Wireless Technology Advances Remake Publishing
Technologies in the works promise to take traditional communications to new levels.
Section edited by: Earl W. Wilken -- graphic arts online, 12/1/2000
Digital technology has been pervasive in the graphic arts over the past few years. Several advances in wireless technology promise to change the face of traditional communication methods as we know it today.
One such technology, slated for entry by the middle of 2001, is called Anoto, which takes its name from the Latin word annoto, meaning "I take notes" or "I scribble." Anoto aims its note-taking technology at three tasks:
- digital writing, where what is written on paper can be digitally stored, sorted, and iterated;
- information sending, where what is written on paper can be sent to anyone in any place, and can be viewed by the recipient's mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or laptop; and
- paper-based e-services, where a user can order merchandise, services, etc. simply by marking specifications on a form (e.g. an advertisement in a magazine).
Paper and pen power
Key elements comprising the technology are paper, which has a specific pattern, and a writing pen. Essentially, the paper contains an Anoto pattern (which can be put on any surface) consisting of very small dots on an imaginary grid. When used in tandem with the pen, writings can be digitally transferred by the latter via the Internet to any computer, cell phone, or information bank in the world.
The Anoto pen enables one to digitally transmit, store, and transfer written information. It is composed of four basic components: ink, camera (a custom CMOS sensor that takes pictures of the special pattern), image processor (which pinpoints position using the picture of the pattern), and Bluetooth radio link component (which transmits the information to the designated recipient via cell phone or PC).
The ink nib is exactly like that of a normal pen, with the camera mounted just under the pen point. The pen, which is activated and deactivated by removing or replacing its cap, creates a digital trace of whatever is written or drawn on the patterned surface.
Data then are stored in the pen until they are ready to be forwarded via a Bluetooth link to the relay device or final destination.
In the newspaper world, The New York Times has taken a leadership role in the delivery of wireless press releases and wireless content offerings for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) mobile phones, PDA/handheld devices, electronic books, pagers, desktop printers, and mobile or land-line phones.
News for the mobile
The Times and AvantGo currently deliver "Web To Go" news to mobile professionals. Additionally, the newspaper and its i3 Mobile Partner created a Wireless Portal earlier this year.
In the future, say Times officials, the newspaper will have automatic alerts that are sent to an individual's WAP phone. When news occurs within the various categories a user has pre-selected from the newspaper, an automated phone call is placed to the user so that he or she can read the breaking stories on his or her mobile phone's display
