Computer in the ear

At the mention of wearable computers in our imagination arise device on the strap, worn on the arm, battery, tacked on to his belt and placed in glasses displays. An integral part of these kits are cords that make a person look like a walking network. So look the computers that we carry. However, in the future, perhaps there will be other - built in what we wear. Researchers from IBM's labs have started creating device projects, whether in the jewelry worn by us daily. Expected to create a wireless personal area network (PAN), comprising a device that will let into watches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings and other jewelry worn on different parts of the body. Imagine the speakers, set in earrings and a microphone hidden in the fob attached to the ring. Actually the computer and the display will be built in all wrist watch or a bracelet. Blocks will be linked with technology similar to Bluetooth, through the tiny low-power high-frequency devices. Communicate through this network will be possible only within a radius of not more than 1 - 2 meters. If the current Pocket PCs are designed primarily to assist a person in work and business, then the wearable devices of the future is assumed different purpose: they will focus primarily on user privacy. Of course, receiving a reminder of the upcoming meeting, or receive a message from a business partner by e-mail - it important. Everyone wants to also keep in order your calendar and address book. However, this is not the services a computer in which a person needs in daily life. Applied systems oriented to privacy, will perform tasks such as voice communication, obtaining information on the whereabouts of the user, as well as provide entertainment. According to technical director of IBM's Michael Karasik, built-in jewelry worn device, most likely will not need the Start button, and, possibly, in the display. Supporting infrastructure, providing job application systems will only need to activate the device permanently in standby. Let's look at some examples of wearable computers in everyday life. The family spends a vacation at the resort. With a device installed at each of the bracelet, watch fob, or parents will be able to determine where their children, and even tell them where to meet for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or another example: when you play golf wearable computer calculates and displays the distance from the ball to the hole. He may even be able to indicate playing, what a club it is best to take, given the strength of its impact and possible obstacles. Both these situations are among those where the user is not very willing to receive any alert signals or read the messages that came from the staff via email. It is extremely important in everyday life the scope of mobile devices is to determine the location. Imagine that while traveling, you are using a wearable computer figure out where the nearest restaurant that serves your favorite dishes. Perform such a task can and PDAs, but more effective would be an automatic transfer of information through a device incorporated in the decoration: it ensures that person is free from having to remove the PDA from a pocket or handbag.Handheld devices can also be used to provide various services in the business when to use a cell phone, pager or PDA inconvenient. In such situations, flicker your rings and a short buzzer can serve as a signal that tells them to answer the phone or get an email. A quick glance at the display, a built-in clock or a bracelet - that's all you'll need to get the warning. If you're in this business meeting, nothing will disturb and will not irritate sitting next to you people. Here it would be appropriate to ask, Is it even possible embedded portable device? I must say that even now there are some parts needed to create them, such as mini-chips for global positioning system GPS, as well as the small batteries used in microphones. Among the organic components of display (OLED) can be cheap to create screens that require no backlighting and high energy costs. At the IBM Watson Research has already been demonstrated computer on Linux, installed in a wristwatch. When you create a jewelry set with embedded computers will be taken into account the need to use multiple batteries. Consume additional energy, coming out of standby mode, will not all but only those devices that are needed at the moment for a specific application task. IBM has built into the ring device working on the technology Trackpoint, and now the menu on the display (presumably it will be installed in a watch, bracelet or glasses) can be deployed either optical or a few clicks. Built-in sunglasses displays, through which the user can, for example, view news headlines, will probably part sets autonomous wearable devices. LCD screen with a diagonal of just 0.3 inches can be used for projection on the inner surface of the lens. In the future, can be installed in glasses and a device manufacturing and forming an image that will allow the user of portable computer to recognize and distinguish the surrounding objects and people. In small blocks of wearable computers of new generation will be "sewn up" the mass of different technological innovations. Maybe, especially for embedded devices in the jewelry will be developed operating system WRIST (Wearable Real-time Information System Technology or technology information systems for real-time portable devices). However, as the scholar said of the company's Almaden Research Center IBM Cameron Miner, "an even greater extent than the technology, the direction of the work on wearable computers will determine the mode." Sources, Materials:

Pen Computing

The authors, translation:

Anton Kogan

Neil Kleinman