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Reading A Closed Book

Researchers prototype system for reading closed books

An imaging system that can read closed books is currently being developed. In a new article, researchers describe a prototype of the system, which they tested on a stack of papers, each with one letter printed on it. The system was able to correctly identify the letters on the top nine sheets. Ref. Source 3s.

Book Closed Reading

Interesting, though I am uncertain of how such technology might be useful. While the potential for such technology might be worth keeping an eye on, with possible a few applications at least, I personally find myself seeing how it might be useful for myself.

I enjoy opening a book, moving from page to page as my eyes read each line in turn. It is relaxing and calming to do such, familiar and comforting even. As such having a machine detect what is in a book without it being opened seems a little odd.

Reading A Closed Book UFO & Writing Art Education Sciences

I can think of two practical applications, archaeologists attempting to preserve writing from a book that is delicate enough to be dangerous to open, and rapid document analysis for intelligence agents working in the field.

Book Closed Reading

Hmm, that is true enough. I should have considered it being used for archival, archaeological, or professional purposes. I had not thought of that.

Still, in everyday life by most people, not so much.

Book Closed Reading

The immediate necessity or utility of technology is rarely evident in the beginning. Look at the Laser: it was invented in 1960, but didn't become useful until 1980's. And that was as a bar-code scanner, then laser disc reader. Who would have thought that the laser could be used in such a manner. Now-a-days it is used for corrective eye surgery. Using light for all these purposes is almost unimaginable if you didn't know about the laser and its current applications.

I imagine something similar will happen with this technology. It is a novelty now, and may start with specialized applications in archival or professional situations, but I bet it will become a consumer product and make our lives easier in one form or another.