dracodraconis | Feb. 11th, 2007

Feb. 11th, 2007

Source: Wired

The US Air Force has developed a camera that can follow bullets in flight (follow the link to a video of a speeding bullet caught in flight). The technology can be adapted to tracking anything slower than a speeding bullet so may find its way into a wide range of applications. The trick is to learn from what the human eye does: it focuses on what's important and ignores the rest, what they are referring to as a "virtual fovea". This means that things like a bullet that are moving in the scene get processed rapidly and the rest is discarded or processed as time permits. Tracking uses a standard quick-fix technique of keeping some aspect of the environment, such as the brightest or closest object, in the centre of the image by moving the camera between frames. The idea is old, but the results are new.

Source: Defense Tech

You might recall from an earlier post that the military was planning to build a giant spy blimp. That idea was canned in the most recent budget review.

Source: jkOnTheRun

This is a cool application of range imaging using single-picture photogrammetry. A person places a 7.5x7.5 inch white panel somewhere in a scene and, using the relative size of the panel's black border, the camera calculates the dimensions of lines in the image. Great for measuring, say, a house (such as in the picture), or any other planar structure.

Source: IOL: New Ideas

here's an interesting idea. Someone has taken out a patent on a cell phone in which the numbers are placed ABOVE the screen. Apparently this makes typing text messages using the thumb easier because the buttons are at the natural position for the thumb. It will be interesting to see where this idea goes.

Source: Gizmag

We all know about the computerized systems that mechanics regularly use to run diagnostics on our cars, and I've run into problems with being unable to decrypt diagnostics information (in my case, Saturn's proprietary format). Enter the Smart Automotive Management System (SAMS) that reads your car's diagnostics information and interprets it for those who are not professional mechanics. This $15(US) gadget can read the logged data of any car made after 1996.

Source: Economics: Cost of a child

Source: Sandwich blanket language

Source: Jell-O, Jelly, and trumping Mr. Cole

Source: Will "Flying Squirrel" Suit Let Skydivers Jump Without Chutes?

Source: USB Panda Webcam Eats Children

Source: Science Blog
Apparently, a treatment for restless leg syndrome (RLS) can have an unusual, and financially devastating, side effect. In some cases, one class of drugs used as part of the treatment for RLS may exacerbate a pre-existing obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as compulsive gambling. It is believe that these drugs can amplify poor impulse control; however, if caught in time, the effect can be minimized by reducing the dose or switching to a similar drug.

Source: PhysOrg

Richard Branson is at it again, this time offering a $25 million prize for anyone who can demonstrate a technology that reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Get your thinking caps out, the money's on the table.

Source: Space.com

For those interested in astronomy, or seeking an excuse to look at the stars, a lunar eclipse will be visible to people in North America just after sunset on March 3rd. Those on the East Coast are expected to have the best show.

Source: PhysOrg

For those of you paranoid about what goes on in your house when you're away, LukWerks offers a $330(US) spy camera that is hidden inside a digital desk clock.

Source: Uncrate

Own your own radio-controlled dragonfly for only $50(US). This device flaps its wings like a real dragonfly and is able to achieve sustained flight, along with some of the ariel maneuvers you can see in the real thing.