Navigation & PDA & People & Project54 & Telematics Andrew Kun on 21 Apr 2008 04:10 pm
Field testing in-car navigation and the Project54 handheld application
Last week, Lieutenant Mark Liebl of the NH State Police started testing new versions of the Project54 navigation application and the Project54 handheld application.
Jon Oppelaar installed a USB GPS unit (GlobalSat BU-353) in Mark’s cruiser. This unit performs significantly better than an older GPS unit that was intalled several years ago, and it will enable Mark to test Jon’s navigation application. The application integrates Microsoft MapPoint into the Project54 environment. Here’s Jon (in the passenger seat) tweaking software settings in Mark’s cruiser during the installation of the USB GPS unit:
Andras Fekete worked on updating the software that allows a handheld unit to control the in-car devices (see picture below). Andras has already successfully deployed handheld technology in the Lee, NH police department, which we describe in a paper that will be presented at IE08. We’re now looking forward to getting Mark’s feedback about Project54 handheld software.
While Jon and Andras were installing new hardware and software, Mike Farrar talked to Mark about using the Project54 handheld computer’s imager, not only as a 2D barcode reader (e.g. for driver licenses), but as a camera. Mike is developing software that will allow officers to take pictures and tag them. Tagging can be done using voice commands, which should speed up data entry. It’s worth mentioning that Mike is developing his software using the Symbol MC-70, which comes with a cell modem. This opens new opportunities for getting data to officers in the field, especially in urban areas. In fact, the new version of the MC-70 also has a built-in GPS unit, again presenting interesting opportunities for law enforcement applications.
Thanks for testing all this harware and software Mark!
Andrew Kun
on 04 Jun 2008 at 1:47 am 1.Headwind said …
Where can one go about purchasing a modular computer mount like the one in these photos? I have been looking tirelessly for a separate monitor and keyboard mount.
on 04 Jun 2008 at 11:54 am 2.Nathan Purmort said …
Headwind, the PC is a mini-itx based system from LogicSupply while the screen is a 10″ Xenarc touch-screen. Let me know if you have any further questions.
- Nate
on 05 Jun 2008 at 3:27 pm 3.Headwind said …
Nathan, thank you. Could you also tell me who manufactures that keyboard and screen mount seen in the first photo? It’s not Ghamber Johnson, is it?
-Adam
on 05 Jul 2008 at 12:40 am 4.Michael S. said …
Nathan,
I currently work in the Surveillance Department of a southern California casino. I am curious if the Project54 handheld is currently in production and if it would work in a casino environment that would transmit photos of “wanted” suspects to public safety officers on the floor. I am interested in equipment and prices. Do you have a website that I could look at? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mike
on 10 Jul 2008 at 9:26 pm 5.Andrew Kun said …
Hi Mike,
We’ve just started playing with photos taken by a handheld (the Symbol MC50 or MC70). Check out this post by Mike Farrar on the topic: http://www.eceblogger.com/2008/05/image-capture-and-tagging/. The short answer is that yes, you could send pictures around to officers indoors.
As for prices, the Project54 handheld refers to Project54 software running on commercial handhelds such as the Symbol MC50 or MC70. We haven’t established a price for the software yet. The handhelds we’re using are sort of pricey and it’s best to check with a local distributor for prices.
I hope this helps,
Andrew Kun