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

一些人熟悉对个人电脑或笔记本电脑等计算机编程的能力。然而，许多不从事编程的个人会购买和使用这些应用程序。与这些看得见的盒子不同，隐藏在冰箱和洗衣机等电器中的嵌入式计算机传统上不能由用户编程。它们还被广泛用于汽车的发动机控制以及辅助刹车和转向。它们基本上是看不见的。然而，随着计算机变得更强大和更便宜，我们正在见证这些理念的融合。移动电话包含隐藏的计算机，并可通过可下载的应用程序进行编程。现在有可能走得更远，使嵌入(比方说)电器中的计算机在就位后可编程。通信的进步现在允许这些计算机连接在一起。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，手机可以控制家里的灯光。此外，人们正在开发小型廉价传感器，通常带有自己的小型计算机。小型廉价执行器也在不断涌现。执行器可以简单地开关灯光，但它们也可以控制流向发动机的燃料。它们也可以相互交流。因此，除了感知环境外，计算机系统还可以使用致动器来控制和改变环境。但这种控制是如何行使的呢？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，在研究界，一系列联网的小型计算机如何合作自动改变系统的行为，这一点令人兴奋。一个简单的例子是控制家庭环境的家庭移动电话的位置信息。这些技术的集成也带来了新应用的出现；在家庭护理和医疗保健中，在医院中用于患者监控和支持，以及在办公室中提高生产力。这个项目建议让公众了解这种强有力的技术组合，并解释它们整合的重要性。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，通过其科学表演节目向广大观众展示。我们想要描述这些技术，并利用最近的研究工作向观众展示它们整合的潜在可能性，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。为了支持这一节目，我们将提供更多、更详细的材料，供教育用途和希望进一步探讨这一主题的人使用。虽然将使用传统的基于网络的界面，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灵两所大学实施，每所大学都为该项目带来了必要和兼容的方面。格拉斯哥提供有效的公共参与和评估方面的经验，而斯特林将带来研究动力和技术专长。这两个小组已经在成功的体育和研究项目上合作，并与格拉斯哥科学中心合作。我们计划分三个阶段开展工作。在前三个月的阶段，我们将对展会进行详细设计。一旦这些设备就位，就将组装设备并开发必要的软件。第二阶段将只持续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对演出进行评估和改进。在这一阶段还将对科学中心工作人员进行培训。也正是在这一阶段，科学中心将接管其内部常规展览和对外宣传方案的定期演出

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