To All:
Scriptel and Symbios Logic Enable Pen Input for Data
Conferencing in Microsoft and Netscape Browsers;
WriteTouch Product Allows Pen-Based Online
Conferencing and Web Navigation with the Touch of a
Finger Rather Than a Mouse
Business Wire - November 18, 1996 09:23
FINANCIAL SCRIPTEL SMYBIOS-LOGIC SCRH COLORADO OHIO CALIFORNIA NEVADA
COMPUTERS ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA
INTERNET PRODUCT TRADESHOW V%BW P%BW
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LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1996--Leveraging their leadership in electronic pen and finger touch input technology for portable computers and projection systems, Scriptel Holding Inc. and Symbios Logic Inc. today announced their support for personal data conferencing (PDC) capabilities now integrated into popular Internet browsers, such as Netscape Navigator 3.0's Cool Talk and Internet Explorer's NetMeeting.
Accessing these browsers from a computer or presentation system equipped with the Symbios Logic WriteTouch product, users will be able to interact with whiteboard and data conferencing applications using electronic pen input.
The WriteTouch product, jointly developed by Symbios Logic and Scriptel, is a cordless pen and finger touch input subsystem that enables computer and electronic presentation equipment
manufacturers to provide PDC capabilities with fully integrated electronic pen input. Notebooks, pen tablets, desktop computers, overhead projectors and other electronic products which integrate
the WriteTouch system are able to fully leverage PDC by using a pen for document editing and annotation, drawing, and signature capture.
Additionally, finger touch can be used for drag and drop operations, icon activation and menu selection as users is browse the Internet.
"One of the most significant additions to web browsers is personal data conferencing because it represents the convergence of many means of communication: data, voice, writing and the Internet,"
said Vance Holloway, president and chief operating officer of Scriptel Holding Inc. "Conferencing with computers or presentation systems that feature the WriteTouch product allows businesses to increase productivity. Now, employees across the globe can review, edit and even sign documents as if they were in the same room."
"The WriteTouch product enables OEMs to implement pen input with today's high-resolution LCDs without compromising the existing form factor of the notebook, desktop or overhead presentation system," said Tom Lagatta, vice president of marketing and business development at Symbios Logic.
"Internet conferencing requires PC manufacturers to add many new components such as microphones, speakers, modems, electronic pen and video cameras into their product. The WriteTouch product's ease-of-integration provides a quick and simple implementation for these high volume products."
The WriteTouch product was designed specifically for electronic presentation systems, desktops and portable computers with flat panel displays -- the de facto standard screen type for notebooks and electronic presentation equipment today, and a growing trend for desktops.
The compact form factor of flat panel displays in combination with the WriteTouch product provides an ideal platform for users to write directly on the screen surface, as they would a notepad. This solution is much more intuitive than an opaque tablet which forces the user to write on the tablet, but see the results on a separate screen.
Unlike any other solution, the WriteTouch product was developed to meet the needs of the flat panel display market, from an engineering perspective, in that it:
-- Offers the only cordless pen that functions with today's color
TFT displays; -- Functions on large displays, even while the user is resting a
hand on the display; -- Supports high-resolution displays for the generation of quick,
smooth ink; -- Is not affected by existing metal or electromagnetic energy in
the system; -- Fits existing product form factors by not requiring additional
border area around the display; -- And, in addition to pen input, allows finger touch input for a
more natural integrated pointing device for menus, toolbar
buttons, drag and drop functions, and Web browsing. WriteTouch Components
The WriteTouch product is made up of four components: a sensor panel, stylus, controller and
software drivers.
-- The WriteTouch sensor panel consists of the glass sensor surface
placed over the flat panel display that detects the pen or finger
movement. This sensor design enables unprecedented ease of
integration with LCD displays.
-- The WriteTouch stylus contains electronics that emit a signal
that is picked up by the sensor panel and becomes electronic ink
on display. The WriteTouch stylus is the first electronic pen
to be constructed as two distinct units (much like an ink pen):
1) a cartridge that contains electronic functionality, and 2) a
housing that can be customized to individual OEM preference.
-- The WriteTouch controller is a single-chip device in a 128-pin
TQFP. The controller reduces board space, cost, and the overall
design and manufacturing complexities usually associated with
adding pen or touch technology. Integrated power management
supports mobile computing by providing immediate shut-down when
there is no pen or finger touch activity, and restarts
immediately when pen or finger touch activity resumes.
-- The WriteTouch Windows '95 software driver adheres to Windows 95
user interface standards (multi-user support currently tied to
the Windows 95 login user, multi-language architecture and other
conventions). The driver provides flexible, easy-to-implement
options that allows the end-user a straightforward approach to
setting personal preferences such as touch-down and touch-release
sensitivity, multiple-touch for right-mouse button, absolute or
relative touch and much, much more. Price and Availability
WriteTouch evaluation units are available to OEMs and system designers at $1,500 per unit
through Symbios Logic at 719/533-7490. A WriteTouch unit (sensor panel, stylus, controller and
driver) costs approximately $95 in OEM quantities of 10,000. End-users can expect to begin
seeing WriteTouch systems available on the market by early 1997. COMDEX/Fall Demonstration
The WriteTouch product will be demonstrated at Fall COMDEX, Nov. 18-22, in Las Vegas, at
the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Monte Carlo Tower. The demo room will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
daily.
Demonstrations will show WriteTouch pen and touch capabilities integrated into a variety of systems running an assortment of applications, including data and whiteboard conferencing in
Microsoft NetMeeting and shared whiteboarding in Netscape Navigator. Please contact Heather Prophet, 408/496-2982, for an appointment. About Scriptel
Scriptel Holding Inc. (OTC:SCRH), headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance digital pen systems that are sold worldwide to major computer manufacturers and value-added resellers. The company is also developing wireless products for mobile systems. The company is located at 4153 Arlingate Plaza, Columbus, Ohio; phone,
800/810-5459. About Symbios Logic
Symbios Logic Inc. creates storage management and peripheral connection solutions and provides a full spectrum of products for these solutions, including cell-based ASICs, integrated circuits, host
adapters and storage systems as well as supporting software drivers and utilities.
The company focuses on developing technology partnerships with its customers and vendors, including original equipment manufacturers and resellers in the networked computing, peripherials and communications markets. Formed in 1995, Symbios Logic is a wholly owned, independently operated subsidiary of Hyundai Electronics America.
The company has a total worldwide employment of 2,300, with operations in Wichita, Kan.; Fort Collins (headquarters) and Colorado Springs, Colo.; plus 20 worldwide sales offices. For further information, please call 1/800/856-3093 or visit Symbios's Web site at www.symbios.com. Symbios's email address for product information is: literature@symbios.com.
Note To Editors: WriteTouch is a trademark of Symbios Logic Inc. All other products and company names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT: Scriptel Holding Inc.
Ed Palmer, 614/276-8402
or
Symbios Logic Inc.
Lynne Dolan, 719/533-7596
or
Walt & Co. Communications
Heather Prophet or Paige Burgess, 408/496-0900
hprophet@walt.com |
