Arduino finds yet another use in homebuilt 3D scanner
[Via Hacked Gadgets]
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How's this for dual purpose? Zhao Wencai and Li Zhoumu, two graduate students at the China University of Geosciences, have concocted a prototype device which checks for two important bits of information before allowing a car to start. First, it scans your fingerprint to make sure you're on the authorized driver database; second, it takes a long, hard look (okay, so maybe 20 seconds isn't all that long) at the sweat on your digit to determine just how sober or inebriated you are. There's no telling when this will hit motorcars en masse, but we'd say the whole thing needs to get a whole lot smaller before it's a viable option.
Huge shocker here: removing your shoes at airport security causes massive headaches and makes the wait longer for everyone. Now that we're all good with Captain Obvious' latest headline, let us point you to one prototype that's looking to solve said dilemma. SecuriScan, which has been developed by Professor Wuqiang Yang at the University of Manchester, would theoretically be able to "detect and pinpoint suspicious objects instantly," all without requiring passengers to remove their kicks. Better still, the system uses electric and magnetic sensing instead of a radiation source, which could also address safety concerns while helping you get where you're going more quickly. Moving forward, Yang hopes to develop a more advanced and realistic prototype for testing, and just in case you were doubting this guy's determination, he's also investigating a handheld version that could hastily screen abandoned luggage or packages.
It looks like Fujitsu's added yet another sure to be short-lived distinction to its repertoire of bragging rights, with its new ScanSnap S300 scanner laying claim to the title of "world's smallest color ADF scanner." Despite its diminutive size (11.2 x 3.7 x 3.0 inches), the scanner looks like it should stack up reasonably well against its larger counterparts, with it boasting a scanning speed of 8 pages per minute for single-sided pages and 17 images per minute for double-sided documents, along with special scanning options for business cards, a range of automatic page-detection options, and a maximum resolution of 600 dpi. You will have to pay a bit more than a comparable, non-world's smallest model, however, as this one will run you just shy of $300 when it hits the US in late November.
Canon has today announced that its ScanFront 220 and ScanFront 220P network scanners have started to ship out in the US, which means consumers anxious to get a household bizhub (of sorts) can throw patience to the wind. Both of these devices enable users to scan in documents and immediately email them, send them to an FTP server or transfer the files to a USB drive. The unit also features an 8.5-inch touchscreen to keep things in order, and it can reportedly scan up to 26 pages-per-minute or 35 images-per-minute. Furthermore, users can save the documents as compressed / searchable PDFs, TIFFs or JPEGs, and for those opting for the 220P, you can take advantage of "ultra-sonic double feed detection" and fingerprint authentication. Get 'em both now for $1,995 and $2,195, respectively.
Here in the US of A, a do-it-all bizhub that cranks out caffeinated beverages would do us a whole lot more good than one that speaks QR Code, but we can certainly see the relevance when marketed in Japan. Ricoh's uber-snazzy MP C4500it can not only fax, scan, copy, e-mail, and print with the big boys, but it can easily boost the productivity of the average office administrator by understanding a command-laden QR Code. Reportedly, users can scan the QR Code before getting down to business, and the machine will automatically interpret and adjust to match your desired settings -- you know, duplex, 400dpi, compressed PDF with a personalized header on top -- rather than forcing you to use the intern's arrangement. Additionally, you can load up data through the built-in USB port / SD card slot and see where the paper jam is on the 10.4-inch color touchscreen, but first you'll have to hand over a whopping ¥2,280,000 ($18,694).
As technology continues to make doctors' lives a bit easier (not to mention saving a few in the process), we've got yet another device that can detect a potentially fatal problem long before mere humans can figure it out. The Indian-based Infrascanner is a "handheld, non-invasive, near-infrared (NIR) based mobile imaging device used to detect brain hematoma at the site of injury" within the most important stage of pre-analysis. The device could also aid in the decision to proceed with "other tests such as head Computed Tomography (CT) scans" when not "facilitating surgical intervention decisions." While the methods behind the scanning are quite sophisticated, the unit uses diffused optical tomography to convert the light differential data seen in the local concentrations of hemoglobin into "interpretative scientific results." Potentially best of all, however, is just how close this thing is to actually hitting hospital wards, as it's simply missing the oh-so-coveted FDA stamp of approval before it can see commercial use.





