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***Mitsubishi Announces ANGLEVIEW TFT LCDs
The Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc. expanded the ANGLEVIEW line of thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with a class of products aimed at the industrial and instrumentation markets. The 10.4-inch VGA resolution and 12.1-inch SVGA resolution displays feature wide viewing angles and unusually high luminance. The unusually high luminance is ideal for applications such as kiosk, ATM, industrial control, factory automation, and amusement/entertainment where the ambient light can be very bright.
The 12.1-inch SVGA-resolution TFT LCD, the AA121SK02, features 300 nits (candelas per square meter) to provide three times the luminance of a typical CRT. The new 12.1-inch panel also offers 800 x 600 pixel resolution, and an 18-bit color depth to define 262,144 colors. Crafted with Mitsubishi's ANGLEVIEW technology, the display offers an outstanding viewing angle of 120 degrees. The display weighs 760 grams and dissipates 7.6 watts.
The 10.4-inch VGA-resolution TFT LCD, the AA104VA01, is equipped for 450 nits luminance, among the brightest in this class of displays. The panel provides 640 x 480 pixel resolution and 18-bit color depth to produce 262,144 colors. With a viewing angle of 120 degrees, the new ANGLEVIEW display provides enhanced performance to industrial applications. The display weighs 550 grams and yields a power dissipation of 8.2 watts.
Both displays also have Mitsubishi's CMOS/TTL standard digital interface for crisp image quality and easy implementation.
The 10.4-inch VGA panel, the AA104VA01, is available now in sample quantities for $800 each. The 12.1-inch SVGA panel, the AA121SK02, is also available now in sample quantities for $800 each.
For the latest in Embedded Processor news check out a free e-mail newsletter which is published weekly by Jim Turley at MicroDesign Resources. Its short, to the point and informative.
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***IEEE 1394 Audio/Video Link Layer Now Available from Innovative Semiconductors (December 9)
Innovative Semiconductors announced the availability of its IEEE 1394a-compliant Audio/Video Link Layer controller core, the SL770.
The FlexFire SL770 provides the 1394 interface for high-performance audio, video, and data applications that require MPEG-2 format isochronous data transfer according to the IEC 61883 specification. The SL77e will support content protection per the 5C Digital Transmission Content Protection Specification.
The SL770 A/V Link Layer controller is the first in a series of application-specific Link Layer cores based on Innovative Semiconductors' FlexFire building block architecture. The company's general-purpose Link Layer controller, the SL755, was the industry's first silicon-verified 1394 Link Layer controller core. The new SL770 core can be integrated with Innovative Semiconductor's mixed signal 400 Mbits/sec PHY Layer controller core (the SL730) for single chip applications, or it can work with commercially available PHY Layer controller chips.
The SL770 is available in synthesizable RTL, and includes a comprehensive test bench, validation suite, synthesis scripts, and user documentation. The SL770 is available immediately, with license fees beginning at $200K.
Innovative Semiconductors, Inc. develops semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) cores, the building blocks for high performance ICs and chip sets for video and communications applications. The company's products include cores that support the Video Interface Port (VIP) standard, the IEEE 1394 standard, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, and video compression standards.
Customers include 3Dfx, Accelerix, LSI Logic, NVIDIA, OKI, S3, Samsung, Siemens, SGS-Thomson, and Trident. Innovative Semiconductors is a member if the 1394 Trade Association, VESA, VSI, and RAPID. The company was founded in 1992, and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA.
***SCM Microsystems and Philips Digital Video Systems Work on Point Of Deployment (POD) modules for the OpenCable markets (November 24)
SCM Microsystems and Philips Digital Video Systems announced their intention to cooperate on the development and deployment of OpenCable compliant Conditional Access (CA) modules for the North America cable market.
The module, expected to be commercially available in Q3 '99 will be based on the National Renewable Security System specification (EIA 679) and the Society of Cable and Telecommunication Engineers specification for the POD interface (SCTE-DVS131). The cooperation of SCM Microsystems and Philips Digital Video System on renewable security technology is a logical extension of their current cooperation on the European market.
