SIMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT

The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the benefits of
information technologies can possibly reach across the digital divide. It has a
special role in developing economies because it offers the possibility that illiteracy is no
longer a barrier to handling a computer. One key to bridging the digital divides to have
shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch
and audio. The Simputer prototypes were launched on April 25th, 2001 and the complete
design details of the simputer have been made available on the website
(www.simputer.org). An innovative licensing mechanism has evolved through
intense discussion within the Simputer Trust. We knowledge the influence of the Free
software movement in this regard. However, the simputer general Public License (SGPL)
is more complex many ways, partly due to the nature of hardware and partly to ensure
that there are sufficient incentives for continuous innovation on top of the Simputer
platform. Having put this foundation for innovation in place, the trustees decided that the
vision of the simputer Trust, to bridge the digital divide and reach the unreached, would
be best realized by 1 commercial, sustainable and scalable approach. This doing well by
doing good approach is currently being tested by the two licensees Pacolet
Simputers Private Limited and Encore Software. We will end the article with
a brief update on the progress made on the commercial front.

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CONTENTS

1. Introduction4
2. Just what is a SIMPUTER?....................................................................6
3. History7
4. SIMPUTER Licensing....
5. SIMPUTER Specification..9
6. Interfaces....1
7. Bundled Software..11
8. Features OF SIMPUTER ..12
9. Success Inhibitors..15
10. Some Questions related to Simputer..16
11. What makes simputer different from regular
PCs?17
12. Advantages ....19
13. Disadvantages 20
14. Applications ...21
15. Conclusion..22

16. Bibliography..23

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CHAPTER.1

INTRODUCTION

The simputer is self contained, open hardware handled computer, designed for
using environments were computing devices such as pc [personal computers] are deemed
in appropriate. PicoPeta simputers pvt. Ltd unveils Amide simputer for the retail market.

Fig1: simputer

Its simple, its portable. At about RS.9,000 per piece, its highly affordable. It is
compatible with your everyday PC, helps you check e-mail, browse the Net, keep
accounts, and get information. When the invention of the Simputer (Simple Computer)
was announced in 2001, it instantly captured the imagination of the world. The venerable
New York Times called it the most important invention of 2001 ahead of Apples G4 and
Microsofts Windows XP operating system. Here was a computer that was rewriting with
computers. With computers the goal of the simputer project is to harness the potential of
information and communication technology (ICT) for the benefit of the weakest section
of society. The software developed by the Simputer Trust will be under GNU
GPL and the hardware developed will be under Simputer General Public
License (SGPL). The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the
benefits of IT can reach the common man. It has a special role in the third world because

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it ensures that illiteracy is no longer a barrier to handling a computer. The key to bridging
the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user
interfaces based on sight, touch and audio. The Simputer meets these demands
through a browser for the Information Markup Language (IML). IML has
been created to provide a uniform experience to users and to allow rapid
development of solutions on any platform.The Simputer a cheap, pocket-sized
computing device designed for use by rural populations in India has been hailed
as a breakthrough in bringing the world of computing to the poor.

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CHAPTER.2

JUST WHAT IS A SIMPUTER?

What exactly is the Simputer? Put quite simply, it is more complex and
powerful than a palm top. For example, in terms of screen size (320x240),
memory capabilities (32MB RAM) and the OS (GNU/Linux). It runs on an
Intel strong-arm chip. The chip is known for its low power consumption. The
Simputer runs on three AAA batteries or off the mains. It can also use rechargeable
batteries, but the charger is not built in. Thus, the Simputer is basically a low-
cost computer with multiple connectivity options. It will be modular and
based entirely on free software from the Open Source Initiative. Its primary
input will be a touch-sensitive overlay on the LCD display panel. The primary
application interface would be a browser that can render the Information Markup
Language. IML is a new XML application designed specifically for handheld devices like
the simputer. The use of X M L - b a s e d language is in line with the philosophy of
utilizing global Internet standards. To the rural Indian poor, and even to most city
dwellers, a computer is probably as remote an option as a trip to the moon.

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CHAPTER.3
HISTORY
The Simputer project was conceived during the organization of the
global village, an international seminar on information technology for
developing countries, conducted during Banglore IT.com event in October
1998.

