50MP CCD Image Sensor unveiled by Kodak

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Eastman Kodak Company unveiled the world’s first 50 million pixel CCD image sensor for professional photography.

At 50 million pixels, or megapixels, the sensor captures digital images with unprecedented resolution and detail. For instance, with a 50 megapixel camera, in an aerial photo of a field 1-½ miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot).
What’s more, the KODAK KAF-50100 Image Sensor features a newly designed pixel that is smaller in size than the pixel used in current products for this professional market. This new pixel also reduces “click-to-capture” time for improved camera response, lowers power consumption for improved battery life, and improves color fidelity without compromising on the benefits to be enjoyed from larger pixel sizes. Read more

Posted on Tue, 8 Jul 2008 08:00:25 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

World's smallest Triaxial Acceleration Sensor

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Hitachi unveiled what the call the world's smallest Triaxial Acceleration Sensor.

Measuring 2.5x2.5x1mm and weighing just 14mg, this component is really small.
The piezoresistive sensor uses the displacement caused by the acceleration of a weight based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology is detected as a deflection in the silicon beam supporting the weight. The deflection is measured based on the variation of resistance in a piezoresistor formed in the Si beam. Read more

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:05:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

STMicroelectronics New CMOS Sensor Makes Camera Phones Smaller

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STMicroelectronics introduces the smallest single-chip camera sensor for mobile applications today. The CMOS sensor provides a 2 megapixel mobile-phone camera sensor with low space requirements.

The sensor is called the VD6725 and is a 1.5 inch optical-format image sensor with a 1600 x 1200 pixel array. The sensor is designed to fit into camera phones under 6x6x3.8 mm. Read more

Posted on Fri, 8 Feb 2008 08:33:52 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Kodak says Sensor boosts Camera Power in Phones

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Photography company Eastman Kodak Co. on Monday introduced chips that can boost the picture-taking power in mobile phones, and help manufacturers cut development costs. Read more

Posted on Mon, 4 Feb 2008 07:22:04 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Sharp Touch-Screen has Photo Sensor in each Pixel

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Sharp announces a new touch-screen LCD display for portable devices that has sensor elements inside each pixel.

Supposedly the display can also be used as an image scanner and the image quality is improved as no additional film on top of the display is necessary.

The new Sharp display is 3.5 inch in size and features QVGA resolution. Read more

Posted on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:23:26 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Balda announces large Contract for Mobile Phone Touch Sensors

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German Balda AG announces that it has won a large contract to deliver touch sensors for a mobile phone manufacturer.

The contract requires delivering 6 to 8 million touch sensors per year.
Balda did not disclose the customer. In June Balda made headlines as Apple was said to have ordered touch screens for the iPhone from Balda. Read more

Posted on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:51:08 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

2.4Ghz Baby Monitor with Night Vision Camera and Bedwetting Sensor

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Chinese company Goscam sent us information about their latest baby monitor. This baby monitor has a night vision camera with a range of 5m.

The images of your baby are transmitted via 2.4Ghz technology with a range of up to 100m.

The receiver has a 2.5 inch color screen with a resolution of 480x240px. Besides the camera there is of course also a microphone installed to transmit sound.
Apparently there are accessories for the Goscam (somehow a bad name: "go scam") that detect bedwetting or motion. Read more

Posted on Tue, 3 Jul 2007 05:05:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Panasonic develops Robust Image Sensor using Inorganic Material

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Matsushita (Panasonic) developed a new robust image sensor. The new image sensor would not decay under harsh sunlight for more than 20 years.

Unlike traditional image sensors with polymer onchip microlenses and dyed color filters, the revolutionary MOS image sensor has digital-microlenses and photonic color filters, both made of inorganic materials that are inherently fade-resistant and quite robust. Read more

Posted on Mon, 14 May 2007 10:10:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Biosensor sniffs out explosives

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Temple University School of Medicine researchers have developed a new biosensor that sniffs out explosives and could one day be used to detect landmines and deadly agents, such as sarin gas, according to a paper in the June issue of Nature Chemical Biology.