The FCC has mandated the availability of renewable security solutions before July 2000 in order to enable competition among navigation devices (e.g. Set-Top Boxes). The current POD module development will enable the implementation of the Philips' CryptoWorks Conditional Access in any OpenCable compliant receiver and/or digital television set. The POD module will combines the SCM Microsystems in the development of Conditional Access Modules with the CryptoWorks Conditional Access solution of Philips Digital Video Systems.
CryptoWorks is part of Philips digital compression and distribution system. It is a CA system developed for digital MPEG-2 applications. It is secure, universal, open and flexible. Multiple independent operators can be managed with one CryptoWorks smart card. CryptoWorks supports small systems for contribution and primary distribution as well as large Direct-to-Home applications with Subscription TV, Pre-booked Pay-per-View and Impulse-Pay-per-View. The CryptoWorks conditional access system is currently used by more than 30 customers worldwide including Viacom, @Entertainment and XtraMusic.
***Home Phoneline Networking Alliance adds Members (December 9)
Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA), announced the addition of nine member companies and its consumer-ready branded stamp of approval.
The Alliance's membership now has more-than 30 companies that will adopt the HomePNA seal of approval that meet HomePNA's home phoneline networking standard.
HomePNA's New Members include:
· Avance Logic designs, tests and distributes integrated circuits.
· Broadcom Corporation is a developer of highly integrated silicon solutions that enable broadband digital data transmission to the home and within the business enterprise.
· Integrated Telecom Express designs, manufactures, markets and supports ADSL semiconductors.
· Macronix International Co. is a lprovider of high-density, non-volatile memories and system solutions including high-speed Ethernet, ISDN, ADSL, etc.
· National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip products.
· NETGEAR's mission is to serve the small-office and home-office (SOHO) market with economical, easy-to-install, powerful networking solutions.
· Pulse is a subsidiary of Technitrol and designs and manufactures a line of passive components and modules for use in power, telecommunications and datacom applications matched to OEM products.
· Samsung Electronics Co.
· ST MicroElectronics.
***EAI Releases Dimensional Management Solutions for PTC Products (December 9)
Engineering Animation announced that VSA-GDT/Pro and VSA-3D/Pro Release 4.0, works with Parametric Technology Corporation's Pro/ENGINEER. EAI's dimensional management solutions predict and resolve manufacturing and assembly variation problems early in the product design cycle.
VSA-GDT/Pro and VSA-3D/Pro became part of the EAI family of solutions when EAI acquired Variation Systems Analysis, Inc. (VSA), in September 1998. VSA is the leading company dedicated to dimensional management consulting, software development and sales, training and support.
VSA-GDT/Pro and VSA-3D/Pro Release 4.0 include support of family tables, a method of creating and storing large numbers of product parts and assemblies. The support of family tables facilitates interchangeability of parts and subassemblies within a product assembly. EAI now leverages this key technology to analyze multiple part tolerancing configurations to streamline the tolerance model creation and storage process. A representations feature that is used to manage large assemblies by filtering the display of parts and sub-assemblies has also been added to allow users to view and store smaller groups of parts without having to navigate through an entire complex assembly.
With VSA-GDT/Pro and VSA-3D/Pro Release 4.0, users can simulate manufacturing and assembly process variations to visualize the impact of variation on key assembly measurement characteristics. This visual feedback allows users to understand how variation affects the location of parts within an assembly so any potential interference conditions can be avoided. The order that parts are placed into an assembly is also simulated, providing a means to visualize and communicate assembly process information.
***EAI Gets Product Visualization Win
(December 9)
Engineering Animation announced that Sauer-Sundstrand has selected EAI's VisProducts as its standard for product visualization and digital prototyping. EAI's VisView product visualization and VisMockUp digital prototyping solutions will play role in the deployment of information technology throughout Sauer-Sundstrand.
Sauer-Sundstrand along with its customers and suppliers will utilize VisProducts to provide access to drawings, product specifications, material specs, work instructions and other product data and associated documents. EAI's VisProducts integrate seamlessly with Structural Dynamics Research Corporation's I-DEAS, Sauer-Sundstrand's computer-aided design (CAD) system; SDRC's Metaphase Enterprise, the company's product data management (PDM) system; as well as Oracle, the company's information management database.
