During the 1970s, I envisioned, designed, and built the first WearComp (called WearComp0, which evolved into WearComp1) to function as an experimental ``photographer's assistant'' for a new imaging technique. The goal of this technique was to characterize the manner in which scenes or objects responded to light, through the process of gathering differently exposed/illuminated pictures. The procedure resulted in a richer scene description, which allowed more expressive/artistic images to be rendered. This technique was recently described in[6][7]. (See Fig 2.)
Figure:
(a) Image from one of my recent exhibitions,
which I generated from data taken
using my personal imaging system.
The unique capabilities of a completely tetherless
wearable {computer,imaging,graphics} system
facilitate a new
expressive capability with images that could not be created by
any other means. The images transcend the boundary between
photography, painting, and computer graphics.
(b,c) Data sets are collected based on response to various
forms of illumination.
(b) Personal imaging computer in use with
40000 Joule flash lamp operating at 4000V DC with 24kV
trigger.
(c) With 2400 Joule
flash lamp operating at 480V with 6kV trigger.
The photographer's assistant system comprised two portions, a WearComp with light sources (as peripherals), and a base-station with imaging apparatus. The imaging technique, referred to as `lightspace', involved determining the response of a typically static scene or object to various forms of illumination, and recording the response measurements (originally in analog form on photographic emulsion) at the base station.
This project evolved into a system called WearComp2, which also had some degree of graphics capability, digital sound recording and playback capability, and music synthesis capability.
I built WearComp2 (a 6502-based wearable
computer system completed in 1981)
into a metal frame pack (welded-steel pipe construction), and
powered it by lead-acid batteries.
The power distribution
system was constructed to also
provide power for
radio communications, both inbound and outbound,
as well as for electronic flash (900 volts).
I achieved power inversion
by a combination of astable multivibrators (manufactured by Oaks and Dormitzer),
and a matched pair of germanium
power transistors salvaged from the inverter section of a tube-type
automotive taxicab
radio
.
At this time, a widespread practical use for battery operated computers had
not yet been envisioned, and therefore there were no such ``portable''
computers available. The first portables (such as the Osborne computer,
a unit about the size of a large toolbox) were yet to appear in the
early 1980s.
Input comprised a collection of pushbutton switches (typically located on the handle of one of my specialized light sources, each one having its own ``keyboard'') which could be used to enter program instructions, as well as to take down notes (e.g. details about a particular photographic situation).