To create the biosensor, Danny Dhanasekaran and colleagues genetically engineered a yeast strain with mammalian (rat) olfactory signaling machinery and genetically linked it to the expression of green fluorescent protein. Into these yeast cells, they cloned individual rat olfactory receptors. When the olfactory receptor "smells" the odor of DNT, an ingredient in the explosive TNT, the biosensor turns fluorescent green. Read more

Posted on Wed, 9 May 2007 12:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sensor Scope Helps Clean Your DSLR Camera

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If you shoot pics with a digital SLR camera and change lens frequently you know how easy it is to get dirt and debris onto the CCD of your camera. If the CCD is not cleaned the dirt and debris will show up in your pictures.

Seeing where the tiny dirt particles are on the CCD of your camera is one of the most difficult parts of the cleaning process. To help make that easier the Sensor Scope uses a 5x magnifier and four built-in LED lights. Read more

Posted on Thu, 8 Mar 2007 15:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Splitfish SensorFX adds Rumble to Sony PS3 SIXAXIS

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Gaming accessory company Splitfish already brought motion sensing to the PS2 controller. Now the bring rumble back onto the Sony PS3 controller with the SensorFX.

To avoid issues with Immersion’s Rotating Mass Patent, Splitfish uses technology with no moving parts. We are in contact with Splitfish about a photo of the SensorFX, but they do not have one yet.

It will be interesting how well this works. Splitfish is creative that is for sure. We got in contact with them back in 2005 when they introduced the eyeFX 3D glasses for the PS2.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Fingerprint Sensor So Small It'll Fit Anything

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Fingerprint sensors are nothing new. It's a common thing for computers, and the abnormally paranoid can secure their homes with fingerprint-sensitive locks. However, the sensors themselves have remained relatively thick.

That is, until Seiko Epson came along and unveiled this super-thin fingerprint reader. Seiko boasts that this sensor is so small that it could fit anything, such as a credit card. Read more

Posted on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 06:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Nintendo Wii Sensor

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Yesterday more details about the Nintendo Wii Controller have been revealed at the E3 2006 presevent of the game maker.

As reported yesterday, the Wii Remote lets you wave and point. It also rumbles for force feedback and has a built-in speaker for sound effects (you know swoosh, slurrrp, knock,...).

Besides the nunchuck motion controller there is a third part of the Nintendo Wii controller system. It looks like a long thin sensor strip that has to be placed on top or in front of the TV.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 10 May 2006 09:37:24 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

MacWorld 2006: Eleksen Fabric Sensor Music Case for iPod

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Fabric Sensor company Eleksen will introduce a iPod music case at the MacWorld 2006 this week.

I met Elekson last year at the CES 2005, where they demoed products that make use of their fabric sensors.
Eleksen has developed the only MP3 player case with external volume controls for both headphones and speakers.
The generic case for mp3 players supports volume control (see photo). The iPod music case has 5 fabric buttons to control an iPod: Play/Pause, Track Forward, Track Back, Volume Up, Volume Down and iPod ON/OFF. So you never might see your iPod again, it will stay inside the case forever. Read more

Posted on Mon, 9 Jan 2006 10:11:21 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Epson Toyocom Quartz Gyrosensor Golf Putter

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Epson Toyocom tries to find new markets for it's Quartz sensors.

Currently quartz based motion sensors are mainly used in digital cameras to stabilize the photos. Epson Toyocom, which is the result of a recent merger between the Quartz Device Operations Division of Seiko Epson and Toyo Communication Equipment pushes new kinds of products that use their technology.
One of them is the Gyrosensor Golf Putter. An attachment with a LCD display is fitted to the putter. It measures the trajectory and speed of the swing, as well as impact data. The golfer is then able to analyze his swing right there on the display. Apparently Korean Infics Inc. will productize this high-tech putter. Read more

Posted on Fri, 14 Oct 2005 02:17:20 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony Announces Tiny GSU-350 2 Axes Gyro Sensor

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Sony announces the GSU-350 - the industry's smallest 2 axes gyroscope sensor.

