Martin Lupton and Luke Smith-Wightman of BDP Lighting explain the art of lighting design in school environments. using their work at Westminster Academy as a case study, they emphasise the important role of daylight, the guidelines associated with it and the need to consider electric light as an holistic element of the architecture and overall visual environment.

The current UK government is a significant way along the road of its plans to invest in the order of £2 billion in building and refurbishing schools. This offers the people who are involved in their design a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Schools that are performing poorly or schools that are housed in aged decrepit buildings are being identified and re-built. Many of the UK’s schools buildings are between 50 and 100 years old and it is likely that this wave of new schools will stand for the same amount of time. In 50 years time education may be delivered in a completely different way so this could be the last opportunity many of us have to design the lighting for a school building.

The City Academies programme has seen new schools designed and completed by several prominent architects including Sir Norman Foster and Wilkinson Eyre amongst others. When the Government began this programme it was on the basis that they firmly believed that better designed environments will encourage more positive behaviour and improved academic performance.

As lighting designers, we are part of a growing awareness of the power of light and its role in design and usability of spaces and places. Our craft is widely recognised in environments where the commercial cost of design and high quality luminaires are seen as valuable investments. In retail spaces the link between brand quality and customer spend is well established – lighting can play a key role in supporting the brand image.

In commercial offices the value of lighting to the workforce is starting to be understood but the power of lighting in creating the right impression in the reception is fully accepted. In urban spaces the links between lighting and crime, the perception of safety and the creation of a night-time economy are completely accepted. In fact, lighting designers are employed and allowed to practise their art and science where there is perceived commercial value. But what about spaces where there is social value but limited commercial value?

It could be argued that urban lighting embraces some social elements and has positive benefit on the community it serves. In schools and hospitals, two of the most socially important spaces, the lighting design is, more often than not, left to the electrical engineer or even electrical contractor.

Lighting Design: BDP Architect: AHMMWith daylight as the primary source of light, the artificial light needs to be developed to support this strategy and maximise the benefits. The opportunities to save energy and reduce maintenance must be embraced with automatic control. However, it must not be forgotten that most schools have a single in-house maintenance contractor – the caretaker – and his responsibilities will be both varied and numerous.

Maintenance must be as straight forward as possible. If a school can be designed with a minimum number of lamp types, that respond to daylight and operate only when required, then it will have a long life and be simple to maintain.

Schools are one of the most socially important spaces that we as designers, architects and engineers can be involved in. These are the places where the thoughts and behaviour of our children are developed and moulded. Lighting, both electric and natural, has a significant role to play in the quality of environment in a classroom. High levels of controlled daylight and good vertical illumination are the key design criteria for the creation of a successful classroom. However in the strive for innovation and creative design we must not forget the how these important buildings work, the length of time they are design to stand and the many different users that will inhabit and operate them.

Simplicity and robustness of operation is a fundamental requirement.
In many spaces we have come to realise that horizontal illuminance is a poor measure of design quality, and in schools in particular this is true.

Modern styles of kinaestic teaching rely on visual interaction between the students and teacher and therefore the visual focus is usually on the vertical rather than the horizontal. High levels of concentration are essential from the students and anything that can detract from this must be eliminated. It is essential that all lighting – natural and electric – is controlled and delivered into the space in a comfortable way.

As the physiological and biological effects of daylight become more widely understood and appreciated the reasons and justifications for high levels of daylight in schools can be enforced. Recent research indicates that high levels of daylight are a very positive contributor to academic performance and behaviour of students. Research in the USA, by the Pacific Gas and Energy Company, showed that students in classrooms with the highest daylight factors (in the order of 10%) progressed up to 20% faster on maths test and up to 26% faster on reading tests. The results of similar research in Sweden showed significant correlation between behaviour and daylight. In broad terms this research has also shown that student who attend “day lit” schools outperformed students from “none day lit schools” by 7%-14%.

www.bdp.com
www.ahmm.co.uk

In his annual round-up, Dr Geoff Archenhold looks back at a momentous year of developments in LED technology and suggests that this is the dawn of a new era.

