VCCI Dayori No.62

EMC on the Internet (No.1)

Ubiquitous and Bluetooth

Nobuhiko Tsunefuka

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There are many websites covering EMC technical issues. With this series, I would like to find EMC related topics in such websites and present ones that are not so technical, but rather interesting and refreshing. Off course, people have own interest. So, I hope that many people find my choice interesting. I wrote down the URL. So, when you would like to know more about the topic, please visit the site. In series 1, I would like to talk about ubiquitous network and Bluetooth that started emerging at IT related exhibitions and magazines this year.
Teruyasu Murakami, Executive Managing Director of Nomura Research Institute, is an advocate of ubiquitous network and published a book, "Ubiquitous Network" at the end of last year. In this year, he has been providing lectures at several places and actively promoting the idea of ubiquitous network.

The URL of Nomura Research Institute is;
http://www.nri.co.jp/

The URL for the book, "Ubiquitous Network" is;
http://www.hoops.ne.jp/~webook/2001.01/2001.01.30.htm

Ubiquitous is Latin that means "unevenly existing anywhere at the same time". It was Dr. Mark D. Weiser at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) who first used the word, ubiquitous, in the field of IT. In 1988, Dr. Weiser defined ubiquitous computing as computers installed and hidden in a product. What he had in his mind was the ideal computer and network society of the 21st century that computers perfectly blend in people's everyday life. Unfortunately, Dr. Weiser passed away with cancer in 1999. The website of PARC lists the achievements of Dr. Weiser and honors him calling "the father of ubiquitous".

The URL for Xerox Palo Alto Research Center is;
http://www.parc.xerox.com/parc-go.html

The URL for Dr. Mark D Weiser's memories and personality is;
http://www.parc.xerox.com/csl/members/weiser

The URL for Dr. Weiser's achievements is;
http://www.parc.xerox.com/csl/members/weiser/mwbkgd.htm

Dr. Weiser's dream will be surely bloom and ubiquitous network will be soon realized.
Bluetooth is one of the wireless interface solutions that realizes ubiquitous environment. This interface is the wireless connection standard announced by five companies, Ericsson, Nokia, Intel, IBM and Toshiba, in 1998. Anybody who participates in Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) may use the technology. The name of SIG, Bluetooth, was named after the king who pacified Vikings in North Europe in the 10th centuries. The name of the king is Harald Bratant Bluetooth. As a son of King Gorm and Queen Thyre, Bluetooth was born in AC908. He is also known as the king who made believers of North European myths that is polytheism convert to monotheistic Christianity.

The URL for Bluetooth SIG is;
http://www.bluetooth.com/

When you visit Bluetooth SIG URL, click Bluetooth guide and then go to the Bluetooth Story. You will find about 10 pages of picture story-like explanation, "Meet Harald Bluetooth". It provides concise explanation of Viking culture, historical background, world view of the time Bluetooth was alive and active, why Bluetooth became a ruler of Norway and Denmark, and the reason for the conversion to Christianity. More information will be given if you click pictures. This explanatory picture book page also mentions about Memorial stone built by Bluetooth during his ruling era. Since my friend told me that the Memorial stone is at Denmark Embassy in Daikanyama, Tokyo, I visited the embassy and took its picture. There is a showcase of a statue of mermaid to the right of the embassy building which faces Yamanote Street and the Memorial stone was found among trees on the left side of the building (pictures are shown bellow). A man who must be King Bluetooth is raising his arms like a cross in the center of the Memorial stone. Actually, it is a replica and a real one is in Jelling that is about three hours train ride away from Copenhagen. The real one weights 7 tons and was designated as the world heritage. On the back of the stone, there are carved rune saying, "King Harald built this Memorial stone for his father Gorm and his mother Thyre. Harald conquered Denmark and Norway and have people in Denmark convert to Christianity." Rune is ideogram and consists of 16 letters. It is believed that each sacred letter has special magical power and carved on weapons and accouterments as amulets. Viking curved short sentences with rune on a tombstone for the dead. Even nowadays, rune is widely used at fortune telling and games.

 

As King Bluetooth propagandized Christianity in North Europe, the Bluetooth equipped products will promote ubiquitous environment in the coming age of ubiquitous network. Together with the expansion of Bluetooth, the importance of EMC will increase further.?B

Nobuhiko Tsunefuka 1943 Born in Tokyo 1968 Graduated form Department of Engineering Science, Osaka University -1984 Worked on developing Information Technology Device at Taga Works, Hitachi, ltd. 1991- Engaged in education on EMC related matters at Hitachi Institute of Technology 1999- Planning Manager,