NEC MobilePro 750C Becomes First Windows CE Device to Include Built-In Natural Handwriting Recognition
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — May 12, 1998 — ParaGraph PI, a pen and Internet technology group, today announced that NEC Computer Systems Division (NEC CSD) is the first manufacturer to include built-in natural handwriting recognition for its Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE Handheld PC (H/PC).
NEC's new MobilePro(TM) 750C H/PC features ParaGraph's CalliGrapher(R) software in ROM (Read-Only Memory), which enables users to input data in their own handwriting. Users simply write on the 750C's screen and CalliGrapher will immediately or at a user-specified time convert their handwriting into ASCII text, which is transparently available in any Windows CE application.
CalliGrapher is an award-winning (Best of Fall COMDEX OE97) universal natural handwriting recognition tool that understands how people normally write — whether natural cursive, print/mixed cursive or print. CalliGrapher — which is based on patented fuzzy logic and neural network techniques developed over the last nine years — recognizes both dictionary and non-dictionary words as well as arbitrary symbol sequences without any user training.
"With the inclusion of ParaGraph PI's CalliGrapher handwriting recognition software, the MobilePro 750C gives our customers the true flexibility of using both handwriting and typing for data input and storage," said Mike DeNeffe, director of marketing for Handheld PCs at NEC Computer Systems Division (NEC CSD). "The large, comfortable keyboard coupled with CalliGrapher on the MobilePro 750C delivers the best of both worlds for data entry options."
"ParaGraph is very pleased to provide its technology to an industry leader of NEC's excellent reputation," said Leonid Kitainik, senior marketing and sales manager of ParaGraph PI. "The MobilePro 750C is a breakthrough product for customers seeking a high-powered H/PC that also enables the freedom to express their ideas and thoughts through pen input."
NEC MobilePro 750C Specifications
* Instant ON Lightweight Color Handheld Computer
* Large, touch-typeable keyboard
* Brilliant 8-inch diagonal 256 color display
* 8-hour battery life
* Microsoft Windows CE 2.0
* Full resolution VGA port, serial port, IR port
* 33.6 Kbps hardware modem
* Microphone and dictation software
* Automatic data/e-mail synchronization with desktop PCs
* Fast, 80MHz NEC VR4111 microprocessor, with 16MB RAM (expandable) and 16MB ROM
* Includes AC adapter, PC docking cable, VGA cable and standard RJ-11 telephone cable
* Full PIM functionality: address book, calendar, to-do list and more
The NEC MobilePro 750C H/PC is available immediately through NEC NOW (888-863-2669 or www.necnow.com) for $899. A $20 upgrade to the built-in CalliGrapher software enables full cursive handwriting cognition in addition to printed characters — upgrade information may be obtained from http://www.paragraph.com/neccsd.
CalliGrapher 5.1 Specifications
* Writer-Independent: – Does not require user training
* Deferred Recognition: – Allows user to take notes for later recognition
* Screen Draw Mode: – Allows user to draw in document
* Recognition Types: – Natural handwriting including cursive, print, mixed cursive/print
* Character Set: – Latin alphabet, standard punctuation and special symbols
* Language: Supports "American-style" English with expandable language architecture
* Screen Orientation: -Supports screen rotation in 45-degree increments
* Operating Environment: -Supported by Windows CE versions 1.0 and 2.0
* Processor Compatibility: -Hitachi(R) SH3 and MIPS(R)
In addition to the MobilePro 750C, CalliGrapher 5.1 is available for other H/PCs immediately via the Internet and catalog retailers. Internet distributors include C NET Direct, Digital River, MobileSoft and Software.Net. Current catalog distributors include Mobile Planet and MobileScape. CalliGrapher 5.1 is priced at U.S. $49.95 online and U.S. $59.95 via mail order. Visit the ParaGraph PI Web site http://www.paragraph.com for additional distribution information.
About NEC Computer Systems Division
NEC Computer Systems Division is a leading manufacturer of computer products and solutions for the commercial and consumer markets. NEC branded products include Versa(R) notebook computers, Direction? personal computers PowerMate(R) desktop computers, Express5800(TM) servers and MobilePro(TM) handheld personal computers. Each system is backed by NEC CSD's worldwide customer service and support program. NEC Computer Systems Division is a division of Sacramento, California-based Packard Bell NEC, Inc., the fourth largest PC vendor in the United States, according to International Data Corporation, an independent industry research firm based in Framingham, Mass.
About ParaGraph PI
ParaGraph PI, a Silicon Graphics company, develops and markets pen and Internet software products and technologies, including CalliGrapher recognition, HodoGraph(TM) compression, MorphInk(TM) auto-morphing and animation technologies. ParaGraph PI products are based on the R&D work of ParaGraph International Inc., which was founded in 1989 and was acquired by Silicon Graphics in 1997. ParaGraph PI is headed by Silicon Graphics Vice President Dr. Stepan Pachikov, founder and CEO of ParaGraph International.
For more information about ParaGraph products, please send e-mail to [email protected] or contact ParaGraph PI directly at 2011 N. Shoreline Blvd, Bldg. 10, MS 571, Mountain View, CA 94043-1389 or call 650-933-3000.
NOTE: Silicon Graphics and the Silicon Graphics logo are registered trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc. CalliGrapher is a registered trademark, and ParaGraph, the ParaGraph logo, HodoGraph and MorphInk are trademarks of ParaGraph PI, a Silicon Graphics company. MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Express5800 and MobilePro are trademarks and PowerMate and Versa are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation used under exclusive license. Direction is a trademark of Packard Bell NEC, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Hitachi is a registered trademark of Kabushiki Kaisha Hitachi Seisakusho. Other product and company names herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE: ParaGraph PI
CONTACT:
Jonathan Hirshon of Horizon Communications, 408-969-4888, ext. 101, or [email protected], for ParaGraph PI