6. Computerized tomography

It is an imaging technique which uses an array of detectors to collect information from a beam that has passed through an object (for example, a portion of the human body). The information collected is then used by a computer to reconstruct the internal structures, and the resulting image can be displayed - for example, on a television screen. The technique relies on the fact that wave phenomena can penetrate into regions where it is impossible or undesirable to introduce ordinary probes.

In medicine, computerized tomography represents a noninvasive way of seeing internal structures. In the brain, for example, computerized tomography can readily locate tumors and hemorrhages, thereby providing immediate information for evaluating neurological emergencies. Another advantage of computerized tomography is three­dimensional reconstruction. It is most useful in cases of fracture of the hip or facial bones, helping the surgeon to do reconstructive surgery. Other medical imaging techniques that make use of computerized tomographic methods include magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single-photon emission tomography.

After the success of computerized tomography in medicine, its possibilities in other fields were quickly realized. In the earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences it has supplemented, but no means replaced, older methods of remote sensing. Seismic tomography is now an important tool for investigating the deep structure of the Earth, testing theories such as plate tectonics, and exploring for oil. Ocean acoustic tomography is applied to physical oceanography, climatology, and antisubmarine warfare. Atmospheric tomography finds applications to weather, climate and the environment.

Notes

Plate tectonics - тектоника плит (современная геологическая теория о движении земной коры и мантии)

7. Character recognition

The process of converting scanned images of machine-printed or handwritten text (numerals, letters, and symbols) into a computer- processable format also known as optical character recognition (OCR). A typical OCR system contains three logical components: an image scanner, OCR software and hardware, and an output interface. The image scanner optically captures text images to be recognized. Text images are processed with OCR software and hardware. The process involves three operations: documents analysis (extracting individual character images), recognizing these images (based on shape), and contextual processing (either to

136

correct misclassifications made by the recognition algorithm or to limit recognition choices). The output interface is responsible for communication of OCR system results to the outside world.

Commercial OCR systems can largely be grouped into two categories: task-specific readers and general-purpose page readers. A task- specific reader handles only specific document types. Some of the most common task-specific readers read bank checks, letter mail, or credit-card slips. General-purpose page readers are designed to handle a broader range of documents such as business letters, technical writings and newspapers.

Notes

General-purpose page reader - универсальное устройство для считывания страниц

8. Plastic logic e-newspaper

Plastic Logic, a spin-off company from the Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory, has recently released its design of a future electronic newspaper reader. This lightweight plastic screen copies the appearance, but not the feel, of a printed newspaper. This electronic paper technology was pioneered by the E-Ink Corporation and is used in the current generation Sony eReader and Amazon.com’s Kindle. Plastic Logic’s device, yet to be named, has a highly legible black-and-white display and a screen more than twice as large compared to current versions available on the market.

Plastic Logic’s new device has an A4 sized display, can be continually updated via a wireless link, and can store and display hundreds of pages of newspapers, books, and documents. Richard Archuleta, the chief executive of Plastic Logic, said the display was Amazon Kindle sufficiently large enough to match a newspaper’s layout. “Even though we have positioned this for business documents, newspapers are what everyone asks for,” said Archuleta.

Another company vying to control the e-newspaper market is the Hearst Corporation. They own 16 daily newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, the San Antonio Express, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst was also an early investor in E-Ink, using this technology and to distribute electronic versions of some papers on Amazon’s Kindle.

The advancement of colour displays with moving images and interactive clickable advertisements would be available within a few more years. However, the ideal format of the flexible display which could be rolled or folded like a newspaper still has many years of development ahead.

137