Automotive Mobile Audio Video

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 1997--Zoran Corp. (NASDAQ:ZRAN), the world's leading supplier of AC-3 decoders, announced today the industry's first integration of a Dolby AC-3/Pro-Logic solution with 3D audio on a single chip.

The ZR38600 is the only chip that offers ten extra MIPS of processing power and the built-in capacity to run both Dolby AC-3 and 3D audio algorithms simultaneously. Additional costly processors, with their required support chips, are no longer needed to bring the 3D audio experience to home or mobile entertainment centers.

Five leading manufacturers of 3D audio algorithms-Dolby Laboratories, Harman, Spatializer, SRS Laboratories and QSound Laboratories, Inc. have ported their algorithms to the ZR38600, giving equipment providers and implementers the opportunity to choose from a wide range of high-quality algorithms that best fit their systems and intended audience.

"For over 3 years Zoran has been offering systems providers premier platforms for all types of digital audio," said Paul Goldberg, vice president of systems solutions for Zoran. "Our new offering, the ZR38600, can bring the exciting experience of 3D audio to end-users with no extra component cost."

3D Audio Applications For End-Users

End-users, who employ their home entertainment systems for personal enjoyment, can experience five channel home theater sound with the use of 3D audio and only a pair of conventional loudspeakers, rather than using the four to six speakers currently required for surround sound. This means that an entire entertainment system can be placed on one side of a room and provide "movie theater" sound.

With the anticipated emergence of multichannel audio program sources, such as digital satellite television, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) and High Definition TV, the number of 3D audio enabled entertainment centers are expected to increase rapidly in the future.

The market also expects to see new automotive and "boom-box" portable applications driven by the availability of multichannel audio DVD players. Zoran's flexible ZR38600 has been designed to support all of these emerging 3D audio applications.

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Industry Leaders Outline Next Steps At

CEMA Discovery Group Meeting

An array of industry organizations gathered in Washington, DC on Wednesday, September 15, 1999 to express interest and address concerns around the mobile multimedia broadcast service (MMBS).

The technologies, capabilities and possible applications of MMBS were among the topics explored at the Discovery Group meeting, held at the Loews' L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC. Spearheaded by the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA), the MMBS Discovery Group meeting brought together 44 leaders from the broadcasting, consumer electronics, automotive and information technology industries to examine the issues around creating MMBS. CEMA's Discovery Groups are a series of industry-unifying discussion forums that explore the regulatory challenges, technological issues and the need for standards in a variety of product areas.

"Many industry segments including broadcast and consumer electronics manufacturers, content and service providers and some broadcasters, expressed great enthusiasm for MMBS during the meeting," explained meeting facilitator and CEMA Director of Technology and Standards Ralph Justus. "The group agreed upon several next steps in the process and gave CEMA a clear message of support and direction."

Outreach to raise awareness of MMBS and further examination of the technology required to implement the system topped the list of the group's recommended next steps, according to Justus. "The upshot of the discussion was that there is a compelling need for the services provided by MMBS and that meeting these needs is in the public interest," Justus recounted. "The group asked that we continue to articulate this message to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other audiences."

Participants specifically suggested that CEMA spearhead a grass-roots effort to raise awareness of the system among other associations, content creators, service providers and manufacturers of broadcast and reception equipment. Further, the participants urged CEMA to encourage these groups to express their support for MMBS to the FCC.

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Using advanced features such as mobile internet browsing or sending digital photos is still a challenge for millions of consumers worldwide. To make life easier, the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) group was formed to promote the creation of common user interfaces across numerous advanced devices that are 2.5G and 3G compliant. Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) is now a sponsor participant of OMTP and is focused on helping network operators increase average revenue per user through greater feature utilization.

"Achieving simple, intuitive user interfaces is at the heart of customer satisfaction through smart mobile device design," said Franz Fink, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's wireless and mobile systems division. "By bringing together leaders in network operations and the global mobile device value chain, the OMTP group will bring us all closer to true seamless mobility experiences for current and future generations of mobile consumers."

Freescale's vision for seamless mobility is an experience invisible to the user, allowing access to mobile multimedia content, protocols and services effortlessly, anywhere, without limits or boundaries or location restrictions. To achieve this vision, Freescale is creating smart, synchronized and connected wireless platforms, allowing for seamless handoffs between personal, local, and wide area networks.

