Watches can't compete with pocket watches when they come out around 1900. We have a pocket watch, which keeps time accurately and can check the time at will. Why do you wear the strap on your wrist? However, during the First World War, the British army distributed watches to soldiers so that they could know the time without affecting armed combat. This has suddenly become a fashion in Britain, and people show their support for soldiers by wearing watches.
Whether it is fashionable or necessary, wearable computing can objectively bring convenience to people. This is just what we need.
If you are curious about this, please read the following excerpt from an article about wearable computing:
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Notebooks and PDA free people from computer desks and chairs, and wearable computers will free people's hands from keyboards and mice. When people with flesh and blood put computers on their bodies like clothes, "Superman" appeared.
Steven Schwartz, a scientist, believes that the next generation of computers will have extraordinary capabilities. More importantly, the next generation of computers will not be installed in the chassis alone as they are now, but will be worn on the body like clothes and inseparable.
Wearable computers come in various shapes, some can be worn on belts, some can be put in pockets, some can be worn on shoulders, and even scattered in clothes. Its display can be worn on the head like goggles and its lenses are made of special materials. It can not only represent the contents displayed by the computer, but also not block the current line. It uses the techniques of bone-feeling voice input, eye control input and glove input to give operating instructions to the computer. Users can also wear a headset-like radio transceiver on their heads, which can not only hear the sound from the brain, but also be used to send and receive emails. It uses a touchpad instead of a keyboard as an input device, and scientists are still developing ring-type input devices and glove-type input devices.
It is more convenient to use such a computer than a portable computer. You can connect to the internet while walking, and send and receive emails to the whole world as if you were at home. Even on the way to work, I hold the rings in the car in one hand, operate the computer in the other hand, and prepare the required reports, so that I can work and ride correctly.
Such computers are small and exquisite, with different shapes. But sparrows are small and complete. Because it can be worn on the body like clothes, it is convenient to carry and use. Now, led by the United States, all developed countries, including Japan, are developing this new type of computer, and companies such as IBM are also working hard to develop this general-purpose computer that makes people's lives more chic.
Wearable computers require higher technology, first of all, voice input technology. Because this kind of computer is very small, it generally does not need a keyboard, and it is often used while walking, so it is difficult to input with words. Secondly, the computer should be able to recognize people's actions (such as gestures) and sounds, and understand people's instructions, that is, recognition technology. Finally, power-saving technology can truly popularize wearable computers.
However, the predecessor of wearable computers is not brilliant. In the 1960s, gamblers in American casinos hung small cameras, walkie-talkies and other machines on their bodies or put them in their pockets to get information about their peers and win the bet.
Broadly speaking, the USB flash drive, PDA, MP3 and mobile phone that people are familiar with in recent years belong to wearable computers. They have realized some functions of the wearable device, and the USB flash drive is similar to the CF memory of the wearable device. PDA is a small PDA; MP3 already has a processor and memory; A mobile phone is also a portable computer with processing ability.
In some developed countries, wearable devices have been widely used to deal with dangerous events.
From mainframes, desktops, laptops to PDAs, scientists are trying to bring people closer to computers.
key technology
Wearable computer systems do not simply miniaturize personal computers and distribute them on the body. It must study and solve many special key technologies. We call these systems and key technologies "wearable computing technology".
1. System-on-Chip Architecture Design Technology
This design technology can integrate the hardware of the computer host into a chip. This can make the computer very small, which is conducive to reducing power consumption and improving speed, especially to reducing costs and shortening production cycle. For example, Epson's Cardio chip has the performance of PC 586 and has been commercialized.
2. Microcomputer multi-port high performance I/O design technology.
The host of a wearable computer is miniature, but it is connected to as many as a dozen external devices. Therefore, the microcomputer is required to have enough interfaces and high I/O processing capacity.
3. Wireless self-organizing network technology
Wearable computer system should be used as a mobile node to surf the Internet at any time with people's activities. Many such nodes will form a special network, called ad hoc network. This kind of network has no fixed router, and all nodes move and connect dynamically in any way. Each node can act as a router, and its automatic reconfiguration function can also improve the survivability of the network. Some people generalize ad hoc network as "mobile distributed multi-hop wireless network". This network has the following characteristics: dynamic topology; Arbitrariness of access nodes; Limited and frequently changing bandwidth; Possible asymmetric connection; Terminal restricted operation; Distributed control network.
