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| ⚫ | The '''Library Computer Access''' and '''Retrieval System''' ('''LCARS''' for short) was the main [[computer]] system employed by the [[United Federation of Planets]] by the mid-[[24th century]]. It was used aboard all [[Starfleet]] vessels, [[starbase]]s, and [[space station]]s. ({{s|TNG}}, {{s|DS9}}, {{s|VOY}}, {{s|PIC}}) |
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| − | {{multiple}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | == Interfaces == |
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| ⚫ | The '''Library Computer Access''' and '''Retrieval System''' ('''LCARS |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | LCARS was accessible virtually anywhere in a facility or [[starship]] by both voice and keypad commands via [[control interface]]s. These interfaces included [[bridge]] stations, [[console]]s, [[PADD]]s, [[tricorder]]s, and [[desk]] computers. Typically, these were graphical controls housed underneath touch-sensitive clear panels that could be quickly reconfigured by users to suit the task at hand. There were also [[tactile interface]]s for visually-impaired officers. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint|The Vengeance Factor|The Host|Half a Life}}; {{VOY|Year of Hell}}) |
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| + | [[File:LCARS interface, 2399.jpg|thumb|A standard LCARS display circa 2399]] |
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| − | LCARS used sophisticated routines to understand and execute vocal natural language commands. Starfleet personnel also frequently interfaced with LCARS with [[PADD]]s, [[tricorder]]s, and control panels. |
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| + | By [[2399]], Starfleet had begun deploying three-dimensional holographic interfaces for the LCARS system aboard Federation starships and installations. Civilian craft such as ''[[La Sirena]]'' also had access to this technology. ({{s|PIC}}) |
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| + | == Operation == |
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| − | [[File:Long range scan 081588.jpg|thumb|LCARS controls aboard the ''Enterprise''-E in [[2379]]]] |
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| + | LCARS used sophisticated [[subroutine]]s in order to understand and execute vocal natural [[language]] commands. This enabled even complicated tasks to be executed with just a few commands in the case of voice or button presses in the case of keypad commands. LCARS controlled the retrieval and storage of files in the data banks housed within the ship's [[computer core]]s including [[log]]s like [[personal log]]s or [[transporter log]]s, [[element]] and [[chemical compound]] data and data on [[Archaeology|archaeological]] [[artifact]]s. ({{TNG|Contagion|Dark Page|Man of the People|Night Terrors|Qpid}}) It was used to retrieve files in external [[database]]s like when a ship needs to assess traffic control around starbases or investigate inventory databases of surplus depots. ({{TNG|Birthright, Part II|Unification I}}) It was also used for command system access and for viewing the [[crew manifest]]. ({{TNG|Brothers|Conundrum}}) It was also used to display recently recorded data like [[medical]] scans, [[tactical]] scans and [[sensor]] scans. ({{TNG|Ethics|Interface|Descent|Relics|Genesis}}) It displayed results of analyses like [[Linguistics|linguistic]] analyses, configuration analyses of system networks, and [[magnetic flux]] density analyses. ({{TNG|Masks|Attached|Power Play}}) |
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| + | == Design == |
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| − | In the [[24th century]], graphical controls housed underneath touch-sensitive clear panels allowed LCARS panels to be quickly reconfigured by users to suit the task at hand, including a [[tactile interface]] for visually-impaired officers. ({{VOY|Year of Hell}}) This enabled even complicated tasks to be executed with just a few button presses. LCARS also controlled the retrieval and storage of files in the data banks housed within the ship's [[computer core]]s. |
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| + | LCARS retained the same basic layout and design across Federation starships and installations, however, a few variations in the color schemes can be noticed. |
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| + | During normal operations, LCARS color schemes can alternate between a wide ranges of colors, such as tans, purples, and yellows, in addition to blues, aquas, and oranges. ({{s|TNG}}, {{s|DS9}}, {{s|VOY}}, {{s|PIC}}) |
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| − | Depending on the starship, the LCARS design, especially the color scheme, differed. These colors could range from a yellow/white (found on the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}) to blue/white scheme (found on the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}}). |
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| + | [[File:Red alert (sovereign class).jpg|thumb|A display monitor showing the red alert color scheme]] |
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| − | LCARS were subsystems in the main computer system. ({{TNG|The Vengeance Factor}}) |
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| + | During emergencies or special operations, LCARS color schemes are updated to reflect the current alert status, such as [[Red alert|Red]] or [[Blue alert|Blue]] alerts. When these alerts are called, LCARS interfaces will switch to either a red/white or blue/white scheme respectively. ({{s|DS9}}, {{s|VOY}}, {{film|7}}, {{film|8}}, {{film|10}}) |
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| − | ''In |
+ | ''In the [[alternate timeline]] of the [[Anti-time future]] around [[2395]], LCARS was still used and similar in appearance to its mid-[[24th century]] version.'' ({{TNG|All Good Things...}}) |
| − | |||
| − | By the [[29th century]] the LCARS was, at least partially, replaced by the [[TCARS]]. ({{VOY|Relativity}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | ''In the [[alternate reality]], in the [[2250s]], [[PCAP]] was the equivalent of LCARS.'' ({{film|11}}; {{film|12}}) |
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| − | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | * [[USS Defiant (NCC-1764) library computer|USS ''Defiant'' (NCC-1764) library computer]] |