Freescale Semiconductor provides a full portfolio of products to enable seamless mobility with a rich array of wireless connectivity and multimedia solutions. The Freescale portfolio includes the Innovative Convergence(TM) cellular platforms for 2G, 2.5G, EDGE, UMTS, and the highly integrated Mobile Extreme Convergence (MXC) architecture that combines wireless communications and processing functions around a single core modem with a shared memory subsystem. Freescale, a leader in 3G, is the first to offer High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) on their third generation 3G platform.

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MIDDLETOWN, R.I. -- General Motors awarded KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) the 2004 "Most Innovative Product Award" for KVH's TracVision(R) A5 low-profile satellite TV antenna during the 2004 Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association (SEMA) annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The TracVision A5, which brings DIRECTV(R) programming to passenger vehicles, was on display during the SEMA Convention both in KVH's booth as well as on a GMC Yukon XL Denali Limited Edition show vehicle in the General Motors booth.

Robert Kern, General Motors' manager of SEMA relations, and Kip Wasenko, executive director of GM's advanced design studios, made the presentation at a special reception held during the show.

According to Wasenko, the GM Design Awards are intended to recognize aftermarket companies whose products reflect innovation and creativity, while having a high quality of execution. The standards are very high and the competition intense, and there is a great deal of lively debate among the GM designers and engineers who attend the SEMA show specifically to judge this prestigious event.

Kern added, "The GM Design Award is very prestigious, honoring the tremendous skill and innovation being applied by SEMA members who are designing products that are applied to GM vehicles for the automotive aftermarket. It's a difficult challenge for our designers and engineers to select the best of the best products in the automotive aftermarket."

Accepting the award on behalf of KVH Industries was Robert Riedford, business development director. Riedford commented, "KVH is honored and humbled to be recognized by GM for this prestigious award. We're convinced that just as people prefer to enjoy the variety and quality of DIRECTV programming in their homes, they will want the same entertainment experience in their cars." He concluded his remarks by thanking a long list of GM employees who had been helpful in introducing TracVision A5 and the concept of live satellite TV in passenger vehicles to the GM community.

The GM Design Award marks the second time in two weeks that the TracVision A5 was recognized by the automobile industry. On October 18, 2004, Automotive News and the Transportation Research Center, Inc., named the TracVision A5 as one of 24 finalists for the prestigious PACE awards. The PACE Award winners will be announced in April 2005.

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TOKYO -- Companies Sign Licensing and Development Agreement; Expanded Relationship Grows from Cell Phone Microphone Array, Disposable Hearing Aid Projects

Star Micronics of Shizuoka, Japan, and Sarnoff Corporation of Princeton, NJ, USA, today announced the signing of a licensing and development agreement under which they will jointly develop new components and complete products for the mobile phone, video recorder, automotive, and other markets.

The agreement formalizes a relationship that has already produced breakthrough innovations. The companies had developed key components for the world's first disposable hearing aid. They recently announced the availability of a microphone module for cell phones that reduces background noise, provides stereo capability and enables hands-free/speakerphone functions.

"We are very pleased to have an agreement in place that sets the stage for continued cooperation in the future," said Satyam Cherukuri, President and CEO of Sarnoff. "We look forward to creating many more innovative products in partnership with Star Micronics."

"Our expertise in producing precision miniature products is a perfect complement to Sarnoff's long history of developing new technology," said Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Star Micronics. "We are happy to confirm that our two companies will continue to work together."

Under the agreement, Star Micronics and Sarnoff will carry out joint development of new products for a variety of markets and applications. Star Micronics will serve as the manufacturer in these joint projects.

Star Micronics will also be able to license Sarnoff innovations for use in products that are not jointly developed. The licenses will be granted on a royalty basis.

Star Micronics is a leading manufacturer of audio and precision electronic components, printers, and machine tools for markets ranging from retail and entertainment to the medical and automotive fields. Sarnoff is a technology development and innovation services company with expertise in microelectronics, information technology, and biomedical products and technologies.

About Star Micronics

Star Micronics Company Ltd. (www.star-m.jp) of Shizuoka, Japan, is a world-leading producer of small printers, audio components, high-precision machine tools, and precision parts.

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ATLANTA and LOS ANGELES -- SmartVideo Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: SMVD) continues to enhance its dynamic lineup of live and on-demand television programming for cellular smartphones, adding film, music videos and action sports content, through a partnership deal with IFILM, one of the leading video-entertainment destinations on the Web.