***MetaCreations Ships Kai's Power Tools Version 5 (December 2)
MetaCreations announced the release of a of Kai's Power Tools (KPT), a set of 10 plug-in applications for use within Adobe PhotoShop.
The version, KPT 5, provides professional designers and illustrators, Web authors, photographers and digital artists with effects to enhance their digital creative content.KPT 5 support the creation of Web buttons, banners and backgrounds.
KPT 5 includes 10 new plug-in applications, divided into real-time 3-D tools, particle growth effects and professional blurs. To give digital artists more control over these effects, the KPT 5 interface has been refined to offer precise access to numerical values, real-time interactive previews of all operations and user-customizable options.
New plug-in applications featured in KPT 5:
· KPT ShapeShifter creates shapes and objects with refracting glass edges; 3-D light sources on beveled metallic surfaces; soft, curved and lit Web buttons; and text. Resulting elements carry their masks with them for compositing.
· KPT Orb-It explodes a source image into thousands of spheres with variations in size, density and realistic 3-D lighting. Produce fields of bubbles, raindrops and giant lenses; text effects; and distortions.
· KPT FiberOptix creates anything from furry text to green shag carpet, pink plastic silly string and lush creeping vines. Every strand and fiber is a true 3-D object. Masks are generated from the 3-D data, enabling compositing.
· KPT Blurrrr is a suite of nine filters including the classic zoom, spin and other indispensable blurs updated with real-time previews, pro-precision 64-bit color and 128-bit math with algorithms and variations.
· KPT Noize includes a large collection of noises, the best source for textures and painting effects. Select a noise and an apply option, then add it to the image for a large array of effects.
· KPT RadWarp warps the edges of an image to correct or create a camera effect known as a "barrel distortion." Also use it to quickly create text effects.
· KPT Smoothie cleans up "dirty" masks in seconds instead of hours. Kai's trick to ultra-smooth edges on black alpha masks is now a real-time plug-in application.
· KPT FraxPlorer is the new, definitive Fractal Explorer featuring real-time fly-throughs, 1,000-percent-larger previews, a infinite zoom tool and brand-new fractal styles.
· KPT Frax4D lets one explore 3-D and 4-D fractals in 3-D space.
Create 3-D fractal sculpture and wrap with any environment maps (such as gold, silver or gels) to create incredible images.
· KPT FraxFlame creates ethereal fractals that look like natural phenomena. Choose from a selection of different flame styles, then explore the fractals and render them as images.System Requirements include:
Windows: Pentium 166 MHz (or compatible) or faster, Windows
95/98/NT4, PhotoShop 3/4/5 or 100-percent-compatible host, 32MB
RAM, 50MB free hard disk space, 24-bit color video, color
monitor, CD-ROM drive. Recommended: Pentium 266 MHz or faster,
64MB RAM or greater. Macintosh: PowerPC-based Macintosh, Mac OS
7.6.1 or later, PhotoShop 3/4/5 or 100-percent-compatible host, 32MB RAM, 50MB hard disk space, 24-bit color video, color monitor, CD-ROM drive. Recommended: 64MB host application RAM or greater. Pricing and Availability: KPT 5 is available now through national retail outlets, in catalogs and direct from MetaCreations at a suggested retail price of $199. Upgrades to registered users of KPT are available for $99.
***Internet Usage Over 60 Million PCs Connected (December 10)
The number of PCs connected to the Internet increased by 35% from 45 million in January to just over 60 million in August-which means 53% of total PCs are now connected to the Internet. Workplace PCs showed the most significant gains, accounting for over half of this Internet connection increase. In the workplace, the number of PCs accessing the Internet increased 52% from 16 to 24 million. Even so, home PCs still represent the dominant market segment of all PCs on the Internet. Some 28 million home PCs were connected to the Internet in August, a 28% increase from January 1998, according to research from Ziff-Davis.
· PCs (In Millions)
Home Self-Employed WorkplaceJan-97 15.4 4.8 10.9
Jan-98 22.1 6.6 15.9
Aug-98 28.5 7.7 24.1
Source: Technology User Profile
Almost half (44%) of Internet users have only been surfing for less than a year, according to those Internet users surveyed in the Technology User Profile 1998 Mid-Year Study.With 103 million households in the U.S., Internet penetration is 30% of all households or 61% of households with PCs. This represents an astounding 30% increase since January of this year. What people are doing online has remained relatively unchanged since the beginning of the year. E-mail is, by far, the No. 1 Internet activity followed by reading online publications, downloading software and various e-commerce activities. However there is a noticeable trend toward longer connection times. Since January, the number of PCs that connect to the Internet more than 10 hours each week jumped from 19% to 27% as of August.
