TOM FOWLE
Rehabilitation Engineer--Embedded Systems Developer
The Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center
Email: fowle@ski.org
Amateur radio call sign: WA6IVG

Areas of Interest
Adaptive devices for the blind using all forms of non-visual output:

• speech -- digitized and synthesized
• audio tones -- variable pitch, duration and amplitude
• Morse code
• tactile

Specific experience with measuring instruments for a wide variety of applications including electronics, weather, appliance repair.
Designed embedded microcontroller systems around devices in the Intel 8051 family, both hardware and firmware, using assembly language and others.
Projects are now mostly based on microcontrollers in the Microchip PIC family, including 12C67X, 16F84, 16F87X, 16F628 etc., using "Pic Basic Pro" from Micro Engineering Labs: http://www.microengineeringlabs.com and http://www.picbasic.com.
Designed and use simple digitized speech output system with "off the shelf" components for systems requiring low cost and limited vocabulary speech output.
Past projects:

• The "ROOLLER" is a linear, distance-measuring instrument designed to substitute for a measuring tape. This successful prototype works on any flat, hard surface and can measure the distance between any two points or can "find" a preset measurement entered from a keypad. The device is not commercially available.

Projects in progress:

• Tactile analog output schemes using "hobby servos" including: tactile compass, tactile oscilloscope, single cell braille display for instruments.
• Talking Refrigeration pressure gauge and refrigerant scale for appliance repair.
• "Straight line" tracking device to assist in mobility, using solid state gyroscope and or fluxgate compass.

Possible Future Projects:

• An audible wind direction indicator for blind sailors
• An improved "passive/active" light probe based on PIC 12C671 controller, reducing need for costly switches and other hard-to-find components.