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| − | * [[USS Defiant (NX-74205) library computer|USS ''Defiant'' (NX-74205) library computer]] |
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| − | * [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) library computer|USS ''Enterprise'' library computer]] |
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| − | * [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) library computer|USS ''Enterprise''-D library computer]] |
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| − | * [[USS Voyager library computer|USS ''Voyager'' library computer]] |
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== Appendices == |
== Appendices == |
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=== Background information === |
=== Background information === |
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| ⚫ | A close-up view of one of the science stations aboard the ''Enterprise''-D in "The Vengeance Factor" has the label "Library Computer Subsystems". {{eas|observations/thevengeancefactor/36-thevengeancefactor-1-r.jpg}} The full name "Library Computer Access and Retrieval System" can be seen in several episodes, including {{e|The Price}}, {{e|The Measure Of A Man}} and {{e|Conundrum}}. The phrase "library computer access and retrieval" is spoken in {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}}) |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | |||
| ⚫ | According to a ''Next Generation'' episode [[text commentary]] by [[Michael Okuda|Michael]] and [[Denise Okuda]], the LCARS displays were rarely actual computer simulations; one such example was the computer screen used by Romulan Commander [[Sela]] to monitor the Federation fleet during her attempt to smuggle weapons and supplies to [[Lursa]] and [[B'Etor]] during the Klingon civil war in the episode {{e|Redemption II}}. This was due, according to the Okudas, to both the high cost and primitive state of computer graphics in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Therefore, most LCARS displays were, in fact, plastic panels with spinning light devices behind them to give the impression that the information on the "displays" was changing. |
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| − | |||
| − | The full name "Library Computer Access and Retrieval System" can be seen in several episodes, including {{e|The Price}}. |
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[[File:LCARS Star Trek V sickbay.jpg|thumb|TNG-style LCARS displays in ''Star Trek V: The Final Frontier'']] |
[[File:LCARS Star Trek V sickbay.jpg|thumb|TNG-style LCARS displays in ''Star Trek V: The Final Frontier'']] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | According to a ''Next Generation'' episode [[text commentary]] by [[Michael Okuda|Michael]] and [[Denise Okuda]], the LCARS displays were rarely actual computer simulations; one such example was the computer screen used by Romulan Commander [[Sela]] to monitor the Federation fleet during her attempt to smuggle weapons and supplies to [[Lursa]] and [[B'Etor]] during the Klingon civil war in the episode {{e|Redemption II}}. This was due, according to the Okudas, to both the high cost and primitive state of computer graphics in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Therefore, most LCARS displays were, in fact, plastic panels with spinning light devices behind them to give the impression that the information on the "displays" was changing. |
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| ⚫ | The sickbay used in {{film|5}} is a minor redress of the |
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In the first two seasons of ''The Next Generation'', large black rectangles are clearly visible on the LCARS displays on the bridge (and sometimes in main engineering). This was a result of the studio lights reflecting off the displays, which director of photography [[Edward R. Brown]] tried to solve by sticking cardboard onto them. When Brown was replaced by [[Marvin V. Rush]] for the third season, a number of changes in filming (including better film stock and a smaller number of lights) allowed the LCARS displays to be seen properly. {{eas|inconsistencies/curiosities.htm}} |
In the first two seasons of ''The Next Generation'', large black rectangles are clearly visible on the LCARS displays on the bridge (and sometimes in main engineering). This was a result of the studio lights reflecting off the displays, which director of photography [[Edward R. Brown]] tried to solve by sticking cardboard onto them. When Brown was replaced by [[Marvin V. Rush]] for the third season, a number of changes in filming (including better film stock and a smaller number of lights) allowed the LCARS displays to be seen properly. {{eas|inconsistencies/curiosities.htm}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | The interface was updated for {{s|PIC}} by a team that included playback supervisor [[Martin Garner]], creative director [[Chris Kieffer]], and designer [[Andrew Jarvis]]. {{twitter|RJ_MacReady31/status/1220751387434213376}} |
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| + | === Apocrypha === |
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| ⚫ | |||
The LCARS layout has been used in several computer games and applications such as the CD-ROM version of the ''[[Star Trek Omnipedia|Star Trek Encyclopedia]]'', as well as the [[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion - A Series Guide and Script Library|TNG]] and [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion - A Series Guide and Script Library|DS9]] CD-ROM Companions. The LCARS layout is also used on the [[iTunes Store#Applications|''Star Trek'' PADD app for the Apple iPad]]. |
The LCARS layout has been used in several computer games and applications such as the CD-ROM version of the ''[[Star Trek Omnipedia|Star Trek Encyclopedia]]'', as well as the [[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion - A Series Guide and Script Library|TNG]] and [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion - A Series Guide and Script Library|DS9]] CD-ROM Companions. The LCARS layout is also used on the [[iTunes Store#Applications|''Star Trek'' PADD app for the Apple iPad]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | === See also === |
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| + | *[[Control interface]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | *[[PCAP-SYS]] |
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| + | *[[Spacecraft Operating & Management System]] |
