MICRO INDUSTRIES FIRST TO OFFER SYSTEM WITH 20" LCD DISPLAY FOR TRANSACTION TERMINAL MARKET
Messenger System Uses Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor-based EmbeddedATX Motherboards To Give OEMs Scalable Modularity
Westerville, Ohio - July 15, 2002
Micro Industries announced today the release of its Touch & Go Messenger transaction terminal system. It is the first user-configurable computer system on the market based on the EmbeddedATX motherboard specification and 20.1-inch LCD/touchscreen technology. It is designed to support the Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 processor-M, Intel® Pentium® 4, Intel® Pentium® III, and Intel® Celeron® processors with extended lifecycle support.
Transaction terminal systems are used at access points where businesses and customers engage in commerce or exchange information. The Messenger is a scalable system that provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with the ability to "mix and match" a variety of 20.1-inch displays with Intel processor-based EmbeddedATX-based motherboards. Other options to totally customize their specific transaction terminal requirements are also available.
The EmbeddedATX specification, developed by Intel and other industry leaders, is a low-profile form factor that outlines the features and size for boards used in embedded applications such as point of sale (POS) terminals, kiosks, automated teller machines (ATM), and communications appliances.
EmbeddedATX enables economies of scale that reduce board development costs as well as enclosure design and tooling, and chassis design investments, while supporting the trend toward using standard, high-volume boards where proprietary solutions were previously the only option.
"The modularity that we're providing using the EmbeddedATX motherboard standards-based specification offers the flexibility to match the price and performance objectives of OEM customers with the latest processor and LCD technology," said Michael Curran, CEO of Micro Industries Corporation. "This system helps OEMs respond quickly and economically to rapidly changing market conditions with a scalable product that is tailored for the unique needs of their customers."
The Messenger can use the EmbeddedATX motherboard with the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor-M to provide long-term availability, high processor frequencies at low power, and a stable platform environment. The processor works in conjunction with the EmbeddedATX form factor to reduce overall hardware costs by improving interoperability, increasing design modularity and reuse, stimulating innovation, and improving time-to-market.
"Micro Industries' use of the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor-M on the EmbeddedATX form factor enables them to offer OEMs a solution with the highest level of performance at the right cost, enabling their customers to get to market quickly," said Joe Jensen, general manager, Embedded Intel Architecture Division.
Touch & Go System Options
OEMs can configure the Messenger system with a high- or low-resolution color or high resolution monochromatic 20.1-inch LCD panel and their choice of Micro Industries' three new EmbeddedATX motherboards, with a variety of Intel processors including the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor-M, Intel Pentium 4 processor, Intel Pentium III processor, and Intel Celeron processor, for optimal price and performance for their application. Each system can be equipped with either a resistive or surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreen.
The Messenger also provides options for processor speeds, memory sizes, wireless LAN/modem, and other configurable components such as hard drive, CD, CD-RW, and DVD drive. An attractive bezel is available in a textured light gray but can be color matched and painted to almost any color. All bezels are made from fire retardant acrylic /polyvinyl chloride for durability. All systems are UL listed and comply with FCC Class-B emissions standards.
20.1-inch LCD Panel Display Options
OEMs can order the Messenger with any of three LCD panel displays. The simple mounting arrangement makes it easy to attach the Messenger to a wall, behind a display, or to any other surface that will attract consumer attention. Display options include:
- A high-resolution (1600 x 1200 pixel UXGA), color flat panel with a 170-degree viewing angle and 220 nits brightness level especially helpful for applications that need to be legible both from a distance and up close. This display can be paired with an Intel Pentium 4 processor to drive multimedia applications such as multiple windows and streamed video and animation. It can be made interactive with the addition of a touchscreen to facilitate user transactions.
- An ultra-bright (500 nits), low-resolution (640 x 480 pixel VGA), color panel that creates a television-like backdrop with eye-catching sharpness and clarity. Intel Pentium III and Celeron processors can support video and other graphics-heavy data sent to the jumbo display with ease, giving OEMs the freedom to create attention grabbing, flawless promotions.
- A monochromatic flat panel for OEMs supporting healthcare applications. The system's large, bright LCD display provides remarkably clear digital images (up to 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution with 256 levels of grayscale).
Touch & Go Messenger Motherboard Options
OEMs can customize the Messenger with their choice of Micro Industries' three new EmbeddedATX motherboards-the mTG62, mTG845, or mTG845LP-that support any of the monochromatic or high- or low-resolution color LCD panels.
The feature-packed mTG62 motherboard supports the Mobile Intel Celeron Processor -Low Power and the Intel Pentium III Processor - Low Power, with speeds up to 1.2 GHz.
The mTG845 motherboard supports the Intel Pentium 4 processor, currently available at speeds of up to 2.53 GHz (with support for future frequencies), and Double Data Rate (DDR) Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM) memory technology.
The mTG845LP motherboard has all the features of the mTG845, but is powered by the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor-M at current speeds ranging from 1.4 to 1.8 GHz (with support for future frequencies) and is preferable for low-power operations where heat dissipation is a concern.
Each board is scalable for optimal price and performance. Processors can be upgraded in the future to drive new software and database demands, ultimately reducing OEMs' total cost of ownership. Numerous I/O ports capable of supporting a variety of serial, USB, and parallel devices typically required in transaction terminal markets are available. External printers can be used for receipt, data printouts, maps, menus, tickets, etc.
Availability and Price
Retailers and OEMs interested in ordering a Messenger system or learning more about other Touch & Go products can call Micro Industries' Customer Service Department at 800-722-1842 or visit www.microindustries.com. The Messenger is available immediately in the United States and Europe. Volume OEM pricing starts at $1,995.00 (U.S.) based on processor and I/O configuration. Smaller quantities are available at higher prices.
About Micro Industries
Micro Industries Corporation, founded in 1978, is an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company that provides electronic engineering and manufacturing resources to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Micro Industries helps customers translate their product requirements into low-cost standard, custom, and semi-custom product solutions for embedded and integrated computer systems. The 52,000 square foot facility in Westerville, Ohio, serves as corporate headquarters and houses an EPA Zero Discharge manufacturing facility that meets both ISO 9001-94 and ISO 14001 standards. The manufacturing facility has fully automated conventional and surface mount assembly lines for both prototype and production requirements.
Micro Industries employs a dedicated staff of engineers focused on product design. Micro Industries also supports an Internet-based company that features free online tools that OEMs can use to design circuit board assemblies and systems and accelerate new product development. The website for this wholly-owned subsidiary, Sweetcircuits, Inc., is located at www.sweetcircuits.com. For more information about Micro Industries, please visit www.microindustries.com.
Micro Industries is a registered trademark of Micro Industries Corporation. Sweetcircuits is a registered trademark of Sweetcircuits, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All other legal marks are the property of their respective owners.
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