IBM and Philips Semiconductors Enhance TrackPoint Technology and Reduce Overall System Cost; TPM754 Microcontroller Now Available for OEM Customers.SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 1997--Today Philips Semiconductors introduced the TMP TMP (thymidine monophosphate): see thymine. 754 microcontroller, utilizing IBM's TrackPoint technology for sale to a wide variety of applications requiring pointing devices including laptop PC manufacturers. The TPM (1) See TP monitor. (2) (Transactions Per Minute) The number of transactions processed within one minute. See TPS. (3) (Trusted Platform M 754 enables the "press-to-select" function, improves system performance and requires fewer external components -- saving system cost. In March 1996, Philips Semiconductors announced the signing of a new licensing agreement with IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) making the IBM TrackPoint microcode A set of elementary instructions in a complex instruction set computer (CISC). The microcode resides in a separate high-speed memory and functions as a translation layer between the machine instructions and the circuit level of the computer. widely available. The IBM/Philips agreement enabled Philips to market TrackPoint software embedded with its TPM749 microcontroller. The TPM754 microcontroller with more integration and greater processing capability enables IBM to develop additional TrackPoint functions. The IBM TrackPoint pointing device, which is used in the IBM award-winning ThinkPad notebook computers, is a miniature `joystick' that functions as a cursor control device. The velocity-sensitive pointing solution requires little movement compared to the position sensitive devices such as the mouse, trackball A stationary pointing device that contains a movable ball rotated with the fingers or palm. From one to three keys are located in various positions depending on the unit. Years ago, Kensington Microware popularized the trackball with its Turbo Mouse for the Macintosh. or trackpad. It revolutionizes keyboard design by providing a compact, easy-to-use, fingertip fin·ger·tip n. The extreme end or tip of a finger. pointing solution located squarely in the center of the keyboard. The TPM754, a low-cost ROM-coded 80C51 microcontroller, comes with the IBM TrackPoint pointing algorithms and control code already on-board. The TPM754 enables the TrackPoint press-to-select feature. This feature replaces the functions of the left button on the mouse, allowing the user to click on an icon by simply pressing on the stick. The microcontroller also requires fewer external components, which results in a reduction in system cost by approximately $2. In addition, the available memory on the TPM754 is larger than the current program requires and will enable IBM to add more features for the future upgrade path. "By adding the new press-to-select function and implementing on the TPM754, IBM has demonstrated its commitment to continuing innovation and improvement of the TrackPoint technology, which we believe will continue into the future," said David Fair, Philips Semiconductors marketing manager, Microcontroller Product Group. "Philips worked closely with IBM in the development of the TPM754 to ensure its effectiveness into the future. Philips is proud to have been selected by IBM to supply the microcontroller for implementing the TrackPoint technology and to sell this solution broadly." The TPM754 is immediately available, priced at $5.50 in 100,000 OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and quantities. This price includes all IBM software licensing fees. For pricing and availability outside the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , contact your local Philips Semiconductors Sales Office or Authorized Philips Distributor. Although the TrackPoint pointing device was developed for IBM's laptop computers, it is useful in several non-PC applications. The technology is useful for applications such as security system camera controls, surgical equipment, PDAs, wheelchair controllers, game joysticks, and industrial machinery. Because of its small size, precision, ease-of-use and flexibility, the TrackPoint pointing device can be used for control in many locations and applications. The worldwide microcontroller market exceeded $10.8 billion in 1995, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. figures from Semico Research. The largest portion of this market consisted of 8-bit microcontrollers at approximately $5.7 billion and expected to double by the year 2000. Sales of 16-bit and greater microcontrollers reached $1.7 billion in 1995 and are expected to grow to nearly $2.5 billion in 1995, and reach $6.2 billion by the year 2000. Philips Semiconductors is the leading supplier of the most popular 8-bit architecture, the 80C51, and offers more than 75 derivatives. In-Stat, an independent semiconductor research firm, reported Philips 80C51 sales of $463 million for 1995 a 42% market share of the 80C51 market. With the introduction of the XA, Philips extends its 80C51 leadership into the 16-bit market. Philips Semiconductors Inc., a subsidiary of Philips Electronics North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. Corp. and an affiliate of Philips Electronics NV Philips Electronics NV in full Royal Philips Electronics NV Dutch Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV Major Dutch manufacturer of consumer electronics, household appliances, lightbulbs, and imaging equipment. , headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the 11th largest semiconductor supplier in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video and mobile technology position that company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia, and wireless communications wireless communications System using radio-frequency, infrared, microwave, or other types of electromagnetic or acoustic waves in place of wires, cables, or fibre optics to transmit signals or data. market. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by regional customer applications labs. -0- Note to editors: TrackPoint and ThinkPad are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Additional information on Philips Semiconductors can be obtained by accessing the home page at http://www.semiconductors.philips.com . CONTACT: Philips Semiconductors Jodi Guilbault, 408/991-2332 jguilba@scs.philips.com or Oak Ridge Public Relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most Rachel Modena Barasch, 408/253-5042 rachel@oakridge.com |
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