29-02-2012, 04:21 PM
WEARABLE COMPUTERS
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INTRODUCTION
With computing devices becoming smaller and smaller it is now possible for an individual to don such a device like a hat or jacket. It is clear that these technology will enable us to extent the desktop resources(including memory computation and communication) to anywhere in travel. Also this constant access, augmented by a battery of body mounted sensors will enable a computer to be sensitive to the activities in which we are engaged and thus allow the computer to participate in an active manner as we perform our tasks. This area includes computer science, computer engineering and psychology.
NOMAD – WEARABLE AUDIO COMPUTING
The Nomadic Radio provides an audio only wearable interface and acts as a unified messaging system. Remote information such as email, voicemail, hourly news broadcasts, reminders, traffic reports etc are automatically downloaded and presented to the user in a seamless manner. The presentation is such that it produces minimum disturbance to the user.
Objective
In the present day, when unlimited information is made available to the user through various media, it is found increasingly that the user suffers from information overload. That is, unwanted information is being provided to the user and this causes less stress being placed on the required information. E.g. Spam mails in our inbox. Moreover the user is not able to access the information at all times.
Design of the Wearable Platform
Audio output must be provided such that it causes minimum hindrance and maximum privacy to the user. Headphones cannot be used as it would be a nuisance for obvious reasons. Thus speakers worn on the body were developed.
Working with the Device
The information must be provided to the user in such a manner that it causes minimum disturbance to the user. One of the methods used by the Nomad is to broadcast the news, reports etc in the background. The Audiostreamer device checks for Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF), i.e. whether the user is straining his head to listen to the news. If so, the volume of the broadcast is increased. Spatialized listening is provided for the voicemails and emails which arrive at different times of the day.