Team Members: Faculty Advisors:

Christian Baldus David Roberts Dr. Arun Somani

Isi Oamen Shawn Yockey Dr. Zhao Zhang

Chair-Mounted Computer Workstation

Iowa State University Senior Design May06-09Client: Lockheed Martin

Presentation Outline• Project Overview

• Project goals

• History

• Use Cases of the Chair-Mounted Computer

• Sub-systems− Glove Pointer System− Visual Output System− Voice Commands

• Wrap-up and Q & A

Project Overview: What problem is being solved?

• A new tool in the toolkit for the US Military

• Space is at a premium on aircraft and ships

• Traditional laptops and computers are not always practical

• Need to develop non-traditional methods of data input and extraction.

Project goals:A different way of looking at computing• Allow the user to use a computer without being

tied down

• Develop new tools to allow this to happen− Replace the monitor− Replace the mouse− Replace the keyboard

• The end product must help the user: not give them an additional obstacle to overcome in performing their job

History• We are the second team to attempt this project

• First team to attempt the project was May04-15

• Inheritance− Pair of Goggles− Two RF circuits that do not work

• Key Difference− They had a budget− May06 team will research and produce new

technologies but not the complete system

Use Case # 1: Ships

Use Case # 2: Aircraft

Glove System

Glove System (cont.)• Functionality

− Pointing device− I/O device− Spring-loaded potentiometer buttons− Use of Bluetooth wireless technology− Powered by batteries or power supply− Allows use of computer while away from

workstation− May connect to utility belt for various reasons

Glove System (cont.)• Keypad

− Keyboard replacement− Projected Uses:

• Data entry• Shortcut commands• Navigation

− Connectivity• USB• Serial• Bluetooth

Glove System (cont.)• Software

− Projected uses:• Integration of glove with rest of system• Increased functionality

− What may be used:• Microsoft Windows XP• HyperTerminal• Off-the-shelf applications• Individually written programs & scripts

Glove System (cont.)• Bluewand

− Movement sensitive input device

− Equipped with many sensors

− Projected uses:• Remote Control• Navigation device• Mouse pointer

− Connectivity:• Bluetooth

Glove System (cont.)• MG1101 MicroGyro

− Fully integrated mini gyroscope− Dual-axis, miniature rate, self-

contained− Uses I²C data technology− Possible uses:

• Pointing device• Remote control• Computer mouse

− Connectivity• USB• Parallel port• Bluetooth

Visual Output System• Components of the prototype

− Chair-mounted display

− Head-mounted display

− Device interfaces

Chair-mounted Display• Requirements:

− Accepts standard monitor input− Mounting

• Space is at a premium• Must be stable

• Issues:−Expensive− Simple

− Ultimately not needed for a prototype demonstration

Head-mounted Display• Requirements:

− Accepts standard monitor input− Minimize restriction of movement− Minimize restriction of view− Long operating life

• Drawbacks− Expense− Lack of wireless versions− Inheritance

Inherited Artifacts• Goggles

− Pros:• Free• Still works• Relatively light weight

− Cons:• VGA connection• Not Bluetooth capable without an intermediate

device• Disorienting• Not rated for over 20 minutes of use

Device Interfaces• May04-15

− Radio Frequency communication chip

• Frequency 2.4 GHz• Range 6 feet

− Built their own boards• Large, bulky• Did not work• Requires more work

to integrate parts

• May06-09− Bluetooth

• Frequency: 2.4GHz• Range: 32 feet

− Parts available off the shelf

• Relatively compact• Each part can work

as its own unit, modular

• Almost plug-and-play

Voice Recognition

• Bluetooth headset− Pros:

• Ease of use• 30 ft. range• 8 hour battery• 200 hour standby

− Cons:• Standby function• Security Issues• Voice to noise ratio

Voice Recognition (cont.)

• Software: Dragon Naturally Speaking− Pros:

• Packaged code• Ease of use• Executable commands• Flexibility• Training programs

− Cons:• Reliability• Response time• Software learning

curve• Microphone On/Off

• Questions??