Portable virtual environment generator: InterFACE
David J. Frerichs · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1994
The relationship between people and computers is currently undergoing a rapid transformation. What was once an inert, complex tool is becoming a natural extension of the user. In order to complete the transformation, the computer must become functionally transparent to the user. Ubiquitous computing holds promise toward this end but has severe limitations in terms of installation and upgrade costs. Virtual environment technology provides a viable alternative, if properly implemented, by seamlessly integrating the user's senses with the growing global information network. This paper is an overview of the InterFACE project at Future Vision Technologies, Inc. InterFACE is a new type of computing device which merges portable computing, wireless communications, synthetic environments and telepresence into a wearable package. The technology is introduced in contrast to existing systems in terms of form, flexibility and ease of use and thereby a framework for market justification is formed. The evolution of the system is also described and major application types are detailed.