From: ngibbins@dcs.warwick.ac.uk (Nick Gibbins)
Subject: Re: Liberating Tech: Cybernomads
Organization: Department of Computer Science, Warwick University, England
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 22:16:19 GMT

In article pvanheus@frodo.cs.uct.ac.za (P A van Heusden) writes:
> Head up display: Projected on glasses, or a small unit hanging in front of
>  an eye. Not necessarily high res, but if it is, great! Liked to backpack
>  computer, and possible environmental monitors.

Nice idea, and the hardware is already available - I saw a single eye unit on
Tomorrow's World (UK tech TV programme) which was intended as a 'hands free'
display (as it were). The eyepiece was about 4cm*4cm*10cm, and was suspended 
on a headset about 4cm from your eye, the idea being that you could still see
the outside (real?) world while using your machine.
As for the technology behind it, the device used a strip of microleds which 
were focussed and scanned across the surface of the eye by a rapidly 
oscillating mirror. The display was only monochrome, but had remarkably good
clarity (I don't have any specifications, mainly because none were given - the 
manufacturer of the device eludes me as well...)

> Binary keyboard or, more probably, glove input: I'll consider the glove. The
>  keyboard is straightforward. Basically, a glove, fingerless, to take the
>  place of a mouse. Then, the glove can also be used as a virtual keyboard,
>  creating input through finger patterns. Modes operate simultaneously.

I'm not so sure about the DataGlove - without a stereo display, much of its
versatility would be lost. Personally I would use a Speedwriter keyboard 
(basically a one handed keyboard with 6, or maybe 7 keys)

> Backpack computer: Contains: Read/Write Optical disk, processor, possibly
>  multiprocessor, link to cellular modem. This is one of the big tech problems
>  having a disk drive running, and still having reasonable battery life. I
>  have no solution as yet. Possibly cover various parts of the clothes with
>  solar cells? On the computer is communications software, and a map.

Again, a backpack is all very well, but my personal preference would be for a
system which is distributed across my body (so making it easier for me to wear
it for long periods, while making the ensemble less conspicuous). The power
supply and the processor, being the heaviest components, would have to be
placed in the small of the back, or perhaps in a kangaroo pouch, while the
keyboard would be easiest to use if it were placed on the left chest, left 
kidneys, or the right thigh (for a right-handed person like me). Perhaps an
external storage drive (ramcard preferably, but could be a conventional disk
drive) could be placed on the right hip.
Solar cells might be a good idea, but I don't think that they would supply 
enough power, especially since you couldn't ensure that light would fall on 
them at the optimal angle - you'd have to have batteries whatever, or some 
other more reliable power source (what about a small fuel cell? How small could
one be made?)

 - Nick

Nick Gibbins               | "The difference between a moderate and a radical
ngibbins@dcs.warwick.ac.uk |  is that, if you scream mindless abuse at a
csudl@csv.warwick.ac.uk    |  moderate, he'll lose heart and soon go away."
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