Patterns, within the context of computational imaging, can be defined as "a more or less repeatable, discernible regularity in the spatial arrangement of a type of theme of more or less recurring objects, with possibly both radiometrical and geometrical features, sometimes referred to as elements of a collection of objects."[i] The term "radiometrical features" refers to what can be called "tone." Machines discern this portion of machine "sight" by measuring how an object responds to electromagnetic radiation. A machine blasts an object with either ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light, or all three and uses the resulting radiation to recognize patterns and compare them against known patterns.

For $30, Intel's Arduino 101 board provides an easy path for makers to build a wearable computer, a mini-robot or a smart appliance for the home. The tiny board, which went on sale this week, fits in the palm of your hand and includes Intel's button-sized Curie wireless compute module. The Arduino board has wireless circuitry, sensors and expansion ports, and is now available from Mouser Electronics. This is the first developer board with Curie, which was announced a year ago at CES. But the best Curie demonstrations were at this year's show.