What Do Smart Phones (Partially) Replace?

[Stavros Kiri]

More: 1. Scanner Radio (as an app) [includes UHF/VHF radio etc.] 2. Microphone (as an app) [and voice amplifier].

 

[I like Serena]

I thought Mr. Spock still had to be born. Perhaps he will roll over in his cradle?

 

[Jor v nose fy]

65 Control the car and rotating its engine

 

[berkeman]

I didn't see this application on the list of 200, but maybe it's been mentioned since we crossed that goal line.

Recently the EMS company that I work for started using the app "When I Work" to do scheduling and as a time clock to clock-in and clock-out of shifts. It even uses the GPS feature of your phone to make sure you are in the right location to start your shift. That usually works okay, unless you are in a remote location where GPS is shadowed, or there is limited cell phone coverage...

Replaces:

 

[symbolipoint]

Post #154 represents a misuse of technology that is not yet sufficiently developed.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

Other ones:
1) Signal jam detector (app)
2) Mutual [authorised] location [detection] (via GPS) for groups of people (apps)

 

[jedishrfu]

Bluetooth enabled card skimmers at gas stations.

 

[anorlunda]

2) Mutual [authorised] location [detection] (via GPS) for groups of people (apps)

The word authorized makes me smile. What allows authorized uses and disallows unauthorized ones?

I think Chinese officials in Hong Kong today would authorize themselves to collect the ID of all phones in the vicinity of protests.

I read of crooks in Europe who tracked the location of encrypted signals (phones? radios?) used by police. They didn't need to decrypt, just to detect the signals and locations. They used that to get advanced notice of police raids. I guess the trackers were authorized by the cartel bosses.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

The word authorized makes me smile. What allows authorized uses and disallows unauthorized ones?

In this case I meant mutual authorization among the users (of the app), in the group
("I authorize you [or basically the app (to convey that information to you)] to track my location [via the GPS based app], and vice versa"). In other words WE give authorizations and approvals to who we allow to track us [in a group] ... , and make requests to who we want to track ...
(Useful e.g. in tourist groups, or even best for families [e.g. for the protection of kids, etc.] ...)Another useful category of [GPS based] apps: ~ "Safe & Sound" (in case of emergency, you alarm [or being alarmed], being tracked and helped thereafter ...).
[This works for single individuals as well as for groups ...]

 

[Z0dCHiY8]

smartphone is more useful, if to use it only for wi-fi. Then less cheating on you like spying & viruses + prolonged life for battery. :)

 

[jack action]

I would've never thought of this one: Welding helmet.

​

 

[sophiecentaur]

I would've never thought of this one: Welding helmet.

Is there ever any damage to the camera sensor? I guess the user keeps it all on the move which is the equivalent of a screen saver at the other end.
I have an old iPhone and I could try it It could be better than my automatic welding helmet which needs very strong lighting to allow me to see details before the arc is struck. Otoh, the phone system seems to wash out around the brightest parts of the arc. It could all be down to my eyes rather than the system.
Lovely bit of ingenuity though.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

I would've never thought of this one: Welding helmet.

​

Isn't this basically use of the camera? (i.e. in that sense already covered ... (?) )

 

[sophiecentaur]

Not just the same. It uses the compression of the contrast ratio of the camera system as eye protection so I would say it's a significant addition to the applications. There are a lot more tenuous suggestions further up the thread.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

Not just the same. It uses the compression of the contrast ratio of the camera system as eye protection so I would say it's a significant addition to the applications. There are a lot more tenuous suggestions further up the thread.

I get you mean. Agreed

 

[anorlunda]

Isn't this basically use of the camera?

Yes but the size and shape also contribute. I think it's very clever.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

Yes but the size and shape also contribute. I think it's very clever.

True, however as camera alone there can be dosens (if not more) individual, more specialized uses. Are we to count all these separately, as new numbers in the list, or just 'camera, [+video, etc.]'? That's the real question. E.g. one more smart one (if not included already - is it? - I do not recall at the moment): "surveillance camera (e.g. for home, garage etc.) [near control or even remote via e.g. Skype or remote use functions of the phone etc. ...]"

 

[sophiecentaur]

Are we to count all these separately, as new numbers in the list, or just 'camera, [+video, etc.]'?

I think you may be giving this question an over-rigorous PF-type treatment. It is only a bit of fun so don't get too worked up about it. If you want really good, endless entertainment with a topic you can really get your teeth into, just follow the aeroplane lift discussions.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

I think you may be giving this question an over-rigorous PF-type treatment. It is only a bit of fun so don't get too worked up about it. If you want really good, endless entertainment with a topic you can really get your teeth into, just follow the aeroplane lift discussions.

What kind of a peply is that?! (and also endorsed with a like by the OP, who also happens to be a mentor ! ... ...)

Watch for a minute what you're saying:
"I think you may be giving this question an over-rigorous PF-type treatment."
We're always supposed to be doing this on PF, aren't we? (otherwise we're going to e.g. have mentors come after us ...) This is engineering forum, not e.g. general discussion forum (but even there they demand within topic accuracy etc. - they even can remove jokes on a jokes thread, for god shake), and the rules for the topic SET by the OP said not to double count, for example (etc.) ...
I think I'm just trying to be consistent, that's all, I'm not just trying to play here! ...