Overall Home Self-Employed Workplace2 Hours or less 23.3% 15.1% 13.6% 36.1%
3-5 Hours 26.4% 24.5% 25.8% 29.0%
6-10 Hours 23.7% 25.9% 28.1% 19.6%
11-15 Hours 9.3% 12.4% 11.9% 4.7%
16-20 Hours 8.1% 10.2% 10.6% 4.8%
21+ Hours 9.3% 11.9% 9.9% 5.9%
Source: Technology User Profile
When comparing the demographics of Internet penetration with PC penetration, the patterns in both cases are very similar. For example, Internet penetration increases with higher household income and education levels. Almost a third of U.S. households connected to the Internet has an annual income of $75,000 or greater, and over a quarter has completed post graduate studies. The presence of children in the home also appears to account for a higher incidence of Net access. Internet penetration among households with children is around 37% compared with 25% for those without.The proliferation of Internet-ready devices, including cheap PCs, Web tablets, handheld devices and set-top boxes, as well as the widespread availability of affordable broadband access are the catalysts that will drive this trend even faster over the next few years. The first half of the equation is already well under way-there is no lack of new devices coming to market. What is sorely lacking right now is high-speed access.
***OpenConnect Ships OC://WebConnect Pro Version 4.0 (December 11)
OpenConnect Systems announced distribution of the fourth generation of OC://WebConnect Pro. The product utilizes technology covered by OpenConnect's U.S. Patent No. 5,754,830 to provide secure access to host applications through any Java enabled Web browser.
Features:
· Automated user interface rejuvenation
· JHLLAPI - a powerful Java-based API for developing Web applications
· OC://WebConnect Client - an optional entry level Java-based TN3270 emulator
· User access management - user access controls, profile management, and usage reporting for OC://WebConnect Management Server
· Enhanced printing - support for features such as transparent print, dynamic font changing, and various paper sizes.
***De La Rue & Motorola Show off Cellular E-commerce (December 10)
Earlier in the year, Motorola released a prototype version of its StarTAC GSM (global system for mobile communications) handset that had fittings for two smart cards. The first slot was for a GSM standard SIM (subscriber identity module) card, the second was for e-commerce transactions.
Recently, Motorola has teamed with De La Rue to demo real e-commerce applications using the handset. In the demo, De La Rue uses its SIMphonIC Java powered SIM toolkit smart card slotted into the Motorola twin-card StarTAC, interfacing across GSM data channels with Logica's M-Commerce server.
The demo illustrates the capabilities of mobile ATM facilities by reading an electronic purse card through the cellular handset. Other possible services include remote ticketing, pay-as-you-go mobile communications, and secure online payment mechanisms.
De La Rue estimates that there will be as many as 200 million cellular users by the end of 1999. The two companies believe that the dual band and SIM application toolkits will give them the leading edge in the market.
***FCC Makes Decision on xDSL Services
(December 8)
Broadband Networking reports that the FCC has ruled that DSL services Bell Atlantic [BEL], BellSouth [BLS], GTE System Telephone Cos. [GTE] (GSTC) and Pacific Bell [SBC] provide would be tariffed at the federal level.
The FCC ruled Nov. 1, that xDSL qualifies as an interstate service. Arguing against the decision, competitive local exchange carriers worry that it will result in revenue loss from reciprocal compensation. Internet service providers also fear it will lead to more federal regulation of the Internet. Favoring the decision, incumbent carriers argue that all traffic from end-users to the Internet - whether dial-up or xDSL - should be considered interstate since data can be sent and received from points all over the globe. Conversely, CLECs and ISPs contend Internet use consists of two calls: one from the end-user to the ISP, and a second from the ISP to the Internet.
***High Speed Access Coalition Formed
(December 9)
The High Speed Access Coalition (HiSAC) to promote providing data services to the home market was announced.
