Teknema Demonstrates Internet TV Set-Top Box for Home Automation

Business Wire - March 17, 1999 01:16

HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1999--Today at CeBIT Teknema, Inc. has unveiled a version of its award winning Internet TV set-top box connected to a home network that allows users to control appliances from their TV sets.

Teknema along with electric switch maker BPT of Italy, has developed the set-top box that uses existing electrical wiring and BPT electrical outlets and switches that are networked with Echelon's (Nasdaq:ELON) LONWORKS system.

At the Teknema booth, devices made by BPT and connected to the Teknema set-top box, control the heating system, the lights, the security system and the power management of a house.

"Users will be able to control everything in a house with a set-top box and using the familiar TV set," said Gianni Gambin, Technical Director at BPT. "Teknema's flexible and customizable technology is an ideal platform for creating this unique Internet-enabled home automation system."

"The Internet is entering the homes and smart appliances are an important part of it," said Marco Graziano, President & CEO of Teknema. "Service providers, utility companies and VARs are teaming up with Teknema and its partners for offering new kinds of innovative services from remote metering reading, to surveillance, telemedicine and remote assistance."

"This is a technology that will give smart appliances a new perspective. It will be possible to access your home remotely to turn your lights on, to make changes to the thermostat, or to access the security system from the office through an Internet dial-up connection," Marco Graziano said.

The Teknema Internet TV set-top box includes an ARM 32-bit RISC multimedia processor designed by ARM Ltd. (Nasdaq:ARMHY) and manufactured by Cirrus Logic (Nasdaq:CRUS), built-in network interface, flicker-free TV interface, a printer port, smartcard reader, and a wireless remote control and keyboard.

Teknema is an Internet technology company dedicated to the emerging market for information appliances that connect users to the Internet.

Teknema is exhibiting at CeBIT in the USA Pavillion, Hall 6, Stand D20. For information on Teknema's products, visit the company's Web site at www.teknema.com, call +1-650-855-0500 or send email to sales@teknema.com .

BPT is an Italian leading company in providing technology for the homes. The company produces a range of programmable thermostats and environmental controllers, and audio and video entry systems. For information on BPT's products visit the company's Web site at www.bpt.it , call +39-0421-241241, or send email to ditec.bpt@adria.it .

CONTACT: Teknema, Palo Alto
Walter Paliska, 650/855-0500