Apparatus and method for using a wearable computer in collaborative applications

• US 6,956,614 B1
• Filed: 11/22/2000
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bath Iron Works Corp. (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bath Iron Works Corp. (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Norton, Mark A., Quintana, W. Vincent, Mitchell, F. Christopher, Pinkham, Michael Edward, Petruska, Joseph J., Houston, J. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): MOE, AUNG SOE
• Application Number:
  US09/721,091
• Time in Patent Office: 1,791 Days
• Field of Search: 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/376, 348/158, 348/61, 345/8, 361/683, 369/25.01, 704/275, 704/235, 224/262, 224/270, 224/660, 224/181
• US Class Current: 348/373
• 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. An apparatus for enabling a collaborative work environment between a first person at a first location and a second person at a second location, comprising:

a first camera adapted to obtain first imagery relevant to an object;

a second camera adapted to obtain second imagery relevant to an object;

a microphone;

a speaker;

a first display unit;

a computer adapted to store and to process data and adapted to be worn on a user'"'"'s body;

a first communications channel connecting said computer and said first camper;

a second communications channel connecting said computer, said microphone and said speaker;

a third communications channel connecting said computer and said first display unit;

a fourth communications channel connecting said computer and a remote data processing, said remote data processor adapted to receive data from and transmit data to said computer; and

a fifth communications channel connecting said computer and said second camera.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a battery adapted to provide power to said computer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a battery adapted to provide power to said first display unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a harness adapted to selectively carry at least one of said first camera, said second camera, said computer, said first display unit, and said battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first imagery is video.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first imagery is real time video.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second imagery is a snapshot.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second imagery is video.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second imagery is real time video.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second imagery is a snapshot.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second camera has a narrower field of view than said first camera.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said microphone and said speaker comprise a headset.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first display unit is adapted to receive data input from said user and to transmit said data to said computer.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said computer includes a graphical user interface.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth communications channel is wireless.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth communications channel is adapted for radio communication.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth communications channel is adapted for video communication.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said video communication comprises real-time video.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said video communication comprises a snapshot.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth communications channel is adapted for data communication.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth communications channel allows collaboration between said first person and said second person.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth communications channel allows real time collaboration between said first person and said second person.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said computer is mounted in a shock resistant housing.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said computer is mounted in a housing machined from a block of metal.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said housing includes a cooling tunnel and a cooling fan.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said harness includes at least one of a back support belt, an accessory pouch, and a cable conduit.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second display unit and a corresponding communications channel connecting said computer and said second display unit.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said second display unit is incorporated into a headset.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said second display unit is incorporated into protective eyewear.

30. An apparatus for enabling a collaborative work environment between a first person at a first location and a second person at a second location, comprising:

a first camera having a first field of view adapted to obtain first imagery relevant to an object;

a second camera having a second field of view for obtaining second imagery relevant to said object wherein said first field of view is wider than said second field of view;

a headset comprising a microphone and a speaker;

a display unit;

a computer adapted to store and to process data and adapted to be worn on a user'"'"'s body, said computer having a graphical user interface;

a first communications channel connecting said computer and said first camera;

a second communications channel connecting said computer and said headset;

a third communications channel connecting said computer and said display unit;

a fourth communications channel connecting said computer and said second location, said fourth communications channel being adapted for at last one of audio and video communication, said fourth communications channel being further adapted for collaboration between said first person and said second person;

a fifth communications channel connecting said computer and said second camera; and

a harness adapted to carry at least one of said first camera, said second camera, said computer, and said display unit.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising a battery adapted to provide power to said computer.

32. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising a battery adapted to provide power to said display unit.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said fourth communications channel is adapted for real time collaboration between said first person and said second person.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said fourth communications channel is adapted for real time collaboration between said first person and said second person.