The lighting community finds itself in interesting times lumbered with the challenges of the economic credit crunch on the one hand and the disruptive change that LED technology is forcing upon established lighting manufacturers on the other. Over the last few years I have listened to many statements from all parts of the lighting supply chain stating that LED technology is not yet mature enough to be considered as a mainstream lighting technology. However during 2009 the numbers of LED doubters have dwindled significantly which proves one thing - 2009 was the year that LED technology was adopted as the future lighting technology for the global lighting industry - it was an event horizon!

Figure : The high performance Cool, Neutral and Warm White LED array from Bridgelux

It is clear that 2009 has been a year of significant change for the lighting industry with many of the major lighting brands producing financial results to send shivers down the spine of most analysts.

1 2 3

Figure 1: The Xicato module based on remote phosphor technology

Figure 2: Cree’s online Product Characterization Tool

Figure 3: The Sharp Zenigata 6.7W LED array

However the economic crisis has offered significant opportunities with large numbers of smaller companies focusing specifically on LED technology. These companies have taken advantage of the technology disruption and brought highly innovative solutions to end-users. I believe many of the smaller and more innovative lighting companies will develop the skills and understanding of the new technologies faster than traditional brands and the market will see competition that makes for an exciting time for end-users and the lighting market in general. Competition means both lower prices and higher innovation.

There are several reasons why LED lighting have become more readily accepted:
• Consumers are aware of the climate change issues with significant weather events that were supposed to happen once in a 1000 years happening within decades.
• Energy prices are high and set to go much higher so return on investment is key on customer priorities.
• LED performance has significantly improved in both efficiency and colour quality making them the light source of choice.
• LED fixtures are digital and the integration of controls is straightforward compared to traditional light sources.
• Standards for LEDs are now in place.
• The cost of LED emitters have dropped significantly during 2009 making LED fixtures more affordable.
• There is a greater choice of LED manufacturers and LED component suppliers.

others LED projects:

What to expect in 2010.

Steve Landau, Philips Lumileds suggests the following:

• Power LED products are still not generic and what’s true for one product is not necessarily true for those from other manufacturers. This means that there’s significant due dilligence that must be done by the engineers to understand how each product will perform in an application before making an LED selection. The LED manufacturers must continue to provide more, better information that allows this work to be done as easily and quickly as possible. Without that effort and understanding of the differences, it’s likely that some will make the wrong choice and the impact on their business success and customer perception could be impacted.

• Understanding system reliability will take centre stage. Without truly understanding system reliability, warranty, TCO and payback, assessments cannot be accurately calculated. System reliability does not equal lumen maintenance of the LED. It is actually a calculation that considers the following elements: electrical, connections, LEDs, optical, thermal, and mechanical. Strongly related to this is the notion that LEDs don’t fail. They do, as do all electronic components. In LED solutions, the typical approach is to use an array of LEDs. Understanding the lumen maintenance and catastrophic failure probabilities will become critical. Lastly, a clear understanding of these metrics allows systems to be optimised.

• From a product perspective we expect to see significant expansion of the product offerings available to the illumination markets where light output, CRI, and CCT are more finely defined, binning continues to improve and shrink and colour uniformity and quality get significantly better.

Conclusions
2009 has been a stunning year for Solid-State Lighting that has witnessed LED technology leapfrog CFL lighting in terms of performance and LED driver technology become even more sophisticated and flexible. LEDs have again increased the performance bar with a record 249 lumens per watt efficiency in the Nichia laboratories and CREE achieving over 132 lumens per watt for production LEDs.

2010 will be a significant growth year for LED lighting manufacturers, despite the economy, and we will see a major proportion of traditional lighting companies begin to adopt LED technologies as consumers decide to move to a greener lighting solution.

