Ruputer
Encyclopedia
The Ruputer was a wristwatch computer
developed in 1998 by Seiko
. In the US, it was later marketed as the OnHand PC by Matsucom.
The Ruputer had a 16-bit, 3.6 MHz processor
and 2 MB of non-volatile storage memory and 128 KB of RAM. Its display was a 102×64 pixel monochrome LCD
. Its main forms of input were a tiny 8-direction joystick
and 6 function buttons. It also had a serial
interface and an IR
port for communicating with other devices. The main body of the device (separate from the strap) was roughly 2 inches wide, 1 1/8 inches across, and 5/8 of an inch deep. Its was powered by 2 high-powered watch batteries, which supplied the device enough energy for approximately 30 hours of use. Under normal conditions, the watch powered down when not in use in order to extend its battery life. The device was distributed with a SDK
, which allowed for creation of new software written in the programming language C
.
(Ruputer PRO4), the onHand PC came only in a single version with just 2Mb of storage. The operating system
is known as W-PS-DOS version 1.16. The device features both an icon based GUI
and a text based user interface. There is 128Kb of RAM
, with an additional 128Kb of ROM
.
On the device, data can be entered by two methods: The first method is by using the joystick mounted to the front of the watch itself (a method that has been considered clumsy). The second method is by synchronizing data from a full-sized PC
using the included software. A program called HandySurf also allows synchronizing internet content (such as Yahoo! News Headlines).
Communication with other devices is either through a 38,400 bit/s serial port dock, or through the 9,600 infrared
link, the transmitter of which is mounted to the upper middle of the watch. It is possible to link two Onhands via this infrared link to play various two-player games.
The watch uses two Lithium CR2025 button cells for power, which can be accessed from the back of the device. The batteries gave on the user an average 3 months of usage. Many users have found that the CR2032 cells fit, which make give the device a longer run time. The device's screen is a 102x64 STN 4-greyscale LCD which uses a timed backlight to save power.
The device weighs about 52 grams (2.5 ounce), similar that of a large electronic watch.
Considering the type of system there is a fair amount of software available although some of the programs written for the Ruputer are either entirely in Kanji script or will not run due to the increased speed of the onHand's processor.
One developer has made a prototype for a docking station for the watch that includes a screen illuminator and a half keyboard. This is not a commercial product, but instructions are available as how to create such a device.
The OnHand PC was discontinued by Matsucom on April 7, 2006.
high score list. Finally, it ran through its non-rechargeable batteries more swiftly than was convenient for a device meant to be worn as a timepiece.
The main competitor for the onHand PC was the Fossil Wrist PDA
, a wristwatch-sized PDA
. The device runs Palm OS
4.1., and like other Palm OS devices, has a virtual keyboard
and touch-sensitive screen with handwriting recognition, giving the Wrist PDA an advantage on the joystick input on the onHand PC. The Wrist PDA features 8Mb of memory, 4 times the memory in the onHand.
Wristwatch computer
A wristwatch computer is a wearable computer that fits like a wristwatch. It may offer features similar to a PDA, palmtop or tablet computer. Similar terms which refer to the same concept are wrist computer, computer watch, wrist-top, wrist PDA and Wrist Worn PC .Such devices may include features...
developed in 1998 by Seiko
Seiko
, more commonly known simply as Seiko , is a Japanese watch company.-History and ongoing developments:The company was founded in 1881, when Kintarō Hattori opened a watch and jewelry shop called in the Ginza area of Tokyo, Japan. Eleven years later, in 1892, he began to produce clocks under the...
. In the US, it was later marketed as the OnHand PC by Matsucom.
The Ruputer had a 16-bit, 3.6 MHz processor
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
and 2 MB of non-volatile storage memory and 128 KB of RAM. Its display was a 102×64 pixel monochrome LCD
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
. Its main forms of input were a tiny 8-direction joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
and 6 function buttons. It also had a serial
Serial communications
In telecommunication and computer science, serial communication is the process of sending data one bit at a time, sequentially, over a communication channel or computer bus. This is in contrast to parallel communication, where several bits are sent as a whole, on a link with several parallel channels...
interface and an IR
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
port for communicating with other devices. The main body of the device (separate from the strap) was roughly 2 inches wide, 1 1/8 inches across, and 5/8 of an inch deep. Its was powered by 2 high-powered watch batteries, which supplied the device enough energy for approximately 30 hours of use. Under normal conditions, the watch powered down when not in use in order to extend its battery life. The device was distributed with a SDK
Software development kit
A software development kit is typically a set of software development tools that allows for the creation of applications for a certain software package, software framework, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system, or similar platform.It may be something as simple...
, which allowed for creation of new software written in the programming language C
C (programming language)
C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
.
OnHand PC
The successor to the Ruputer was the OnHand PC. The OnHand PC was available in two color styles, clear & black, and a single format. While the Ruputer was available with either 512Kb of storage (original Ruputer), 2Mb (Ruputer PRO), or 4 Mb of flash memoryFlash memory
Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
(Ruputer PRO4), the onHand PC came only in a single version with just 2Mb of storage. The operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
is known as W-PS-DOS version 1.16. The device features both an icon based GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
and a text based user interface. There is 128Kb of RAM
Ram
-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
, with an additional 128Kb of ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
.
On the device, data can be entered by two methods: The first method is by using the joystick mounted to the front of the watch itself (a method that has been considered clumsy). The second method is by synchronizing data from a full-sized PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
using the included software. A program called HandySurf also allows synchronizing internet content (such as Yahoo! News Headlines).
Communication with other devices is either through a 38,400 bit/s serial port dock, or through the 9,600 infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
link, the transmitter of which is mounted to the upper middle of the watch. It is possible to link two Onhands via this infrared link to play various two-player games.
The watch uses two Lithium CR2025 button cells for power, which can be accessed from the back of the device. The batteries gave on the user an average 3 months of usage. Many users have found that the CR2032 cells fit, which make give the device a longer run time. The device's screen is a 102x64 STN 4-greyscale LCD which uses a timed backlight to save power.
The device weighs about 52 grams (2.5 ounce), similar that of a large electronic watch.
Considering the type of system there is a fair amount of software available although some of the programs written for the Ruputer are either entirely in Kanji script or will not run due to the increased speed of the onHand's processor.
One developer has made a prototype for a docking station for the watch that includes a screen illuminator and a half keyboard. This is not a commercial product, but instructions are available as how to create such a device.
The OnHand PC was discontinued by Matsucom on April 7, 2006.
Response
The Ruputer failed to achieve widespread success, for a number of reasons. First, its screen was too small to display more than a handful of text, making it awkward to view data. Second, its joystick input required entering text in a process similar to that of entering one's initials in an arcade gameArcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
high score list. Finally, it ran through its non-rechargeable batteries more swiftly than was convenient for a device meant to be worn as a timepiece.
The main competitor for the onHand PC was the Fossil Wrist PDA
Fossil Wrist PDA
The Fossil Wrist PDA is a specialized wristwatch that runs Palm OS. The newer incarnation, which does not include Palm OS, is called the Fossil WristNet watch.- Product history :...
, a wristwatch-sized PDA
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
. The device runs Palm OS
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
4.1., and like other Palm OS devices, has a virtual keyboard
Virtual keyboard
A virtual keyboard is a software component that allows a user to enter characters. A virtual keyboard can usually be operated with multiple input devices, which may include a touchscreen, an actual keyboard and a computer mouse.- Types :...
and touch-sensitive screen with handwriting recognition, giving the Wrist PDA an advantage on the joystick input on the onHand PC. The Wrist PDA features 8Mb of memory, 4 times the memory in the onHand.