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ot: thanks nut.
ot: TS microcap subsribers: any new picks?
Thanks in advance. I'm considering resubscribing but I'm curious if he's added anything new since he cleaned house.
Thanks,
Bigs
thanks evensooner.
Does anyone know how many shares are outstanding?
I'm interested in potentially investing in this company but it would be nice to have some DD on O/S to gain market cap. Are financials published anywhere?
Thanks,
Bigs
DD Question for long timers?
Hi I actually stumbled across Biogenerics yesterday on a blog I read and was reading an old post promoting it. I have a few questions because I can't figure out things based on the companies website. 1.) Are they called Biogenerics because they took over a publicly traded shell in a reverse merger? Or do they just switch fields as the opportunity presents itself?
2.) Why did they do a forward split at such a low price before. I've been reading over the press releases and it makes no sense to me for a company trading at a dollar a share to do a 9 for 1 forward split. Could someone explain why that occurred.
3.) Finally for now. When they released that they projected this years EPS to be 8.5 cents was that prior to the split? Making eps about 1 cent a share?
Thanks. This could be a truly incredible opportunity, but doing critical dd is hard to track down on this company.
-Bigs
AERN is an awful call. It only moved because this board is buying it. The company has shut down all operations. It won't move like other energy stocks except for momentum from Z's recommendation. Someone is getting left holding the bag. This really should be illegal!!!
Great post ss, I look forward to hearing their answers...eom.
Further Dot Connecting Hershey's/Arnold/Neomedia
I don't know if people remember but last summer or sometime after the mobile roadshow somebody who was there, not on this board wrote an article about seeing Paperclick at the roadshow and that the campaign being designed was either for Godiva or for Hershey's. Does anyone else remember this? Also Hershey's is a client of HipCricket so there is another connection. Just wanted to throw this out there.
-Brian
Thanks JP.
thanks GONEOM. That makes sense.
-Bigs
Does anyone know why the date was changed fro SHM?
My father and I had rearranged our work schedules, made airfare and lodging reservations for the June 7th meeting. I know someone is going to say stop whining. I'm just curious why the date got changed. It seems pretty poor treatment of shareholders. I mean scheduling on a wednesday is a major hassle coming from the west coast, but then to reschedule is really a hassle. I hope they had some major partnership meeting which caused management to be out of town. That would be an acceptable reason to me :)
I couldn't find out why it was changed. Thanks,
Bigs
OT. Thanks YJ always appreciate your kind words.
RO - I read over their specs. It seems like it doesn't need a macro lens adjustment. If they have the software installed on 30 million handsets I doubt everyone is adding a macro adapter. Although I think it may require a 1 mp camera to not need a lens adapter. Read to the bottom of the page.
3GVision's Barcode Reader is a software-only utility that turns any camera phone
into a handy one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcode scanner. Reading
barcodes that contain a URL has become a standard method to access wireless
sites in Japan. With more than 20 million handsets shipped worldwide, 3GVision's Barcode Reader is the clear market leader and the technology of choice for the
cellular community
An Easy Way to Read Printed Information
Modern barcodes can store a large amount of information, like URLs or product information, and even entire news articles or business cards. Using mobile
handsets to scan printed or electronically displayed barcodes helps end-users
access various types of data, bypassing the tedious process of typing URLs and access codes.
Platform for Wireless Services
Wireless operators encourage printing of barcodes to the benefit of their users,
while enjoying increased data traffic. Barcodes provide infrastructure to additional services such as M-Commerce, wireless messaging, download of ringtones and multimedia, as well as enterprise applications.
Market Proven
3GVision software was tailored to numerous handsets and platforms. It successfully passed the most demanding quality assurance tests by wireless operators and manufacturers in Japan, and shipped to millions of users.
Easy Integration
The powerful and flexible SDK allows painless integration into any wireless device. Integration as a stand-alone barcode reader application is also possible. The Barcode Reader has been successfully integrated in various system levels: Directly in the camera device; Embedded on the handset; and in open systems.
Platform and Processor Independent
The SDK comes in ANSI-C and JAVA flavours, to achieve maximum portability.
It is available for all major wireless platforms, and for most embedded systems.
Small Footprint
Thanks to low memory requirements, the SDK adds little weight to wireless
systems and fits perfectly in either downloadable or embedded solutions.
Robust
For a better user experience, the Barcode Reader automatically distinguishes the barcode type. Barcodes are decoded successfully at any direction, and even on
non-planar surfaces like cylinders. Heavy-duty applications enjoy the quick
decoding (60 barcodes/minute are demonstrated) and high success rate.