4. Embedded operating system technology
The existing microcomputer operating system can be used in wearable computer systems, but because the volume and storage space of wearable computers are very limited, the operating system should be compressed to a "dedicated" level as much as possible and the real-time performance should be improved. Therefore, it is necessary to use embedded operating system, which is often real-time, microkernel, and has a strong ability to deal with a variety of peripherals.
5. Mobile database technology
The wearable computer system accesses the Internet and the database when moving. This mobile database management technology will be different from fixed database management. Mobile database should meet the following four goals: availability and scalability; Mobility-mobile access or mobile update; Serializable-supports serializable concurrent transaction execution; Convergence-The system can always converge to a consistent state.
6. Human-computer interaction technology
Wearable computer system is actually not only a real-time information processing system, but also a collection of "man-machine combination and people-oriented", and the relationship between man and machine is more natural and harmonious. Therefore, human-computer interaction technology is the key technology in wearable computer system. It is necessary to solve the problem of human-computer interaction and improve people's perception of the environment through this interaction.
7. Wireless connection technology based on Bluetooth
It is conceivable that when as many as a dozen modules are distributed on the human body at the same time, the connection between them will be a very heavy burden and an unreliable factor. Bluetooth near field communication can gradually replace these connections.
8. Selection and design technology of external equipment
Wearable computer system is a large number of external devices except the host, and the selection and design of devices is very important. It mainly includes input equipment, output equipment and power supply. The requirements for these devices are "high performance indicators: small size, low power consumption; Accord with human body characteristics, and is beneficial to health; Safe and reliable.
Communication has no boundaries.
Integrated communication refers to the combination of voice, data, audio, video, information and content with specific communication means to form a more efficient and multi-directional communication system. This communication system needs to adapt to the complex environment in the field, taking into account the communication needs of the team, wireless needs and satellite communication capabilities, especially in the case of cellular phones, urban communication systems, radio stations and so on. No, this system is more heroic.
The communication solutions designed and manufactured by American NetworkAnatomy Company have been applied in military, civil defense, search and rescue, humanitarian activities, border patrol, national security, emergency response and natural disaster handling. It can provide continuous and uninterrupted portable communication and computing capabilities, and provide high reliability and high redundancy.
The goal of NetworkAnatomy Company is to establish a world-class integrated communication scheme to help search and rescue lives. But at present, most of the product concepts put forward by the company represent the future communication mode of human beings: highly portable communication terminals can support a variety of communication modes, including mobile phones, wireless local area networks, satellite communication, GPS positioning, Bluetooth and so on. , and has strong computing and storage capabilities.
Commander bag
Wearable military backpack.
A complete integrated communication scheme integrates voice, data, audio and video.
The communication terminal is connected with the tablet computer in the bag to meet the needs of portable computing and realize the combination of communication and computing. The tablet is equipped with all necessary content and management software.
Integrated LAN and WAN access links can be used for data and voice communication on land, air and sea.
99.99999% reliability, equipped with solar cells and multiple backup systems.
This bag is also equipped with survival tools, water, medical supplies and a radio.
CommanderGauntlet
CommanderGauntlet is a product under development, which is very conceptual. This is an all-encompassing wireless communication solution. With this glove, voice, data, audio and video, and short messages can be solved. These gloves also have shiny headlights that make you look like a superman. This product can communicate with other CommanderSeries products end to end. It has waterproof function and is suitable for harsh field environment.
Invincible warrior with man-machine integration
The concept of "land warrior" of the US Department of Defense was first formally put forward in 199 1. At first, the main contractor was Raytheon Systems, and its subcontractors included Motorola, Hanniwell, Omega, GENTEX and Bater. It is preliminarily estimated that the plan will be between 20065438+0 and 2065438+04, with a cost of US$ 2 billion and 45,000 sets of equipment. It is estimated that the combat effectiveness will be formed in 20 16. In the fiscal year plan of 1996, the total cost of the system is estimated to be about $70,000.
The project aims to form such a fighting capacity: light weapons are closely combined with high-tech equipment, which can greatly win the military strength of ground warfare in the 2 1 century.
Based on the latest communication, sensing, calculation and material technology, "Land Warrior" will completely change the traditional concept of individual combat. The project includes the following subsystems: weapon subsystem, integrated helmet subsystem, computer/radio subsystem, software subsystem and protective clothing and individual equipment subsystem.
