Thin Displays as Wristbands

Dame

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Holy crap this is cool!

The U.S. Army is evaluating full-color flexible displays that can be worn on the wrist.
By Katherine Bourzac
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010

The U.S. Army is testing a prototype "watch" that's lightweight and thin and has a full-color display. This display is built on flexible materials encased in a rugged plastic case and can be worn on a wristband to display streaming video and other information. It uses newly developed phosphorescent materials that are efficient at converting electricity into red, blue, and green light, which means the display needs less power to work.

oled_x220.jpg

Wrist flex: This prototype made for the U.S. Army is worn on the wrist and incorporates a thin, lightweight flexible OLED display. Credit: Universal Display

Most phones, laptops, and TVs today use liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) controlled by electronics built on glass. To make more energy-efficient displays that are controlled by flexible electronics, which are lightweight and won't shatter like glass, many companies are turning to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The pixels in OLED displays replace the layers of electronics and filters in LCDs with organic dye molecules that emit light in response to electrical current.

For consumers, flexible OLEDs promise portable electronics with beautiful screens that don't drain battery life and won't shatter when dropped. But so far, no companies have developed economically viable manufacturing methods for producing flexible OLEDs with long enough lifetimes and consistent quality. The U.S. military has been funding development with the aim of providing soldiers with rugged, thin communications devices that can display maps and video without adding too much weight to their load.
Full story: http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/26537/?a=f
 
They would be better off giving Joe a mil grade iPhone with a nylon sleeve worn on the wristor just in his pocket/pouch... You could run all kinds of shit off of iPhons, hell Falcon view, GPS, real time texting, calling and the ability to get on the net to use other programs. Have apps for SITREP/SPOT, 9 line, UXO/IED reports and documenting/logging evidence or site exploit.... Fucking endless uses and it's already on the market.....But nope not for the Army, we need something 20 time larger in size that we wear in a back back with 20 lbs of batt's and wire and shit...

How fucking cools would be to have an app for CAS, with drop/drag menu? }:-)
 
Yeah, OK, fine. You guys are just ruining all my fun. You all go buy iPhones and I'LL take one of these.
(I wonder if I can bedazzle it?) Bahahahaha!
 
OMG!!! BEDAZZLE!!!! <------- Said in high pitched gay boy voice... }:-)


I was just pointing out that some of the stuff that comes out in the military as the new tactacool gear is normally about 20 steps behind what most 15 year olds are using to text with at high school. :doh:
 
Yeah, I know. But this one is like bendy and everything. Won't break if you drop it.
But I love the high pitched gay boy voice. I think the frequency is curing my headache. ;)
 
Next thing ya know, they'll want a USB port on it. Then a 5Gb RAM and a 900 Gb HDD. Then a 10 megapixel camera with 20X zoom. Then touchscreen. Then video conferencing. Then built-in VHF/UHF radios. Then biometric scanner. Then Google Earth. Then access to Shadow Spear. Then mini hydraulics. A solar panel. Built-in sat phone. Frequency jammers. Ice cream. Some soap and toothpaste.

Fuck, the possibilities are endless... }:-)
 
I like the point made about having Iphones do all of this crazy and cool stuff. My question about this idea is: If the army was to develop apps for IED reports or whatever, would it be something that would send it automatically to higher-ups or a command center or something? If so, what would keep young stupid people(such as me) from downloading the app and sending in fake ones all the time just to mess with the government?

Now, about that flexible armband thing. I know there is a system used by the military to show where all the friendly forces are, and certain people on the battlefield can mark where enemies are. Do you guys think this wristband screen could work on that system so that anyone who has it on can just look down and see a map of the region that includes friendly/hostile force indicators. Or would this only be more of a GPS type of item?
I know that since it is a prototype nobody in here is gonna know all of it's capabilities, but I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions about it.
 
Hmm...an iPhhone with an encryption sleeve and the ability to charge from a vehicle or from a 5590/ 390/ whateverisusedthesedays tied into your SATCOM or ASIPs.

That has possibilities. SOF has...a little, black radio (despite the age of said radio) I won't go into with a few of those features.

Engineers will screw it up. Count on it.
 
Hmm...an iPhhone with an encryption sleeve and the ability to charge from a vehicle or from a 5590/ 390/ whateverisusedthesedays tied into your SATCOM or ASIPs.

That has possibilities. SOF has...a little, black radio (despite the age of said radio) I won't go into with a few of those features.

Engineers will screw it up. Count on it.

If your talkin about the lil black box that works with the 150's, that thingy sucks donky balls... I would be shocked if SOF is not running some kind of a iPhone type doodad. But I agree some Tech Engineer would fuck it up just so they could have repeat buisness to fix it. :doh:
 
We were just talking about something like this the other day. The system we use now is just too bulky, you can't even fit it in your cargo pocket. I like the I-Phone idea. The idea that we had come up with was an I-Phone sized communication terminal with built in, auto locating GPS, that would display a track into whatever server they are using for track feeds, with real time locations. And a smaller laser range finder/designator, possibly built into said device, eliminating the need for wires and seperate pieces of equipment. Calling in CAS or Fire Support would be a breeze and way more timely than it is now. Charging would be simple, they already sell solar strips that could keep the thing powered all day long, you would just need enough battery life to get you through the dark hours.

The technology is there, and the possibilities are endless.
 
And while Joe is using it, heads-down and paying too much attention to entering data (or watching porn), some Afghani with a rock is going to come up behind him and bash in his head.
 
