night vision
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IR-detecting OLED film could mean cheap night vision on everything
Night vision, once the exclusive property of military special forces and dreadlock'd aliens, has over the past few years become far more accessible for the everyman -- even everymen with small pockets. But, we could be on the verge of a green-screen revolution if research taking place at the University of Florida, led by Dr. Franky So, comes to fruition. He and his students are working on OLED film that is excited by infrared. Multiple layers of the stuff convert that light into a spectrum that we can see and, if all goes well, could be inexpensively layered onto anything from glasses to car windshields. So is indicating this film could start production in 18 months, but given the accuracy of original predictions regarding monstrously huge yet inexpensive OLED displays we won't exactly be holding our collective breath over here.
Equip your Xbox Avatar with free Modern Warfare 2 night vision goggles
Do you have any idea how hard it is for your Xbox Live Avatar to see when your 360 is turned off? It gets so dark in there without the console power button's emerald (or, sometimes, ruby) luminescence. Why not lend your tiny homunculus a hand by picking up the Modern Warfare 2 Avatar Night Vision Goggles, which Microsoft and Infinity Ward are handing out for free until Sunday, 11:59 pm PT? It's a lot cheaper than constantly leaving your system turned on, and it makes it look like you're wearing Johnny 5's head as a sort of trophy, which is ... totally sweet, right? Shortcut: Add the Night Vision Goggles to your Xbox 360 download queue [via Xbox.com]
DIY iSight night vision camera
Now that most all Apple computers come with their own built-in iSight, the standalone iSight has taken a bit of a back seat. It always was a gorgeous piece of Apple art, though, and I really wanted to use it in a functional way. An easy way was to attach it to the Mac mini I have in the baby's room, acting as a video baby monitor, but the iSight doesn't do that well in low light, and of course works not at all in no light. And while the audio was just fine, there are some neat new "push on motion" capabilities in camera monitoring software that I liked. It will even record on motion, thanks to today's update. "Night vision" is predicated on the idea that infrared light bounces off of objects the same way that any other kind of light does, only that our eyes can't see IR light. So while a room could potentially be brightly lit with an infrared light source, you would see only darkness. Fortunately, camera CCDs aren't human eyes and many are as sensitive to IR light as they are to the visible spectrum. So, ostensibly, all you need is an IR light source. Heck, even a television remote control would do the trick, albeit dimly. The problem is that cameras that are not intended as night-vision cameras have an IR filter built-in so that the camera's reaction is limited to light sources the human eye can see. And, specifically, on the external iSight, that filter is a coating that's bonded to a small block of glass inside the iSight. Now I had a project. After first scoring a broken iSight on Craigslist, should I need parts, I took the iSight apart, took out the glass block, and removed the IR coating in a quick bath of sulfuric acid. [Do not try this at home unless you know what you are doing, please. –Ed.] You could see the film slide off the glass. Once the iSight was reassembled and an IR light source applied, bingo! Night vision. The only downside has been that because sulfuric acid is a bit of a blunt-edged instrument (to put it mildly), whatever was giving it the ability to correctly sense the rest of the red is now gone. In the gallery, you can see the result in the last image. Ah well. If I ever want it to return to regular function, I can drop in the intact lens from the broken iSight. But for now, the increased range is a great asset. My iPhone is a little monitor that follows me around the house and pushes notification of any motion. Special thanks to Jason Babcock, for blazing the trail on iSight tear-downs. %Gallery-79853%
Minox NV mini II makes night vision pocketable
There's certainly no shortage of portable night vision gear available for those that often find themselves out and about at night, but there's few quite as pocketable as Minox's new NV mini II scope, which (as you can see) is almost small enough to fit on your key ring. You'll still get 2x magnification despite that diminutive size, however, and a built-in infrared illuminator for "perfect vision" even in complete darkness. Still no word on a price, but this one should be available from all your usual night vision retailers by the end of the month, if it's not already. [Thanks, Stephen V]
Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Editions to actually be limited
The gaming community really throws the word "limited" around with little thought of its meaning. Walk down the Xbox 360 aisle of any GameStop -- there's more Halo 3 Limited Collector's Editions than there are stars in the sky. However, it sounds like Infinity Ward's upcoming blockbuster Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will have a limited edition worthy of the adjective -- no additional copies of the Prestige Edition of the game will be made following the title's release.In an interview with IGN, Infinity's Robert Bowling discusses the creative forces behind the opulent, night-vision goggles-equipped collector's edition, and explained its eventual scarcity. According to him, only one set of individually numbered Prestige Editions will be produced -- though retail chains have requested the developer create even more prestigious units. Seems like parties interested in acquiring the bundle will need to act quickly -- lest they be forced to resort to desperate, crafty measures.
