trc (09/08/82)
Remote space mining might also be aided by computer graphics. The robot mining tool could be simulated, and overlaid upon the video image (or even a computer simulation of the image, constantly updated to match the received version). This would provide the operator with immediate feedback sufficient to allow work without much confusion. An additional delay could also be added, so that when a simulated catastrophe occurs, the operator could cancel the last few seconds of operation. The extra second or so wouldnt make much difference, and could save millions in damaged equipment. Tom Craver houti!trc
djb (09/08/82)
This is slightly off the subject, but I couldn't help but be reminded of it. When I was in graduate school at the University of Tennessee, two other graduate students were working on a real-time image inhancement system targeted for use in the Space Shuttle. Part of the shuttle's remote repair system included a camera located on the maintenance robot, allowing the crew to direct activity from within the cabin. As position and illumination conditions changed, the view could easily go from extremely bright to quite dark, and most points between. Using the real-time image inhancement system, the camera's picture could be interactively adjusted by the crew (using direct histogram specification), allowing almost instantaneous correction and providing a consistantly good view. Input was from a special controller that used several slide potentiometers to approximate the desired histogram (very much like a hi-fi graphic equalizer). I saw the system under test conditions, and it performed very well. It was quite easy to use, and one rapidly got surprisingly good at manipulating the histogram and improving the "picture". (Now, if I could do the same with my TV...) David Bryant cbosg!djb