Women of NASA
Virtual Take Our Daughters To Work Day
QuestChat Archive

Date: April 26, 2001

Featuring: Bill Vance
Electrical Engineer
NASA Langley Research Center - Hampton, VA

Thursday Apr 26 11:08:16 2001  The expert's featured url: http://quest.nasa.gov/people/bios/team/vancew.html

YWAC - 3 - 07:49:35 ]
Hi, we're the moderators of this webchat. We're Nicole and Diane. We'll start the chat in about five minutes. Thank you for joining. If you have not read Bill's profile, please do so by linking from the schedule of events.

[ YWAC - 4 - 07:50:16 ]
Good morning, Bill. We're here and ready when you are. We're so glad to have you this morning!

[ YWAC - 36 - 09:01:49 ]
If you want to know more about Bill Vance, take a look at his profile (URL: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/people/team/vancew.html )

[ BillVance - 37 - 10:15:59 ]
RE: [PJP] How do you distinguish between the signals, i.e fire, weather, phone, etc.?
Each transmitter has a digital code. For example, fire would be 001, smoke 010, etc. When a transmitter is activated it will transmit its code. The receiver will pick up the code and translate it to the alarm.

[ BillVance - 39 - 10:17:49 ]
RE: [AndersonRoberts] Where is Langley Research Center located?
Hampton, VA

[ BillVance - 41 - 10:21:27 ]
RE: [ERCLee] How long have you been deaf?
All my life

[ BillVance - 43 - 10:28:24 ]
RE: [Casey] How does your device WORK?
The device works by having several detectors connected to transmitters in a building. When a detector is activated it transmits its signal. From its signal the receiver knows the event (fire, smoke, etc.) and the location. The receiver (vibrating alphanumeric pager) translates this information so the owner of the device can read what event occurred.

[ BillVance - 44 - 10:31:12 ]
RE: [PeggyandJim/ERC] How much information will your device communicate? For instance, how much will it tell you about severe weather?
The device will communicate as much information as is entered: Fire Smoke Tornado warning Evacuate the building a bomb threat has been received

[ BillVance - 45 - 10:34:41 ]
RE: [ERC] wHAT coop opportunities exist for young people interested in careers similar to your own?
There are two programs that I know of: SHARP which is for High School juniors and seniors and LARSS which is for college juniors. NASA programs vary from center to center. The best thing would be for you to look at the web site of your local or nearest NASA center to see what special programs they have.

[ BillVance - 46 - 10:36:16 ]
RE: [PeggyandJim/ERC] How comfortable is your device to wear? How large is it?
The receiver will be an alpha numeric vibrating pager.

[ BillVance - 47 - 10:41:01 ]
RE: [ERc] How much does the device cost? Is it accessible to other disabled people?
No market studies have been done as to the final cost. The receivers will be about the same as a pager or cell phone. It is being developed for deaf and hearing impaired. Here at NASA Langley there are wind tunnels being operated all the time. The major work hazard is hearing loss over time. People here have to wear ear protection and can not hear alarms. This device will be marketed to similar working environments.

[ BillVance - 48 - 10:44:45 ]
RE: [ERCBob] With the ever-changing trend in technology, what is the next version or next step of your product? smaller? more comfortable? custom colors?
Our original version was much larger and used two 9V batteries. By using Bluetooth technology we have miniaturized the receiver. It will not get much smaller. Most of the market will be government buildings and industrial work places.

[ BillVance - 49 - 10:47:25 ]
RE: [PeggyandJim/ERC] Do you expect to see your device produced and marketed widely?
The largest market will be for government buildings. Industrial workplaces with noisy environments would be the next largest market.

[ BillVance - 50 - 11:00:01 ]
RE: [JustinMillennium] Thank you very much for letting me talk to you.
You are welcome!

[ BillVance - 51 - 11:08:58 ]
RE: [ERC/Vanessa/Chicago] How do you communicate with both your deaf and hearing summer mentees?
I write on a marker board or a piece of paper, but some people learned to use sign language and I also use e-mail or chat. Sometimes NASA provides to a certified interpreter.

[ YWAC - 71 - 12:21:08 ]
Millenium Middle School- Some of you may be in the wrong chat room. This is the chat room for Bill Vance. Check the schedule for the link the Dorie Helms.

[ YWAC - 74 - 12:22:25 ]
Dorie Helms, mother of Susan Helms, is in another chat room. You can access that chat from the schedule.

[ BillVance - 75 - 10:40:15 ]
RE: [MrsFaulknersClass] Why did you decide to become an enginer?
I'm not an engineer but a technologist. I became a technologist because I love to work with my hands and I was very interested in math and science.

[ BillVance - 76 - 10:58:55 ]
RE: [Colby] What's it like being NASA's NASA's representative to the National Training Conference on Employment of Government Employees who are deaf?
It is rewarding because I know my contribution while serving on that committee will benefit Employees who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. I am able to take their issues to the committee to be heard and resolved, if possible.

[ BillVance - 77 - 11:02:01 ]
RE: [Colby] When did you start working with NASA?
I started with NASA in 1979.

[ BillVance - 78 - 11:10:53 ]
RE: [Melissamillennium] So tell me Bill...did anyone influence you to began creating devices for the deaf community? Or was it a decision you made on your own?
I was able to recognize the potential for this technology on my own. Initially, it was developed for another application, but after I saw its potential, a team was formed to further develop its potential with me as a key member.

[ BillVance - 79 - 11:35:24 ]
RE: [jasonatmillennium] What is it like working for NASA?
There's something new every day. My job is to design printed circuit board layouts for engineers and research scientists, so everything I do is one of a kind prototype work. The working conditions here are very good, the pay is reasonable, and the benefits are excellent.

[ BillVance - 80 - 11:37:02 ]
RE: [Dane] How long did it take to create the prototype of your invention?
About 2 years.

[ BillVance - 81 - 11:47:11 ]
RE: [ERC] software for the Handicapped on the internet is a hot topic with us. Describe the kind of software that would be helpful for you in working on the Internet
Since, I am a deaf person and have vision, I can use most all of the Internet software because they are basically visual applications.

[ BillVance - 82 - 12:00:16 ]
RE: [CaseyAllyson] Bill, since you've been deaf, have your other senses been enhanced?
Because I must be more visually observant, I would say my sense of vision is more acute than a person who is hearing. Also, my sense of smell is much better than another person.