Fig.3 : Simputer Layout

A discussion paper highlights the need for a low-cost mass

a c c e s s device that will bring local-language IT to the masses. The initial
concept paper (PDF version) expanding on the initial discussions introduced the term
Simputer as an obvious twist on the word Computer. For the purpose of establishing
originality, a slightly more complex acronym was invented to fit the name
Simputer: Simple, Inexpensive, Multi-lingual computer. And finally in order
to appeal to computer geeks, ridiculously complex recursive acronym was
also coined:Simputer:SIMPLE COMPUTER, which expands to simple, In-
expensive Multi-lingual peoples computer. The concept paper outlines the
technical requirements of the simputer as well as the applications. However,
this paper is quite dated, and useful only as a historic reference.

The writing of the Banglore Declaration on information technology for

developing countries clarified and fortified the concept of the Simputer and its role in
the larger picture. A few items in the Declaration specifically highlight the role for a
Simputer-like device.

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CHAPTER.4

4. SIMPUTER LICENSING

The system software of the Simputer, since it is Linux based is under GPL. We
have been working on a license similar to the GPL, but applicable to
hardware. We realized, after considerable discussions that hardware has a
significant differences that precludes the possibility of using a simple
extension of the software GPL. We now have the first draft of the Simputer
General Public License(SGPL)that we belive to be a practicable license which
at the same time facilitates the rapid spread of Simputers. T h e S G P L h a s b e e n
r e v i e w e d f u r t h e r a n d t h e n e w v e r s i o n i s n o w ready. The Simputer General
Public License.The hardware specifications of the Simputer can be downloaded only
under SGPL. The SGPL permits anyone to build devices out of the
downloaded specification.
However,once a product is ready for commercialization, one of two possible
licenses needs to be obtained from the Simputer Trust. These are

-The Simputer Device Manufacturing License:

The Simputer manufacturing License refers to core simputer specifications, a functional
description of the simputer to be specified by the simputer Trust and which evolves with
the development of the Simputer.

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CHAPTER.5
SIMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS
Specification
CPU Intel PXA 255 processor @ 200 MHz

Memory 64MB of SDRAM

32 MB Flash memory
Display Options Advanced TFT Colour with white LED backlight

Input Device Touch tablet overlay on LCD

Audio Interface Audio codec with integrated speaker & microphone

Smartcard Interface Integrated Smartcard Reader/Writer

Connectivity Debug
USB
USB master
Connectivity Options IrDA integrated 56kbps modem (V.90)RS232
communication

Power Supply LiP polymer rechargeable batteries internal charge

management
External C adaptor
System Software Linux Kernel 2.X.X XWindows
GTK
TCP/IP,FTP,Telnet,HTPP (Dillo Web browser)
SCEZ Smartcard Framework
Indian language support,PC Software

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CHAPTER.6
INTERFACE
Touch panel overlay on liquid-crystal display.
Speaker and microphone jacks
Smart-card connector.
USB connector (to function as host or device)
Serial port
Infrared Data Association (IrDA) port
Gray scale/super twisted nematic display(STN)/Thin film transistor(TFT)
(depends on model and manufacturer).
Multi-I/O connector (in Encore's Simputer) giving additional (slave)
USB, and optional modem/VGA interfaces

Fig4: interface of simputer

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CHAPTER.7
BUNDLED SOFTWARE

The Simputer uses the Linux kernel (2.4.18 Kernel as of July 2005),and the
Alchemy Window Manager (only the Amida Simputer).Software packages included
provide:
Scheduling (Amida Simputer only)
Calendar (Amida Simputer only)
Voice recording and Playback (High quality compression on Amida simputer
only)
Khatha (A simple spreadsheet) (Amida Simputer only)
Internet and network connectivity
Web browsing and email.
an e-Library (Amida Simputer only)
Games (in the Amida Simputer), including Chess , Breakout and Golgoli (agame
that makes use of the accelerometer in the Amida Simputer).
Java ME and Dot GNU (a free software implementation of .NET) are also
available
Encore also has a FLASH player available In addition, both licensees developed
custom vertical applications for micro banking, traffic police, medical
applications,etc. Alchemy user interface used by the Amida simputer
has been released under the GPL with the nameOpen Alchemy.

