This article will show you how you can convert your webcam into a modern rangefinder without any hardware. The math is very simple, so this new technique works very well for vision applications that need to run quickly.

Here’s a great free application that will turn your web cam into a range finder that can tell distance simply by calculating the height of stuff. Now, this will work really well on the golf course as the flagstick in golf is always the same. (of course, there’s a different stand for USGA and the UK so…) 

With a simple height estimation, the program will easily calculate the range to a distant object with high precision. The software will be next upgraded with motion detection.

How to use 

1. Estimate the height of the object.
2. Calculate the AOV of your webcam (typically 70-80°).
3. Aim the base of your target with the white cross.
4. Finally, limit the top of your target with the green line.

Download

Webcam RangeFinder.zip (113,1 kB)

Link Range Estimation

Book automated systems have a similar look but this Automated Book Scanning Robot called ScanBot seems like the scanning system it uses may be one of the best. It appears to use a vacuum to hold the page firmly against the moving scanning head. I wonder if it ever flips two pages at once?

The book scanner ScanRobot® has been developed for the digitization of huge book inventories. The book scanner has the ability to turn the pages automatically and to to scan a whole book at once. The new and patented scanning technology of the ScanRobot® allows absolutely distortion free images and the gentle and cost effective digitization of books and other bound documents. The modular design of the book scanner allows easy adaptation to specific customer requirements. Due to the unique and simple concept this book scanner is specially suited for libraries and archives as well as for large digitization projects.

Via www.nowhereelse.org
 

The RangeVideo on-screen display (abbreviated OSD) is a small device which overlays GPS telemetry and and other relevant data onto a live video.This device is a must have for FPV flying!

The RVOSD is a must have device for FPV. Firstly, the RVOSD is like the "motherboard" of your new FPV kit. All on board FPV equipment (video transmitter, camera) connects to the RVOSD. The original video from the camera does not have any OSD telemetry, its just a clean video feed. All of the white text/graphics shown in the example videos is done by the RVOSD. The RVOSD superimposes the data right onto the video and then outputs a new video signal which is then in turn fed to the wireless video transmitter.

Link RangeVideo.com

We have seen lots of automated sentry guns over the past year but this Autonomous Paintball Sentry Gun by Zero Op is the first I have seen for sale. For about $3000 you could buy the system and have enough left over to buy some paintballs. If you need to guard a large open area this may be just the ticket.

Inspired by countless movies and video games, we decided to put our engineering skills to the test, and attempt build the most advanced and consumer friendly sentry gun. After 10 months of hardcore soldering, programming, machining, and painful testing, we’re ready to release ‘The Mercenary’, the worlds first commercially available autonomous paintball sentry gun. It’ll track and automatically fire upon targets entirely on its own- by help of a camera and an onboard computer. There are a few features that put ours a head above the rest- A highly durable platform will withstand paintballs fired at over 300 feet per second, even direct hits to the camera. It can be powered by a wall socket, or a battery, and needs no external computer, or programming knowledge to run. Best of all- it runs linux.

Via Hackedgadgets.com

The water detection application measures the presence of water, using a soundcard. Please use a simple cable with two elektrodes, and the microphone input of your soundcard.

A water detector is a small electronic device that is designed to detect the presence of water and alert humans in time to allow the prevention of water damage. A common design is a small device that lays flat on a floor and relies on the electrical conductivity of water to decrease the resistance across two contacts. A 9 volt battery then sounds an audible alarm in the presence of enough water to bridge the contacts. These are useful in a normally occupied area near any appliance that has the potential to leak water, such as a washing machine, refrigerator with icemaker, dehumidifier, air conditioner, or water heater.

DIYLab is NOT responsible for any damage to the soundcard or PC during testing the water detection application.

Download

Water Detection Application: Water Detection.zip (14,1 kB)