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- New York, NY; March 19, 1992 -- Logitech today announced that its Gazelle
- digitizing tablet and wireless pen is being used in the PalmPad, the first
- "wearable" PC introduced by GRiD Systems Corporation. Designed primarily
- for data collection applications, the PalmPAD can be used in the hand or
- worn on the wrist. It is also ruggedized, capable of withstanding
- three-foot drops. The PalmPAD takes a significant step in increasing the
- performance and utility of pen-based computing.
-
- The Logitech electromagnetic digitizer is self-contained on a single
- circuit board, avoiding the need to fit additional circuitry onto a
- motherboard; Logitech is the only supplier today that can combine
- digitizer and motherboard functions on a multi-layer circuit board. The
- patented technology provides high resolution while maintaining low cost
- through the use of standard printed circuit board manufacturing processes,
- and the elimination of microprocessors and A/D converters. By using an
- "active" pen, power consumption is reduced since the digitizing tablet
- acts solely as a receiver (see features discussion below).
-
- The PalmPAD features a 640-by-400 screen resolution along with a
- fluorescent, backlit display. This allows the unit to be used in a variety
- of lighting conditions, with plenty of room to display and work with text
- and graphics applications.
-
- "We are committed to improving the user interface of computers and making
- them more compatible with humans," says Pierluigi Zappacosta, president
- and CEO of Logitech. "By also being very committed to OEM customers such
- as GRiD, Logitech is pleased to be able to provide an inexpensive,
- excellent digitizing/pen-based product that is the thinnest [<0.8mm],
- lightest, and least power hungry available today. The Gazelle digitizing
- technology has successfully overcome the crucial pen-based development
- challenges of power consumption, speed, and resolution. It also provides
- two additional critical elements: a very small border area [<20mm] to
- accommodate the smallest system displays, as well as the design of a
- comfortable, ergonomically correct cordless pen."
-
- "With the PalmPAD," said Kirk Cruikshank, GRiD VP of marketing, "GRiD
- Corporation needed a robust design which could fit into a minimal package,
- a low-power device featuring high resolution and accuracy. These stringent
- demands were met by the Logitech/ Gazelle digitizer."
-
- The PalmPAD features a number of innovative and breakthrough technologies,
- such as extended battery life (eight hours on one charge), solid-state
- SunDisk storage cards, and co-molded plastic and rubber (Dow Chemical)
- casing. Key features (see following technical data sheet) of the Logitech
- Gazelle Graphics digitizer include:
-
- Noise immunity-- The pen and digitizer are inherently immune to
- electromagnetic noise from computers, LCDs, and other circuitry. The
- tablet emits no electromagnetic energy and requires no separate shield.
-
- High resolution and accuracy-- Triple that of the best commercial LCDs
- available, with tracking speed double that required for computer-intensive
- applications such as handwriting recognition.
-
- Undlerlay technology-- The digitizer is underneath the LCD and writing
- surface, so it is protected from dust, dirt, water, scratches, and other
- environmental degradation. Underlay technology is the most reliable means
- of providing pen input to computing systems.
-
- Low-power consumption -- The pen powers up if either switch is pressed, and
- powers down if unused for more than three minutes. Because the digitizer
- tablet acts only as a receiver, it consumes inherently less power than
- other electromagnetic digitizers which transmit, as well as receive,
- electromagnetic energy. The digitizer's power managements system reduces
- power consumption by 80 percent in standby mode, but still detects pen
- presence.
-
- Logitech is the leading manufacturer of pointing, input, and imaging
- devices worldwide for IBM PC, Macintosh, and other platforms. Its products
- include a diverse array of retail and OEM mice, trackballs, hand-held
- scanners, and digital cameras. Logitech's operational headquarters are in
- Fremont, California and the company is publicly held in Switzerland. It
- operates manufacturing facilities in Fremont; Hsinchu, Taiwan; and Cork,
- Ireland, and offices in major U.S., Far Eastern, and European cities.
-
- Logitech Inc, 6505 Kaiser Dr, Fremont, CA 94555
- 510-795-8500
-
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