Seiko Instruments --SII-- Introduces World's First Internet-ready Intelligent LCD Modules Based on iReady Technology.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and CHIBA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--

SII Licenses iReady Internet Tuner Technology for Line of Low-power,

Internet-enabled LCD Modules for Cellular Phones, Other Portable

Consumer Devices

Seiko Instruments Incorporated (SII), a world leader in Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), has announced it will integrate the iReady Corporation's Internet Tuner(TM) technology into its new line of low-power, intelligent, Internet-ready LCD modules, allowing Web browsing, e-mail, and networking to be added to consumer devices easily and inexpensively.

This new family of Internet-ready LCD modules allows system designers to add TCP/IP networking or complete Web browsing and e-mail functions quickly, easily, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional, software-based solutions. Adding Internet functionality to these types of devices is now as easy as selecting any other pre-defined component, such as a resistor or controller.

This first of its kind product is made possible by combining iReady's unique "Internet-on-a-chip" design with SII's advanced, low-power, high-function "Chip-on-Film" semiconductor technology. The combination of these technologies results in a line of very thin, light-weight intelligent LCDs, which not only add Internet functionality, and also extend the battery life of power-sensitive devices such as cell phones, pagers, and digital cameras.

"This new partnership allows us to move ahead aggressively in the development of a variety of thin, low-power, high-function LCD modules that will make devices like pagers, cell phones, electronic toys, PDAs, and digital cameras Internet-ready at very low additional cost to consumers," said Shinji Morisaki, managing director, executive manager, components headquarters, Seiko Instruments. "Combining Seiko Instruments' advanced component technology with iReady's Internet Tuner design will accelerate the presence of network-enabled devices in the market."

Said Ryo Koyama, iReady's president and CEO: "The digital revolution is moving into high gear, and we are approaching a time when integrated networking will be a standard feature in all consumer electronics devices. Our new partnership with Seiko Instruments, a company with a long history of understanding consumer needs, brings us closer to the time when devices all over the world can be networked, either directly or across the Internet."

SII's intelligent LCD Module product family will include a range of products, from character-based two-line displays to quarter VGA (320 x 240) graphics displays. Two LCD module families will initially be available. These are "Network-Ready" LCD modules with TCP, IP, UDP, and PPP, which are designed for devices such as cellular phones, digital cameras, and printers which require a simple network connection. The second family of full-featured "Internet-Ready" LCD modules are targeted at devices like screen phones, cellular phones, and electronic games which require full Internet capabilities, including e-mail (POP3/SMTP/MIME) and web browsing (http/HTML).

The iReady Internet Tuner module is a semiconductor design, which is licensed in the form of intellectual property and can be easily integrated with other functions of a device. Because the Internet Tuner module is a semiconductor design, rather than software, it is the only Internet solution specifically designed for drop-in manufacturability in high-volume consumer electronics device environments.

The core of the Internet Tuner is a scalable architecture including a set of modules to deliver communications protocols and the rich content of the Internet. The Internet Tuner supports standard and emerging Internet communication protocols and data formats for static media, such as HTML, graphics, and electronic mail. Future generations will support streaming media, including video and telephony, Internet commerce standards, and support for dynamic data via Java.

The Internet Tuner is portable to any manufacturing technology, delivers maximum Internet performance, uses minimal power and system resources and is reusable. It can also be easily integrated into multiple platforms, operating systems, and processors with relative ease, and can significantly reduce the design time of new electronics products.

Seiko Instruments Inc. has engaged in manufacturing Seiko timepieces since its establishment in 1937. Based on its processing technologies for timepiece production and ultra-advanced electronics technology, SII has established various information-related businesses, such as CAE/CAD/CAM; component businesses such as IC, LCD/quartz-crystal, and manufacturing-related businesses such as analyzers, FA robots, and compressors. SII's leading edge LCDs are widely used in mobile equipment, cellular phones, and automobile applications. SII is also a leader in consumer electronics products including electronic dictionaries and the world's first wearable personal computers. SII can be found on the web at http://www.sii.co.jp.

iReady of Santa Clara, Ca, was founded in January, 1996, and has become the leading provider of enabling technology for the new generation of consumer electronics products. The company's Internet Tuner provides an easy and cost effective method for adding Internet capability to consumer electronics designs. iReady is a venture capital backed company and is funded by Telos Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, JAFCO of America, Donald L. Lucas, B.J. Cassin and RWI Group. The URL for iReady's Web site is http://www.ireadyco.com.

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