IFILM offers a variety of channels spotlighting movies, short films, TV clips, video-game trailers, music videos, action sports and its celebrated Viral Videos collections. IFILM highlights are now available on smartphones and PDAs running the SmartVideo service. IFILM.com is cited as one of the top 10 streaming media sites.

SmartVideo is the only company with the technology to deliver full-motion, fully synched video and audio to the 50 million owners of current-generation smartphones. Content packages include programming from ABC News, NBC News, The Weather Channel and premium content from DIC Entertainment, with more programming being added regularly. To view content samples on a mobile device and subscribe to this groundbreaking new service, log on to the SmartVideo Web site at www.smartvideo.com or enter www.windowsmedia.com/mobile on a smartphone or smart PDA. Subscriptions for IFILM, and other programming, start at just $12.95 per month.

"Distributing IFILM's content on mobile phones is extremely important to us, and we're delighted about our deal with SmartVideo," said Blair Harrison, CEO of IFILM. "Through SmartVideo, consumers can access our huge library of the best video on the web, no matter where they are. This is a big step towards our goal of making IFILM available everywhere."

"Adding IFILM to our arsenal of entertainment content is truly an exciting development," said Richard E. Bennett, Jr., president and CEO of SmartVideo. "IFILM is a significant building block for our entertainment bundle. We will be adding even more entertainment, lifestyle, and sports programming soon."

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Commonly referred to as squibs, electronic initiators will be required in future multiplexed automotive safety-critical networks, especially dedicated passenger restraint networks. Creating a truly `smart' initiator for in-vehicle safety networks was achieved by combining SDI's initiator experience with Philips Semiconductors' recognized technical leadership in innovative silicon for In-Vehicle Networking (IVN).

Embedding the complex control electronics required into the firing mechanism itself allows the simple integration of airbag nodes at any point in the network with minimal design effort. It also makes full system diagnostics possible at any time - including immediately before deployment. Automotive manufacturers can therefore incorporate greater control over the direction and rate of inflation into dynamic airbag networks, taking into account the size, weight and position of the driver and passengers. This ensures optimum protection while significantly reducing the potential of improper deployment.

"This development clearly points to the future of safety-critical networks," said Len Arguello, Philips Semiconductors' North America IVN marketing manager. "The successful firing of an electronic initiator highlights the performance of Philips Semiconductors' first PLANET (Philips Lite Automotive NETwork) IC, a specially designed safety-critical network concept ideal for dedicated passenger restraint systems that has already gained significant support from various organizations. In particular, we have been working very closely with USCAR (a consortium of North America's big three automotive manufacturers) developing an international standard for safety-critical networks, to ensure the safest solution for users while meeting the myriad of requirements for the automotive industry."

At the heart of this device is Philips Semiconductors' AU6101 squib driver IC, developed specifically to meet the Classic PLANET protocol. The AU6101 Squib Driver IC is available in Engineering Sample quantities.

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Low Profile Satellite Television Antenna Targets Van and SUV Markets

Datron/Transco Inc. today announced that its Mobile Electronics Division has signed a distribution agreement with Audiovox Specialized Applications LLC (ASA) for Datron's new low-profile CruiseTV(R) STS satellite television tracking system. Datron/Transco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Datron Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:DTSI).

The agreement leverages Datron's industry-leading satellite tracking antenna technology and ASA's strong brand to bring in-motion satellite television programming to family vehicle segments of the automotive market. Measuring just 9-1/2 inches in height, the sleek, aerodynamic profile of the CruiseTV STS is designed to provide the ideal mobile entertainment solution for vans and SUVs.

Based on the agreement, the CruiseTV STS antenna systems will be included in ASA's Flexvision(R) product line. ASA will provide sales and marketing support, and Datron will provide technical assistance through its nationwide network of authorized service centers.

ASA is the leading supplier of mobile electronics equipment to all major vehicle outfitters for full-size vans, mini-vans, and SUVs throughout the United States. In 1999, ASA equipment was installed on 90,000 vehicle conversions.

"We are pleased to partner with ASA to bring high-quality digital audio and video programming to the van and SUV conversion markets," said Rick Carver, Mobile Electronics Division director. "Datron was the first to bring in-motion satellite programming to the RV, long-haul truck and bus markets, and through this partnership, we will be the first to bring that capability into additional segments of the automotive market. Vans and SUVs are popular family vehicles, and live satellite television will enhance the travel experience, especially on long distance road trips."