Next year will see a whole raft of colour tuneable white light products launched on the market enabling users to command the lighting environment. The use of LED technology will also see the incorporation of intelligent controls within fixture designs without significant cost surplus making the energy efficient gap between traditional light sources and LED based products extend significantly.

Of course, LED emitter technology will continue to be enhanced but this is now a secondary concern as focus shifts to high CRI LED products and lower cost systems.

Geoff Archenhold is an adviser to the UK Government on LED technology and helps LED companies raise investment from the finance community. He is an investor in an LED driver company and an LED fixture company, a Lighting Energy Consultancy and euroLEDs Events LLP.

Lighting Design: LENI SCHWENDINGER LIGHT PROJECTS Architect: PKSP

Leni Schwendinger has helped to transform a desolate area into a destination.

After more than ten years of community planning, design and construction, the bus ramps above Ninth Avenue at 40th Street have been transformed into an infrastructural public-art illumination installation that is delighting residents, visitors, passersby and motorists. Created in collaboration with the Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) by the design team of PKSB Architects and Leni Schwendinger Light Projects (LSLP), a formerly desolate stretch of Hell’s Kitchen roadway - shadowed by exposed steel and concrete overpasses - now shimmers with colour-infused light.

Notes lighting artist and designer Leni Schwendinger: “Instead of a place to rush through, our team has created a destination - a dynamic urban oasis for the eye and a visual landmark for the community.”

In 1994, Community Board #4 convened the Triple Bridge Task Force. Leni Schwendinger joined in this volunteer effort to solicit neighbourhood input and create design guidelines for aesthetic renovation of the bus ramps. In collaboration with the PKSB team, Leni Schwendinger Light Projects LTD won the PANYNJ-invited competition to design architectural improvements to the overpasses. Recalls PKSB lead principal Henry Stolzman: “We saw this project as a rare opportunity to celebrate infrastructure and mass transportation – transforming both into art and architecture.”

As the job grew in scope, facades on both the west and east side of the street were incorporated - including replacement with titanium panels of the terminal’s brick façade, creating a new entry marquee and opening commercial storefronts to enliven the streetscape.
The design process for Triple Bridge Gateway began in 1996. A series of mock-ups and installations continued from 2001 through 2008. The design choices - metals, lighting and color pattern - were conceived as emphasis for the bridges’ I-beam engineered structure. A chain-link containment system wraps the sides and underside of each ramp. This highly-detailed stainless-steel metal mesh works to reflect and diffuse light, as well as providing full-time maintenance access.

The lighting fixtures were selected for their capacity to withstand vibration and extreme weather conditions. Unique mountings were designed to achieve site-specific effects from industrial fixtures. Multiple light sources illuminate the bridge structure and the area under the bridges without interfering with ramp-roadway lighting.
Linear fluorescents emphasise the I-beam webs and bolted plates. Metal-halide CSI sources graze the mesh scrim, and wallpacks wash the bridge coffers with light.

A sculptural addition creates ‘a luminous room’. Pendant-mounted, high-polish, adjustable reflector panels pierce the scrim. Metal-halide light sources on the east and west walls of the underpass focus onto the panels that, in turn, cast reflected light patterns onto the street. The reflections unify the existing lines and spaces of the bridges, and accentuate movement and animation as cars pass underneath.
A computer-sequenced illumination scheme brings this urban sculpture to life with a weekly rotating schedule of visual compositions:

* Chambers of Colour - This formal composition focuses on the beam structure and corner shapes.

* Spectacle - A bright and bold composition.

* Reflections - Creates a connection of the street and the bridges’ underside through volumes of reflected light on the roadbed.

PKSB TEAM:
Wayne Berg, Kentaro Tsubaki, Henry Stolzman
LIGHT PROJECTS TEAM:
Leni Schwendinger, David Lander, Jodi Geroux, Charles Cameron, Eric Chenault
LIGHTING SUPPLIERS:
ETC, Kim Lighting, Hess America, Holophane, Insight Lighting, Let There Be Neon, Lithonia, Thorn

www.lightprojectsltd.com

LED Projects Italy

“This is one of the first examples of monumental ilumination with LED Technology”. Ferruccio Bigi, Bigi + Gregoli.

