The Hand-held Apparatus for Mobile Mapping and Expedited Reporting (HAMMER™) is the brainchild of Tad Britt of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Lab (CERL). The HAMMER™ base unit integrates a hand-held computer that runs Windows XP and ArcGISTM software with a global positioning system (GPS) sensor (available in either 2-centimeter survey- or 3-meter map-grade), compass, laser rangefinder, and a digital camera (capable of capturing still images or video). All data can be annotated with either audio recordings or text. In addition, HAMMER™ can securely receive and transmit real-time audio, video, sensor, or geospatial data between units. The system allows for modular addition of other capabilities. To date, modules for night vision, image stabilization and video pattern recognition, voice recognition, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag communication, barcode generation and reading, and selective availability/anti-spoofing module (SAASM) GPS have been developed, or are under development, for integration with the HAMMER™. Users may associate each function with any of several buttons, including a rapid event capture trigger. The HAMMER™ was originally designed for use in archaeological surveys. Its capabilities allow users to lay out gridlines for digs, record the dimensions of foundations and physical features, and document the location of and condition in which artifacts were found. Through the integration of the barcode printer/reader, chain-of-custody documents and labels are easily produced. CERL has signed a Patent Licensing Agreement (PLA) with Compass Systems, Inc., of Lexington Park, Maryland. Under the terms of a 2007 exclusive PLA, Compass Systems will develop specific modular capabilities for integration into the HAMMER™ and market a commercial version of the system. Other applications include construction, real estate, insurance, public works, and environmental studies. One of the capabilities that Britt and David Bjornberg of Compass Systems have most recently integrated into HAMMER™ is active RFID. In conjunction with this effort, Compass Systems developed seismic sensors with attached RFID tags. These tags can be loaded with geospatial location and other information, thus allowing annotated GPS maps of an area to be created. If a second team of archaeologists visits the site later, these maps will save significant time by allowing the crews to start work without having to resurvey the area. The seismic sensors are also capable of reporting vibrations received to the attached RFID tags. The sensors can be tuned to alert on specific types of seismic events while ignoring others. For example, the sensor could record the time and strength of a seismic signal generated by digging, but disregard the seismic signal generated by passing vehicular traffic. This will allow archaeologists to determine if and when a site has been disturbed. Compass Systems presented and exhibited at the World's Best Technologies Showcase in May 2007. Based on this experience, Compass Systems is in discussions regarding funding to bring the HAMMER™ to market. At the FLC national meeting, Britt was presented with a 2007 FLC Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer. This summer, he will be conducting research using the HAMMER™ at several archeological sites on Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Catalina Island, California.
|