Designed for Mobility
The Barcode Reader, like all of 3GVision's image-recognition technologies, was designed and optimized for cameras and computing systems found in wireless
devices.
Key Features
Automatic detection of barcode type
Low CPU and memory use
Optimized for mass-market mobile devices
Support of most image formats
Handle various lighting conditions: daylight, dusk, office…
Core Technology
Open platforms support: Symbian, BREW, JAVA, PocketPC, PalmOS, Linux, MS-Windows
Embedded system CPUs: ARM7, ARM9, V850, 80186, SH3, others
Programming languages: ANSI-C or JAVA
No floating point arithmetic
No use of external libraries
Camera distortion: perspective, barrel/pillow
Read from plane and cylinder surfaces
Read from printed media or computer screen
Specifications
Supported 1D barcodes: EAN13, EAN8, EAN128, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code39, others upon request
Supported 2D barcodes: QR, Data Matrix, PDF417, others upon request
System requirements:
1D barcode 2D barcode
ROM size 7KB 80KB
RAM size 4KB 35KB
Image Resolution 200x120 160x120
Supported image formats: RGB24, RGB565, RGB8, YUV420, YUV422, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, others
upon request
Decoding distance:
Sensor resolution Typical distance
77,000 pixels 7-10cm
300,000 pixels (VGA) 15-20cm
1M pixels > 30cm (no need for macro mode)
Scan direction:
Rotation angle: any
Tilt / perspective: up to 30 degrees
Brewskiw that's not true actually. If you have a prior patent that predates the prior art in that country you can get a patent. Hence the fact that NEOM already has applied for patent extension to Japan.
-Bigs
I understand what you are saying success and I agree that we aren't compelled to use their technology. I think people currently using their technology in Japan will have to licence us if we get a patent in Japan.
What I am suggesting is that they have superior technology in optical recognition. Partnering with them to incorporate their technology in our system makes us stronger. I'm not suggesting that they have stronger IP or that we need their IP. Our IP strengths our in our linking platform and image recognition. I believe they have a complementary technology to us. Actually I think that they would be a great canidate for us to buy out. They have a similar platform to us on 30 million phones. Paperclick suite using their recognition software could essentially be an upgrade for that base and partner channel.
Bigs
No I'm talking about 3GVision which has barcode reading software. Not linking software that is already installed on 30 Million phones. It even comes preinstalled on a bunch of phones. Check out 3GVision.com Their character recognition software runs on all camera phones. I was under the impression that one of the limitations of paperclick launch was lack of software that could reliably decode 1d and 2d barcodes on all phones. This software supposedly does and might be a good partner for NEOM. Its not like we have all the best solutions in house.
-Bigs
Did someone post about 3GVision from PP?
I was just wondering if anyone had posted about 3GVision post from the PP. I mean if their barcode reading software works on 20 mil phones already that pretty much solves our issue with lens and barcode right. We just need to licence their technology.
Was this posted and I missed it?
-Bigs
Yeah my father and I booked tickets also. See you all there.
-Brian
PP: Waypoint Patents DD
Hey I don't have time to dig down today but could someone do some dd to figure out how the waypoint patents being auctioned compare to and affect our patents that we bought from loyalty point. It would be really dissapointing if we paid all that money and someone else could just buy a similar patent and licence it to our competitors.
Thanks,
Brian
Yeah I'm sorry if I was unclear. I wasn't saying it was a loss for Neomedia I was just trying to clarify why the sale would be dissapointing for the selling parties because whatever percentage of about 44 mill euros they paid would approximately be paid about half on the neomedia buyout.
This is good news for neomedia if nothing else. It would indicate that we've probably caught them at a good time before their value really explodes and we got them at less than has been invested in them. Typically thats how I'd buy companies. Great promise but undervalued.
-Bigs
Beam - What I was saying is VC calculate their NAV every year based on what they project the value of the firms they hold to be. Prior to the NEOM buyout they probably valued 12snap at 44million because that is the amount of money that had been pumped into the company. When NEOM media bought 12snap for 22 million it said the market values 12snap at 22 million. So they would have to adjust the NAV of their portfolio down to the price they were paid for 12 snap. Thus a 50% loss on their investment.
I believe it was a good deal for NEOM. I suspect 12snap is worth more than they paid for it. I was just clarifying the question someone asked of an article that said it was a dissapointing sale for the European VC's and it would be dissapointing because they took a loss on the sale.
