Intermec Introduces Tiny Bar Code Scan Engines for Cell Phones and PDAs; LED Technology Allows Companies to Add Scanning Capabilities to Consumer Devices.Business Wire NOTE TO MEDIA: Photo Smart News Release(TM) on Business Wire's Home Page at www.businesswire.com EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2000 Just in time to capture the wave of demand for new levels of personal information exchange, Intermec Technologies Corp. today announced the smallest, most affordable personal bar code scan engines available worldwide. The scan engines, which range in size from a sugar cube sugar cube Drug slang A popular street term for LSD, named for a common delivery “device”, a sugar cube to smaller than a paper clip, are based on Intermec's miniaturized LED (light emitting diode See LED. ) technology. They can incorporated into personal communications and information devices such as cell phones and PDAs to allow consumers to use the information power of traditional bar code technology. "The most immediate uses are already emerging in the form of small handheld information tools that allow consumers to safely and accurately gather retail purchasing information," said Intermec Vice President Pam Cory, who leads Intermec's Data Capture Business Unit. The tiny scan engine technology is a development of Data Capture's i-Capture initiative, which targets opportunities to facilitate New Economy information exchange. "With Intermec's specialized scanners built into a cell phone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) A handheld computer for managing contacts, appointments and tasks. It typically includes a name and address database, calendar, to-do list and note taker, which are the functions in a personal information manager (see PIM). or a personal shopping device, anyone will be able gather and use retail information in new ways," added Cory. Shoppers already are scanning bar codes from household pantry items to create online grocery lists, and retailers are linking product-related bar codes with specific web addresses. New uses are emerging daily. Teens soon will be able to collect bar codes of the exact items they want to include on a birthday list and then e-mail the list to a distant grandparent. Bridal couples will be able to develop personalized wedding gift registries from many stores instead of one, posting it to a web site for friends and family worldwide to easily access for electronic or traditional purchasing selections. Intermec already is working with retailers and personal device designers worldwide to incorporate the miniaturized scan engines into a new generation of information devices. One current beta test A test of new or revised hardware or software that is performed by users at their facilities under normal operating conditions. Beta testing follows alpha testing. Vendors of packaged software often offer their customers the opportunity of beta testing new releases or versions, and the is expected to launch in mid-summer. The engines' size, reliability, safety and low cost are unparalleled, Cory said. "Intermec has a long history associated with bar code technology, so we know how to do this right," Cory said. "As we move into offering complete supply chain solutions, we realize that some of our core, proven technology offers new consumer freedom in today's electronic age." 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. IDC, the market for PDAs is expected to grow from 7 million units in 2000 to 12 million units by 2002. The market for "smart" phones is expected to grow from 950,000 units in 2000 to almost 5 million units by 2002. "The demand for this type of technology has rapidly driven development," added Mike Keith Mike Keith may refer to:
Intermec's tiny scan engines are designed specifically for general consumer use. Lasers, the most common type of bar code scanner A device specialized for reading bar codes and converting them into either the ASCII or EBCDIC digital character code. Pen scanners, also known as wand scanners, were the first type of bar code scanner developed in the 1970s. in industrial use, aren't appropriate for untrained users, Cory said. "These scan engines are as powerful as our professional units, but designed specifically to offer the safety and convenience consumers require," Cory said. "We use the same LED technology found in a bedside clock. Our scanners don't require child safety locks." "Intermec, the company that created the world's most widely used bar code language, believes development of personal scanning technology is the last link in an extended supply chain that stretches from product component manufacture through assembly to final sale and post-sale asset tracking," said Tom Miller, Intermec Senior Vice President who leads the company's Systems and Solutions Group. "Six months ago I said the point of sale was changing from the cash register at your local store to your own key chain or cell phone," Cory said. "Today I can say it has already changed. People are demanding for themselves the power and convenience that traditionally has resided in the retail supply chain itself." Product Specifications Dimensions: .25"H x 0.8"W x 0.6"D Weight: 0.6 oz (1.7 grams) Light Source: 660nm long life LED Voltage: 5V +/- 10% Current: 18 mA typical, 20mA maximum Operating Temperature: -40 degrees F to 185 degrees F (-40C to 85C) About Intermec Intermec Technologies, a UNOVA company (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :UNA Una personification of honesty; leads lamb and rides white ass. [Br. Lit.: Faerie Queene] See : Honesty ), is a leading supplier of wireless networking See wireless network. , mobile computing Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not necessarily imply mobile computing. Fixed wireless applications use satellites, radio systems and lasers to transmit between permanent objects such as buildings and RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) A data collection technology that uses electronic tags for storing data. The tag, also known as an "electronic label," "transponder" or "code plate," is made up of an RFID chip attached to an antenna. technology for the supply-chain management and e-commerce fulfillment markets. The company's solutions allow mobile workers inside facilities or out in the field real-time access to enterprise information systems. Intermec's parent company, UNOVA, also is a leading supplier of manufacturing technologies to the global automotive and aerospace industries. UNOVA's revenues exceeded $2 billion in 1999. Note: A Photo is available at URL URL in full Uniform Resource Locator Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program. : http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.071000/bb2 |
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