Santa Cristina della Fondazza is one of the most beautiful churches in the city of Bologna: an 800 year old gem.

Rebuilt in 1602, at the end of its single nave it has a presbytery, thanks to which the architectural structure has wonderful acoustics, and sound is propagated with extraordinary clarity. The church is also used all year as an auditorium and hosts extremely valuable works of art.

During a recent restoration, the interior lighting was also revolutionised, adopting a scheme based almost exclusively on LED fixtures. With this unusual lighting solution for a church, Bigi+Gregoli studio managed to meet different indispensable requirements: highlighting the unique artistic heritage, creating atmospheres suited to the concert performances, accentuating the cultural role of a consecrated building and keeping its sacredness intact.

After careful selection, SGM LED fittings (supplied by Volume srl) were chosen: 24 Palco 5, 1 Ribalta and 38 Genio Mobile, plus 4 Giotto Wash moving head units and a Pilot 3000 console, used to program and control all the lights.

The LED fixtures were used because they are free from ultraviolet rays that could damage the works of art; its colour temperature is adjustable, thanks to the RGB colour mixing system, with which the tones most suited to the atmosphere can be set according to the colour and form of each painting, statue or architectural element.

The fixtures are mounted along the perimeter cornice, at a height of eleven metres, with a low-impact installation involving absolutely no masonry work. Divided into groups, they are concentrated on various sectors of the church, towards which they are aimed (the main altar, the organ, the statues in the niches, the nave environment, etc.) and they create looks studied according to the varying requirements of the auditorium. The system guarantees minimum consumption and running costs compared to those of any other light source.

www.sgm.it www.bigigregoli.com www.dbaudio.com www.sennheiser.com www.sgm.it www.yamahaproaudio.com

2.NEC Curved Monitor

3.iView (experimental)

1.The EVGA Interview™ Display is redefining today’s face to face business interaction. With two displays capable of 1440×900 resolution, along with a 1.3 megapixel webcam and three port USB Hub, the EVGA Interview™ Dual Monitor System is not just another display.

The innovation does not stop there however. Both displays are capable of being rotated independently vertically and horizontally. When the display is flipped 180 degrees vertically, the screen intelligently flips so you can effectively share documents, images, and files with ease. This is the ideal monitor for anyone and everyone who communicates face to face.

Now when sharing information with friends, colleagues or employees, never again will you need to worry about poor viewing angles, knocking over items on your desk as you attempt to rotate your existing display or huddling around a single monitor. The displays rotate smoothly, and auto-flip the image without interruptions, even outside of the operating system!

Of course more displays mean more desktop space, and more desktop space means improved productivity. The two 1440×900 resolution displays can be set up as a clone (same image on both), or a span (extended desktop mode) with a supported graphics card. The revolutionary EVGA Interview™ Display will change the way you interact on a daily basis!

Graphics and multimedia analyst, Dr. Jon Peddie of Jon Peddie Research did a multi-monitor usage study and found an increase in productivity from 50 percent or more. “EVGA now enables in a single system what used to be called a ‘partners’ desk, traditionally facilitating teamwork between two executives while facing each other. Now users can flip the EVGA monitor over and both see the same thing. Doctors can use it in a patient-doctor relationship for reviewing X-rays with patients, teachers can use it for one-on-one tutoring, engineers can use it where they want to have a collaborative discussion on a design…and you can use it yourself for having more screen real estate because the more you can see - the more you can do.”