-Bigs
It would be dissappointing because they sold out at a 50% lost. That quote says 12snap had raised 44mil and sold for 22 mil thats a 50% loss over the life of the firm. So to sell out before it paid huge dividends would be dissappointing for a VC. Even if the future value of Neom is higher they'll have to write down an assett loss of 50% because they have to value it at the sale price.
-Bigs
That Press Release from 4Info is my company!!!!!
-Bigs
4Info is great. I'm partnering with them on a project
My company actually has a partnership with them that they should be releasing a press release about soon. We're doing some cool stuff creating a community sms system that will allow businesses and community groups to control the sms response to specific keywords.
-Bigs
PS See you all Ft Myers.
Cellphone Barcode Patents Auctioned
5,902,353 5,903,729 5,938,726 5,940,595
5,986,651 5,995,105 6,081,827 6,484,943
TS said it in November of 2004
NEOMEDIA RISING
It’s a good time to update NeoMedia’s (NEOM) progress and review a major catalyst that could drive this potentially explosive stock in the coming weeks and months:
* A big meeting in Seattle with Microsoft this week for NeoMedia. Remember -- one of the key issues for the NeoMedia plan is to establish a word registry for trademarks (for example ChangeWave) that allows first for a camera cell phone to take a picture of a barcode, and then get a URL that takes you to a Web landing page the trademark owner designates.
* Making search a one snap issue on the cell phone changes the balance of power in the search engine biz -- a real goal for Microsoft.
* But the REALLY cool application of NeoMedia patents is with a word URL -- just speaking the name ChangeWave into your phone and going to ChangeWave.com. This eliminates about 10 clicks going to a Web search engine on a phone. This is the BIG idea for NeoMedia -- setting up the world registry with SAIC (the folks who set up the first URL registry for the Web -- a business they sold to Verisign for a cool $10 billion). NeoMedia is ready to launch the registry with words to be licensed at $600-$800 a year. Do the math with 3 million trademarks and 5 million bar codes.
* The next key issue is licensing NeoMedia patents to Microsoft for their wireless operating system.
SEARCH ENGINES AND CAMERA PHONES
Here is what Alan Reiter, head mobile OS guy for Microsoft, shares in his weblog this week:
“What type of information and services would be useful from a search engine?
“I'm interested in how search engines deal with wireless and offer value specifically for mobile devices. It seems as if Google (its great search engine notwithstanding) doesn't offer much in the way of exciting or innovative services for wireless-based searching. Or have I missed something? Perhaps this is an area where MSN Search could take the lead. “Also, with hundreds of millions of camera phones being sold over the next few years it will be useful for Microsoft's search engine (or any search engine) to find videos posted from camera phones. Sure, lots of the videos will be useless, but some of them will have valuable information or be just plain entertaining.
“Microsoft has many resources. It has its search engine team, smartphone team and imaging team. All three groups should get together to explore ways to offer innovative services for wireless users.”
Reiter also quotes Dennis Hettema, the head of OP3 (a Swedish systems integrator for the camera phone barcode environment) who presents another use for word and bar-code URLs -- physical deterioration of thumbs and hands:
“Mouse-arm, SMS-thumb or SMS-hand are pretty much a common illness. In Sweden (9 million inhabitants) alone it’s calculated that over a million people have the symptoms. And the mobile varieties are hitting teenagers hard, even though we’re talking about small movements.
“Here’s a solution -- how about reducing input? Mobile direct connection technologies allow mobile internet interaction with a minimum in keystrokes or other ‘SMS-thumb inducing’ movements. Reading a barcode with your camphone gets you online in about two clicks, as opposed to the up to 60 clicks required for typing www.op3.com (which we believe is a pretty short URL).”
Remember too that Robert Scoble, Microsoft's Longhorn evangelist and “blogger extraordinaire,” got a demonstration from NeoMedia Technologies of camera phones as barcode readers. He calls the application a "killer" for the handsets. Again Reiter posts:
“Robert writes, ‘It's not every day you get to see a killer application for the first time.’ NeoMedia demonstrated how you can take a photo of a barcode that's transmitted to a Web site that sends back information about the product, purchasing information, etc.
“Robert says, ‘I started getting into it. Imagine you're at a bus stop in Seattle. Did you know there's a Web service that shows you where the next bus is located and how far away it is?
“‘At every bus stop there could be a bar code. You aim your camera at the bar code. Get back the Web service that'll tell you how long you need to wait for your next bus.’”
No question about it. We’re heading in the right direction with NEOM.
