Phoenix Technologies Ltd., the global leader in UEFI firmware technology, products and tools, announced the release of its flagship UEFI BIOS product, Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0. The third generation of Phoenix SecureCore Technology UEFI BIOS features cross-device, cross-codebase compatibility with native EDK II and EDK 1117 support for both x86 and ARM based systems, saving customization and maintenance efforts while reducing time to market for PC and mobile device builders."We have redefined Phoenix SecureCore Technology to maximize BIOS reusability and portability," said Steve Chan, Phoenix's Chief Technical Officer. "Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0 inherits its popular clean code tree with fully modularized design from previous generations; in addition, we re-architected the core for a universal build system which will help firmware developers in transitioning to EDK II, the next generation foundation for the latest UEFI and PI specifications."Seamless Transition to EDK IIStarting with the Intel Z2760 Atom processor (codenamed Clover Trail), EDK II is the new standard for UEFI firmware development on Intel based platforms. The core of Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3 is based on native EDK II foundation support as well as extending the driver package inherited from EDK1117. With SecureCore Technology 3, Phoenix has created a genuine dual-build system UEFI BIOS that fulfills the needs of all developers.Ultimately, a full transition to EDK II is necessary, and prioritizing engineering efficiency during the transition period remains vital. In 2013, support for platforms with EDK 1117 based drivers and OEM Identity Library (OIL) assets must continue alongside development of native EDK II based platforms. Doing so without any significant increase of BIOS engineering resources is a critical challenge. Phoenix's answer to this challenge is SecureCore Technology 3.0, a hybrid solution built with an EDK II core and EDK 1117 backward compatibility."Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0 enters the market at a time when it's needed most, a time of booming platforms and diversified devices," said David Everett, Senior VP of Field Operations at Phoenix Technologies. "Multi-platform and multi-OS firmware development with the same engineering resource has proved to be a real challenge for our OEM/ODM partners. With the universal build system of Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0 and our experienced customer engineering teams, we can help our clients transition to the new UEFI specification efficiently."Windows 8 Touch Support ReadyWith Windows 8 comes a new category of touch-enabled hardware. Bringing together the best of the PC and the tablet, new designs are available for touch-enabled desktops, AIO PCs, Ultrabooks, and embedded systems.Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0 is optimized for touch-enabled devices. The new Windows 8 style GUI BIOS Setup not only provides a seamless user experience that bridges Windows 8 and Phoenix BIOS, it also comes with a customizable GUI core engine, Phoenix Desktop Manager (PDM). PDM is a graphic framework for the BIOS menu in Visual Forms Representation (VFR) that is ideal for OEM branding."Available with a full feature set designed for touch-enabled devices, such as programmable touch hot zone and BitLocker unlock by virtual keyboard, Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0 offers OEM/ODM partners the best UEFI firmware solution to accelerate product launches and produce differentiated products," said Terry Chen, Phoenix VP of Development Engineering.Phoenix will host a series of launch events and training sessions for Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0 starting Tuesday, November 27, 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan. Contact Phoenix's regional offices for more information about Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0.For more information, visit http://www.phoenix.com/Phoenix Technologies launches EDK II compatible UEFI BIOS: Phoenix SecureCore Technology 3.0

The Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan was founded by missionaries in 1954. It has 539 beds, 990 employees, and offers a full-range of services to the community. The hospital is bordered by the Pacific on one side and mountains on the other, and its reputation spans the entire east coast. It is a premier healthcare provider for Taiwan's eastern communities with patients coming from the city, from far away villages, and from other more distant cities in the region.The reason for this is due in part to the hospital's core ethics: it values community and providing caring service more than profit and turnover rates. People often travel a great distance to get to the hospital and cannot return for a second visit. So, the hospital goes out of its way to serve those patients on the spot in a single visit. For the hospital, efficiency and quality are key concerns, and medical personnel were looking for a way to improve response while enhancing accuracy for patients in the hospital's blood laboratories.SolutionA software integrator has developed an intuitive, touch-based laboratory information system for the blood lab that works flawlessly with Advantech's HIT-W151 healthcare terminal. Five of the touch-based systems have been installed in the lab. They are equipped with barcode scanner, IC card reader and camera. A staff member can access the system after positive identification is confirmed with a swipe of an ID card. The patient uses a check-in slip issued by the doctor which is scanned with the barcode reader. This gives lab personnel access to the patient's record, blood work ordered, doctor's instructions, and other vital data. HIT-W151 was chosen because it offers an all-in-one solution; it has a slim profile with cable management system that minimizes its space on the desk; and the touchscreen and software application are easy for lab technicians to use. What's more, HIT-W151 is UL60601-1/EN60601-1 and IP65-certified; it is easy to clean, dust and water-resistant, and conforms to medical standards.SystemHIT-W151 is a fanless all-in-one system powered by an IntelR Atom D510 processor that uses low-power while delivering high performance. The full-flat 15.6" touchscreen offers a 16:9 natural viewing area. HIT-W151 was attached to a desktop stand at the Mennonite Christian Hospital using standard VESA mounts; both 75x75mm and 100x100mm are available. The cables, conveniently tucked away, kept the desktops clean, and connected the systems via Ethernet to the hospital's LAN network & HIS system. Options available for HIT-W151 include an RFID reader, a Smart card reader, a barcode scanner, camera, and magnetic stripe reader. The system is used to access patient information, blood testing data, and also has access to the queuing system at the lab's entrance to keep track of patients in the hospital waiting area.The hospital is happy with HIT-W151 in their blood lab. In the near future they will begin using the integrated camera to create a video record of patient/staff interactions to assist in dispute resolution or insurance claim requests. In addition, the hospital is looking at other Advantech digital healthcare solutions for the future, including computerized mobile nursing carts and digital signage systems.A software integrator has developed an intuitive, touch-based laboratory information system for the blood lab that works flawlessly with Advantech's HIT-W151 healthcare terminalFinding more case study articles

Shimane University Hospital is a large, teaching hospital in Japan with a school of medicine, school of nursing, and a medical university. During surgical procedures, the hospital must keep track of its surgical instruments, counting everything from pins to scalpels. The hospital outlined a project to use advanced technology to build a system that would assist in instrument management.The goals were to prevent accidents like leaving an instrument in a patient, eliminate lost or misplaced instruments, increase safety and efficiency, prevent hospital infection and reduce work and medical instrument costs. These important safety issues have already led to legislation in Europe and the United States, and over time will likely become mandatory in medical care facilities worldwide.SolutionThe hospital implemented a solution using RFID technology and medical-grade terminals to trace and manage medical instruments. KRD Corporation Ltd, a technical solution provider founded in Yamato, Japan in 1991, created SIMSAFE, a surgical instruments safety system which uses RFID tags to individually manage surgical instruments. Advantech's POC-C177 Point-of-Care terminal was chosen as the platform for the system. Using SIMSAFE provides the hospital with the ability to trace instruments from start to finish of a procedure. Advantech's POC-C177 is an easy-to-use multimedia computer which can recognize and record individual RFID tags using its RFID reader and antenna. It is installed on mobile medical carts and used for registration of instruments prior to commencement of surgery. The cart can then be moved out of the way during an operation. Shimane's use of the system saves in labor, and more importantly, prevents accidents and increases safety with its sure-fire management control, done right at the "front-line" of medical treatment.SystemShimane University Hospital installed Advantech's POC-C177 Point-of-Care terminals. The terminals have 17" TFT-LCD displays, and an IntelR Atom processor with 1GB of SDRAM. They support a wide range of peripherals, 100 Mbps Ethernet, and touchscreen control, making them extremely flexible. The RFID controller and antenna are attached to a COM port, and the system uses Bluetooth to communicate with a PDA barcode/RFID reader. The system is attached to the hospital's information systems, and the SIMSAFE application software handles the instrument management, recording and storing of RFID tag information, and keeping tabs on where the instruments are located. Pre-op registration and post-op verification ensures nothing is misplaced.Shimane University Hospital installed Advantech's POC-C177 Point-of-Care terminalsFinding more case study articles