More information

www.evga.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxh_FKKBZig

2.NEC Curved Monitor

NEC was showing off their curved monitor model CRVD-42DWX+ at CES 2008. It’s a 42-inch 2880×900 resolution 32:10 aspect-ratio 10000:1 contrast-ratio LED-backlit DLP display with a 0.02ms response time – great for 3-D gaming and widescreen & immersive apps. Same (?) as the Alienware Curved display also seen at CES…it’s made by the same folks, namely little-known ODM Ostendo Technologies Inc.

CRVD Technology
CRVD. Pronounced “curved.”

CRVD is Ostendo’s revolutionary new scalable technology that allows us to build curved-screen displays that offer unparalleled performance and immersion. The CRVD’s smooth curvature along with its vivid LED colors and blazing fast response time draw the user in and create an experience unlike that of any other monitor.

Vivid LED colors.

The CRVD uses the latest LED technology to deliver bright, accurate colors that are excellent for graphics and video work, or just to impress.
Blazing fast.

The CRVD has a blistering fast response time of less than .02 milliseconds, so there’s no ghosting in moving images and animation.
No special hardware needed.

CRVD displays work with existing graphics cards and games, so there is no need for special hardware or software. Check the compatibility list for further details.

The CRVD’s seamless curved screen engages 75% of the Human Visual System (HVS) peripheral vision, creating an unmatched immersive viewing experience. Whether it’s work or play, prepare to be engrossed.
Be more productive.

Curved screens offer additional productivity benefits above and beyond what flat monitors can offer. Research has shown that screen curvature increases productivity and reduces frustration when compared to multiple flat monitors.1
Improved ergonomics.

In multi-monitor usage, eye strain is often experienced because the focal distance varies across the displays. The CRVD eliminates eye fatigue because the screen is curved and the user’s focal distance remains constant across the screen.

With its roomy 2880-by-900 resolution, the CRVD will expand your desktop and give you extra space to be more productive. In fact, research has shown that wide desktops improve productivity more than 30% compared to a single monitor.2
See what you’ve been missing.

The CRVD’s ultra-wide 32:10 aspect ratio is 180% wider than 16:9 displays and 240% wider than 4:3, letting you see more of what’s important.

Like having two monitors in one.

The CRVD has all the benefits of multiple monitors without all the hassles. Say goodbye to disjointed desktops, split windows, multiple input cables, and that unsightly gap between monitors.

More information

http://www.ostendotech.com/

3.iVIEW

The iView curved monitor, designed by Nuno Teixeira, is both compelling and definitely not post-iconic…a kind of stretched and curved double iMac all-in-one desktop computer.

The LCD iView, as it’s officially called, is unfortunately just a concept and so not many details are available. The iView has a curved panoramic double LCD screen on the front and a smaller one on the back to benefit your colleagues. It has two video cameras, one in front & the other at the back with which to monitor those self same ‘colleagues’. Bluetooth also.

…nicely done…the iView dates to Feb 2007 & was perhaps the inspiration for the NEC/Alienware curved monitors that cropped up in CES 2008.

iView – from Nuno Teixeira’s Portfolio on Behance

—Concept year: 2/2007
The next step in LCD for professionals “the LCD iView” the first screen with two distinctive characteristics: a double panoramic screen with a unique curvature accompanying the natural eye curvature and movement.

Eliminate the use of two screens to achieve a larger work area. The use of dual screen, strategically put together side by side, originates areas where the visibility is hindered, not only by the proximity, but by the high perspective created by the curve-free plans, as well. With the iView you will get no undesired reflections, remarkably increased working flow and with the presence of all the commands and working plans in one big area, you can now drag them around or zoom them in or out, without any of the usual unnecessary physical interruptions or adjustments.

Get “another” view of you project. The large double screen iView comprises in its back another practical innovation - an extra LCD - extremely useful for both colleges and assistants. It allows them to follow your work in progress, without any effort, which instantly increases the creative exchange.

Other Characteristics:

Image by bluetooth

Wireless, it only uses electric cable

Two web-cams, one at the front and another at the back.