Oh that makes more sense. In terms of a joint venture that actually does make more sense. Ok dismiss my earlier email.
YJ, You're totally right it makes sense to befriend as many as possible. I'm confused by your proposal though. Why would someone want to own 20% of 20% instead of just each owning 4%?
Thanks. I know you were just throwing it out as a possible scenario. I'm just trying to understand how it would play out.
-Bigs
I would think that could probably occurr. But it sure makes us and management. Of which fritz's dad is the largest individual holder isn't he? Have a much smaller piece of future licencing revenue. I don't think they want to do this unless they absolutely have to. We need one Gorilla to gain some critical mass or as the vogue business term is to hit the tipping point. To many gorillas is too dillutive.
-Bigs
20% partner is only 200M shares isn't it?
People keep throwing out a billion shares for a 20% equity partner. But we only have a billion shares issued approx. So they only need 20% for an equity partner in that case. Am I missing something?
Doc. This wasn't intended to take a shot at you. Its just something alot of people have said and I'm trying to clarify.
-Bigs
OT: YJ thanks. I read the board almost everyday when I have time and many of you contribute hugely and I really appreciate it. Thanks for the affirmation and all your hard work.
I actually think maybe even this visual search may be the same as Mobots. I read the MS release. It has the following quote.
In the second half of 2005, Xie and colleagues rebuilt the system, with image matching based on some well-known computer-vision algorithms that extract features from images. That choice proved productive, resulting in an efficient, high-dimensional index that can search through a large image database and return results quickly—combing through a collection of 6,000 images and delivering matches in a mere three seconds using a common laptop. At that point, the process begins to enter the realm of the practical.
The searchable database still needs to be a predefined collection of images, but they can be harvested from the Web. Manual annotation and organization are then employed to enhance performance.
This is very similar to mobot's technology which came out of a researrch lab at MIT. Its a well published technique for computer vision. I actually think their entire platform may be stolen from us.
My biggest fear is that I used to work at RealNetworks. It used to be one of the biggest names of the internet. It took them like 8 years to win an anti-trust case against MS and they are a shell of the company they used to be. Talent fled because they couldn't really innovate anymore.
Anyhow we do have patents which is different than an anti-trust case so I hope it plays out different.
-Bigs
I think NEOM product launch strategy changed. They were going to launch WR seperate from paperclick. But I think they realized its more just a compliment as a backup for those who can't implement PaperClick because of phone restrictions. We don't have an updated list of what phones have the processing power to run it. It isn't just an issue of camera resolution but also a phones ability to run the app. I think we will see the launch of WR at the same time as the rest of Paperclick launch.
-Bigs
So lets discuss this development of MS entering the market. I don't think that this technology infringes on mobot. Mobot is an enabler with their visual technology. I suspect this system will not infring on that. But MS will have to license the below patent for their Picture2Search
So patent #6,766,363
A system and method for enabling a user with a mobile device to link to information, on a local or global electronic network, related to an item of interest to the user while observing a visual, audio, or printed medium containing the item. Linking is accomplished by an item information provider creating codes that can be utilized by the user to implement a link between the user's device and an item information containing server programmed by the provider. The user can select the item by inputting codes to the device and be instantly linked to a database in the server on which item information is stored by the provider along with associated information to link to a network website specifically containing further item-related information for user access. If the user doesn't wish to access the information immediately, the mobile device may be used to "bookmark" or store the user's coded information request and the user may link to the server and retrieve the desired information when convenient.
It is my fear that somebody will find a runaround, but our management has been thinking about this space for over a decade. They have really good IP lawyers helping draft their patents. Now I hope a company that doesn't have a history of playing nice. Decides to play nice.
-Bigs
(Modified. Sorry its only through May 26th)
Hey this was on the Travelzoo top 20. $59 for Marriot Courtyard in Naples. Includes breakfast for 2 and a balcony.
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/florida-hotels/235040
-Bigs
That's great. You do a really amazing job in the amount of dd you do.
-Brian
Pondering Primate links to Ars Technica which links to Red Herring. The quote in the second paragraph of Red Herring says:
"and methods for using a cell phone for reading barcodes and connecting them to web sites."
It would be great to find that patent #. Find out if it predates ours.
-Bigs
Pondering Primate links to Ars Technica which links to Red Herring. The quote in the second paragraph of Red Herring says:
"and methods for using a cell phone for reading barcodes and connecting them to web sites."
It would be great to find that patent #. Find out if it predates ours.
-Bigs