pbmtonokia

Convert a PBM image into a Nokia Operator Logo as hexcode

$ pbmtonokia [[-f|-fmt]] NEX_NOL -net [network_operator_code] [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.hex]

$ pbmtonokia [[-f|-fmt]] NEX_NGG [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.hex]

$ pbmtonokia [[-f|-fmt]] NEX_NPM -txt [text_message] [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.hex]

$ pbmtonokia [[-f|-fmt]] NOL [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.nol]

$ pbmtonokia [[-f|-fmt]] NGG [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.ngg]

$ pbmtonokia [[-f|-fmt]] NPM [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.npm]

pbmtonokia

pbmtonokia is a specialized utility from the Netpbm suite that reads a Portable Bitmap (PBM) image from standard input and converts it into a binary format suitable for monochrome LCD displays found in older Nokia phones, such as the Nokia 3310 or 8210. These displays typically feature specific resolutions and require a particular byte ordering and pixel-packing scheme for image data. The command enables users to prepare simple graphics or custom startup logos for these legacy devices. It serves as a bridge between the widely used Netpbm image formats and the proprietary display requirements of specific hardware, making it valuable for embedded systems development, retro computing projects, or historical data conversion.

This command is designed exclusively for older monochrome Nokia phone displays (e.g., Nokia 3310, 8210) and is incompatible with modern color screens or other display technologies. The input PBM image must precisely match the target Nokia display's resolution (e.g., 84x48 pixels for a Nokia 3310); scaling or cropping is not performed by this command. The output is raw binary data, not a graphical image file format, and is intended for direct interfacing with display drivers.

To convert a PBM file named image.pbm to Nokia format and save the binary output to nokia_logo.bin, you would typically pipe the PBM data to pbmtonokia:

cat image.pbm | pbmtonokia > nokia_logo.bin

Ensure that image.pbm has the correct dimensions (e.g., 84x48 pixels) for your target Nokia display.

The command reads a PBM (Portable Bitmap) image from standard input (stdin) and writes the Nokia-specific binary data to standard output (stdout). It operates as a simple filter and does not accept any command-line options to modify its conversion behavior.

pbmtonokia is a component of the long-standing Netpbm package, a collection of graphics conversion tools developed primarily for Unix-like operating systems. It was created to address a specific niche need during the late 1990s and early 2000s: enabling users to generate custom graphics for the monochrome LCD screens prevalent in popular Nokia feature phones. While the command's primary utility has waned with the advent of smartphones, it remains relevant for embedded systems development, retro computing enthusiasts, and projects requiring interaction with legacy hardware.

pbm(5), netpbm(1), pamtopnm(1), ppmtopbm(1)