The Sony GSU-350 sensor is used for hand off-center detection in digital cameras and video cameras. The tiny sensor uses MEMS (the Micro Electro Mechanical Systems). The sensor goes on sale in August.
More details in this Sony press-release.

Read more

Posted on Thu, 14 Jul 2005 12:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Equal Rights Washing Machine - Damn You, Fingerprint Sensor!

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BBC News reports about a Spanish Designer inventing a washing machine that can only be operated in turns. Meaning after your wife or your husband washed once, the next time the other partner has to do it. A Fingerprint sensor push-button does the trick.

The Equal Rights Washing Machine is intended as Father's Day gift and that in Macho Spain. Apparently things changed in Spain.
More details on BBC News.

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Posted on Mon, 2 May 2005 02:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sansun LED Keyboard with GSM Sensor Review

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Ap0calypse.com reviews a LED PC Keyboard that believe it or not has a GSM Mobile Phone sensor that flashes the LEDs when a call comes in - never miss a call again when you are deep into the virtual worlds of online multi-player gameplay.

Quote:
"One of the things I find most satisfying is playing my favorite game in total darkness with nothing but my headphones on. That way I can fully immerse myself in the games environment. The problem with that though is trying to find my keys if I accidentally slip off. Illuminated keyboards help alleviate that exact problem, and while illuminated keyboards are not new to the market, the use of LEDs to light them is. Today I am going to introduce you to just such a keyboard from newcomer Sansun Industries."
Read the full review.

Sansun is sold under the Logisys computer label in the USA. Find Stores now.

Read more

Posted on Sun, 3 Apr 2005 00:45:50 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

SensorBin - A Smart Trash Can

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I never would have guessed that the Netherlands would be the origin of a Trash Can that opens its lid automatically when approaching with hands full of trash. But here it is the SensorBin.

From the SensorBin Web-Site:
"No more juggling rubbish in one hand and opening the bin with the other. This handsfree automatic lid opening waste bin uses a patented AI smartchip Sensor-system.
Place hand or debris about 6" away from the IR-sensor near the lid. It will open automatically and will close in 3 - 7 seconds after debris has been released and hand moves away from the sensor. Lid will remain open if hand or debris is within 6" of the ir-sensor. It creates a germ & odor free, automated environment. Free up both hands and feet eliminating the need to push, pull or step."

The SensorBin comes in 24 (99Euros), 32 (109Euros) and 42 (139Euros) liter sizes.

Read more

Posted on Sun, 6 Feb 2005 01:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Eleksen Fabric Sensors

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I saw UK based Eleksen at the CES 2005 and was quite impressed what fabrics can do these days.

Jackets with fabric buttons to control MP3 Players are already on the market. Eleksen also makes those. Another fun application are fabric sensors in recliner chairs. The Eleksen fabric senses pressure and stops the chair when it would start flatting the dog under the chair.
Besides simple pressure the eleksen fabrics also can recognize gestures. The fabric sensor has full X, Y and Z axis measurement capability. I saw that in action at the show. ElekTex™ technology is a laminate of fabric layers forming a highly flexible touch sensor that is only 0.6mm thick.

Besides touch sensors, Eleksen also has bend and moisture fabric sensors. I am sure we will soon see many more gadgets that have a fabric casing and fabric based input control.
More details on the Eleksen site.



Read more

Posted on Tue, 1 Feb 2005 08:35:03 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Toshiba Notebook with RAID and 3D Shock Sensor

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Toshiba announces four new notebooks in Japan that support RAID and feature a 3D motion sensor for shock detection.

The Toshiba Dynabook SS LX and the L10 feature a 14.1 type SXGA display and weigh 1.99kg. When a 2nd hard-drive is installed both notebooks can be configured for RAID. The new 3D motion sensor shock protection is supposedly the world's first. Apparently former shock sensors are only 2D.

The other two new Toshiba Notebooks (Dynabook SS MX and M10) feature a 12.1" screen.
More details in Toshiba Press-Release (Japanese). Toshiba Notebook Bestsellers.

Read more

Posted on Wed, 19 Jan 2005 00:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr