Phoenix Announces PenLeader Hardware Reference Design and PenBIOS Systems Software for Dual Mode Pen Systems

Oct. 14, 1991 — Phoenix Technologies Ltd.  (NASDAQ:PTEC) announced Monday a complete OEM design solution for pen systems utilizing the Intel 80386SL Microprocessor SuperSet to run either GO Corp.’s PenPoint operating system or Microsoft’s Windows for Pen operating environment.

The hardware reference design, called PenLeader, includes Phoenix’s PenBIOS systems softare. The tightly integrated offering provides manufacturers with fast time-to-market for new pen systems and consists of a complete ready-to-boot pen computer including and assembled and tested system board, LCD panel, power supply, hard drive, floppy drive, cables and a reference digitizer and controller for pen-pinput from WACOM.

The Phoenix PenBIOS systems software suite has been optimized for PenLeader to provide OEMs with complete, compatible hardware/software integration. The PenBIOS is based on the industry-leading PhoenixBIOS software, an essential PC component which interfaces between hardware platform and operating system to provide compatibility with PC applications.

Phoenix has expanded the standard system BIOS to support Microsoft’s Windows for Pen Computing and GO’s PenPoint.

Phoenix offers three variations of PenBIOS.

• PenBIOS/W — for the DOS/Windows only environment
• PenBIOS/G — for a PenPoint-only system
• PenBIOS/D — for a dual mode system to run both Windows for Pen and PenPoint

”The Phoenix pen system product line, PenLeader and PenBIOS, was developed in answer to the substantial interest from our OEM customers for a single pen hardware and software design that will run both Windows for Pen and PenPoint. We are now offering a single compatibility standard that will support both,” said Gerry Purdy Sr., director, Portable Systems Group at Phoenix Technologies Ltd. ”We have leveraged our 386SL notebook expertise in deriving the PenLeader design and unique PenBIOS systems software.”

”The Dual Mode PenBIOS will prove to be key in enabling the rapid growth of the pen market because: a) It offers OEMs a risk-free development path into a larger potential customer base; b) It offers users choice between PenPoint and Windows; c) It offers software developers a larger base for which to develop pen applications; and d) It brings more pen systems to market sooner,” said Rich Sorkin, senior product marketing manager for Pen Systems. ”Plus, it’s backed with Phoenix’s unparalleled engineering services to guarantee compatibility and customizec features for our OEM customers.”

PenBIOS incorporates Phoenix’s core system BIOS technology and enhances it with special pen-input and digitizing device drivers. In addition, PenBIOS includes a suite of standard or optional software products to support dual mode operation for pen systems:

• Machine Interface Layer (MIL) is the BIOS-equivalent software for the PenPoint operating system, ensuring compatibility between applications and hardware devices. Like the BIOS, MIL must be customized for each OEM system configuration. Phoenix adapted MIL for the PenLeader hardware specifications.
• Dual Mode Supervisor includes Multi-OS boot sector code and installation utility that recognizes the user’s operating system selection and boots the system accordingly.
• PhoenixMISER software support for 386SL power management features.
• PenSETUP end-user utility for pen-input and operating system selection.
• PhoenixVIEW/LC VGA video BIOS for LCD screens.
• MultiKey 51/42 keyboard BIOS to support systems with both pen-input and keyboard controllers.
• PenPoint Loader to load and boot MIL and PenPoint.
• Device Drivers for Displays and Digitizing Tablets under Windows.

Phoenix will be demonstrating the PenLeader/PenBIOS system at Comdex/Fall ’91, Room N-109, Las Vegas Convention Center — West Hall. The products will be available for OEMs beginning in January 1992.

PenLeader is Phoenix’s third portable system reference design program. The Phoenix SL-Leader reference design was launched in May 1991 providing full hardware and software specifications for portable computers based on the Intel 80386SL Microprocessor Superset. The VIP 8000SX, a reference design program for portable systems based on the Intel 80386SX was launched in early 1990; to date more than 30 386SX portable computers have been integrated with Phoenix’s compatability software.

Phoenix Technologies Ltd., headquartered in Norwood, Mass., is the leading independent designer, developer, and marketer of systems software products for personal and portable computers and printers.  Its products allow OEMs to offer their customers computers and printers that are compatible with industry standards. More than 200 of the major personal computer and peripherals manufacturers rely on Phoenix for its system-level software and hardware compatibility expertise.

CONTACT:
Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Rich Sorkin, 408/452-6552 Walt & Sommerhauser
Bob Walt, 408/496-2990