Waiter there really is a computer in my soup and it's telephoning me! : Revealing invisible computers.

有些人熟悉对个人电脑或笔记本电脑等计算机进行编程的能力。然而，许多不从事编程的人会购买和使用这样的应用程序。与这些可见的盒子相反，隐藏在冰箱和洗衣机等电器中的嵌入式计算机传统上无法由用户编程。它们还广泛用于汽车的发动机控制和辅助制动和转向。它们基本上是无形的。然而，随着计算机变得越来越强大和便宜，我们正在目睹这些哲学的融合。移动的电话包含计算机，这些计算机既隐藏又可通过可下载的应用程序进行编程。现在有可能更进一步，使计算机嵌入（比如说）设备中，在它们就位后进行编程，通信的进步现在允许这样的计算机连接在一起。它们变成了联网的计算机。因此，冰箱上的屏幕可以显示网页，汽车可以相互交流速度和速度历史记录，移动的电话可以控制家里的灯。此外，正在开发的小型廉价传感器，往往与自己的小型计算机。廉价的小型执行器也在出现。执行器可能只是简单地开关灯，但它们也可以控制燃料流向发动机。他们也可以互相沟通。因此，除了感知环境，计算机系统还可以使用执行器来控制和改变环境。但这种控制是如何实现的呢？它可以是手动的，因此无线PDA上的用户可以设置家庭中央供暖的温度。然而，研究界对一系列联网的小型计算机如何合作自动改变系统的行为感到非常兴奋。一个简单的例子是控制家庭环境的家庭移动的电话上的位置信息。这些技术的集成还提供了新应用的出现;在家庭中用于家庭护理和医疗保健;在医院中用于患者监控和支持;以及在办公室中用于提高生产力。该项目旨在向公众介绍这种强大的技术组合，并解释其整合的重要性。我们将与格拉斯哥科学中心合作开发一个高度互动的节目，通过其科学节目向广大观众展示。我们希望描述这些技术，并利用最近的研究工作向观众展示它们集成的潜在可能性，以及这将如何从根本上改变我们思考和使用计算机的方式。为了支持这个节目，我们将提供额外的，更详细的材料，用于教育用途，并为那些谁希望进一步探讨这个话题。虽然传统的基于网络的界面将被使用，但我们希望在YouTube上有一席之地，并探索更新的虚拟世界，如第二人生。该项目由格拉斯哥和斯特林两所大学实施，每一所大学都为该项目带来了重要和兼容的方面。格拉斯哥在有效的公众参与和评估方面提供经验，而斯特林将带来研究动力和技术专长。这两个小组已经合作并与格拉斯哥科学中心成功地进行了体育和研究项目。我们计划分三个阶段开展工作。在前三个月的阶段，我们将详细设计节目。一旦完成，将组装设备并开发必要的软件。第二阶段将持续9个月，因为现有的研究原型可以作为基础。在最后4个月的阶段，将使用科学中心剧院与观众一起评估和改进该节目。科学中心工作人员的培训也将在这一阶段进行。科学中心亦会在现阶段接管定期举办展览的工作，包括定期的内部展览及对外推广活动

Some are familiar with the ability to programme computers such as PCs or laptops. However many individuals that do not engage in programming will purchase and use such applications. In contrast to these visible boxes , embedded computers hidden within appliances such as fridges and washing machines traditionally cannot be programmed by users. They are also used extensively in cars for engine control and supplementing breaking and steering. They are essentially invisible. However as computers become more powerful and cheaper we are witnessing a merging of these philosophies . Mobile phones contain computers which are both hidden and programmable with downloadable apps . There is now the potential to go further and make computers embedded in (say) appliances programmable after they are in place.Advances in communications now allow such computers to be linked together. They become networked computers . So screens on fridges can show web pages, cars can communicate speed and speed history to each other, and a mobile phone can control the lights in your home.In addition small cheap sensors, often with their own small computers are being developed. Small cheap actuators are also appearing. Actuators might simply switch lights on and off, but they can also control the flow of fuel to an engine. They too can communicate with each other. So in addition to sensing the environment, computer systems can use actuators to control and change it. But how is this control exercised? It may be manual so a user on a wireless PDA might set the temperature of the home central heating. However there is much excitement in the research community in how an array of networked small computers can cooperate to automatically alter the behaviour of a system. A simple example would be positional information on family mobile phones controlling their home environment.The integration of these technologies also offers the advent of new applications; in the home for homecare and healthcare; in the hospital for patient monitoring and support; and in the office to boost productivity. This project proposes to inform the public about this potent mix of technologies and explain the importance of their integration. We will develop a highly interactive show in partnership with the Glasgow Science Centre to be presented to large audiences through its Science Show programme. We want to describe the technologies, and use recent research work to show the audience the potential possibilities of their integration, and how this will radically alter the way we think about and use computers. To support the show we will provide additional, more detailed material for educational use and for those who wish to explore the topic further. While conventional web based interfaces will be used, we expect to have a presence in YouTube and also to explore newer virtual worlds such as Second Life. The project is being carried out by two universities, Glasgow and Stirling and each brings essential and compatible aspects to the project. Glasgow offers experience in effective public engagement, and evaluation, while Stirling will bring the research drive and technological expertise. The two groups have already collaborated together and with Glasgow Science Centre on successful PE and research projects.We plan to carry out the work in three phases. In the first three month phase we will design the show in detail. Once this is in place, the equipment will be assembled and the necessary software developed. This second phase will last just 9 months as existing research prototypes can be used as a base. In the final 4 month phase the show will be evaluated and refined using the Science Centre Theatre with audiences. Training of Science Centre staff will also take place in this phase. It is also at this stage that the Science Centre will take over the regular delivery of the show for both their regular in-house shows and to their external outreach programme