NI News Question: What kind of instrument would you design?

[Henrik_Volkers]

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@Ben wrote:
...

But as to the the tricorder...

Much of what I have read posted here can be classified as "measure some type of radiation, perform a transform and display some meaningful display." Christian introduced a special case where the display is very specialized in that it renders information from diverse spectrum in a single consolidated form.

I suspect technology is not at a point where we can do the tricorder due to a lack of CPU in a handheld device. We may be able to push the number crunching to a cloud and let the tricorder acquire and present (why does that part sound familiar?).

So...

We need sensors (multiple so we can analyze in 3-space) that can support acquisitions from DC through the full light spectrum. Phased array radar has been around since I was a wee-elector-babe. so most of what I have read can be done.

....

Ben

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Back to the root: What is an instrument (from the measuring point)? It's an extention of your senses  🙂 I can guess (better relative) a temperature. A smith is much better by experience at high temperatures 😉  ..   some things like magnetism or radiation are totally missing ( you can use a compass belt and your brain will adopt this sens with the result of a  better intuitive orientation)

But more important is that you only use an instrument (or your senses) if a question drives you. Evolution dictates that some senses are always working (well, for most of the people, see darwin award) to survive. But the rest is curiosity.  Measuring the world ....    Humboldt and a tricorder .....     

Isn't there a big approach of a cloud based tricorder currently driving on the mars?  Just out of curiosity 😉

[bcwilson]

You all have thoroughly redeemed yourselves by getting this thread back on track . I'll pick an answer tomorrow at noon, CST. So keep the the instruments of your imagination coming.  

[bcwilson]

Well, sometimes noon on Thursday means 3:30 pm on Friday! Thanks so much everyone for answering my question even though it became clear pretty quickly that my understanding of the difference between an instrument and a device is shaky at best.

Without further ado, the winner is... for(imstuck) because sunshine on my computer screen is the bane of my existence. I also enjoyed your comment on the nature of engineers who must temper their endless curiosity with a logical desire to avoid jail time.

I will message you so you can claim your prize.

[GregFreeman]

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@bcwilson wrote:

Well, sometimes noon on Thursday means 3:30 pm on Friday! Thanks so much everyone for answering my question even though it became clear pretty quickly that my understanding of the difference between an instrument and a device is shaky at best.

Without further ado, the winner is... @GregFreeman because sunshine on my computer screen is the bane of my existence. I also enjoyed your comment on the nature of engineers who must temper their endless curiosity with a logical desire to avoid jail time.

I will message you so you can claim your prize.

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I would like to thank my fellow engieners for supporting me day in and day out to make this feat possible. I share this award with you all. I'm having difficulties holding my tears of joy back right now, so I will just keep it short. God Bless.

[Hornless.Rhino]

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@for(imstuck) wrote:

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@bcwilson wrote:

Well, sometimes noon on Thursday means 3:30 pm on Friday! Thanks so much everyone for answering my question even though it became clear pretty quickly that my understanding of the difference between an instrument and a device is shaky at best.

Without further ado, the winner is... @GregFreeman because sunshine on my computer screen is the bane of my existence. I also enjoyed your comment on the nature of engineers who must temper their endless curiosity with a logical desire to avoid jail time.

I will message you so you can claim your prize.

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I would like to thank my fellow engieners for supporting me day in and day out to make this feat possible. I share this award with you all. I'm having difficulties holding my tears of joy back right now, so I will just keep it short. God Bless.

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I call dibs on the naming rights for future unborn offspring.

[GregFreeman]

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@Hornless.Rhino wrote:

I call dibs on the naming rights for future unborn offspring.

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Ok, but Horny Rhino is an off-limits name.

[GregFreeman]

Thanks to Ms. Brittany Wilson, I now have this lovely prize hanging in my office, along with my winner ribbon (sry for the Jpeg).

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Observation on the poster- whay are the numbers (60, 70, 80) ascending in a counter-clockwise fashion?

-AK2DM

[tst]

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@AnalogKid2DigitalMan wrote:

Observation on the poster- whay are the numbers (60, 70, 80) ascending in a counter-clockwise fashion?

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a) It's clockwise.

b) It's a speedometer. You can see the 140 mark on the other side, some indicators and the center of the needle.

[JW-JnJ]

The real question is "Why is the person in the poster going 140mph with all of those indicator lights on?". Some graphical programmer has a death wish.