Patriot Scientific's PSC1000 Powered System to
Provide Internet Access; Design and Development of Multimedia Computer System
for Kiosks
(Business Wire; 06/29/98)
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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(TM) based, and offer Internet enabled capabilities. The Patriot computer
system eliminates Olea's need for personal computers using Pentium(TM) 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."
"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 chief
executive officer 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 ShBoom(TM) 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 Corp. 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 Corp., visit http://www.ptsc.com/
Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this news release looking forward in time involve risks
and uncertainties, including the risks associated with the effect of changing
economic conditions, trends in the products markets, variations in the
company's cash flow, market acceptance risks, technical development risks,
seasonality and other risk factors detailed in the company's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings.
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