"It is only a bit of fun so don't get too worked up about it. If you want really good, endless entertainment with a topic you can really get your teeth into, just follow the aeroplane lift discussions."
What am I being "accused for"? For being rigorous or for wanting to have fun?! I THINK YOU'RE BEING CONTRADICTORY yourself.
And what are you suggesting exactly?! I don't understand! And what does the "aeroplane lift discussions" have to do with it?! (possible interpretation: that you're being sarcastic. Are you?)
Or is it "being rigorous" a way of having fun? (It could be, I do not object, but that's not the point or my point here, which is staying and being consistent [and PF consistent] with the rest of the thread and topic and rules set by the OP himself etc.)

My reply (this one) is friendly of course (i.e. I am not irritated or offended in any way), but instead somebody could have better answered my initial question instead, which was perfectly on topic! (and had subquestions in it). That's PF rules.

 

[anorlunda]

I agree with @sophiecentaur . We have no rigorous definitions in this thread. It is mostly just fun.

Perhaps this topic should have been under general discussions, but it's late for that now.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

I agree with @sophiecentaur . We have no rigorous definitions in this thread. It is mostly just fun.

Perhaps this topic should have been under general discussions, but it's late for that now.

I think the topic is fitting well here, as smartphones are important tools by now, everywhere ...

 

[sophiecentaur]

I think the topic is fitting well here, as smartphones are important tools by now, everywhere ...

Hammers are important tools, too and the Physics of hammers is actually very absorbing - and good Physics. Things that you can use hammers for has a bit of mileage - momentum, kinetic energy and levers. But hitting blue nails or red nails would have limited appeal and would probably not take 179+ Posts.
No one should get upset about a small fun-poke here.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

Hammers are important tools, too and the Physics of hammers is actually very absorbing - and good Physics. Things that you can use hammers for has a bit of mileage - momentum, kinetic energy and levers. But hitting blue nails or red nails would have limited appeal and would probably not take 179+ Posts.
No one should get upset about a small fun-poke here.

Welding helmets do have more appeal though, and I liked that idea too (truly brilliant, innovative and useful), as already agreed.
Not upset. Of course.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

I get you mean. Agreed

Correction (typo): "I get what you mean. Agreed"

 

[Stavros Kiri]

Not just the same. It uses the compression of the contrast ratio of the camera system as eye protection so I would say it's a significant addition to the applications. There are a lot more tenuous suggestions further up the thread.

Using that same smart idea I used my phone as protection etc. to view the recent solar eclipse. So, here's one more: Solar [Eclipse] Glasses ...
[It worked + taking pictures too ...]

 

[sophiecentaur]

Using that same smart idea I used my phone as protection etc. to view the recent solar eclipse. So, here's one more: Solar [Eclipse] Glasses ...
[It worked + taking pictures too ...]

That system may not always be safe for the poor old sensor. A camera with a shutter and mechanical aperture stop will limit the possible damage to a sensor but phones don't have that. Otoh, the lens is small so perhaps the power flux is safe. Not like an f1.7 50mm SLR lens!

 

[Stavros Kiri]

That system may not always be safe for the poor old sensor. A camera with a shutter and mechanical aperture stop will limit the possible damage to a sensor but phones don't have that. Otoh, the lens is small so perhaps the power flux is safe. Not like an f1.7 50mm SLR lens!

I just put the camera in 'Auto'. As far as I know it's safe. I've never seen any damage on any phone with that, and I take pictures with sun on the back or center all the time (& with a variety of phones) ...
This has also been discussed (I think) in an eclipse forum, a while ago.

 

[sophiecentaur]

I just put the camera in 'Auto'.

I don't think that would help because the sensor is not covered by a mechanical shutter. It has to be because the lens is so tiny - a fraction of the power going in, compared with a big camera.
Yep, I remember that solar imaging item. The problem with solar photos is that, for anything other than very basic images, you need a very narrow band Hydrogen Alpha filter which involves an etalon and lots of money. Sunspots are doable though, if you can force a much reduced exposure value.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

I don't think that would help because the sensor is not covered by a mechanical shutter. It has to be because the lens is so tiny - a fraction of the power going in, compared with a big camera.
Yep, I remember that solar imaging item. The problem with solar photos is that, for anything other than very basic images, you need a very narrow band Hydrogen Alpha filter which involves an etalon and lots of money. Sunspots are doable though, if you can force a much reduced exposure value.

(Sorry for the delay in replying) I'm not very familiar how phone cameras and sensors work (you probably know more), just out of practice.
How much of what you say also becomes a problem too though in the original welding helmet idea? ...

 

[sophiecentaur]

How much of what you say also becomes a problem too though in the original welding helmet idea? ...

Clearly it's not a problem cos we can see it working and not for the first time on the video. But the flux density from the arc, viewed from a distance of a few tens of cm will probably be less than the Solar constant, anyway. A bigger risk is to get some molten steel droplet landing on the lens. A glass / plastic screen would probably be a good idea. Those spatters get everywhere - hands, clothes and anything else on the bench.