KVH’s Trac Vision
Product Notes is a forum for area companies to introduce their products and new technology to the region’s business professionals. Information for this section is compiled from press releases (both electronic and print) and from staff research. High Technology Monthly does not evaluate products listed in this section.
Companies interested in listing products and technological developments should submit a brief description of the company, product, and target market. Those companies submitting information are also encouraged to send pictures or graphics containing information about the product. Submissions may be faxed to Product Notes at (401) 274-0670 or mailed to Stacey Myers, Staff Writer, Providence Business News, 300 Richmond St., Providence, R.I. 02093. If you have questions please call (401) 273-2201 ext. 217.
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Company: KVH Industries, Inc., 50 Enterprise Center, Middletown, R.I. 02842, phone (401) 849-3327
Internet address: www.kvh.com
Product: TracVision LM – a low-cost mobile TV system, which delivers direct broadcast satellite programming to a range of recreational and other vehicles traveling in North America. TracVision, which was introduced in January, maintains satellite contact in mobile environments by sensing vehicle motion and automatically adjusting the antenna position. Before such systems were invented motor home occupants could only watch TV while the vehicle was at rest and had to use an antenna that was manually positioned.
KVH spokeswoman Alice Andrews said TracVision allows for broadband reception and they hope to expand the product’s capability from TV reception to other forms of data transmission, such as receiving facsimiles and Internet access. The system weighs about 33 pounds with all the components inside a flush-mount antenna dome, which can be easily installed in about two hours on vehicles pre-wired with power and RF cables. TracVision retails for about $2,995, which does not include the cost of TVs, receivers or installation.
Market: Recreational and commercial vehicles, including motor homes, suburban utility vehicles, and motor coaches.
WristSaver by ttools
Company: ttools, LLC, P.O. Box 603222, Providence, R.I. 02906, phone (401) 831-3831
Internet address: www.ttools.com
Product: WristSaver Mouse Tier – a computer desk accessory, which lowers the mouse to the level of pull-out keyboard trays. Its design is intended to eliminate the discomfort and the functional inconvenience caused by going back-and-forth from a keyboard tray to a desktop mouse pad. It also takes the mouse cable and pad off the desktop, clearing space for other uses. The WristSaver Mouse Tier clamps easily to the desk edge, and its swivel-mount mechanism enables it to disappear underneath the desk much like the keyboard tray.
The black, powder-coat finished device comes with a custom die-cut mouse pad, and sells for $24.98. It can be purchased through ttools’ Web site, along with other ttools products, including the throttle, which is a palmtop computer accessory.
Market: Any desktop computer user.
Company: Philips Image-Optics Modules, 100 Providence Pike, Slatersville, R.I. 02876, phone (401) 762-3800
Internet address: www.philipspcg.com
Product: FTM1010 Camera Module – a new camera module that extends the benefits of biometric identification technology. Philips Image-Optics Modules (IOM) is collaborating with Heimann Biometric Systems (HBS) of Jena, Germany, to manufacture and market this new product, according to a statement issued by Philips. Philips IOM has designed and developed advanced camera modules that can be incorporated into sophisticated applications produced by HBS, a leader in the biometric identification market. Working with HBS, Philips IOM engineers developed a CCD camera module that provides high-resolution images with excellent dynamic range.
The new CCD camera modules will be produced at Philips’ Slatersville facility. Philips Components North America produces optical, linear magnetic recording and electromechanical components for OEM and professional customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. HBS was spun off from Jenoptik in 1992. It concentrates on products that use the biometric characteristics of humans, such as fingerprints and handprints, as a means of identification. The average cost for the device is about $15,000.
Market: Regional and city law enforcement agencies, as well as immigration officials. Eventually Philips would like to develop this for banking purposes, so that bank customers could use their fingerprint as identification instead of a PIN number.
Astro-Med’s Dash16u.
Company: Astro-Med, Inc., Astro-Med Industrial Park, West Warwick, R.I. 02893, phone (401) 828-4000
Product: The Dash 16u – a new 16-channel data acquisition field recorder. It is equipped with universal inputs that accept isolated single-ended and differential voltages, thermocouples, pressure transducers and load cells. Dash 16u eliminates any need for signal conditioning or additional front-end filtering. With a data sample rate of 0.2 to 200 kHz per channel, the system is ideal for applications ranging from process trending to transient capture.
The portable unit’s features include a 10.4 inch active color display, real-time high resolution 300 dpi chart recording, 16 Mbytes of RAM for data capture, and a built-in 100 megabyte removable Zip drive for data transfer, archiving, and software updates. In addition the unit comes with Windows-based AstroSET software for quick and easy test setups, and Windows-based AstroVIEW C software for data transfer, review and analysis on a PC. Both programs are compatible with Windows 95, 98 and NT platforms.
Data capture and playback capabilities permit a detailed analysis of high speed data in slow motion replay. Stored data can be replayed on the bright color monitor, reviewed and discretely selected for printing in any real-time format. More information is available from the company. The Dash 16u is priced at $13,995.
Market: Ideal for acquiring, viewing, and printing data in demanding applications in the aerospace, telecommunications, automotive, paper and pulp, metals manufacturing, steel mills, electric utility, medical, and other industrial, scientific, and educational fields.
Wireless phone users can Xpress their true colors.
Company: Omnipoint Communications, 59 Composite Way, Suite 100, Lowell, Mass. 01851, phone (978) 323-6200
Internet address: www.omnipoint.com
Product: Xpress-on – color covers for Nokia 5190 wireless telephones. It’s a sign of the times, according to Omnipoint executives, who say that wireless phone users are adopting phone colors to match their mood, personality and attire. The Xpress-on face plate snaps on and off and comes in eye catching colors like Antigua red, gecko green, tango orange, Bermuda blue, and dolphin silver.
The Nokia 5190 handset is sold with a standard black face plate and is a small, lightweight phone. It includes talk and standby times with useful, simple-to-learn features. The handset and face plates can be purchased for $14.95 each by calling 1-888-BUY-OMNI or by visiting Omnipoint retail centers in Cranston, Boston, or Natick, Mass.
Market: Nokia 5190 wireless phone users.
Company: Sprint PCS, Kansas City, Mo.
Internet address: www.sprintpcs.com
Product: Short Messaging Service – it gives Sprint PCS’s customers, who have voicemail, the option of receiving numeric pages directly on their phone at no extra charge. Text messaging, for messages up to 100 characters, is also available for as low as $1.99 for 30 text messages a month or $9.99 for 500 messages per month.
When a caller reaches the Sprint customer’s voicemail he or she is given the option of leaving a voice message or sending a numeric page. The Sprint customer can, however, turn the numeric paging option on and off. When a numeric page comes in, the Sprint customer is alerted by a light on the phone, soft tone and a message on the handset screen.
For longer text messages, the Short Messaging Service offers three ways to send messages to a Sprint customer. Messages can be sent via Sprint’s Web site, through any Internet accessible e-mail account, and through a special TAP-compatible messaging software. The software is geared toward business users and can allow for extra functions, such as scheduling, archives and message recall. For more information visit a Sprint retail store – there’s one in Cranston – or visit the company Web site.
Market: Business people who use wireless phones and pagers.
