Page 89 - The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics

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74 binaural • biofeedback monitor

to re-create the stereo effect. The technique Uses two optical sensors spaced a fixed distance
evolved into multichannel stereophonic repro- apart. The left sensor sees a slightly different im-
duction. age than the right sensor. These two images are
binaural machine hearing Also called stereo ma- combined and processed by a computer, allowing
chine hearing. The ability of a machine, such as a the machine (such as a mobile robot) to deter-
robot, to sense the direction and distance to a mine the distances to various objects in its envi-
source of sound, using two acoustic transducers ronment. Functions on the same principle as
and a computer to process their output signals. stereoscopic human vision.
The machine determines the location of the bin picking In robotics, the selection of a particu-
sound source by comparing the relative ampli- lar object from a container (bin) in which there
tude and phase of the signals from the two trans- are many objects. Can be done using object
ducers. It functions according to the same recognition, bar coding, or passive transponders.
principle as human hearing, in which a person It requires a sensor, operating in conjunction
can determine the general direction and distance with a computer that processes the sensed data
to a sound source by subconsciously comparing and controls the movements of the robot.
the relative amplitude and phase of the sounds binomial An algebraic expression containing two
arriving at the left and right ears. terms joined by a plus or minus sign. Examples:
3
2
2
binaural sound The equivalent of a listener hear- a + b , 3x – 6x.
ing a concert through a pair of earholes; it takes binomial theorem The theorem, proven by Isaac
earphones to reproduce the signal. If speakers Newton, permits a binomial to be raised to any
are substituted for the earphones, the listener desired power without performing the multiplica-
hears monophonically, as if standing back sev- tions. In electronics, power series are convenient
eral feet from the earholes. for expressing such expressions.
binder A material (such as lacquer) that acts as a biochemical cell A fuel-cell energy source in
holder and cohesive medium for the particles of which electricity is generated chemically through
another material. It is used in carbon resistors, the oxidation of biological substances. Also called
ceramic dielectric bodies, powder cores, and re- biochemical fuel cell.
sistive and metallic paints. biochip 1. A natural, living organism with a physi-
binding energy A property of the nucleus of an cal structure that in some way resembles that of
atom. The binding energy of a nucleus is equal to an electronic integrated circuit (IC). 2. A theoreti-
the difference between the nuclear weight and the cal possibility, according to some scientists, but
sum of the weights of the lighter particles making not yet a practical reality: An IC manufactured by
up the nucleus. The nucleus is stable when the a laboratory process that mimics the way in
binding energy is high. which nature builds living organisms. A form of
binding force Any one of the electrostatic forces artificial life, harnessed for electronic and/or
that bind crystals together. computing applications.
binding post A screw-type terminal of various bioelectricity 1. Electric currents in living tissues,
styles, often having a hole into which a wire or tip generated by the organism and not applied by ex-
can be inserted and gripped. It is used for tempo- ternal means. 2. The science or study of such
rary indoor connections only. currents.
bioelectrogenesis The study and application of
electricity generated by living animals, including
humans, in the powering and control of electronic
devices.
bioelectronics Electronics in relation to the life
sciences—especially the electronic instrumenta-
tion of biological experiments.
bioengineering 1. The engineering of equipment,
such as electron microscopes, electroencephalo-
graphs, centrifuges, irradiators, etc., for study
and experimentation in the life sciences. 2. The
engineering of equipment, such as pacemakers,
binding post hearing aids, X-ray apparatus, shock-therapy
units, etc., for aid or support-of-life processes.
biofeedback A technique in which changes in skin
binistor A semiconductor switching device that ex- temperature and resistance are detected and dis-
hibits two stable states and also negative resis- played by an electronic device.
tance. biofeedback monitor A system that provides an
binocular machine vision Also called stereoscopic indication of skin temperature and resistance to
machine vision. The ability of a machine vision a user. Because skin temperature and resistance
system to provide depth and perspective data. are affected by emotions, such as fear, nervous-