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Hardware Requirements
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==Consumer's terminal device(s) == Consumer's terminal is usually a [[worn device]] carried in the consumers pocket or hand bag. It might be a [[PDA]] with suitable [[wireless network]]ing ability but is more likely a [[cell phone]] with a [[headset]] attached. All serious cell phones have a [[headset jack]]. This should be the minimum required hardware. There is also potential to use a [[walkman]] style [[FM radio]] receiver to deliver the [[Consumerium buying signal]] in some cases. This is optimal as no [[ewaste]] is created by "requiring" advanced devices. However, we might assume that these existing delivery devices will not satisfy all [[Consumerium Service access]] requirements, e.g. for mobile [[purchasing agent]]s applying [[institutional buying criteria]]. It might further be assumed that markets will direct development into such a state that in approximately the year 2005 there will be on the mass market a mobile phone that offers the following features: *The [[headset]] (of course) *Short-range wireless network technology built-in. Our presumption is that this technology is [[w:Bluetooth|Bluetooth]](tm). Bluetooth v1.1 can network devices without revealing the device's identity ([[BD_ADDR]] in the case of Bluetooth)�to other parties. This [[anonymity]] is an unconditional requirement for a networking technology suitable for Consumerium because if the user's identity or his/her terminal's identity were to be exposed to the merchant, it would be possible to gather data about the consumer's behaviour and tastes without his/her permission and knowledge, and to utilize this data in target marketing or pricing.� This would help [[retail management]] and [[brand management]], but at too high a price for the [[consumer privacy]] in our view. There is usually some [[privacy risk]] with new networking technology. *A programming environment that is open to developers, so that Consumerium's [[Consumer Agent]] or one component of it can be installed on the phone to fully participate in a [[healthy buying infrastructure]] and possibly later a more general [[healthy signal infrastructure]]. The [[w:J2ME]] platform based on [[Java]] seems at first glance to have all the right features on paper, but [[Python]] is also now gaining a broad support among phone manufacturers. It is reported by [[Nokia]] that 11 lines of Python can replace 1000 lines of [[C++]]. ''Perhaps however this is very good Python and very bad C++?'' The features described above are the only features that would enhance the [[consumer terminal]]. To enhance the usability of the system, consider: *A [[built-in digital camera]], e.g. as on the Nokia 7650 and 3650 models, with VGA resolution cameras. The focusing and resolution properties of the phones were maybe just a little bit too poor that one could use the pictures to [[barcode scan]] the numerical representation of EAN-codes ([[barcode]]s). But it came very close, so hopes are high that OCRing the code will be possible in the near future. [[OCR]] could alternatively be done from [[retail shelf]] tags, which usually contain the product name in a fairly big font with uniform typeface. Also using image recognition of the packaging graphics, e.g. for [[brand logo]]s and [[standard label]]s may be possible. ::Update: There is now available an additional lense package (CC-49) for Nokia 3650 that snaps in place of the rear cover offering lenses for focusing to 10 and 5 centimeter distances in addition to the standard 30cm to infinity focusing, which would be just the thing. Unfortunately the Nokia models don't enable TCP/IP traffic over Bluetooth - it is quite common to find such limits built into phones as part of a [[planned obsolescence]] strategy. One of the more important [[Consumerium]] goals is to avoid such junk to cut [[e-waste]]. *The device could have within it a [[general purpose scanner]]. This could be used to read the bar-code or the numeric representation directly. The usefulness of having a small (4-5mm width) general purpose scanner embedded in your phone is apparrent: **Scanning business cards or [[frequent buyer card]]s **Scanning the telephone book **Making a quick note of a newspaper article or just-off-the-press quaterly report **Storing open hours, addresses, contact info from adverts **With advanced enough reading techonology the scanner could be adapted to read straight off a CRT or TFT display *The device could have a dedicated [[barcode scanner]] - ideal for [[Consumerium usability at point of sale]]. It would boost speed and precision of using Consumerium and possibly other [[healthy signal infrastructure]] services. However this doesn't seem one of the likeliest gadgets to be integrated into a mobile phone, unless [[Consumerium Service access]] on the move becomes itself a major selling feature. So, it's more likely to be an adjunct device such as: *The [[Bluetooth]] [[barcode]] [[scanner]]s with [[CCD]] and [[Laser]] reading which are available from the folks that brought out the First Ever [[Bluetooth]] [[Barcode]] [[Scanner]], The [[Baracoda Pencil]], by [http://www.baracoda.com Baracoda Wireless Technologies], which will play a major role in the ease-of-use of Consumerium. In addition it is possible that the [[barcode]] could be succeeded by other technology at the [[retail shelf]] at some point: *Adaptation of [[Near Field Communication]] Technology is of very high interest in making [[product identification]] a snap by embedding NFC-devices into the shelf. *There are reports saying that [[RFID]] (Radio Frequency IDentification) might be surpassing bar codes even in retail stores as a means of product identification. In such a case an integrated [[w:transceiver]] would be optimal. ----
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