like is a hatch. The surface of the ball must be smooth, at the same time the user should be able to lock and unlock the hatch somehow. The ensuing problem is lack of air - the person won't be able to stay in this sphere for a long time.
I think I have mentioned enough drawbacks. Draw your conclusions...
- thrawn
Image Twin
article written by : elesueur released on : 02 October, 2000 | send elesueur a private message! elesueur's rating : ***** |
Fitting rooms and tape measures will soon appear obsolete. Image Twin has been developing a new type of measurement, called body-scanning. This process creates a ?virtual model? of a clients? body, which can be transmitted to clothes manufacturers and custom tailors to achieve the perfect fit. The information is stored on a secure site on the Internet. This could be the remedy for those hesitant to buy clothes online. Lands? End has teamed up with Image Twin to promote the technology and make it mainstream. This technology is known as ?Phase Measurement Profilometry.?
The procedure for scanning involves changing into tight-fitting garments, resembling athletic wear. The client then walks into the scanning room and activates the scan. White lights are activated, and in a space of twelve seconds, 200,000 data points of the clients? body are captured and stored in a data file. This ?virtual model? file can be submitted from the Internet to a clothes manufacturer by the client. Clients receive their own identification card and PIN, along with their chosen password required to use it.
This technology does seem to be quite useful. It will provide better fits and ensure that no one receives the wrong size when ordering online. The technology is already being put into use, and should become quite common within the next few years.
- thrawn
Microcraft
article written by : elesueur released on : 02 October, 2000 | send elesueur a private message! elesueur's rating : ***** |
American company called [url="http://www.microcraft.com/"]Microcraft['url] is developing... right, microcraft, a very small unmanned air vehicle. The device you see below is 23 centimeters across and weighs only 1.4 kilograms.
The vehicle takes off and lands vertically, similar to a helicopter, but flies horizontally (cruise, loiter, dash). It takes advantage of the propulsive efficiency of the ducted fan for take-off and landing and the aerodynamic efficiency of the wing during cruise. Ducted fans can provide approximately 30% more thrust than conventional open propellers. An optional wing is fabricated from composite materials with an aluminum spar and folds to maintain a small footprint in the stowed configuration. Prior to flight, the ground crew member simply unfolds the wing and pins it in position. The wing adds minimal weight but improves the vehicle performance significantly at loiter conditions. Also, the wing houses additional fuel reserves.
This vehicle is operated by a remote controller and on-board electronics keep the craft flying, adjusting the speed of the fan and the angle of the control vanes.
Weird device, who may need it? Of course the military, attaching a small camera to the body makes it an excellent spy. What's more important, flying spy. It's practically impossible to notice such small thing flying somewhere in the sky.
And now it's time to disappoint American army. This thing is only being developed in the US, while Russians already use similar device in Chechnya. Russian variant looks different, but the idea is the same: very small air vehicle with a camera onboard.
- thrawn