Argus Supercomputer
Argus is a super-computer system designed and built primarily by Gabriel for his personal use in the dei Angeles Enclave in the Canadian wilderness. Argus is unlike any other computer in the world, as it is composed of over a hundred independent units, collectively bordering on Artificial Intelligence. Each of these units works independently of the others, yet they also process cumulative data as a single mind, much like the function of a human brain, but many times faster and more powerful.
This unit features traditional interfaces utilized by all the residents of the Enclave; however, Argus’ relationship with Gabriel is unique. The laboratory in which Gabriel works is designed with numerous extras:
• An eye movement scanner in a helmet, attached to a Heads-Up Display visor
• Voice recognition software for audio input
• A body scanner programmed to recognize hand and foot gestures, as well as specific body language movements
• The wall opposite the door has twenty large monitor screens for the visual display of information. The laboratory is equipped with three holographic display units built into the central floor of the dome-shaped underground room. With these units and the movement sensor array, Gabriel can write in the air with his finger, see the characters holographically displayed, while at the same time, Argus transcribes the data into the appropriate files for storage as text.
Gabriel is able to process sensory input much faster than an ordinary human being. The helmet he wears as part of the interaction process with Argus features a speaker over each ear, connected to separate channels so he can listen to two different inputs (such as a telephone call and a lecture) simultaneously.
Most of Argus’ various cognitive functions were designed by Gabriel as a boy. Frustrated with the slowness of using a traditional mouse and keyboard to obtain and input data, Gabriel spent two years planning and developing the technology that would allow him to regulate the flow of information to his own needs; however, he was not fully able to utilize the technology until his sister, Persephone, added a final unit to the system. It is called the Black Box, and only Persephone understands the technology inside it. This is the piece that reads Gabriel’s body language, tone of voice and facial expressions – Persephone’s only means of understanding those around her, translated into the database that allows Argus to interface so seamlessly with its master.
Argus responds verbally to many inquiries. Its vocal unit has numerous options, selected by Gabriel to suit his mood or a specific inquiry. The most frequently used options include: Albert Einstein (in his native German), Stephen Hawking's DECtalk speech synthesizer, and Carl Sagan.
When Argus was shut down and moved from Canada to the Window site in New York City, it was uncertain whether the system would function with the same efficiency once the parts were reconnected; however, those fears were unfounded.
This unit features traditional interfaces utilized by all the residents of the Enclave; however, Argus’ relationship with Gabriel is unique. The laboratory in which Gabriel works is designed with numerous extras:
• An eye movement scanner in a helmet, attached to a Heads-Up Display visor
• Voice recognition software for audio input
• A body scanner programmed to recognize hand and foot gestures, as well as specific body language movements
• The wall opposite the door has twenty large monitor screens for the visual display of information. The laboratory is equipped with three holographic display units built into the central floor of the dome-shaped underground room. With these units and the movement sensor array, Gabriel can write in the air with his finger, see the characters holographically displayed, while at the same time, Argus transcribes the data into the appropriate files for storage as text.
Gabriel is able to process sensory input much faster than an ordinary human being. The helmet he wears as part of the interaction process with Argus features a speaker over each ear, connected to separate channels so he can listen to two different inputs (such as a telephone call and a lecture) simultaneously.
Most of Argus’ various cognitive functions were designed by Gabriel as a boy. Frustrated with the slowness of using a traditional mouse and keyboard to obtain and input data, Gabriel spent two years planning and developing the technology that would allow him to regulate the flow of information to his own needs; however, he was not fully able to utilize the technology until his sister, Persephone, added a final unit to the system. It is called the Black Box, and only Persephone understands the technology inside it. This is the piece that reads Gabriel’s body language, tone of voice and facial expressions – Persephone’s only means of understanding those around her, translated into the database that allows Argus to interface so seamlessly with its master.
Argus responds verbally to many inquiries. Its vocal unit has numerous options, selected by Gabriel to suit his mood or a specific inquiry. The most frequently used options include: Albert Einstein (in his native German), Stephen Hawking's DECtalk speech synthesizer, and Carl Sagan.
When Argus was shut down and moved from Canada to the Window site in New York City, it was uncertain whether the system would function with the same efficiency once the parts were reconnected; however, those fears were unfounded.
Utility
Argus was designed to pair with Gabriel's unique abilities to process information faster than possible by other humans. He is the only person capable of operating Argus to its full capacity. While others at the Enclave do utilize Argus' impressive computer system via traditional means, no other user is able to command its capabilities as Gabriel does.
Access & Availability
Argus is the only unit of its kind. Though the technology is available to others at the Enclave, few others make use of its various input methods, and none as extensively as Gabriel.
Complexity
The most mysterious component of this unit is the Persephone Box. The contents are unknown to anyone other than Persephone herself, and as she is non-lingual, those secrets remain with her. No designs for the technology were ever drawn up, as the young woman manufactured every piece herself, fitted them together with a separate power supply (in case of emergencies and catastrophic failures), and sealed the box around the plug-and-play connection.
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