"The addition of the low-profile CruiseTV STS to our product line strengthens our position as the industry leader in offering the widest selection and latest technology in mobile electronics entertainment products to our customers," said Brent Barrow, ASA's president and chief operating officer. "We look forward to working with Datron to introduce live satellite television to our van and SUV conversion customers."

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Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore are the first in the nation to use sophisticated video and computer technology to assess a stroke patient in real time during an ambulance ride.

The system has been developed in partnership with TRW Inc. through a combination of joint funding and grants provided by The National Library of Medicine, part of National Institutes of Health.

"Every moment counts, now that we have a drug to dissolve clots causing the stroke," said Marian LaMonte, M.D., M.S.N., director of the Brain Attack Team at the University of Maryland Medical Center and assistant professor of Neurology and Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "If we can save time and get a head start in evaluating patients even before they arrive at the hospital, we may be able to prevent more death and disability. This is very important since the clot-busting drug tPA can only be given within three hours after stroke symptoms begin."

"Our success demonstrates the importance of intimate collaboration between physicians and engineers in systems development," said Yan Xiao, Ph.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology and human factors engineer at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who has been key to the project. "We as a team worked together to understand clinical tasks and information requirement."

"The time sensitive-nature of stroke treatment demands easy and rapid access to transmitted data. The system meets that demand by delivering images through a web interface so neurologists can view it practically anywhere," added Peter Hu, MS, a senior biomedical engineer and Director for Information Systems, Department of Anesthesiology at University of Maryland.

"TRW is thrilled to have leveraged our advanced technology, systems development, and integration expertise for such a socially significant program," said David Gagliano, TRW telemedicine program manager. "Over the course of the next year, the project team will be enhancing the system using next-generation Internet technologies and performing a rigorous clinical evaluation of the system. We look forward to opportunities for a wider regional deployment of this technology."

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System Tests by U.S. Army Military Police Prove Successful for

Field Operations

Visionics Corporation (Nasdaq: VSNX), the worldwide leader in identification technologies and systems, and ViA, Inc., a leading provider of body-worn mobile computers, announced today that FaceIt(R) facial recognition technology was successfully tested on ViA's next generation, Transmeta-based wearable computer.

This marks the first time that a mobile security system was developed using facial recognition technology running on a wearable computer. Visionics will be demonstrating the system this week at the Force Protection Equipment Demonstration (FPED III) in Quantico, Virginia.

The U.S. Army Military Police recently used ViA's next generation, Transmeta-based wearable PC, loaded with Visionics' FaceIt(R) software to successfully conduct checkpoint operations in field trials held at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The mobile security system included a head-mounted display, and ViA's wearable computer running the FaceIt(R) software.

Military Police used the mobile security system to automatically capture a picture of an individual and perform a one-to-many match against a database of facial images on the spot, in the field and without manual intervention. Once the software made a match, the MP was presented confirmation of the individual's status and could take appropriate action.

The field test was part of the U.S. Army's Digital MP program, which identifies technology that allows Military Police to better perform their jobs. Henry Girolamo, Program Manager of the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center in Natick, Massachusetts, leads the Digital MP Program. He believes that a security system using facial recognition software loaded on a wearable computing platform will greatly increase the MP effectiveness.

"MP's have traditionally been forced to rely on their memory to confirm an individual's status," said Girolamo. "FaceIt(R) software provides a quick and accurate confirmation of an individual's identity. ViA's wearable PC provides the hands-free, mobile platform that permits the MP to remain at their post."

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Datron Advanced Technologies Inc. today announced that its Mobile Electronics Division has signed an agreement with Audiovox Corp.'s Mobile Electronics Division for exclusive distribution of Datron's new low-profile CruiseTV(R) STS in-motion satellite television tracking system to selected classes of trade.

Datron Advanced Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Datron Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:DTSI).

Under terms of the agreement, Datron's CruiseTVSTS will be exclusively distributed by Audiovox into 12-volt retailer specialists, expeditors who service car dealers, car dealers, mass merchandisers and electronic retailers. Datron will continue to distribute to its traditional markets of marine dealers, mobile satellite dealers and recreational vehicle manufacturers and dealers.

Measuring just 9.5 inches in height, CruiseTVSTS is offered in two sleek, aerodynamic radome designs and delivers up to 200 channels of live satellite television programming from DIRECTV(R). This combination of leading-edge design and superior performance makes the CruiseTVSTS the only suitable mobile entertainment solution for full-size vans, minivans and SUVs.

