Since the IR beam starts from a limited area and broadens as the distance grows (it is roughly conical…), where the dots appear to be very close, it means that the object is close to the sensor, vice versa, if the distance among the points is remarkable, it means that the object is located farther. By analyzing the image obtained by means of the camera that is sensible to such IR rays, Kinect determines the distances among the various points, thus obtaining distance and inclination of the lighted object. Kinect works like this: the infrared projector casts in the space before it a very accurate pattern, made of a multitude of equidistant points. Kinect’s connection cable looks like a USB one, but it is not: it must be connected to the female of the USB cable supplied with the device, that ends on the other side on the network power supply. To use Kinect as a 3D scanner, the hardware needed is just the one concerning the video cameras, the infrared projector and the accelerometers.
In fact, the USB cable is usually composed by 4 wires (two for the power supply and the other two for serial communication), while the one of Kinect is provided of as many as 9 poles to connect to it, it is therefore necessary the use of an adaptor to provide the auxiliary power supply at 12 V, in addition to the normal USB connections. As regards the connection with the external world, Microsoft Kinect uses a similar cable, as for shape, to the USB one, from which it differs for the number of connections. In addition to having such an extent of sensors, Kinect integrates an engine, used to make it move up and down, for the purpose of better following the movements of the players. With such a solution it is possible to filter unperceivable echoes and background noises during the usage of voice commands, so to allow voice commands to be really effective and immediate. But that is not all, since Kinect makes four microphones available: they are radially disposed, used, taking advantage of the reflection of the sonic waves within the room, for the calibration of the environment it is in. In addition to the video sensors, in Kinect a triaxial accelerometer is present, to detect possible vibrations and movements to which it is subject to. This second video camera is used to detect the images produced by the reflection of the IR rays, projected on the scene being observed via the dedicated infrared projector, integrated in the frontal panel of the device. Microsoft Kinect and its alter-ego, produced by Asus.Įven though it is marketed as a “sensor” for Xbox, the Kinect is something more than that, in fact it contains a RGB video camera, featuring a 640×480 pixels resolution and coupled with an additional video camera, having an inferior resolution (equal to 320×240 pixels), that is only infrared sensitive. In these pages we propose to actually use the Kinect (the motion sensing device for Xbox players) to acquire the shape of the objects via appropriate programs, that are even freely available on the Internet. Moreover, many All-in-One PCs are touch-enabled with large tilting screens for hands-on interaction.The scan of solid objects, better known as 3D scanning, allows to obtain computer models with which to create virtual digital scenarios, characters to integrate in animations and videogames, but also and especially files to be used for 3D printing and for manufacturing via CNC milling machines.Įver since 3D printers have been spread to the general public, to scan a face, a bust, but also any object has become an ambition of many hobbyists but unfortunately the machinery to do it (that is to say, the 3D scanners), is very expensive and undoubtely beyond the means of the common user. Its vivid and stunning displays and great processing power for rich multimedia and intense gaming. Besides that, most new All-in-One PCs have plenty of memory and storage for big projects in business.
Stylish space-saving designs make All-in-One PCs a great PC to your home or office.
All-in-One PCs are offered by brand name manufacturers, like ASUS, Hewlett-Packard, Acer, DELL, Lenovo, Gateway and Sony VAIO or SIs (Systems Integrators) and are typically offered with full system warranties.Īll-in-One PCs comes with big screens, loads of power and memory to get things done. Most importantly, All-in-One PCs is easier to setup than a traditional Desktop PCs. Looking for a powerful, ready-to-use All-in-One PCs for the home or office? All-in-One PCs here refers to a completely pre-built PC and Monitor together, including an integrated webcam and Wi-Fi connectivity. Use this link for more on All-in-One PCs in our Learning Center