Detail

` Ubiquitous denotes an environment wherein everyone can use computers and networks anytime and anywhere in an easy, convenient and safe manner. What kind of life will we live in the forthcoming Ubiquitous Era that will be realized through RFID (radio frequency identification), USN (ubiquitous sensor network), portable internet, telematics, biosensor, biometric technology and other state-of-the-art technologies? In the morning, curtains draw open automatically to usher sunshine into the entire house, with the gas range starting to cook breakfast on its own. The refrigerator shows the expiration dates of the food stored inside, the items that need to be re-stocked and how to make recommended cuisine that can be made using the remaining ingredients. If you say “today’s schedule” in front of the mirror, it shows you the day’s schedule, weather conditions, traffic information and even recommends the appropriate attire. When you go out, the system automatically shifts to exiting mode and locks the doors, while a cleaning robot cleans the house. All such systems in the house are put into operation by voice command. The information on those who visited your house during your absence is recorded both in voice and image forms for your later reference. At the bus station, both the shortest bus line to your destination and the bus arrival time are displayed. When using a car, you can not only search for the optimal route to your destination but also remotely control the home electronics and observe, through a home monitoring device, what your kids are doing in the house. In a cafe, you enter your desired order and a robot brings it to you. At the market, you place the items you ordered from your house into a cart and pass through a sensor that automatically tallies the bought items and their prices, allowing you to pay for them using your wrist-type PC. In celebration of the ubiquitous revolution which is called “the 4th revolution” and the ubiquitous world that will usher in another evolution to mankind’s civilization, new stamps are issued featuring two prizewinning works at the 2006 International Postage Stamp Design Contest: “the world that becomes one through the Ubiquitous,” the work of Lea Anne R. Rulloda (age 8) from the Philippines and “Green IT,” the work of Kim Jeonghee (age 19) from Korea. `