Thursday, July 30, 2009
Gadgets and Gizmos
A Computer Software
That Can Tell Age Just By Looking At Your Face
People who hope to keep their age a secret should stay miles away from the University of Illinois-developed computer software that reveals a person's age just by looking at his or her face. But, unlike age-guessers who look at a person's body, the software works by examining only the person's face."Age-estimation software is useful in applications where you don't need to specifically identify someone, such as a government employee, but would like to know their age," said Thomas S. Huang, the William L. Everitt Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the U. of I.
The age-estimation software was trained on a database containing photos of 1,600 faces, and consists of three modules – face detection, discriminative manifold learning, and multiple linear regressions.It can estimate ages from 1 year to 93 years. It's accuracy ranges from about 50 percent when estimating ages to within 5 years, to more than 80 percent when estimating ages to within 10 years. Huang said that the accuracy can be improved by additional training on larger databases of faces.Apart from performing tasks such as security control and surveillance monitoring, the software also could be used for electronic customer relationship management.For example, a camera snapping photos of customers could collect demographic data – such as how many adult men and women buy burgers, or what percentage of teenagers purchase a particular soft drink.Also, if combined with algorithms that identify a person's sex, age-estimation software could help target specific audiences for specific advertisements. For example, a store display might advertise a new automobile or boat as a man walks by, or new clothing or cosmetics as a woman walks by."All of this can be done without violating anyone's privacy. Our software does not identify specific individuals. It just estimates their ages," said Huang.Estimating someone's age is not an easy task, even for a computer. Because the aging process is determined not only by a person's genetic makeup, but by many other factors as well"Human faces do convey a significant amount of information, however, and provide important visual cues for estimating age. Facial attributes, such as expression, gender and ethnic origin, play a crucial role in our image analysis," said Huang
The latest 3D technology has made it possible to decipher a crime scene with out actually being present. The Kiwi researchers have developed a 3D scanner that can create a 'virtual' model of any given area.The computerised 3 D model navigates in a manner that gives the 'real' feel to the experience, the technology is developed by a team lead by Robert Valkenburg of Industrial Research in Auckland, New ZealandThe handy device has a laser scanner combined with a digital camera, that records the scene with supreme accuracy. A 3D model of the scene is created onto which images from the camera are superimposed by the scanner.
That Can Tell Age Just By Looking At Your Face
People who hope to keep their age a secret should stay miles away from the University of Illinois-developed computer software that reveals a person's age just by looking at his or her face. But, unlike age-guessers who look at a person's body, the software works by examining only the person's face."Age-estimation software is useful in applications where you don't need to specifically identify someone, such as a government employee, but would like to know their age," said Thomas S. Huang, the William L. Everitt Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the U. of I.The age-estimation software was trained on a database containing photos of 1,600 faces, and consists of three modules – face detection, discriminative manifold learning, and multiple linear regressions.It can estimate ages from 1 year to 93 years. It's accuracy ranges from about 50 percent when estimating ages to within 5 years, to more than 80 percent when estimating ages to within 10 years. Huang said that the accuracy can be improved by additional training on larger databases of faces.Apart from performing tasks such as security control and surveillance monitoring, the software also could be used for electronic customer relationship management.For example, a camera snapping photos of customers could collect demographic data – such as how many adult men and women buy burgers, or what percentage of teenagers purchase a particular soft drink.Also, if combined with algorithms that identify a person's sex, age-estimation software could help target specific audiences for specific advertisements. For example, a store display might advertise a new automobile or boat as a man walks by, or new clothing or cosmetics as a woman walks by."All of this can be done without violating anyone's privacy. Our software does not identify specific individuals. It just estimates their ages," said Huang.Estimating someone's age is not an easy task, even for a computer. Because the aging process is determined not only by a person's genetic makeup, but by many other factors as well"Human faces do convey a significant amount of information, however, and provide important visual cues for estimating age. Facial attributes, such as expression, gender and ethnic origin, play a crucial role in our image analysis," said Huang
3 D Virtual Crime Scenes Models
The latest 3D technology has made it possible to decipher a crime scene with out actually being present. The Kiwi researchers have developed a 3D scanner that can create a 'virtual' model of any given area.The computerised 3 D model navigates in a manner that gives the 'real' feel to the experience, the technology is developed by a team lead by Robert Valkenburg of Industrial Research in Auckland, New ZealandThe handy device has a laser scanner combined with a digital camera, that records the scene with supreme accuracy. A 3D model of the scene is created onto which images from the camera are superimposed by the scanner. 