Weapon subsystem
Weapon subsystem is the implementation means to realize the priority of the US Army. Modular weapon subsystem is designed and manufactured on the basis of M- 16/M-4 rifle. Weapon subsystem includes main optical components related to power supply, such as ballistic calculator, photoelectric sight, camera and laser range finder/digital compass (LRF/DC). LRF/ DC provides distance and direction information for soldiers. Soldiers connect their positions through the Global Positioning System (GPS). When indirect fire and combat identification calls are needed, soldiers have accurate target positions. The system will allow infantry to move in all weather types and at night. Together with other components, soldiers can protect themselves from enemy fire.
Integrated helmet subsystem
The Integrated Helmet Assembly Subsystem (IHAS) uses advanced materials and is lighter, which provides better shell ballistic protection than the current helmets of the US military. The complete integrated helmet component subsystem is lighter and more comfortable than the existing helmet. The helmet of IHAS is equipped with computer and sensor display device, which is the interface of soldiers from other subsystems to digital battlefield. Through the "helmet display", soldiers can watch graphic data, digital maps, intelligence materials, troop positions sent by computers, as well as the imaging of thermal imaging weapon sight (TWS) and cameras installed on weapons. This new ability allows a soldier to inspect and capture a target around a corner, and then expose his arms and hands to the enemy without exposing himself and shooting weapons. Using his weapon thermal imaging sight to scan an area, the soldier will be able to see the characteristics of the area, including the terrain and the enemy's position, and will be able to see through deception and camouflage. An image intensifier of the night vision sensor display device installed on the weapon subsystem is connected with his computer information processor, and the processed information is displayed on the "helmet display", which will enable soldiers to maneuver and engage with targets under the cover of darkness. The use of "helmet display" by "land warrior" will allow infantry to summon situation images, send information and request fire support, all with the click of a mouse.
Computer/radio subsystem
The infantry will connect the computer/radio subsystem (CRS) to the "load-bearing frame" of the backpack. The upper part of the backpack is a radio device, and the lower part includes a computer information processor and a global positioning system (GPS) module. For a single device, computer information processor, radio and GPS locator are integrated into CRS, and separate display devices, controllers and installation frames are merged, thus reducing weight and power requirements. GPS and radio antenna are embedded in the loading rack.
In addition, the finger touch operation device attached to the soldier's chest is a finger touch operation device connected to the backpack and attached to the soldier's chest, which functions like a computer mouse and allows the wearer to change the screen, adjust the radio, change the frequency and transmit digital information. Other functions are controlled by several buttons on the rifle near the trigger finger, which enables soldiers to keep shooting positions.
Software subsystem
"Land Warrior" software subsystem guides soldiers' core battlefield functions, display processing, task equipment and power management. The software subsystem includes tactical and mission assistance modules; Maps and tactical coverage maps; Collecting and displaying video images; It also includes a power management module. "Land Warriors" will be able to cooperate in the digital battlefield. Designers have established a system that can be updated and technically improved, and the modular architecture allows direct insertion/replacement for technical upgrading. For soldiers' task requirements and parameter selection, the software subsystem allows soldiers to make their own menus and functional operations.
Individual portable power supply module may use a new type of "conformal" battery, which is comfortable and unobstructed when worn as a part of soldiers' equipment; Another possibility is to develop a "sleep" mode, which will automatically put the device into standby state to save battery energy when not in use.
The portable power module uses two lithium batteries. The US Army requires the power supply to work for 12 hours, and will work for 30 hours after using the "sleep" mode in the future. The portable power module uses rechargeable batteries, which can be used for combat tasks, as disposable batteries for some tasks and as backup.
Protective clothing and personal equipment subsystem
Protective clothing and individual equipment subsystem is a revolutionary backpack frame design based on the ingenious "unstable state automatic control technology", which is used for soldiers' natural body movement and bending. The backpack strap adopts quick release, so soldiers can take off their backpacks correctly and quickly. Cables required for the soldier's computer/radio connection are integrated into the frame. Soldiers can adjust the structure of backpacks and adjust the load distribution from shoulders to hips when they are active. A simple adjustment, however, allows the soldier to manage and carry his combat load more effectively to reduce fatigue. New "Land Warrior" armor, such as helmet, reduces weight and provides better impact protection. The "Land Warrior" body armor includes a modular and expandable protective block to protect soldiers from the threat of light weapons. Protective clothing and individual equipment subsystem combined with modular bulletproof vest and retractable protective block can block the bullet impact of light weapons shooting.