And while Joe is using it, heads-down and paying too much attention to entering data (or watching porn), some Afghani with a rock is going to come up behind him and bash in his head.
Im just a silly civilian but I thought the same!
 
And while Joe is using it, heads-down and paying too much attention to entering data (or watching porn), some Afghani with a rock is going to come up behind him and bash in his head.

You old salt dogs are all the same. Especially you guys from the old "jump club" ANGLICO. Afraid of technology. You wouldn't happen to know the DMA would you?

It wouldn't be much different than a JTAC/FAC/FO breaking out his map and protractor and pens to work up the data for a mission. Now it is expedited because it is all done on the screen and sent digitally to whatever platform (if capable), or voice. Less gear to worry about getting in the way. Plus, there will only be one guy on a team using it, so the rest of the team will have his six. If an Afghani is able to get that close to bash heads, the team has more to worry about than what they are using to generate fire support or a medevac (or what source their porn is coming from).
 
You old salt dogs are all the same. Especially you guys from the old "jump club" ANGLICO. Afraid of technology. You wouldn't happen to know the DMA would you?

It wouldn't be much different than a JTAC/FAC/FO breaking out his map and protractor and pens to work up the data for a mission. Now it is expedited because it is all done on the screen and sent digitally to whatever platform (if capable), or voice. Less gear to worry about getting in the way. Plus, there will only be one guy on a team using it, so the rest of the team will have his six. If an Afghani is able to get that close to bash heads, the team has more to worry about than what they are using to generate fire support or a medevac (or what source their porn is coming from).

I find it pretty damn funny that you say I'm afraid of technology, based on what I do for a living. :D

Trust me, I hear and understand what you're saying. There are benefits to technology. But there's also an over-reliance on technology; seen it myself. Leaders REALLY have to figure out what is needed AND why it benefits us over what we have. Too often we run out to get the latest & greatest gadget without spending the time determining benefit vs. cost vs. requirement.

The basics always work; that's why they're the basics. And you have to train to be proficient in them. Constant reliance in tech gizmos reduces ability to perform the basics. I've (no shit) seen leaders say we don't need a "no comms" plan since we have mulitple means of comms back to the CP (tacsat, HF, Iridium, etc), then when the shit hits the fan no one knows what to do. Old school, we ALWAYS had a "no comms" plan and relied on the senior man present to execute. Also seen leaders depat the FOB w/o map, protractor, & compass, because they have BFTs and GPSs.
 
I find it pretty damn funny that you say I'm afraid of technology, based on what I do for a living. :D

Trust me, I hear and understand what you're saying. There are benefits to technology. But there's also an over-reliance on technology; seen it myself. Leaders REALLY have to figure out what is needed AND why it benefits us over what we have. Too often we run out to get the latest & greatest gadget without spending the time determining benefit vs. cost vs. requirement.

The basics always work; that's why they're the basics. And you have to train to be proficient in them. Constant reliance in tech gizmos reduces ability to perform the basics. I've (no shit) seen leaders say we don't need a "no comms" plan since we have mulitple means of comms back to the CP (tacsat, HF, Iridium, etc), then when the shit hits the fan no one knows what to do. Old school, we ALWAYS had a "no comms" plan and relied on the senior man present to execute. Also seen leaders depat the FOB w/o map, protractor, & compass, because they have BFTs and GPSs.

LOL, not saying you are afraid of technology, I was referring to your generation (old Corps).

I also see what you are saying about the reliance in technology. We see it every day, especially over here. GPS has become the complete norm, but give a Marine a map and a compass and tell him to get from point A to point B and a majority of Marines wouldn't be able to do it at all.

IMHO, along with the technology there should be extra emphasis on training and proficiency of the basics. If a Marine or Soldier is going to be navigating with a GPS, he (or she) should be proficient in navigating with a compass and a map.

The technology is out there, we just need to harness it to our advantage. We have small devices that can talk all the way around the world, take and send pictures and video, and can be carried in our pocket, with the battery lasting between 12 - 24 hours. But I have to carry a radio on my back that can only talk a couple of miles on a good day, and I have to carry extra batteries that weigh a ton, and last a fraction of the time those "tiny" cell phone batteries last.

Next thing ya know, they'll want a USB port on it. Then a 5Gb RAM and a 900 Gb HDD. Then a 10 megapixel camera with 20X zoom. Then touchscreen. Then video conferencing. Then built-in VHF/UHF radios. Then biometric scanner. Then Google Earth. Then access to Shadow Spear. Then mini hydraulics. A solar panel. Built-in sat phone. Frequency jammers. Ice cream. Some soap and toothpaste.

Fuck, the possibilities are endless...

LOL, that is exactly what we want, but you forgot to include the laser range finder/designator, with the ocular that you can view video through, and designate targets. We have some of these on one platform, but we need to shrink that platform down to that wrist band thing, or to I-Phone size. Access to ShadowSpear would be a definate plus.

But like 0699 said, we can't forget about the basics.
 
Won't a big honking glowing thing on your arm be a giant target indicator?

There are a couple of things that can be done to avoid becoming a target indicator. Find a way to adjust the brightness for the level of darkness that you are operating in, and cover it when being used, much like you would do if looking at a map in the dark with a flashlight. (going back to 0699's post about "the basics")

Or they could develop a sreen that is similar to the Nook or the Kindle, where it doesn't emit light. Maybe find a way that you could view it through night vision so you wouldn't be comprimised by having to view it with a flashlight.
 
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