Designer Interface for a Class of Wearable Computer Applications

Abstract

Wearable computing systems are a large and important new class of embedded systems. Within this broad class is an important subclass, namely those systems which monitor various signals, both within the body and external to the body, and possibly perform some action in response to various events. Many of these applications require conditions and actions that are beyond those described in our prior work. This work describes four such extensions. First, sensor data can be aggregated (integrated) over time. Second, actuator controls can be controlled over time with monitoring. Third, inputs from external sources can be used in the same way that sensor data can be used. Finally, messages sent to the outside word can include expressions involving sensor data as well as status of actuators. This paper describes the designer interface that allows professionals without computer expertise to include these features in the definition of a new wearable product. The definitions collected by the designer interface can be used to automatically generate the computer code that runs on the wearable computing device.