9 Glossary

Autonomous computing: The new generation of plug & play computers (according IBM), with self learning and internet seeking capability to self-improve their operation. Dealing with robots (French T l com) they will, for example, be able to seek behaviour increasing their energy autonomy (to charge itself, improved gauge) and improving global autonomy (to charge other communicating objects).
CD: Compact Disk, optical disk to store digital data.
DECT: Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (radio standard).
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, double left rotating helico dal molecule bearing the genetical code inside the kernel of living cells .
DVD: Video data compressing standard on a disk of the size of a CD. A DVD player can read a CD.
e-button: Button shape device that gives information when one touches it with a special tool. Generally, it contains a chip powered by a very long lifetime primary battery.
EM: Electro-Magnetic.
EMC: Electromagnetic Compatibility, class of standards that define limited level of emission and susceptibility levels of electric equipment. This is conducted at wireless levels. This is included in EC (European Community) requirement.
e-stylo: Digital electronic stylo transmitting information to a computer that can translate what is sensed. (drawing, text, etc), for example Anoto.
GSM: Global System Mobile, one of the cellular radio standards.
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display, flat display technology with low energy consumption.
MP3: Music compression standard.
PC: Personal Computer.
PDA: Personal digital agenda equipped with an operating system, for example PALM OS, Windows CE, Psion OS.
RF ID: Radio Frequency Identifier Label, this is a tiny self oscillating circuit with a printed antenna that may power a memory chip and transmit data to a special handheld receiver.
Tamagochi: Japanese word for a machine simulating affective behaviour.
TRUST: Transparently Reconfigurable Ubiquitous Terminal, mobile terminal that will automatically choose the best standard radio during a communication to improve radio transmission quality and make a better use of radio resources.
TV: Television.
UPTI: Universal Power and Telecom Interface ( name from France T l com R&D) any electric link distributing energy and data together (it may be CPL: modulated current or PLT power line telecom modem on energy cable, and alternatively, Power on LAN, the remote powering of IP terminals on Ethernet pairs, and, of course, the traditional phone pair that may power some terminals during off-hook communication mode, and finally USB.
USB: Universal Serial Bus, this communication link allows remote power supply of computer peripheral power of some watts (ADSL modem, scanner, wireless mouse).
Wearable computer: electronic that integrate into communicating clothes (memory, display, radio transceiver, calculator, sensors).
Webcam: Camera connected to Intranet or Internet.