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Wireless augmented reality communication systemRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Processing Systems: Multicomputer Data Transferring, Computer Network ManagingWireless augmented reality communication system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070043843, Wireless augmented reality communication system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/115,993 filed Jan. 15, 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The invention is a wireless augmented reality system (WARS) that leverages communications and multimedia information processing microelectronics, along with displays, imaging sensors, biosensors, and voice recognition to provide hands-free, tetherless, real-time access and display of network resources, including video, audio and data. [0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Information [0006] Online instruction manuals are becoming more prevalent in the industrial and everyday environment. These electronic technical manuals (ETM) may be interactive. Just as with printed manuals, ETMs may become very difficult to use and maintain in these environments where elements of an environment, such as dust, chemical or general harshness may be detrimental to the electronics and storage devices used to display and operate the ETM. Further, it is not always possible for a worker who requires access to an ETM to stop work to consult ETM. [0007] These problems are multiplied in extraterrestrial environments such as a space shuttle or a space station. During intra and extra vehicular activities, it may be virtually impossible to access a traditional keyboard and computer display to access an ETM. For example, during a satellite repair mission, it would not be practical for an astronaut in a bulky extravehicular space suit to type commands on a keyboard to view a display in the extreme environment of outer space where the sun glare may make viewing impossible. [0008] Hands-free portable computers have been implemented in an attempt to solve some of these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,305,244 and 5,844,824 describe systems in which a head-up display and voice recognition is implemented in a portable computer for displaying ETM. However, these systems, being a single user-to-computer paradigm, do not allow multiple-user access to multiple computers, multimedia devices or nodes on a network for accessing arbitrarily-selected data channels. Further, these previously-described systems are self contained and their data storage needs to be updated periodically to be sure that the latest data is displayed. Further, these systems do not allow two-way communication over local and wide area networks to other mutli-media users and devices, and do not provide real-time biomedical information about the physical condition of the user. [0009] There is thus a need for a wireless, wearable communications system allowing two-way voice, video and data communication between local users and to remote users and devices over network nodes, along with tetherless real-time monitoring of the local user's physical condition. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The system solves the above problems with prior art systems with an adaptive wireless remote access network comprised of small individual portable access units linked to a local cellular general purpose node. Interlinked general purpose nodes support communications across different habitat modules or internal-to-extravehicular communications, in the case of the space environment; terrestrial wired networks such as the Internet can serve as the interconnection of remotely scattered access nodes in an industrial, commercial or home environment application. [0011] The system may provide shuttle and international space station astronauts with tetherless, on-demand access to data channels from multimedia devices such as cameras or audio sensors associated with other persons or in a stand-alone configuration, and multimedia or data display from a networked computer terminal and to the equipment control capabilities which may be available through that computer. Transparent to such access, the system can maintain a data channel for monitoring an astronaut's health or environment via in-situ sensors. Though this system may be used for the shuttle and the international space station, the system has uses in many possible applications related to medical, industrial, and commercial areas. [0012] The invention is a personal communications system designed especially for the space shuttle or station environment to provide cellular communications access throughout the vessel with video, audio, data and computer connect services. A small, wearable portable access unit (PAU) communicates over high-rate link to a centrally-located network access unit, called a general purpose node herein. The system backbone provides 2-way video, 2-way audio, and a multi-purpose data channel between the PAU and general purpose node. One embodiment of the PAU used for personal communication has an attached headset with video display, audio feed and camera, which together may be used for audio or video teleconferencing. When used as a virtual terminal to a computer in the network, the user is able to view and manipulate imagery, text or video, using voice commands to control the terminal operations. [0013] Using the system, an astronaut may efficiently operate and monitor computer-controllable activities inside or outside the vehicle or station. Hands-free access to computer-based instruction texts, diagrams and checklists replaces juggling manuals and clipboards, and tetherless computer system access allows free motion throughout a cabin while monitoring and operating equipment. Along with voice commands, an integrated "touchpad" on the PAU may be used for remote computer control through a sensor data channel; this return data channel may also be used for other control data as from a three-D mouse or data glove input device, allowing the real-time video display to be used for remote, wireless monitor and control of robotic cameras or manipulators. [0014] Concurrent with information provided to the astronaut, the system also allows external observation of the astronaut's situation; personal biological or other sensors can send back continuous telemetry through personal access unit and general purpose node. A miniature camera integrated into the headset provides real-time video of the wearer's field of view to remote observers. In this way, for example, a principal investigator located on Earth may consult with a payload specialist on the operation or troubleshooting of their equipment. [0015] The system provides Wireless high-rate data exchange. The radio link is adapted to operate within a high-interference, high-multipath environment of a space shuttle or space station module. Radio frequency (RF) links do not require visual line-of-sight to operate, but the metal walls and lack of RF absorbers, combined with moving human bodies, creates an enormous potential for destructive self-interference of the radio signals. The integrated radio and multimedia data processing technology provides for efficient and high-quality video and audio data compression for noisy indoor communications channels. The system supports multiple-user access for video, audio, and sensor data services in the wireless coverage area. Potential applications of the system are in any environment where heads-up, hands-free information retrieval or multimedia communications access improves efficiency including tetherless operations/monitor consoles, remote consultations in medical or maintenance procedures, and hazardous/confined space activities. There are also in-the-home entertainment/communications applications. [0016] Similar to the space extravehicular activities applications, bio-isolation suits have similar operation constraints to space suits. They are worn commonly where there are chemical or biological contaminates, and any extraneous materials brought into a chamber, such as clipboards or documents, also present a contamination risk. A unit suitably modified for use in a space suit could be used in this situation. This allows the user to use a computer (log data, use a check list, etc.), to communicate with colleagues, including providing first-hand video of work in progress, and to maintain constant monitoring of the health of the user. [0017] An extension of the medical applications areas would be in remote telemedicine. Many medical diagnostic and treatment tools are being made portable and rugged enough to be taken to remote sites. Some examples are an ultrasound unit that is the size of a backpack, an entire intensive care unit of equipment built into a stretcher, and a trauma pod built into a cruise missile. For many of these devices, CRT or LCD panels comprise a significant amount of the bulk and weight of the devices. The system of the present invention may provide a replacement for the CRT or LCD panel as well as an interface to the control system of the device, while providing communications access through an interface to the remote site's existing communications equipment. [0018] Industrial applications include use by inspection or maintenance crews in remote or dangerous environments such as oil refineries, drilling rigs, power plants, etc., where the personnel can move around with their hands and peripheral vision free to attend to their own safety and tasks. They would be in constant contact with the information they needed and any technical assist could be given by individuals looking at the return video images from the user. [0019] An example of a commercial application is for mission control and other operations personnel who presently must sit at a display console for hours at a time. These individuals could make use of the system of the present invention to increase their mobility and efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the components of the system of the present invention; [0021] FIG. 2 is block diagram illustrating communications components used by the personal access unit and general purpose node of the system of FIG. 1; and Continue reading about Wireless augmented reality communication system... Full patent description for Wireless augmented reality communication system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Wireless augmented reality communication system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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