H.U.B.I.C.
The Heuristic Universal Brain Interface Communicator (HUBIC), also known as the Powers Device (named for its designer, Dr. Timothy Powers), consists of three psionic minds connected through a Gestalt Web that is linked to a dedicated computer system to create an electronic brain interface capable of facilitating communication with sentient xenomorphs.
The device converts psionic neural impulses into binary data that is analyzed and translated into an ordered hierarchical metalanguage (OHM). This metalanguage is constructed with basic grammatical constructs found in the most common human languages. Such a language is theoretically capable of being quickly translatable with unknown languages (at “accented” level), provided an adequate sampling of the unknown language. Even with inadequate sampling, the device is capable of completing rudimentary (“broken”) translations.
Two IBM mainframe computers are used for statistical analysis and natural language processing. Customized systems programming and other alterations to standard IBM-OS were necessary, sacrificing or limiting some standard functions. The language processor is based on a heuristic algorithm, allowing the device to learn as it is expose to new data. Standard magnetic tape systems are used for data storage.
The system is controlled through the main operator console (MOC), a separate workstation connected to the IBM mainframes and the HUBIC itself. This workstation consists of a keyboard and video screen for command entry and programming, along with three monitoring stations which display biometric readings and other data on the psionic operators. During live operation of the HUBIC, the MOC is the only method of command entry or programming.
Each psionic operator (PO) workstation consists of a keyboard and video display for nonverbal communication with the MOC or other POs. Command entry and programming are possible from PO workstations, but this capability exists only when the HUBIC is offline and is automatically locked during live operation of the device.