Eyevis is a leading manufacturer of large screen systems for control rooms, monitoring centres, information, communication, simulation and virtual reality. Whether in control rooms in power plants, traffic control centres, video surveillance centres, or in representative installations, everywhere where there is a need for perfect pictures and reliable functionality of the system there is hardly a way around eyevis’ perfect visual solutions.

Thanks to its many years of experience and technological advantages eyevis is the ideal partner for the realisation of complete and customised solutions. eyevis permanently uses latest technology and high-end components for all of its products, in order to fulfil the high requirements of our customers towards their large screen systems. This philosophy guarantees best picture quality and reliable performance of our products. Continuous investments in research and development guarantee a head start of eyevis in the field of large screen visual solutions.

Especially in areas like in control rooms or monitoring centres it is particularly important to have a reliable display solution since there important data information has to be visualised 24 hours per day on seven days a week. Calculable and low lifecycle costs are also an important feature of our systems.

High-end quality “Made in Germany”

Eyevis’ ambitious principle has always been the permanent further development of its product range which aspires to include the most modern technologies in perfect quality.
The result of this “state-of-the-art” philosophy is the permanent development of products which constitute cutting-edge technology in their field of application. This makes eyevis one of very few manufacturers who are able to provide complete systems –

Thanks to its many years of experience and the technological advantage eyevis is the ideal partner for the realisation of complete and customised solutions.
Continuous investments in research and development guarantee a head start in the field of large screen technology.
Best quality is our foremost concern; we want to provide our customers with most modern presentation technology at a high-quality level - this philosophy is embraced by all our staff.
Relying on eyevis, means being sure that all the customer’s requirements in the field of large screen systems can be fulfilled, in order to create a complete, unique and perfect system.

Rely on our well-engineered solutions „Made in Germany“

Direct Informatio www.eyevis.de

More Information: www.adif.es www.indra.es www.autopistas.com www.floria.com www.renovatiofloria.com www.renovatiofloria.es www.abertis.com www.abertislogistica.com

ISE 2009 drew nearly 25,000 attendees and well over 500 exhibitors to Amsterdam on 2-4 February. Both numbers were a record for what is now Europe’s undisputed no.1 show for professional AV and electronic systems integration. ISE 2010 is set to continue the trend with another industry-defining event, packed with new product innovations, informative education sessions, and new business opportunities. Use this website to find out more about our 2010 show, and keep checking back for regular updates as the event draws nearer!

Pro-audio is just one business sector to provide a notable influx of new exhibitors. L-Acoustics, HK Audio, Sonus, Ateïs, Out Board/TiMax, Baldwin Boxall, Seeburg, Cloud Electronics and XTA/MC2 Audio are among those set to exhibit at ISE for the first time in 2010.

The growing profile of digital signage will be reflected by the creation of a second dedicated area, while automated lighting will also register an increased presence, with Martin Professional among the notable first-time ISE exhibitors.

Integrated Systems Events MD Mike Blackman commented: “No trade show can thrive without bringing new customers and new markets to its exhibitors. Right from its first showing in Geneva in 2004, this is something ISE has proved it can do. AV manufacturers are turning to ISE as a platform from which to launch their products and services into new and emerging sectors, and that is one reason why we are hosting so many new exhibitors in Amsterdam in February.”

ISE 2010 is also looking strong in terms of projected attendance. “Our pre-registration levels are already running ahead of expectations, confirming that this is the show to attend if you are looking for new opportunities in 2010,” concluded Blackman.

For more information:
• www.iseurope.org

VisualDMX provides lighting control at De Doelen, which has recently been the subject of a major refurbishment programme. The Visual Productions software was specified as part of a lighting installation designed by a team from Arup under the supervision of Rogier van der Heide.

The VisualDMX system was supplied by Visual Productions’ dealer, Controllux Lichttechniek.

VisualDMX controls house lights, stage lights and LED fixtures throughout the Grote Zaal (Large Hall). Specifically, the control system uses two Duple units connected to a small form factor PC operating VisualDMX 24/7. Two separate touchscreen computers run the VisualTouch software for remote control of VisualDMX via the network.

