Socket Ships Data Collection Card for Windows CE-based Palm-size PCs; CompactFlash Size CIO Card Works with a Variety of Bar Code Scanners and Card Readers.NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1998--Socket Communications Inc. (OTC OTC See: Over-the-counter. OTC See over-the-counter market (OTC). BB:SCKT and SCKTW; PSE PSE 1. pale soft exudative pork. 2. portosystemic encephalopathy. :SOK) today introduced the Socket(R) Collection I/O Card See expansion board and PC card. -- CIO CIO: see American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. (Chief Information Officer) The executive officer in charge of information processing in an organization. Card(TM) -- in the CompactFlash form factor. Only 40% as big as Socket's popular credit card size PC Card adapters, the miniature CIO Card plugs into any Palm-size PC's CompactFlash slot. Palm-size PCs are pen based, pocket size computers powered by the Windows CE (Windows Consumer Electronics) Microsoft's version of Windows for handheld devices and embedded systems that use x86, ARM, MIPS and SHx CPUs. Windows CE .NET superseded Windows CE 3.0. operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. from Microsoft (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :MSFT MSFT Microsoft (stock symbol) MSFT Movimento Sociale Fiamma Tricolore (Italy) MSFT Multi-Stage Fitness Test MSFT Master of Science in Family Therapy MSFT Macalester Students for Fair Trade ). Socket's CIO Card makes it easy to connect Palm-size PCs to serial data collection devices such as bar code scanners and magnetic stripe A small length of magnetic tape adhered to credit cards, badges, permits, passes and tokens. The tape is read by magnetic stripe readers incorporated into ATMs, identification readers and payment terminals. readers, streamlining the development cycle for VARs, OEMs and integrators who want to create Windows CE-based data collection solutions. The CIO Card works with virtually any peripheral that has an RS-232 serial interface, and special 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 versions of the card can deliver power from the host computer to an attached data collection device. Because the CIO Card plugs into a CompactFlash slot and the cable can easily be modified to accommodate custom connections to scanning peripherals or to an industry standard DB-9 connector, OEMs and VARs can support all Palm-size PCs with a single scanning solution. This eliminates the need to provide multiple cables or converters to match the non-standard I/O ports built into various models of Palm-size PCs. The new CIO Card package also includes "keyboard wedge" software that delivers scanned data to any Windows CE application as though it were tapped or jotted on the screen. This cuts down software development time and expense. The CIO Card brings additional savings by allowing integrators to replace expensive, proprietary handheld data terminals with economical Palm-size PCs supported by Microsoft's familiar software development library. As a member of Socket's family of Battery Friendly(TM) I/O (Input/Output) The transfer of data between the CPU and a peripheral device. Every transfer is an output from one device and an input to another. See PC input/output. I/O - Input/Output adapters for Windows CE-based computers, the CompactFlash version of Socket's CIO Card prolongs the battery life of its mobile host by being energy efficient, requiring only 2.4 milliamps (8 milliwatts) to operate in stand-by mode with a 3.3V power source. In comparison, typical PC Card communication adapters draw between 25 and 50 times more power. Low power consumption allows users to spend less time changing batteries or hassling with bulky AC adapters and more time doing productive work. The CompactFlash version of the CIO Card operates on 3.3 volts or 5 volts. The CIO Card is based on field proven technology used in Socket's Serial I/O Card, the world's top selling PC Card serial communications adapter. Both cards use Socket's High Integration Serial ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Pronounced "a-sick." A chip that is custom designed for a specific application rather than a general-purpose chip such as a microprocessor. chip, which minimizes component count and power consumption. OEM versions of the CIO Card can be specially configured with custom fixed or removable cables, alternate communication protocols such as TTL (1) (Time To Live) A parameter in a network packet that sets a time limit to its validity. In order to prevent an IP packet from propagating endlessly through the network, the value in the TTL field is reduced by each router. vs. RS-232, and the ability to provide power from a host computer to a serial peripheral. "The CompactFlash version of the CIO Card opens up exciting possibilities for VARs and integrators who focus on mobile data collection," said Peter Phillips, Socket's product marketing manager. "Just about any serial bar code wand, bar code gun or mag stripe reader can now be integrated instantly to a Palm-size PC either as a proof of concept or as a ready to use product. We're also eager to work with clients who want customized versions of the CIO Card to fit their special applications." The CompactFlash Collection I/O Card with a removable cable has an SRP SRP - A data link layer protocol. of $179. A ruggedized version of the CIO Card with a fixed cable has an SRP of $199. Both are available immediately. Other data collection products from Socket include the Bar Code Wand Card and the PC Card version of the Collection I/O Card. The Bar Code Wand Card includes a PC Card integrated with a Welch Allyn bar code scanner wand and comes with keyboard wedge software that allows the product to operate with Windows CE-based Handheld PCs and Handheld PC Professionals. Socket also offers a PC Card version of the Collection I/O Card that includes Windows CE compatible keyboard wedge software. For details about Socket's product family, visit Socket's web site at http://www.socketcom.com. Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells connectivity products for Windows CE-based computers. Socket's products include a family of Battery Friendly(TM) PC Card and CompactFlash size adapters for serial communications, Ethernet connectivity, mobile data collection, and wireless messaging. Socket's growing family of Battery Friendly I/O adapters currently includes the Low Power Ethernet Card, the Bar Code Wand Card, the Serial I/O Card, the Ruggedized Serial I/O Card, the Dual Serial I/O Card, the Ruggedized Dual Serial I/O Card, the Collection I/O Card and the combination Ethernet/Serial Card. Socket's products utilize the company's low power chip technology, making them ideal for battery-operated mobile computers. Information about Socket's complete range of products is available on the company's web site at http://www.socketcom.com. Note to Editors: Socket, CIO Card, Bar Code Wand Card and Battery Friendly are registered trademarks or trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc.
CONTACT: Socket Communications
Peter Phillips, 510/744-2767
peter@socketcom.com
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