Applied Data Systems is developing a wearable computer system,
targeted to consume only a few watts of power in full operation.
The systems, which will be based on the Applied Data Systems Bitsy™
SBC and use the MicroOptical Clip-On EyeGlass Display is an application-ready
development platform for the OEM or volume enterprise user planning
deployment of wearable systems.
The Bitsy will employ a direct interface from the StrongARM environment
to the display imaging to bypass energy inefficient analog VGA
circuits that have prevented wearable computers from entering
the low-power, extended use realm. In addition, the Bitsy will
be equipped with a companion board that includes a charger and
protection circuit for Lithium-Ion batteries allowing the unit
to be charged from a normal 12 volt auto power supply. Targeted
as a development platform, the system is heavily configured with
USB Master, Slave, Ethernet 100bT, multiple serial ports, Stereo
Audio, PCMCIA, CF card, and a "Smart" I/O subsystem
for analog and digital inputs and outputs capable of sensor readings
and fast enough to read a magnetic card reader directly. GPS,
802.11b and other wireless protocols are supported via plug-in
cards or serial ports.
The Clip-On EyeGlass Display features a crystal-clear set of
optics along with a 'high-brightness' mode that allows the display
to be used in full sunlight. The display is available in VGA and
QVGA resolutions, 16 bit and 24 bit color depths. A lower cost
Monochrome, black and white and text-only version is also available.
The field of view of 12 degrees or 20 degrees approximates a normal
desktop monitor a few feet away.
Third-party software and equipment is available for the Bitsy-Borg
for wireless networking, GPS, Language Translation, Card Readers,
Barcode, RF Badges, video in, biometrics and other technologies
required to support the mobile worker. The OS and driver software
is seamless and application ready. Applications can be developed
with Microsoft Visual Studio or various Linux Tool Chains. The
new Microsoft .NET environment will be supported, as will a variety
of Java implementations. Once a customer has an application running,
Applied Data and MicroOptical can optimize a de-populated configuration
and provide OEM pricing.
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