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is a premier, non-profit healthcare provider established in 1979 in Doha, Qatar. Their mission is to provide the best quality patient care -"Health for All" - irrespective of nationality. In addition, HMC is the only institute outside of the United States where all of its five facilities and twenty-three primary health centers are JCI-accredited. HMC has developed highly-specialized medical facilities and equipment with a continual upgrade plan to ensure the highest quality of care possible.The HMC facilities are equipped with more than 1,700 beds and annually provide care for more than 1.25 million patients on an outpatient basis. Currently HMC is undergoing a major transition to digitize its medical diagnostic and treatment equipment and to implement an academic healthcare system. The requirements call for a solution which uses medically-certified equipment that is both rugged and mobile. System stability is a must, as is easy integration into existing hospital infrastructure. Efficient data collection and minimization of human errors are two primary factors in the system, and will lead to higher adoption rates Advantech's POC-S197F Slim Point-of-Care terminals were selected to handle the hospital's needs. The all-in-one throughout HMC's network of health care facilities.SolutionsAdvantech's POC-227G Point-of-Care terminal was chosen to meet the needs of HMC. POC-227G is a medically-certified, point-of-care terminal which is fanless and rugged. Its design ensures quiet operation and reduces the potential spread of airborne bacteria. Equipped with surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch technology, the terminal is simple and intuitive to use - even with latex gloves. The display is DICOM Part 14 compatible, meaning it handles high-definition grayscale viewing, and POC-227G delivers up to 92% light transmittance for crystal clear viewing.SystemHMC has deployed Advantech's POC-227G terminals to enhance mobility at the point-of care. Clinical decision support, patient consultation, and other strategic deliverables are being met. POC-227G improves workflow by connecting to existing hospital information systems (HIS, PACS, radiology), and is aesthetically and ergonomically designed, from adjustable swing arm VESA mounts, to space-conscious table-top placement. Medically-certified POC-227G terminals meet regulatory guidelines; they are durable, reliable and easy to keep clean.Finding more case study articles

AUO General Display, the world's leading supplier of industrial LCD panels shares its innovative technology and trends in the industrial display field. Some of the new developments for industrial LCD applications include: using LEDs as a backlight source instead traditional CCFL. LED backlights provide greater dynamic contrast with a wider color gamut, better resolution and quality. With their reduced cost, lower power consumption, Hg free manufacturing process and extremely small features, LED panels have been popular for current small sized (5.7"~19") displays and larger sized displays in the future. Although Resistive Touch technology is still the mainstream for touch screens, Projected Capacitive Touch (PCT) technology is still widely used in consumer goods and seems to be a better option for industrial applications. PCT not only allows multi-touch but also provides high reliability including water, scratch, and chemicals resistance. Wide temperature support (usually meaning -30~85 degrees C) is critical for industrial applications, enabling panels to work stably in most conditions, such as indoor or outdoor applications. Besides functionality improvements, break-through 3D technology provides multiple viewing zones allowing multiple users to view the image at the same time. The technology is not mature yet but may have some potential in industrial applications in the near future, especially digital signage. Advantech provides industrial display solutions which fit all these trends. We offer a full range of display products with LED backlights built-in, wide temperature support, high brightness and multiple types of touch technology solutions. What's more, with our own class 10,000 clean room, Advantech is capable to bring high add-on values, cost-efficient, and high-quality features to our products. Finding more case study articles

