Apparatus and method for using a wearable computer in collaborative applications

• US 20050134683A1
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bath Iron Works Corp. (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bath Iron Works Corp. (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Norton, Mark A., Mitchell, F. Christopher, Pinkham, Michael Edward, Petruska, Joseph J., Houston, J. Scott, Quintana, W. Vincent
• Application Number:
  US11/034,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20050134683A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

An apparatus and method for using a wearable computer in collaborative applications that uses a general inspection camera, a detailed inspection camera, a display, a computer adapted to use wireless communication and to facilitate collaborative applications, a battery, an audio communication device, and a harness for securing these components to a person'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method for using a wearable computer to enable at least one of collaborative design and problem resolution between a first person at a first location and a second person at a second location, comprising the steps of:

locating said wearable computer proximate to an object;

obtaining first imagery relevant to said object from a first camera;

storing said first imagery in said wearable computer;

obtaining second imagery relevant to said object from a second camera;

storing said second imagery in said wearable computer; and

displaying on a first display unit at least one of said first imagery and said second imagery.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of annotating at least one of said first imagery and said second imagery on said first display unit.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said second imagery has a narrower field of view than said first imagery.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of transmitting at least one of said first imagery and said second imagery to another computer at said second location.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of displaying at least one of said first imagery and said second imagery at said other location to said second individual.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of said first person collaborating with said second person.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of collaborating is accomplished through said wearable computer.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the results of said collaboration can be stored for future reference.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the collaboration is in real time.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of collaborating is accomplished through said wearable computer.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the results of said collaboration can be stored for future reference.

13. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of receiving from another location information concerning said object.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said information includes technical information concerning said object.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said information is displayed on said first display unit.

16. The method of claim 2 wherein said first display unit is interactive such that a user can annotate data displayed thereon.

17. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of displaying data relevant to said object on a second display unit.

18. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of displaying data relevant to said object on a second display unit, wherein said second display unit is configured so that said user can view said object and said data on said second display unit simultaneously.