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CHAPTER.8
FEATURES OF SIMPUTER

8.1 Text-to-Speech.
It includes Text-to-Speech software. It is a kind of speech recognition, and you
all know about this, Microsoft is still struggling to give accuracy in this
technology.

8.2 Linux OS.

It runs GNU/Linux Operating System.

8.3 Hand writing.

Amida allows you to write on every screen using stylus and send such writings by mail.
This is the worlds first instance of any computer permitting annotation and
e-mailing. One can write in any language, so far the first time the knowledge of
English is not pre-requisite to use hand held computers.

8.4 Interfacing.
Our Amida Simputer can be connected to a CDMA mobile phone and is used
to browse the internet- while moving. This has two USB slots and opens the
door to a wide variety of USB- compatible devices. Amida also connects to GSM and
GPRS enabled phones for network connectivity, being enabled toconnect to
WiFi. Twin USB ports allow Amida to be connected to a range of HP and
Epson printers as well as allow small portable battery operated printers to be connected
for bill printing purposes.

8.5 Smart Cars reader/writer.

Worlds first hand held computer that has built-in integrated Smart Cardreader/writer.

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8.6 Scribble Pad.

Doodle or take down a diagram during a meeting. With your own hand,draw diagram
and save it in your Amida.

Is your iPhone has all such features?

Hand writing and e-mailing, text to speech built-in, Scribble pad, Smart card
reader/writer, have you ever found such a great device?

Yes,this is all about our Amida designed and developed by our scientists. Youmight
observed that i compared this with iPhone and you might feel that I am wrong
because iPhone is a mobile phone and Amida Simputer is a handheld
computer,So I should not compare the both.I just compared the features
thatare there in Amida but not there in any other device in this world. Only Amida
simputer has all.
Why iphone so popular? Why not simputer? as you know there are so many
advanced features hidden in Amida, then why it is not popular? In fact most of the people
are not even know about this, I am still in search of answer

DEPLOYMENT
1. Simputers were extensively used by the Government of Karnataka to automate the
process of land records procurement.
2. In 2005 they were used in a variety of innovative and interesting applications,
such as automobile engine diagnostics (Mahindra and Mahindra in Mumbai).
3. Used for Electronic Money transfer between UK, Ghana and others.
4. Recently simputers are deployed by police force to track traffic
offenders and issue traffic tickets.
5. Used by Indian military.

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CHAPTER.9
SUCCESS INHIBITORS:
By 2005, sales of Simputers failed to live up to the ambitious goal of selling
50,000 units: only 4000 Simputers were sold .

9.1 . Poors man computer:

A reason often stated is that the poor have no need of computers before
their basic needs (such as electricity) are met. However, the Simputer was never designed
to be a "poor man's computer" (a position often used by the media)- it was a device
designed to help bridge the digital divide.
. While most people tended to look at the cost of the Simputer as a factor, they ignored
the fact that the "cost of ownership" for the end-user of the device in villages
was not the cost of the device, but the cost of the Smart card used to store the user's data
.The device itself should be considered shared infrastructure for the village.

9.2 . Lack of support from Government and NGOs:

Another reason may be that lack of purchasing by the Indian governmentand
NGOs (as earlier committed) led to lack of adoption in the field.

9.3 License Cost:

The HGPL, the license under which simputer is marketed, asks for license fee of 1
Million Indian Rupee to commercially exploit the simputer design. This was perceived to
be a high entry point for small scale organization swishing to license the Simputer design.

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CHAPTER.10
WHAT MAKES SIMPUTER DIFFERENT FROM
REGULAR PCs?

The Simputer is NOT a personal computer. It could however be a pocket

computer.
The simputer is much more powerful than a palm.
F o r example, in terms of screen size (320x240), memory capabilities
(32MBRAM) and the OS (GNU/Linux).
There are two options on the base simputer for entering text: one is a soft
keyboard, that can be brought up on the touch screen and you poke at it
to enter one character at a time. The second option is to use a novel character
entry software called tap-a-tap which is similar in spirit to graffiti, but quite
distinct (no patent infringement :-). But if you insist on entering tons of text using
the Simputer, you may be able to attach a USB keyboard. We don't recommend
the Simputer as a mass data-entry device.
The smartcard reader in the simputer. The Information Markup Language (IML)
that is (amongst other things) smart card aware. The use of extensive audio in the
form
We expect the Simputer to cost about Rs 9000 when the volumes are upwards
100,000 units.
It runs on an Intel strong-arm chip. The chip is known for its low power
consumption.
Three AAA batteries or off the mains. It can also use
rechargeable batteries, but the charger is not built in.