Most Loved Gadget Of All
Nintendo Wii
The gadget that makes the people most happy is the Nintendo Wii that has beaten the iPod. The survey included 2,500 callers to The Gadget Helpline, a phone service that consumers having problems with broken electrical equipment can call for help. The results showed the increasing popularity of games consoles, once considered a niche hobby for young men.Created by the Japanese giant Nintendo, the Wii has topped the polls followed with Microsoft's Xbox 360 coming in fourth place and the hand-held DS console coming in eighth place. The device gives the players the freedom to use a hand-held controller to simulate a sport, such as golf or bowls, pretend to ski jump or even play the ukulele, activities far removed from the fast cars and shooting games favoured by software manufacturers in the past.
A spokesman said: "With the world now quite literally at our fingertips, we're fast being robbed of the need to socialise with other humans, but the success of games consoles shows that there remains huge appeal in the concept of sharing time and space with friends and loved ones.
"The top 10 gadgets that make people happy are:
1. Nintendo Wii
2. iPod
3. iPhone 3G
4. Xbox 360
5. Blackberry
6. Sky+
7. Mac Book
8. Nintendo DS
Apple Faces Lawsuit Over 'Explosive' IPod
Apple Faces Lawsuit Over 'Explosive' IPod
A mother has legally alleged 'Apple' after her son sustained a second degree burns when the company's iPod touch music player exploded in his pocket. Lynette Antrobus, from Cincinnati has accused the multinational corporation for "gross negligence and recklessness" and behaving "maliciously and fraudulently". She has also claimed dollars 75,000 for the damage caused. The Legal papers, filed with Ohio Southern District Court, states that while the boy was at school on 4th December last year, he heard a surprising pop from the instrument that was switched off. He had a burning sensation and later realised that his pants were on fire. The telegraph quoted the document as saying: "Plaintiff A.V instantly ran to the bathroom and took off his burning pants with the help of his friend". It was also added that the iPod pop had burned through the boy's pants pocket and melted through his nylon/spandex underwear, burning his leg. However, the company (Apple) is yet to issue a statement regarding the case. It's been assumed that that device's battery should have caused the alleged explosion. Long back in 2008 when a man suffered burns when his Mac laptop battery caught fire, the consumer electronic and software giant paid an undisclosed amount as a compensation.
A mother has legally alleged 'Apple' after her son sustained a second degree burns when the company's iPod touch music player exploded in his pocket. Lynette Antrobus, from Cincinnati has accused the multinational corporation for "gross negligence and recklessness" and behaving "maliciously and fraudulently". She has also claimed dollars 75,000 for the damage caused. The Legal papers, filed with Ohio Southern District Court, states that while the boy was at school on 4th December last year, he heard a surprising pop from the instrument that was switched off. He had a burning sensation and later realised that his pants were on fire. The telegraph quoted the document as saying: "Plaintiff A.V instantly ran to the bathroom and took off his burning pants with the help of his friend". It was also added that the iPod pop had burned through the boy's pants pocket and melted through his nylon/spandex underwear, burning his leg. However, the company (Apple) is yet to issue a statement regarding the case. It's been assumed that that device's battery should have caused the alleged explosion. Long back in 2008 when a man suffered burns when his Mac laptop battery caught fire, the consumer electronic and software giant paid an undisclosed amount as a compensation.iPhone Helps The Smokers To Kick The Butt
Tried so many tips to kick the butt in avail? Here is a latest gadget that comes at your aid! You can receive a serious help from your own iPhone to kick the butt. A new free application of the smart phone provides a live quit line coach and uses live text to advice on how to kick the butt."My QuitLine" app provides evidence-based treatment for quitting. It will connect the user to the National Cancer Institute's quit line service where they speak to a live quit line coach or use live text to get advice on quitting.
The My QuitLine app finally gives iPhone users access to an evidence-based method to help them quit smoking. The best part is that it is free and proven to work. Quit line counselling
has been shown to double a person's chance of quitting smoking. It is important to make sure that in these new media environments, people still receive information about what has been proven to work in quitting smoking, and get access to tools that are based on these proven therapies.Users can look for the app by searching "My QuitLine" or "quit smoking" on their iPhone or on iTunes. While the Apple app store has other applications
to help people quit smoking, no others use products or services recommended as effective by the 2008 Public Health Service Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence.The George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) and the National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative (NTCC) developed "My QuitLine".
The My QuitLine app finally gives iPhone users access to an evidence-based method to help them quit smoking. The best part is that it is free and proven to work. Quit line counselling
has been shown to double a person's chance of quitting smoking. It is important to make sure that in these new media environments, people still receive information about what has been proven to work in quitting smoking, and get access to tools that are based on these proven therapies.Users can look for the app by searching "My QuitLine" or "quit smoking" on their iPhone or on iTunes. While the Apple app store has other applications
to help people quit smoking, no others use products or services recommended as effective by the 2008 Public Health Service Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence.The George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) and the National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative (NTCC) developed "My QuitLine".
