NerdBeach

Color Sensing Concept Pen Writes in Any Color

 

Remember those multi-selectable ink pens that allowed you to write in 12 different colors? Well, this concept pen takes that idea into the 21st century. The concept pen, designed by Jinsun Park, uses a small color sensor and RGB ink cartridges to custom mix the ink to match the detected color. The pen even uses a long side display to indicate the detected color.

To use the pen, the user would simply point the color sensing head to the desired color on the object of choice and press the scan button. Once processed (which should happen very quickly), the side display would indicate the selected color, and the pen would be ready for use.


I don't know the possibility of the concept pen ever becoming reality, but it would certainly be a very handy pen to have for any number of tasks. You could finally throw out that really big box of crayons for one color pen (and a box of RGB refills, no doubt).

via tuvie

Ballpoint Pen

The first patent on a ballpoint pen was issued on October 30, 1888, to John J Loud. In 1938, László Bíró, a Hungarian newspaper editor, with the help of his brother George, a chemist, began to work on designing new types of pens including one with a tiny ball in its tip that was free to turn in a socket. As the pen moved along the paper, the ball rotated, picking up ink from the ink cartridge and leaving it on the paper. Bíró filed a British patent on June 15, 1938. In 1940 the Bíró brothers and a friend, Juan Jorge Meyne, moved to Argentina fleeing Nazi Germany and on June 10, filed another patent, and formed Bíró Pens of Argentina. By the summer of 1943 the first commercial models were available.

source:wikipedia 

 

Panoramic Ball Makes Panoramas As Easy As a Quick Throw

 

Here is a great way to get a 360 degree panoramic of a given area – throw a specially designed ball up in the air. The rest is done by the ball automatically, thanks to 36 cellphone camera sensors mounted around the outside of the ball (and protected in foam). As the ball reaches the maximum height of its travel, it is stationary for just a moment, Onboard sensors detect this momentary pause, and snaps the 36 pictures.

After retrieving the ball, the images are uploaded to a computer via USB, and a complete panoramic is assembled from the multiple images by dedicated software, which also lets you pan and view the image. There is no word yet on a commercial application of the unit, but it was being demoed at Siggraph Asia 2011.

 

Personally I would love to have one of these – it puts great panoramic
photography just a stones throw away, more or less. And if it was
coupled with a connected smartphone, wouldn't that be a great way to
show someone where you were at the time? It's almost like being there.

via popphoto

Panorama

The word was originally coined by the Irish painter Robert Barker to describe his panoramic paintings of Edinburgh. Shown on a cylindrical surface and viewed from the inside, they were exhibited in London in 1792 as "The Panorama". The motion-picture term panning is derived from panorama.

source:wikipedia 

 

Liquid Image Swim Mask Has Built In Camera


 

Here is something that I wish I had on a past trip to the Virgin Islands, where we had a great time snorkeling. Now, snorkeling is a pleasant and fun way to enjoy exploring the waters without the expense and equipment requirements of scuba diving. However, it can still be difficult to take pictures while in the water due to the added bulk of the camera. Well, the Liquid Image 304 Explorer Series 8.0 Megapixel Camera Mask makes taking pictures easier by incorporating the camera right into the swim mask.

The unit is rated to a depth of 15 ft (5m), which should work out fine for most light snorkeling. The lens have integrated crosshairs to help you line up that shot just perfectly. You can even take pictures (3456 x 2304) or video (30fps@VGA), perfect for recording your underwater explorations and fun.

The swim mask uses 2 AAA batteries, which lasts for 2000 pictures or 2:30 hrs of video time when using lithium batteries. Now you can grab beautiful pictures and video of your snorkeling trips without worrying about dropping the camera. And with Winter coming on more every day, it is nice to think about snorkeling trips in warm places.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling (British spelling: snorkelling) is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn. Use of this equipment allows the snorkeler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.

source:wikipedia 

 

The Levitron Revolution Can Float Your 12 Ounce Collectable

 

You may remember the Levitron from years past, which floated a small spinning top in mid air. You had to spin the top just right, and make sure to release it in the exact position above the base in order to get it to work. But when it worked, it was an impressive sight for the time. But now technology has revisited that product, and so we have the Levitron Revolution.



The Original Levitron

The Levitron Revolution uses 4 LEDs on the base to help you position the magnetic floating disc. This is much easier to use than the original, and it can even float an object while being positioned sideways. Once you have everything in position, the disc can hold and float up to 12 ounces. To me, this is a great way to show off a prized collectable, and it is just downright fun. If you like that kind of gadget, of course.

 

 

Levitron

Levitron is a brand of levitating toys and gifts in science and educational markets marketed by Creative Gifts Inc. and Fascination Toys & Gifts. The Levitron top device is a commercial toy that displays the phenomenon known as spin stabilized magnetic levitation. This method, with moving permanent magnets, is quite distinct from other versions which use changing electromagnetic fields, levitating various items such as a rotating world globe, model space shuttle or VW Beetle, and picture frame. 750,000 units were sold from 1994 through 1999

source:wikipedia