"We are extremely pleased to partner with Audiovox," said Richard Carter, general manager of Datron's Mobile Electronics Division. "Live television is a leading trend in mobile entertainment, and through the vast reach of the Audiovox distribution network, Datron and Audiovox will be the first to bring live satellite television to a wide variety of automotive aftermarket customers."

"Our strategy is to offer the latest in mobile entertainment options to all segments of the automotive aftermarket, and Datron's Cruise TVSTS system is an exciting addition to our product line," said Tom Malone, group vice president of Audiovox's Mobile Electronics Division. "Through this partnership, our customers will have the most complete selection of audio and video automotive entertainment products currently available."

Mobile Electronics Division

Datron Advanced Technologies Inc. (formerly Datron/Transco) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Datron Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:DTSI). Datron's Mobile Electronics Division is located in Simi Valley, Calif.

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Microsemi Corp. (Nasdaq:MSCC), a leading manufacturer of power management integrated circuits, today announced that it has introduced two new AudioMAX(R) Class-D stereo amplifier controllers with next-generation power and performance characteristics.

Designated the LX1721/1722(TM) controllers, the new integrated circuits support full fidelity 20Hz-20kHz audio production and a standard output up to 65 watts (rms) per channel. Output power is determined by the choice of input voltage, external MOSFETs and speaker loads. The single input supply can be as low as seven volts, or as high as 25 volts.

With efficiency greater than 85% the new AudioMAX controllers remain cool, requiring no heat sinks in most applications that range from portable or battery-operated products to automotive amplifiers, multi-channel multimedia computer and video games, wireless speakers, home theatre/surround sound audio, computers and public address systems.

"These newest AudioMAX controllers typify the space and power-saving objectives common to most Microsemi product introductions today," commented Kelly Jones, vice president and general manager at Microsemi's power management division. "In addition to power and efficiency advantages, the LX1721/1722 solutions provide impressive sound quality. Their typical distortion plus noise rating is less than 0.06%," he said.

There are two controllers in the new AudioMAX series. The LX1721 is optimized for fidelity, uses a power supply of seven to 15 volts, and provides stereo output power up to 40 watts per channel. The LX1722 is optimized for power, providing stereo output up to 65 watts from a 25 volt supply. AudioMAX reference designs also show how it is possible to achieve an even greater output, with power exceeding well over 100 watts per channel.

Microsemi designers point out that creating a complete stereo amplifier is easy -- accomplished by combining an LX1721/22 controller with appropriate output power MOSFETs and an output filter. Microsemi offers two ready-to-play evaluation modules -- the LXE1721 and LXE1722 -- that require only a power source, speakers and input audio signals to test drive the new AudioMAX full-fidelity sound reproduction.

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Building on existing investment relationships, Infineon Technologies (FSE/NYSE:IFX), a leading provider of wireless semiconductor solutions, PacketVideo Corp. and sci-worx, a leading provider of intellectual property cores, today announced a technology integration alliance that will offer mobile users of GPRS and UMTS devices the richness of sight, sound, animation and moving pictures.

Under the agreement, PacketVideo's standards compliant mobilemedia software, pvPlayer(TM), pvAuthor(TM) and pv2WAY(TM) respectively, as well as sci-worx video acceleration technology, will be tightly integrated into a variety of Infineon's future mobile Internet modem and application processor solutions, including the S- and M-GOLD family, for next generation mobile handsets.

This co-operation will provide wireless terminal manufacturers with comprehensive end-to-end-solutions including multimedia content encoding, distribution, transmission and decoding allowing the fast and reliable development of next generation media-enabled mobile phones for faster time-to-market.

According to the ARC Group, global sales of mobile phones incorporating streaming video capability is going to exceed 90 million units in 2005, growing to more than 150 million units in 2006.

"Our alliance with PacketVideo and sci-worx supports Infineon's mission to provide our customers with sophisticated solutions for the wireless market," said Ulrich Hamann, CEO of the Business Group Wireless Solutions at Infineon Technologies. "The integration of PacketVideo's multimedia software and sci-worx hardware accelerators into our wireless chip offerings will enhance next generation mobile devices with full featured multimedia services."

Infineon's Wireless Solutions Group develops, produces and markets semiconductors and complete-system-solutions for a variety of mobile applications. The company is a leading provider of wireless solutions and a world leader in technology for the future mobile radio standard UMTS.

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