Peter Reutiman

Supporting collaborative field operations with personal information processing systems

This paper describes a two‐year research project to develop a personal information processing system (PIPS) solution for the roving industrial field operator. Our PIPS system comprises (1) an RF network to deliver wireless digital information, (2) a wearable computer for delivering web‐based information (the hardware is a two‐piece system composed of a belt‐worn NetPC attached via a curly cable to a handheld unit with a mouse/display device combination), and (3) software applications that provide added value in the field. Unique challenges in designing such a system for this environment include providing: (1) good RF coverage in an environment with many metal structures; (2) an intrinsically safe, lightweight, low‐cost hardware system; and (3) software that is compatible with the wearable system and supports collaboration in the field.

Enabling Technologies for a Personal Flow Cytometer (Part I)

The paper reports on three key technologies that have enabled the development of a wearable flow cytometer: flow sensing and control based on low-power MEMS-based sensors/actuators; microfluidic processing based on miniaturized disposable plastic cartridges; and optical detection based on arrays of solid-state lasers/detectors and integrated micro-optics. This instrument can provide early detection of viral and bacterial infections based on quick (30 seconds) measurement of lymphocyte and neutrophil counts [1]. Personnel with little or no medical training can use this low-cost, low-maintenance instrument in doctor’s offices, homes, and public/private-sector facilities. Multiparameter scattering-based or fluorescence-based cytometers can be developed based on this technology for clinical, industrial and military applications.

High-resolution flat-panel head-mounted display: results and conclusions from the combat vehicle crew head-mounted display

The Combat Vehicle Crew (CVC) head-mounted display (HMD) program has built the first high-resolution (1280 X 1024) flat panel head mounted display. The CVC HMD is designed for use by the tank commander of an M1 A2 main battle tank and will show both tactical IVIS information and thermal imagery from the commanders independent thermal viewer. The CVC HMD uses 1280 X 1024 active matrix electroluminescent image sources with 24 micrometers pixels and integrated digital drivers. The use of flat panels in the HMD design has allowed new optical and head integration approaches and has required new approaches to the HMD drive electronics. The integration of the first AMEL image sources has been completed and preliminary photometric and subjective image quality evaluations performed. The preliminary findings from these evaluations will be discussed and conclusions regarding the application of flat-panel HMDs presented.