AstroScope 9350EOS-FF adds night vision to your Canon DSLR
Looking to put together a really complete bag of camera gear? Then you might want to give some consideration to Electrophysics' new AstroScope 9350EOS-FF, which will add some night vision capabilities to the full-frame Canon DSLR of your choice. As you can see above, the module fits between the lens and camera body, and thankfully maintains all the necessary electrical connections and doesn't impede on all-important features like image stabilization. The module itself will also give you some variable gain control to adapt to different lighting situations and reduce noise, and it supposedly eliminates any vignetting of images, which can be a bit of a problem with other night vision rigs. No word on a price just yet, but it looks like it should be rolling out to dealers now.[Thanks, Zoltan]
Samsung's SCH-W760 with infrared video conferencing is ready for your parole hearing
We get it. Sometimes, not often, but sometimes when you're staring into the sad abyss of an empty Tennessee fifth, the idea of initiating an impromptu video conference in total darkness seems mighty compelling. That's where Samsung's SCH-W760 with 7.2Mbps HSDPA and front-facing infrared camera can help. It's available now in Korea and could be the difference between making a solo bed-spin performance or 3- to 6-months served at county for violating your restraining order. The choice is yours for KRW580,000 or about 445 of the green stuff.
Samsung's SCH-W760 features night vision cam for Blair Witch-style video calls
On the surface, the new SCH-W760 looks like a totally typical midrange Korean domestic market slider: 3 megapixel camera, DMB reception, Bluetooth, and a semi-notable 2.8-inch AMOLED display. You know, the usual. A closer look reveals one very interesting feature, though -- it features a front cam sensitive to infrared spectrum so that you can hold grayscale video calls in complete darkness. Beyond scaring the poo out of friends with your spooky, grainy, low-res visage and holding the occasional video conference from the confines of an unlit closet, we have absolutely no idea what practical value this offers -- but look, ridiculous features are what exotic new handsets are all about. Well played, Samsung. The W760 hasn't yet been officially announced, though it'll apparently be coming to SKT, so keep an eye peeled (and bring a flashlight).
Genius bringing WiFi boombox, night vision IP camera concepts to CES 2009
You may be inclined to just associate Genius with corporate-level mice, ho hum speakers and the occasional pen tablet, but the outfit is looking to expand its horizons at CES next month. It'll be bringing along a pair of concepts that are evidently leaning towards release in the mysterious future, the first of which is a 2.4 GHz Wireless Stereo Speaker System. The three-piece package presumably contains two satellites and a subwoofer, with the knobs and ports maintaining a low profile. The wireless range reaches up to 100-feet and the inbuilt 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack ensures that practically any source will work. Moving on, we've got the IP Cam 350TR, which is constructed with "the most advanced night vision technology to secure any home or office efficiently." The integrated light sensor automatically fires up six infrared LEDs when in a dark / dim environment, and there's also a microphone tucked away to capture live audio. Pricing for both is listed as TBA, which isn't shocking given the "concept" status; full release is after the jump.
eMagin's SXGA OLED-XL microdisplay: perfect for night vision goggles, HMDs
eMagin's no stranger to the head-mounted display game, and it's showing a bit of experience by playing up a new technology that could revolutionize the way you and two other people on the planet watch videos on the subway. You know, just how Geordi La Forge would have it. All that aside, the company is using the Night Vision Conference in London to showcase its next-generation SXGA (1,280 x 1,024) OLED-XL microdisplay, which offers up "digital signal processing in a compact package (0.77-inch diagonal active area) requiring less than 200 mW of total power under typical operating conditions of 100 cd/m2 in full-color." Whether or not you're geeked out on the specs, eMagin's hoping to catch your attention by cramming this stuff into night vision apparatuses, thermal / medical imaging applications and of course, all manners of simulation devices. Samples are set to ship next month.[Via I4U News]
Xenonics SuperVision Tactical Package does night vision in HD
Traditional night vision kits aren't anything extraordinary, but Xenonics is taking things beyond the pixelated output we're used to and going straight to HD. The outfit's SuperVision Tactical Package comes packed with a high-definition night vision device, a SuperVision IR Illuminator and mount, a Snyper Tactical illumination light, additional circuit-protected rechargeable Li-ion batteries, additional CR 123 batteries, a battery charger and a waterproof SKB case for those treks through the moat. Granted, this here bundle is aimed at police departments and security firms more than mere consumers, but who's to say you can't have a little fun in your own backyard once the sun heads down?
