Rosemount, IL—Numerous innovative solutions were exhibited at the recently concluded Sensors Expo 2003 at the Rosemount Convention Center, including:

• SpectroCam color machine vision sensor from DVT (Norcross, GA), which combines the color sensitivity of its built-in spectrophotometer for enhanced color recognition and segmentation with the capabilities of an in-line vision sensor. SpectroCam's Spectrograph splits incoming light into its constituent wavelengths along the x-axis and spatially along the y-axis, which allows it to learn the complete spectrum (380-900 nm) and detect small deviations. The peak location of the spectrum can also be monitored for LED quality control. DVT reports that SpectroCam is designed for color applications in which small color variations are critical. These could include individual parts in an automobile door, where one model may have several shades of white.
• Millennial Net Inc. (Cambridge, MA) launched its i-Bean 5000, the latest version of its ultra-small, ultra-low-power, wireless sensor networking device. A dime-sized device with a 10-year-battery, i-Bean 5000 provides the same wireless networking capabilities as its predecessor, but with greater power efficiency and at lower cost. Using a portfolio of radio technologies, including micro-power narrowband solutions and wireless personal area network (WPAN) components, i-Bean-enabled sensors form self-organizing wireless networks. Millenial Net reports this allows communication between sensors or other control devices without requiring human administration and with low power consumption.