In 2012, the LED output value has had a good performance compared to the same period in 2011. In Taiwan alone, LED factory generated total revenues of approximately NT$9.267 billion for January-October 2012, a growth of 16.8% over the same period last year.However, oversupply pressure in many LED manufacturers have generated more and more strategic alliances and mutual shareholding to develop longer-term opportunities. The future role of LED manufacturing plants will not just chip or component suppliers; most of them will also be end products providers at the same time.ProLight Opto has been dedicating their R&D in high-power LEDs and modules for a long time. In recent years they have introduced a series of important products in the areas of lighting sources. For example, the ProLight Opto Phoenix series has passed the IES LM-80 test, which is under the standard specified by the US Energy Star (ENERGY STAR) for solid-state lighting (SSL) luminaires and light source specifications for LED packaging/module/array. In addition, ProLight Opto develops different dimensions of the COB (chip on board) package products, ranging from 10 to 400 watts, and they can be applied to a wider combination of lighting applications.With more than 20 years of experience in the LED industry, ProLight general manager Xing Chen Zhen Lun said, "ProLight specializes in packaging in the lighting field. Our products can be divided into three categories to serve customers. They are medium-power, high-power and higher-power packages. Medium-power products are 0.2 to 0.5 watts, high-power products are 0.5 to 5 watts, and products more than 5 watts are 'higher power' products." ProLight medium-power products can be used in general household lighting bulbs, and general lighting applications. ProLight is also able to develop high-power products up to 400 watts, reducing the number of light sources needed while maintaining the same brightness, so it can reduce the cost of lighting applications.In recent years, the displays backlight market is seeing a decline in demand, a lot of Taiwan-based LED packaging and module factories have just moving into the filed of LED lighting. Unlike other LED manufacturers ProLight Opto have been specializing in lighting applications since the beginning and are capable of offering total lighting solution to customers. They are able to provide matching drivers, optics and mechanical assembly to their LEDs and LED module in order for customers to reduce time in product development. Furthermore, The LED products of ProLight Opto often need to endure harsh environments like in outdoor lighting applications, therefore the company have dedicated its efforts on new technology development, product reliability and diversity. In the LED packaging field, although most LED manufacturer concentrate on developing standard products, ProLight with its unique production technology, can deliver shorter production lead-time and with precise color control. In addition, ProLight pride its customized design capability as a distinguished service to downstream manufacturers in order to reduce inventory, while producing diverse lighting products to meet market demand.In response to market trends, ProLight Opto will gradually include more LED module products into its product portfolio. For example, it uses different materials such as glass embedded LEDs to achieve multiple color changes. Furthermore, China recently launched the general working plan for saving energy and reducing emissions under the 12th Five-year Plan, and industries related environmental protection are expected to receive development opportunities. In the program, it clearly indicate that it is essential to promote energy-saving appliances and lighting products, which means that the LED lighting market will be given greater share in both residential and commercial lighting applications.ProLight with its unique production technology, can deliver shorter production lead-time and with precise color control. In addition, ProLight pride its customized design capability as a distinguished service to downstream manufacturers in order to reduce inventory

Samsung Electronics on November 22 unveiled Galaxy Camera, a bridge camera equipped with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and 3G/Wi-Fi connectivity for editing and sharing photos/video, for immediate online pre-order in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$16,900 (US$579).Galaxy Camera features a 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch BIS CMOS image sensor, 21x optical zoom (23-483mm), a 4.8-inch 308ppi HD Super Clear LCD touch screen, dimensions of 128.7 (W) by 70.8 (H) by 19.1 (D)mm and a weight of 305g.In addition to conventional retail sales, Galaxy Camera will also be available for sale at a subsidized price of NT$9,900 bundled with a 3-year contract through Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) at a monthly rate of NT$850, Taiwan Mobile (TWM) at NT$699 and Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) at NT$775.Samsung Electronics Galaxy CameraPhoto: Company

