Software

April 15, 2014

3D vs. 2D Printing: Similarities in Technical Details

3D printing is the process of making an object out of some material, often plastic. 2D printing, or just simply, printing, is the process of putting an image on paper. They appear to be two different processes. Internally, however, the technical workings behind both types of printing have some strong […]
April 30, 2014

Trade Secret Misappropriation of Software

A trade secret is something that provides an advantage to the company that owns it. It could be formulas, software, even lists of names. A trade secret is not disclosed publicly (unlike a patent, see post on patents.) If a company wishes to mark something a trade secret, it must […]
April 30, 2014

Patent Infringement of Software

Patents protect an invention. Unlike copyrights (see post on copyrights), one must apply for a patent by filing with the patent office. If the patent is granted, then the patent holder has exclusive rights to that invention. When an invention is submitted for a patent, it becomes public domain. Others […]
April 30, 2014

Copyright Infringement of Software

Most people have a good understanding of what copyright protection means with regards to written words, such as a book or an article. Those same protections also apply to software source code. Suppose I write some software in C as follows: y = 0; for (i=1; i<=x; i++) y += […]
July 12, 2016
Insulation cut away to expose the +5V wire

Not All USB Cables Are Created Equal

Could you be wasting money on the next USB cable you buy? It’s possible. Maybe even probable. Recently I needed to monitor the current flow through a USB cable charging the battery in a USB device as part of a patent claim analysis. I used an oscilloscope with data-collection capabilities […]
July 28, 2016
Traffic through construction zone

Can Autonomous Cars Make Split Decisions?

While many people wonder if they’re ready for self-driving cars, maybe we ought to be asking, “Are autonomous cars ready for us to use?” With almost daily headlines about such cars getting into accidents, it’s clear that they still struggle to discern conflicting data which we humans even struggle resolving. […]
December 6, 2016

How the Raspberry (Pi) Adds Flavor to the Future of Computer Programming

Coding is increasingly becoming a more valued skill in today’s job market. Introducing the concept of coding early on to kids and teenagers could help introduce them to a life-long career. One helpful tool that was specifically designed to teach coding is the Raspberry Pi, which is a small multipurpose […]
December 8, 2016
US Airways Jet Flight 1549 in the Hudson River

Sully vs. the Simulators and Sensors

I like airplanes and dramas with happy endings. So I followed the story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his handling of US Airways Flight 1549 when a flock of birds disabled both engines forcing him to land in the Hudson River. I enjoyed the recently-released movie, Sully, starring Tom Hanks, […]
December 31, 2016
Kai Kloeofer and his smart gun.

The Smarter Gun May Resolve a Long-Standing Policy Debate

In 2016, there will be nearly 30,000 injuries and 15,000 deaths from gun misfirings. These injuries and deaths have radically changed the lives of all their families. Gun control is a hot topic politically, and trying to balance the Second Amendment while trying to minimize accidental deaths and injuries is […]
January 9, 2017

Thumbs Up for Forgetting Your Wallet at the Supermarket Check Stand

It’s a scenario you know well: you visit a grocery store, spend time selecting groceries, then finally approach the light at the end of the tunnel: the checkout stand. The cashier scans all of the items, and then it’s time to pay. You reach into your pocket, and panic: Your […]