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CHAPTER.11
SOME WORKING AREA OF SIMPUTER
1. FORM-FILLING: I want to reserve a train ticket to Mumbai.
-Use the simputer to submit a reservation form.

2. COMMUNICATION: Can I meet the Tahsildar today?

-Use your simputer to check his availability. You dont have to trek 10km to find
out. E-mail, voice-mail to near & dear.
-Use the simputer to send/receive.

3. MONEY ORDER: Dear Postman, can I withdraw Rs 100 from my

account?
-Your money order e-transaction has arrived on my simputer. L e t m e credit your
smart card first.

4. EDUCATION OR LITRACY : Simputers has high resolution display

facilitates images, local-language text. Combined with audio files and text-to-
speech in local languages, this will facilitate literacy, self-learning.

5. MICRO BANKING : Use the simputer to take banking to the individuals

door step, not the other way around. On-the-spot receipts electronically
generated.

6. RURAL HEALTH STATASTICS : State Health Departments can

empower there health workers with simputer for collection of health statistics
in the villages, regardless of location.

7. HEALTH : Portable Ultrasound Telemedicine

8. POLICE : Information Retrieval FIRs Criminal records.

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9. COMMUNITY KIOSKS:
Public Services
Land Records
Utilities payments
Information dissemination

10.DRINKING WATER: Simputer with appropriate sensor interfaces can

facilitate quality checks.

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CHAPTER.12
ADVANTAGES.

Simputer is a small, cheap device, similar to personal digital

assistant (palmtop).
The Simple to use, perceptual computing
The radical simplicity of universal access
Rich in interfaces
Soft modem
Smart card
Infra red data access
USB port
Audio
Designed to be shared (smart card personalize)

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CHAPTER.13
DISADVANTAGES

Data inaccuracy.
Require training of maintenances staff.
May be difficult to use with existing system.
Information overload.
Software unreliability.

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CHAPTER.14

APPLICATIONS

The architecture of the Simputer integrates various devices such as Smart Card
reader, a Modem, a Touch Screen, a Multi-lingual Text to-Speech system. This
makes Simputer an ideal device for:
e-governance
Smart Card enabled citizen services ( Voter IDs, driving license, ration card, etc. )
Data collection and processing Land and revenue records Education, health care
and information access e-mail device
Micro banking
A Smart Card pass book Synchronizing transactional details through modem
connectivity Interactive multi-lingual transaction log book Human error
eliminated, increasing the integrity of the calculations

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CHAPTER.15
CONCLUSION
Simputer is a low-cost multilingual, mass access handheld device that uses Indian
language user interfaces to provide information technology based services to the
multilingual population of India.

-Portable and a mobile device.

-Sharable and affordable.
-Integrated and smart card and modem.
-Multi-lingual text-to-speech system.
-Imli makes knowledge of English no longer a barrier to the use of IT.
-Images allow universal comprehension of IML content.
-Relies on non-proprietary software.

The simputer platform technology, being a cost effective platform can be used to
develop several other products such as thin clients, cost effective e-commerce device and
in embedded system.

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CHAPTER.16
REFERENCES

[1] Bali, K. ; Picopeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India ; Hariharan,

R. ; Manohar, S. ; Vinay, V.

[2] Duveskog, M. ; Dept. of Computer. Sci., Joensuu Univ., Tanzania ; Sutinen,

E. ; Vesisenaho, M. ; Yusha, E.

[3] The simputer trust (2000) simputer(TM) welcome retrieved December 1,

2006,From http-//www.simputerorg

[4] [REBOL]Encore software- simputer-From:otherchaz::mindspring::com at:5-Aug-

2002 16:21

[5] Linux based devices: TiVo, simputer, Linux adoption , comparison of net books,
list of Linux based powered devices , Amazon kindle , olpc Xo 1-by LLC
books,2010

[6] ICALT 04 proceedings of the IEEE international conference on advanced

learning technologies pages 1018-1023

[7] Indian simputer bt bridge digital divide by electricnews .net-posted 29-3-2014

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