“Personally we, De Doelen, are very pleased with VisualTouch, especially the diverse possibilities that the system has to offer and the simple user-interface for the operator, which is ideal within our organisation,” said Harm Ruitenbeek, who served as project manager for the Grote Zaal renovation.

Taking stock as 2009 draws to a close, Visual Productions sales manager Zoë Castle told II: “In the first half of the year things were quite unsure as there was a drop in new projects. However, in the second half of the year, the release of a new generation software lighting controller (Cuelux) - which is cross-platform and runs on Windows, Mac OS and Linux - saw a phenomenal response. Additionally, the market began to pick up in September with projects coming in once more. A slow start with a brilliant end has made for a record year. Naturally, we hope 2010 will continue where 2009 ends, and to ensure this we are launching another new software lighting controller later in the year.”

For more information:
• www.visualproductions.nl

An experiment conducted by Dr Christopher James from the University’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research saw a person attached to an EEG amplifier. The person would generate a series of binary digits, imagining moving their left arm for zero and their right arm for one. The stream of binary digits was then transmitted over the Internet to a second person who was also attached to an EEG amplifier and a PC that picked up the stream of digits and flashed an LED lamp at two different frequencies, one for zero and the other for one.

The pattern of the flashing LEDS was too subtle to be consciously picked up by the second person, so that at no time were they aware whether a zero or a one was transmitted. Nonetheless, the information could be recovered from their brain, using electrodes measuring the visual cortex of the recipient. The encoded information was thus extracted from the brain activity of the second user, and the PC deciphered whether a zero or a one was transmitted - thereby showing true brain-to-brain (B2B) activity.

According to Dr James, “here we show, for the first time, true brain to brain interfacing. We have yet to grasp the full implications of this, but there are various scenarios where B2B could be of benefit, such as helping people with severe debilitating muscle wasting diseases, or with the so-called ‘locked-in’ syndrome, to communicate and it also has applications for gaming.”

Check out the video below to see the BCI experiment carried out by the University of Southampton researchers.

The days of a Universal Translator like the one that made communication between alien species a non-issue in Star Trek might be some way off yet. But a new device from NEC is definitely a step in the right direction for those of us on planet Earth looking for a way to communicate with other language speakers that doesn’t involve a human translator or a well-thumbed phrase book. The prototype device called a “Tele Scouter” is a glasses type display that translates the foreign language being spoken by a partner and projects the translation onto a tiny retinal display.

The device mounted on an eyeglass frame consists of the retinal display, front-mounted camera and microphone, but doesn’t perform the translation itself. Rather the microphone picks up the conversation and transmits it to a portable computer worn on the user’s waist. This computer in turn transmits the information to a remote server, which is responsible for carrying out the heavy processing of converting the speech to text, translating it and sending it back to the wearable parts of the system to be displayed on the retinal display.

This configuration allows for a device that is small and lightweight enough to be worn comfortably, without chewing through battery power. And since the retinal display projects the text into the user’s peripheral vision they are able to maintain eye contact with the person they are talking to. Also, because the wearer doesn’t have to focus their eye on the displayed text, the device can be worn for extended periods without eye strain.

At present the device’s translation abilities aren’t sufficient for real world applications, so NEC plans to initially market the device as a wearable hands-free data display that could be used to show engineers and on- and off-site technicians user guides and manuals while installing or repairing hardware. The system would also allows instructions from a single expert to be delivered to multiple personnel wearing the devices, while recording the repairs is captured by the front-mounted camera.

NEC is aiming to begin shipping the Tele Scouter system in 2010, with a system to suit the needs of 30 users estimated to cost around 750 million yen (approx. US$8.2 million at time of publication). Even at that price NEC is hoping to have sold 1,000 systems in three years.

Via Pink Tentacle, Slash Gear.