Global electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry's largest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced the signing of a global distribution agreement with VersaLogic Corporation, a leading manufacturer of embedded computers."The embedded industry continues to evolve with total cost of ownership and extended product life at the forefront. We wanted to offer our customers a premium line of embedded computers that would address this," said Mark Zack, Vice President of Global Semiconductor Product at Digi-Key Corporation. "VersaLogic's high-quality embedded products provide exceptional value to our expansive product offering and we are pleased to partner with them."VersaLogic Corporation provides rugged industrial computers to OEMs for embedded control and industrial control applications. Their COM, EBX, EPIC, EPU, PC/104, SUMIT, and SPX product platforms provide robust, field-reliable products for use in a variety of market applications.These reliable standard and customized embedded computers are backed with unsurpassed service, provide the highest availability in the market, and carefully manage life cycle with judicious design and part selection to eliminate product redesign."The goal for our first move into distribution was to provide design engineers around the world immediate access to select, evaluate and purchase our products online. We were also seeking a distributor who would be reliable for our customers and easy to work with," said Bruce McKinnon, Chief Operating Officer of VersaLogic Corp. "We knew Digi-Key was at the pinnacle of the industry online, but when we discovered the alignment in core values and how easy it would be to work with them, the choice was clear."VersaLogic's products, including single board computers, expansion boards, and accessories, are now available for purchase on Digi-Key's global sites (http://www.digikey.com/).

Electronic engineers and other attendees once again get the chance to get up-close and personal with Digi-Key Corporation at the semi-annual electronica 2012 trade show in Munich, Germany. Digi-Key kicked off its electronica 2012 campaign by holding a pre-event press conference in Munich, Germany. Broadcast online via a global webcast, the event featured Digi-Key executive presentations and a live Q & A session.Digi-Key's booth at electronica 2012 has quickly gained popularity and, once again, the company's booth is a 'must see' destination for conference attendees. With custom Digi-Key slot machines; Digi-Key soccer balls (or footballs); and rare appearances by Marilyn Monroe, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Michael Jackson lookalikes, Digi-Key is hard to miss. Booth visitors can even register to win the grand prize - a custom-painted, Digi-Key red, 662 horsepower, 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang convertible.The electronica 2012 festivities sponsored by Digi-Key continue to "pop" with a fireworks show on Wednesday and conclude with Digi-Key's Platinum sponsorship of the electronica Student Day, featuring giveaways including two Vespa scooters and eight Asus laptops."Our focus with our electronica initiatives is to network with an ever-growing group of engineers and electronics enthusiasts," said Tony Harris, Digi-Key's Chief Marketing Officer. "We love to interact with our customers, and are always looking for opportunities to introduce ourselves to those unfamiliar with us. From start to finish, we want attendees to leave with Digi-Key on their minds."For more information about Digi-Key's booth at electronica 2012, visit http://www.digikey.com/electronica.Tony Harris, Digi-Key's Chief Marketing Officer

Electronic engineering students will have the chance to get up-close and personal with Digi-Key Corporation during Superstudium - Future Professionals Day, Friday, Nov. 16 at the electronica 2012 trade show in Munich, Germany.Students will learn that Digi-Key stocks more board level components for immediate shipment than any other distributor in the world from more than 650 of the world's leading suppliers of semiconductor, interconnect, passive, and electromechanical products. Digi-Key also provides product information, design support services, technical services, online resources, and more to aid engineering students in their projects."We realize the importance of providing products and information to the next generation of electronic engineers," said Mark Larson, Digi-Key's president and COO. "They will be responsible for the innovations of the future, and we want to pave the way for them by having the product they need, when they need it and giving them the information they require to successfully complete their designs."Starting at 10 a.m., electronic engineering students will have the opportunity to view several presentations and demonstrations at Digi-Key's booth. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to register to win one of two Vespa motor scooters or one of 8 Asus laptop computers.Please see the schedule below for information regarding presentations and demonstrations during Superstudium - Future Professionals Day:- 10-11 a.m.: VDE Cosima Awards Ceremony- 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Panel discussion on "Careers in the Electronics Industry"- 12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m.: Networking Lunch with business representatives- 2:30 -3 p.m.: Closing presentations and raffle drawing for prizesFor more information about Digi-Key's booth at electronica 2012, visit http://www.digikey.com/electronica.Mark Larson, Digi-Key's president and COO