Wave Issue 0210 3/25/02 Article 2-01

***Microsoft And OTM Technologies Unveil A Bluetooth VPen That
Works On Any Surface
(March 20)

OTM Technologies Ltd., a company specializing in diffractive
optics technology, and Microsoft Corp. last week demonstrated a
breakthrough input device for handhelds (PDAs, Handsets) at CeBIT
2002.

OTM Technologies' VPen is a pen-shaped stylus that enables full
interaction with handhelds and can be used on any surface. Vpen,
described by OTM as a combination of mouse and pen, represents a
migration of the PC user experience to the mobile world. It
enables text input and editing, gaming, sketching and mouse-like
screen navigation.

With an OTM sensor at its tip, the motion of the pen across any
surface is measured in three dimensions and streamed to the
handheld in real time. The information is then either converted
into digital characters using character recognition software, or
used as is for mouse-like screen navigation, sketching or gaming.

The VPen works with any Microsoft operating system, including
Microsoft's PocketPC and Smartphone 2002 software. At CeBIT 2002,
Microsoft demonstrated a Bluetooth wireless VPen working with a
Bluetooth-enabled Compaq iPaq Pocket PC.

OTM Technologies is also developing the NaviLite. The NaviLite is
a pin-head-sized pointing device that provides mouse
functionality, and can be easily embedded in handsets or other
small data terminals. Similar in mode of operation to the touch
pad, the user moves a finger across the aperture to perform point
& click action. It features compact size, low power and high
durability (no moving parts).

Technology

OTM is one of the first companies to produce a tracking product
based on the phenomenon of laser "speckle"--the interference
pattern created when a beam of coherent light strikes an
irregular surface. Like an optical mouse, the pen sensor records
changes in the speckle pattern to determine tracking. Unlike an
optical mouse, though, the sensor is able to operate even when
held away from direct contact with the surface, and OTM claims it
can track motion in three dimensions.

www.otmtech.com