A device that measures or detects a real-world condition, such as motion, heat or light and converts the condition into an analog or digital representation. An optical sensor detects the intensity or brightness of light, or the intensity of red, green and blue for color systems. See smart sensor, sensor network and mote.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- PRTG Network Monitor 7.2.3.4990 (Windows)
- An advanced, easy-to-use monitoring solution for your entire network. The software's features include: up/downtime monitoring, traffic and usage monitoring, packet sniffing, in-depth analysis and concise reporting. A user-friendly web-based interface allows users to quickly auto-discover and configure the network devices and sensors they wish to monitor. All common methods for...
- Software downloads 2009-11-26
- SpeedFan 4.40 (Windows)
- SpeedFan monitors voltages, fan speeds, and temperatures in computers with hardware monitor chips. It can even access SMART information for hard disks that support this feature, and show hard-disk temperatures if that's supported. SpeedFan fully supports SCSI disks and can even change the FSB on some hardware (but this should...
- Software downloads 2009-11-25
- Creative unveils third-gen Vado HD mini-camcorder; selling at $179.99
- ISWhat these handheld video recorders need is image stabilization. I have a Vado HD and it is tough to hold it steady and nauseating to watch if not perfectly still.noOptical stabilization is too space-consuming and complicated for a device like this. Digital stabilization wastes valuable space on the sensor...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-24
- Let's get rid of usernames and passwords for good
- RE: Let's get rid of usernames and passwords for goodIf you think technology can solve your security problems, then you don't understand the problems and you don't understand the technology. -Bruce SchneierCommon sense & best practicesFirst off social networking sites are a DISASTER waiting to happen, private data into a...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-23
- Fresh Diagnose 8.27 (Windows)
- Fresh Diagnose analyzes and benchmarks your computer system. It can handle many types of hardware, including CPUs, hard disks, video systems, and mainboards. Use this free software to learn more about your computer and its components, detect or diagnose problems, and increase performance. Features sensors module enhancement that will support...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- Adobe Camera Raw 5.6 RC (Mac)
- The Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in delivers lightning-fast, easy access - within Photoshop - to "raw" image formats in professional and mid-range digital cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus. Available as a software add-on that works with Photoshop CS3 or Photoshop Elements software, the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in allows...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Jabra Stone
- Not many Bluetooth headsets combine style and performance, and when they do, they stand out. Examples include the Aliph Jawbone Prime, the BlueAnt Q1, and the Plantronics Discovery 975. Jabra, a company that has been in the Bluetooth business a long time, attempts to come up with yet another headset...
- Product reviews 2009-11-17
- Windows Phone Voice Reminder 1.0. (Mobile)
- This program plays voice announces,when you have missed phone call, or unread text message in your phone.It speaks number of missed events, or vibrate when you set volume down.It does not play at the moment when someone is ringing, or new message is arriving, but after at least one minute...
- Software downloads 2009-11-15
- Samsung Behold II (T-Mobile)
- Photo gallery:Samsung Behold IIFirst announced at CTIA Fall 2009, the Samsung Behold II is Samsung's second Android device for the U.S. market the Samsung Moment being the first and T-Mobile's fourth Android offering. Based on the Samsung Galaxy Lite, the Behold II tries to set itself apart from the crowd...
- Product reviews 2009-11-13
- Canon PowerShot S90
- The Canon PowerShot S90 is designed for photography enthusiasts and it carries a hefty price tag to prove it. It also has some of the best controls you'll find on a compact camera for manual and semimanual shooting modes. Its lens and photo quality are top notch, too. Actually, about...
- Product reviews 2009-11-12
- Palm Pixi (Sprint)
- The debut of the Palm Pre got the tech world and gadget enthusiasts excited about Palm once again. Long considered dead in the water, Palm's innovative WebOS operating system buoyed it back into the spotlight, and the Pre was certainly a boon for the company as well as Sprint. While...
- Product reviews 2009-11-12
- Ricoh GXR system details and photos officially released
- A day after details were leaked to the web, an official announcement and photos of the new Ricoh GXR system have been released. It's self-proclaimed as the "world's smallest and lightest digital camera," but its not the GXR's weight or size that's really...
- Blog posts 2009-11-10
- Ricoh GXR system photos
- In what has to be the oddest new camera technology announcement of 2009, Ricoh unveiled its GXR system. It's not a mirrorless interchangeable lens (dare I say EVIL?) system, as was rumored around the blogosphere, but what the company catchily calls an "Interchangeable Unit Camera," where the "Unit" in question...
- Image galleries 2009-11-09
- Eco-friendly Sony HDTV turns off when you leave the room
- Sony says its KDL-VE5 series is "eco-friendly," and backs it up by incorporating something quite simple into the set: a "presence sensor" that automatically turns it off when you leave the room. by Andrew Nusca
- Blog posts 2009-11-09
- HTC Droid Eris (Verizon Wireless)
- Editors' note: Portions of this review were taken from our review of the HTC Hero. The two devices share similar features. The HTC Droid Eris is the second Verizon Wireless' Google Android phone after the Motorola Droid. Where the Droid was flashy and high-end, the Droid Eris offers a simpler,...
- Product reviews 2009-11-06
- Sony KDL-46VE5
- Photo gallery: Sony KDL-VE5 seriesIn case you haven't noticed, "green" is big business. One way for HDTV makers to cash in on the public's craving for efficiency is to label a TV "eco-friendly." Sony's KDL-VE5 series does just that, but unlike a lot of so-called green electronics, this...
- Product reviews 2009-11-06
- Wildlife and Environmental Monitoring Using RFID and WSN Technology
- Wireless Sensor Networks enable scientists to collect information about the environment with a granularity unseen before, while providing numerous challenges to software designers. Since sensor devices are often powered by small batteries, which take considerable effort to replace, it is of major importance to use energy carefully. The paper presents...
- White papers 2009-11-06
- Demo Abstract: Measuring Foot Pronation Using RFID Sensor Networks
- Running efficiency is an important factor to consider in order to avoid injury. In particular, foot pronation, the angle of the foot as it hits the ground, is a common cause for many types of injuries among runners. Though pronation is common, diagnosing pronation is difficult and imprecise. Currently there...
- White papers 2009-11-06
- Samsung HZ15W
- The Samsung HZ15W is a camera that looks good on paper but doesn't live up to the specs. The main attraction is the 24mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with 10x zoom, which is certainly a plus in a camera this size, giving you a lot of shooting flexibility for less than $280....
- Product reviews 2009-11-05
- Finding pocket cameras with the best anti-shake feature
- All of us are susceptible to some camera shake now and again, either from unsteady hands, dim lighting or just a large gust of wind blowing past. Sometimes you need a camera that will account for this problem more than others. Here are three cameras that are reputed to have...
- Blog posts 2009-11-03
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