TechWearable


HMD
The HMD consists of a Liquid Image M1 modified to accept a color bullet mini camera and a sturdier headband.

Computing System
The meat of the computing system is the Cell Computing P200 CardPC with 40Megs of RAM and a 3.2G 2.5" HD. The Intelec PCMCIA104 dual-slot PCMCIA board, Netwave PCMCIA WLAN card,  PCMCIA sound/video capture card and the HandyKey Twiddler chording keyboard.

Prototype 1

Prototype2 (production version)

Power System
The TechWearable uses the Power Trends PT6302 ISR, to drop the 12v from the dual-pair of Duracell 6v 3.6A DR11 batteries to a usable 5V. Total max power consumption=1250mA, (1500mA P133). A Basic Stamp and a few support components manage the battery power from each of the pairs to keep the voltage clean while hot-swapping batteries, and take care of the Intelec board, and peripherals during suspend mode. The battery tray from four battery conditioners were modified to serve as battery mounts, and one of each pair house the 4011, resistor, 2N3055, and STPS20L15D Schottky rectifier.  The trays are removed from Sima SPM-7 battery conditioners available from Fry's Electronics for $19/ea, or if you only need the tray it may be acquired directly from the manufacturer (Part P/N 51557 for $6.50/ea)
Mounting
The Computing system, battery mounts and M1 driver box are mounted on a tool belt. Each component is either clipped to the belt, or riveted to a modified hammer holster which is in turn slid onto the belt. This design allows for laundering of the belt, component change-out and design flexibility.

The Next Step
Display-At the time of development, color VGA resolution displays were not available, and the M1 was the only available option meeting the cost/time requirements for the TechWearable 1.0. Display manufacturers such as Displaytech, Planar, and others are rapidly approaching full distribution capacity of their color SVGA displays such as the Sony PLM-S700 Glasstron, and the Virtual Vision eGlass. It's only a matter of time until the price drops.
Input Devices- The addition of alternate keyboards, bar-code scanners, IrDA adapters, USB, and other peripherals will be necessary as demand requires.
Software- Current plans for implementing a barcode-based exhibit ID system are already in place, and the support software, database, and hardware are currently being assembled. As time progresses, it is planned to integrate all exhibit monitoring and control systems into a web-based interface that may be used by both desktop and wearable users. Impending failure of a component, low level of consumables, and any condition that passes outside of the normal operating criteria of an exhibit or component will instantaneously alert maintenance personnel of this. This system will allow more effective use of maintenance personnel, reducing staffing costs, and alleviate the need for a constant presence in the exhibit space.
 

Construction Details (in-progress)
Case
Cables
Power Supply
PC-104
Hard Drive
Battery Mounts
HMD

Application Areas-Information Prosthetic

Enabling Technologies Wearable Computing Software Applications Research Becomes Reality Supplier Listing
 

Last Updated: 7-20-2000

Page Maintained by Brian Rudy
 

Image courtesy of Georgia Tech

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