Jun 14 2006
Technical Research Centre of Finland VTT has developed together with other Simplicity project partners a small device that tailors digital terminals and services according to users' wishes. The technology, which is similar to a SIM card, can be used with new terminals, such as mobile phones and computers. There is no longer any need to waste time and effort learning how to use a terminal. Thus, the threshold for using increasingly popular self-service applications will become lower.
In addition to mobile phones and computers, examples of equipment and services that can be quickly tailored include pulse counters, navigation equipment, Web browsers and services connected to movies, music and booking systems.
The user's basic information and functions are pre-stored in the device, but the device can also learn them from the user's own terminal. The profile is updated in accordance with new functions performed by the user.
The technology also makes it easier to adapt services to telecommunication technologies. Currently, the spectrum of different terminals and services places a burden on service providers and network operators. This may constitute a barrier to efficient utilisation of future systems and even a barrier for acceptance.
At its biggest the separate device is the size of a credit card and at its smallest the size of a SIM card. The networks and equipment independent technology that operate on the basis of the same principle as the SIM card of GSM phones can also be installed in a smart card or terminal.
The technology is currently being tested by users in Italy and Germany. The test systems use different technology platforms, including a USB memory stick, Secure Digital memory card, Java card and SIM card.
The technology has been developed under the EU-funded Simplicity project in which University of Rome, RadioLab acted as a project coordinator.
http://www.vtt.fi/