HiSAC is an advocacy group acting on behalf of households, home/office businesses and telecommuters who now have only one company-their local Baby Bell-to get high-speed data services such as DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) are now considering whether Baby Bell companies must offer new DSL companies equal access to the local phone networks. Unfortunately, one or both commissions may make a hurried decision on the issue without adequate input from public interest and consumer groups that are trying to prevent the Baby Bells from establishing a new monopoly.
DSL is a new technology that gives consumers the same high-speed data capacity that businesses now have. DSL technology also makes it possible to connect to the Internet over the same phone line that carries a home's existing telephone service. This breakthrough feature, known as "line sharing," allows homes to add DSL service without installing and paying for another phone line. DSL service is now being offered to households on a limited basis by several regional Baby Bell companies such as U.S. West and SBC. Even though their DSL service is no faster or better, these Baby Bell companies are charging monthly rates at least 100 percent higher than what new Internet companies will charge.
While the newer companies offering DSL service are asking the Baby Bells to share local phone lines, Baby Bells and other large companies, known as Independent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs), are trying to prevent competitive access.
In many cases, ILECs insist that the newer companies (known as Competitive Local Exchange Carriers, or CLECs) provide both voice and data service, a tactic that unnecessarily raises the price that consumers would have to pay. The tactic has forced many of the original CLECs to focus on providing DSL and telephone service to the corporate market, where competition is more open.
HiSAC is advocating freedom of choice for consumers, allowing multiple companies to compete for the privilege of providing data services to the home without forcing them to also provide traditional phone service.
For information please contact David Wilson 415/291-1970 or email him at dmw@bizlaw.com.
***Xybernaut strengthens wearable patent position (December 9)
Xybernaut has been granted U.S. Patent 5,844,824. This patent, which is based upon a parent patent application that was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1995, encompasses present Xybernaut products but also discloses and claims many potential future Xybernaut products.
The patent, issued December 1, 1998, covers the claims for a hands-free portable computer system which does not rely upon a keyboard input or activation apparatus but rather has various activation means, all of which are hands-free. The system can be used with other systems, other system components and communication apparatus. The patent also addresses various components of the present system that can be body worn or placed in remote locations if desired.
It is the view of the company that U.S. Patent 5,844,824, when viewed in the context of its existing IP, strengthens the near-term and strategic patent positions of the company.
The company feels that it is successfully building an IP position for Xybernaut in the wearable computing industry. The company is attempting to jumpstart the industry and expand the marketplace. At the same time they are seeking to , aggressively license manufacturing and marketing organizations, as well as require compliance of our IP worldwide.
***Dassault Systemes, Matra Datavision and IBM Make Deal (December 8)
Dassault Systemes, Matra Datavision and IBM announced their intent to do the following.
Dassault Systemes will acquire a Matra Datavision subsidiary which owns several key Matra Datavision software products, EUCLID STYLER, EUCLID MACHINIST, STRIM and STRIMFLOW and the associated expertise. These products, and the full licensed access to Matra Datavision CAS.CADE technology, will enable Dassault Systemes to expand its offerings specifically in surface and free-form modeling, numerical control machining (NC) and plastic injection simulation.
Matra Datavision will capitalize on the growth in customer demand for industry leading engineering solutions and services, and will continue to strengthen its proven expertise and recognized skills in areas such as Business Process Re-engineering. The company will protect its customers investments, notably by maintaining EUCLID 3, and by continued marketing and support of CAS.CADE, and other products complementary to the CATIA and ENOVIA product lines.
The immediate availability of an extended range of Dassault Systemes Solutions provides Matra Datavision customers with a path towards next generation solutions, specifically CATIA. In addition, Matra Datavision will sell and support Digital Manufacturing from Deneb. Matra Datavision is to be a wholly owned subsidiary of the new Aerospatiale - Matra Hautes Technologies group.IBM will expand support and service to its customers by appointing Matra Datavision as an International Business Partner to market, sell and support its engineering solutions, including Dassault Systemes' CATIA, CATweb and ENOVIA, and IBM's e-business solutions, and to provide dedicated services to support these solutions.
http://www.dsweb.com
http://www.matra-datavision.com
http://www.catia.ibm.com
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