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| + | *[[TCARS]] |
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=== External link === |
=== External link === |
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Revision as of 18:03, 1 July 2020
The Library Computer Access and Retrieval System (LCARS for short) was the main computer system employed by the United Federation of Planets by the mid-24th century. It was used aboard all Starfleet vessels, starbases, and space stations. (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Picard)
Interfaces
A standard LCARS display circa 2379
LCARS was accessible virtually anywhere in a facility or starship by both voice and keypad commands via control interfaces. These interfaces included bridge stations, consoles, PADDs, tricorders, and desk computers. Typically, these were graphical controls housed underneath touch-sensitive clear panels that could be quickly reconfigured by users to suit the task at hand. There were also tactile interfaces for visually-impaired officers. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint", "The Vengeance Factor", "The Host", "Half a Life"; VOY: "Year of Hell")
A standard LCARS display circa 2399
By 2399, Starfleet had begun deploying three-dimensional holographic interfaces for the LCARS system aboard Federation starships and installations. Civilian craft such as La Sirena also had access to this technology. (Star Trek: Picard)
Operation
LCARS used sophisticated subroutines in order to understand and execute vocal natural language commands. This enabled even complicated tasks to be executed with just a few commands in the case of voice or button presses in the case of keypad commands. LCARS controlled the retrieval and storage of files in the data banks housed within the ship's computer cores including logs like personal logs or transporter logs, element and chemical compound data and data on archaeological artifacts. (TNG: "Contagion", "Dark Page", "Man of the People", "Night Terrors", "Qpid") It was used to retrieve files in external databases like when a ship needs to assess traffic control around starbases or investigate inventory databases of surplus depots. (TNG: "Birthright, Part II", "Unification I") It was also used for command system access and for viewing the crew manifest. (TNG: "Brothers", "Conundrum") It was also used to display recently recorded data like medical scans, tactical scans and sensor scans. (TNG: "Ethics", "Interface", "Descent", "Relics", "Genesis") It displayed results of analyses like linguistic analyses, configuration analyses of system networks, and magnetic flux density analyses. (TNG: "Masks", "Attached", "Power Play")
Design
LCARS retained the same basic layout and design across Federation starships and installations, however, a few variations in the color schemes can be noticed.
During normal operations, LCARS color schemes can alternate between a wide ranges of colors, such as tans, purples, and yellows, in addition to blues, aquas, and oranges. (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Picard)
.jpg){kind=link}
A display monitor showing the red alert color scheme
During emergencies or special operations, LCARS color schemes are updated to reflect the current alert status, such as Red or Blue alerts. When these alerts are called, LCARS interfaces will switch to either a red/white or blue/white scheme respectively. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek Nemesis)
In the alternate timeline of the Anti-time future around 2395, LCARS was still used and similar in appearance to its mid-24th century version. (TNG: "All Good Things...")
Appendices
Related topics
Background information
LCARS interfaces are seen in almost every episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. The interfaces seen in Star Trek: The Original Series are never named and their designs are quite different.
A close-up view of one of the science stations aboard the Enterprise-D in "The Vengeance Factor" has the label "Library Computer Subsystems". [1] The full name "Library Computer Access and Retrieval System" can be seen in several episodes, including "The Price", "The Measure Of A Man" and "Conundrum". The phrase "library computer access and retrieval" is spoken in "Encounter at Farpoint")
TNG-style LCARS displays in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
The sickbay used in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is a minor redress of the TNG sickbay, and the LCARS panels on the wall are barely altered, so this could be the first LCARS appearance. They also appear in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country just below the warp core, but they do not appear in the 23rd century portion of Star Trek Generations.
According to a Next Generation episode text commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda, the LCARS displays were rarely actual computer simulations; one such example was the computer screen used by Romulan Commander Sela to monitor the Federation fleet during her attempt to smuggle weapons and supplies to Lursa and B'Etor during the Klingon civil war in the episode "Redemption II". This was due, according to the Okudas, to both the high cost and primitive state of computer graphics in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Therefore, most LCARS displays were, in fact, plastic panels with spinning light devices behind them to give the impression that the information on the "displays" was changing.
In the first two seasons of The Next Generation, large black rectangles are clearly visible on the LCARS displays on the bridge (and sometimes in main engineering). This was a result of the studio lights reflecting off the displays, which director of photography Edward R. Brown tried to solve by sticking cardboard onto them. When Brown was replaced by Marvin V. Rush for the third season, a number of changes in filming (including better film stock and a smaller number of lights) allowed the LCARS displays to be seen properly. [2]
LCARS as seen in the DS9 CD Companion
The interface was updated for Star Trek: Picard by a team that included playback supervisor Martin Garner, creative director Chris Kieffer, and designer Andrew Jarvis. [3]
Apocrypha
The LCARS layout has been used in several computer games and applications such as the CD-ROM version of the Star Trek Encyclopedia, as well as the TNG and DS9 CD-ROM Companions. The LCARS layout is also used on the Star Trek PADD app for the Apple iPad.