NOKIA - - - AEON
Nokia's aeon "full surface screen" cellphone
Aeon can flip instantly between a numeric pad for dialling, a text-entry pad for messaging and a media-player controller.
Aeon can flip instantly between a numeric pad for dialling, a text-entry pad for messaging and a media-player controller.Nokia's Aeon: A concept phone that combines two touch-sensitive panels mounted on a fuel-cell power pack. Each of the panels are capable of being used independently. The touch screen displays all buttons that are virtual, so in one situation one panel could operate as the display, the other as the keypad. Nokia also establishes a new wireless standard with wibree, basically an upgraded bluetooth which would allow the Aeon to be a thin-client, farming out processing and storage. The Aeon seems to be typical razer-thin candy bar form factor cell phone with no actual buttons. That can change into any kind of menu, button and keypad with a simple touch. The touch screen method brings up a ton of quirky problems like causing damage to the display with those pointy thumbs of yours. The concept phone, dubbed Aeon, combines two touch-sensitive panels mounted on a fuel-cell power pack. The handset's connectivity and electronics are built into the panels to allow them to be used independently. When assembled, one panel would operate as the display, the other as the keypad. Since the buttons are entirely virtual, Aeon can flip instantly between a numeric pad for dialling, a text-entry pad for messaging and a media-player controller. Nokia's vision of wearable technology users could wear the lightweight panels as a badge, or connected to a wrist strap. The most prominent design feature of aeon is a touchscreen that stretches over the full surface area of the phone, similar to benq siemens's black box concept phone .
FuTuRe GaGeTs
Honorable Mention - Bright Walk
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There's a good reason why these shoes are called "Bright Walk", built-in Piezo-electric sensors convert the impact from running or walking into static energy which than power electro luminescent polymers to produce light.
"Besides its aesthetic contribution to the fashion scene (for including functional lighting), it addresses the added value of Safety for the runners."
Honorable Mention - Solar Powered LED Light
The LightCap is basically a solar powered water bottle which has a built-in LED light in its lid. It features a waterproof solar panel, battery pack, and "will stay bright for hours while the rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries will last for at least 300 cycles" on a four hour charge -- in sunlight. This device measures 8 ¼" tall and 3 ¾" wide with a 32 oz capacity. No word yet on pricing and availability.
Set it in the sun or hang it from a railing during the day and you'll have light all night long!
Set back into each urinal is a pressure-sensitive display, which activates an interactive game when used. This game includes sounds and images, bringing entertainment value to where you’d least expect. It will most likely will be installed in airports and schools “with the functional purpose of improving hygiene”.
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There's a good reason why these shoes are called "Bright Walk", built-in Piezo-electric sensors convert the impact from running or walking into static energy which than power electro luminescent polymers to produce light."Besides its aesthetic contribution to the fashion scene (for including functional lighting), it addresses the added value of Safety for the runners."
Honorable Mention - Solar Powered LED Light
The LightCap is basically a solar powered water bottle which has a built-in LED light in its lid. It features a waterproof solar panel, battery pack, and "will stay bright for hours while the rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries will last for at least 300 cycles" on a four hour charge -- in sunlight. This device measures 8 ¼" tall and 3 ¾" wide with a 32 oz capacity. No word yet on pricing and availability.Set it in the sun or hang it from a railing during the day and you'll have light all night long!
“On Target” Video Game Urinal
Honorable Mention - Intelligent Spoon
Connie Cheng and Leonardo Bonanni have developed the world's first "Intelligent Spoon". It's equipped with sensors to measure temperature, acidity, salinity, and viscosity. Download the recorded data to any computer via a cable for furthur processing
Self Cooling Beer Can
Tempra Technology and Crown Holdings have partnered to develop the world's first self cooling beer can. It looks like a normal 500ml can, but features an integrated self-cooling device that reduces the "contents by a minimum of 30° Fahrenheit (16.7° C) in just three minutes."
Transparent Toaster
his innovative "Transparent Toaster" concept uses special heating glass to warm a single slice of bread. Unfortunately, the glass does not reach a high enough temperature -- at this time -- to actually toast the bread. No word yet on if this concept will go into production.
EyeMove PC
The EyeMove PC combines the functionality of a digital projector and computer into one circular-shaped device. Simply hang it on your wall or place it flat on a desk and project games, movies, or applications. No word yet on on if this concept will go into production.
Citizen's Memory LCD
Citizen Japan has unveiled a new LCD technology -- called "memory liquid crystal" -- that retains the image even when turned off. Basically, its inorganic membrane and angled orientation keep the crystals frozen without needing power. Practical applications would include watches and mobile phone displays.
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