VHS camcorder viewfinder hacked into night vision headset
Let's face it -- that VHS camcorder you're still holding on to would probably do you more good as a Salvation Army donation than anything else, but if you've got even a single DIY bone in your person, don't hand it over just yet. The same fellow that brought you the $40 spy glasses is at it once more, this time concocting a night vision "headset" with just a VHS camcorder viewfinder, a dozen ultra-bright LEDs, black / white mini camera and a few other nuts and bolts. After all was said and done, we're left with a device that enables you to easily see in darkness and record your journey. We know, you can't wait to tell your SO how right you were about hanging on to that clunker for one more year, so after you return, click on through for the instructional video and get to work, you hear?
iKey unveils night-vision compatible keyboards
We're assuming the "bloom" caused by using traditional backlit keyboards with night vision goggles is really only a problem for a small handful of you, but if you're in the military (or just really want to bring that sci-fi aesthetic to your den), iKey's new line of night vision keyboards is probably right up your alley. Normal LEDs can be hard to read with night vision gear, but iKey's units use filtered LEDs that avoid those nasty flareouts -- which also means your ability to blind Buffalo Bill with a keyboard is no more. Thanks a lot, iKey.
US Army trials hybrid vehicle, sports night vision / remote weaponry
This certainly doesn't mark the first case in which the US Army has fiddled with hybrid vehicles, but the Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV) that the military is currently testing out most definitely ups the ante in other areas. The diesel-electric hybrid truck touts an insanely rugged frame designed to "sustain the concussion of a roadside bomb," and after it brushes off that weak attempt to render it immobile, the remote weapons system should inflict a fair amount of vengeance on the enemy. Moreover, the highly-spec'd machines also feature night vision capabilities, touchscreen controls, swarms of video cameras, and ballistic-grade glass to boot. Unfortunately, the limited fleet of MSVs are currently being recognized as "concept vehicles" to be used for demonstration purposes alone, but we're sure there's a number of defense contractors that could piece together a slightly less vicious version for your own garage if you've got the loot to back it up.
ColorPath night vision trades in green for the whole rainbow
There's no doubt that night vision scopes, binoculars, and cameras have revolutionized numerous after-dark activities -- from soldiers navigating the battlefield to rescue teams searching for lost hikers to serial killers stalking terrified FBI trainees in suburban basements -- but the whole green hue thing could really use an update. Enter Boston-based Tenebraex Corp., a jack-of-all-trades company that has invented such various vision-related products as software for the color blind and anti-reflective covers for military lenses, and which is now poised to introduce its ColorPath, um, color night vision scope this summer. Targeted mainly at field surgeons or munitions experts who need to discern different shades for certain critical procedures ("cut the RED wire!," the Tenebraex site helpfully notes), the new devices consist of a regular night vision scope attached to a pair of rotating filters "that vary the intensity of light coming from different colored objects;" the user's brain then "interprets these variations as differences in color," and sees objects at red, blue, yellow, etc. Let's hope that the military decides to invest in these $6,000 scopes and help bring this tech into the hands of the common man, but if not, we're sure ColorPath still has a bright future capturing young celebrities / celebutantes in compromising positions.[Via Slashdot and Boston Globe]
Researchers develop cheap, effective nanoparticle infrared detector
MIT's venerable Technology Review reports that a team of Canadian researchers led by Edward Sargent have devised a highly sensitive infrared chip that could potentially make night-vision goggles and other imaging devices both cheaper and more effective by using, what else, nanotechnology. The system involves spinning a glass slide or silicon chip to evenly coat it with a special solution of conducting nanoparticles called quantum dots -- something that can be done for as little as $17 per square meter, Sargent says. With the solution, the chip is able to pick up both the near and short-wave infrared (SWIR) bands, allowing for accurate night vision even in cloudy conditions. What's more, Sargent says the technology could also be applied to medical devices, since SWIR light can apparently easily pass through tissue at no risk to the patient. Your guess is as good as ours as to when we'll actually see any of this outside of the lab, but with the promise of higher yields than traditional fabrication processes, there's definitely an incentive to push this tech out the door.[Via Medgadget]
