Eric,
I hate to burst your bubble, but I think Patriot Scientific Corp.
OTC-BB, PTSC has the best and most cost effective kiosk solution on
the market.
PATRIOT SCIENTIFIC'S PSC1000 POWERED SYSTEM TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS
Design and Development of Multimedia Computer System for Kiosks
SAN DIEGO - June 29, 1998 -- Patriot Scientific Corp. (OTCBB:PTSC) today announced progress on the design and development of a custom based solution using its PSC1000™ microprocessor for Olea Exhibits, Inc.
Patriot earlier announced Olea's initial multi-million dollar order for the company's PSC1000 microprocessor along with design and application development services. The first phase of the three year agreement is for the development and manufacturing of multimedia controllers for DVD (Digital Video Disk) player utilizing the PSC1000 microprocessor which will provide Olea with a quick entry into the market. As per the original schedule, production deliveries for the first 1,100 units are to begin shipping later this summer.
As part of Phase II of this agreement, Patriot is additionally designing a mini multimedia computer system, powered by the PSC1000 microprocessor. It is a fully functional mini-computer with numerous multimedia features, will be Java™ based, and offer Internet enabled capabilities. The Patriot computer system eliminates Olea's need for personal computers using Pentium™ class processors for its next generation kiosks. The patented-design of the PSC1000 microprocessor makes it extremely well suited for this use. The Patriot mini multimedia computer system is a significantly lower cost alternative to a personal computer for use in interactive kiosks. It offers Olea additional flexibility in its kiosk design because of its reduced size and extensive communication and connectivity options.
Per Olea's specifications, Patriot is designing and manufacturing the multimedia computer based on its PSC1000 microprocessor. Patriot will utilize its expertise and experience with communications products to add an additional chipset on the board to provide advanced communications and connectivity features. Patriot will also manage the porting, development and integration of a real-time operating system and custom Java application software. Olea is currently working on projects that will utilize this new advanced design including customized music reproduction kiosks, employee application and screening kiosks, and centralized hotel reservation kiosks. This initial design accommodates Olea's customers' requirement for kiosks that can easily and cost-effectively provide Internet access, connectivity to several peripheral devices including touchscreen displays, CD-ROM players, Digital Video Disk drives, printers and more, all in a small convenient package.
"We chose to use the PSC1000 microprocessor in our next generation kiosks primarily because it allows us to reduce the size and the cost of the kiosk, while providing a high-performance platform for our Java applications," said Mark Olea, president of Olea Exhibits Inc. "Our customers are looking for ways to put kiosks in more places and as close to their customers as possible. By developing on the PSC1000 platform rather than the currently standard Intel/Windows NT platform, we can eliminate using a personal computer and drastically reduce the footprint and the cost, while still providing advanced functionality like Internet access," furthered Olea.
"The PSC microprocessor provides the ideal platform to develop Olea's new kiosk line. We see many kiosk applications for the computer system and anticipate that the Olea relationship should provide revenues exceeding $10 million over the term of the agreement", said Jim Lunney, president and CEO of Patriot.
A kiosk is an interactive, automated information vehicle. The most common kiosk in the market today is the ATM (Automatic Teller Machine). Kiosks are ATM like public access terminals that display or dispense information on everything from bank services, travel information, airline tickets, and health information to kiosks that print grocery coupons at the market. One of the chief advantages of the kiosk is they allow business to reach customers and prospects beyond their conventional venues.
According to Frost & Sullivan's strategic research report, U.S. Interactive Kiosk Markets, the 1996 interactive kiosk market reached $369.7 million and is expected to reach $2.94 billion by the year 2003.
Frost & Sullivan forecasts that businesses in many vertical markets will utilize kiosks to improve/increase customer satisfaction, provide additional services and to increase efficiency. The industries expected to utilize kiosks include retail, finance, government, tourism, entertainment, health care, transportation and high technology.
The PSC1000 microprocessor is ideal for Internet enabled information kiosks, cell phones, video phones, embedded Web servers, set-top boxes and a host of other new Internet appliances. The PSC1000, a 32-bit microprocessor based upon Patriot's patented ShBoomô technology, is designed to provide economic solutions for the growing number of new Java applications as well as other traditional embedded systems markets.
Located in Artesia, Calif., Olea Exhibits produces commercial grade kiosks and interactive pavilions featuring a multitude of applications. For 20 years, Olea has specialized in custom designs engineered to meet unique functional requirements of its clients including Pioneer Electronics, Warner Brothers, Pierre Cardin, Hong Kong Trade Development, Clarion Sales Corp., and others. For more information on Olea, visit the company's Web site at www.olea.com/
Founded in 1987, Patriot Scientific Corporation designs, manufactures and markets: the PSC1000, based on the patented ShBoom technology, a 32-bit microprocessor targeted at Java and Internet appliances as well as the traditional embedded systems markets; high-performance ISDN Basic Rate and Primary Rate products for digital communications; and ground-penetrating radar and ionized gas antenna technologies. For more information on Patriot Scientific Corporation, visit ptsc.com
Maybe Avalon should take a close look at their microprocessor, the
PSC1000 for their kiosks.
Bob
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