Digital Signage brings interactivity to flat-panel displays.
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Press Release Summary:
Actalyst(TM) interactive overlays are mounted on plasma displays or LCDs, making them touch sensitive. They are compatible with 17 brands of flat-panel displays, in sizes from 37-63 in. DViT(TM) Digital Vision Touch technology uses digital cameras embedded in overlay's frame to detect contact on screen. By touching overlay, users can access and control any customized multimedia content, computer application, website, CD-ROM, or DVD, all via attached computer.
Original Press Release:
SMART Expands Product Offering with Actalyst Interactive Digital Signage
World leader in interactive whiteboards brings big-screen interactivity to digital signage market
CALGARY, Alberta --- December 15, 2004 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces it is entering the fast-growing digital signage market with Actalyst(TM) interactive digital signage, a new product line that brings interactivity to large-area flat-panel displays. Actalyst interactive overlays, the first SMART products aimed at the digital signage market, are mounted on plasma displays or LCDs, making them touch sensitive. Using SMART's DViT(TM) (Digital Vision Touch) technology, Actalyst interactive overlays provide the high-performance touch accuracy and image clarity ideal for large digital signage applications and self-service kiosks in retail stores, hotels, trade shows, airports, museums and lobbies.
Actalyst interactive overlays are compatible with 17 popular brands of flat-panel displays, in sizes ranging from 37" to 63" (94-160 cm). The overlay fastens easily and securely to the display and preserves its crisp, bright image. Simply by touching the overlay, users can access and control any customized multimedia content, computer application, website and CD-ROMs or DVDs, all via an attached computer.
"When we went looking for technology applications, a SMART interactive overlay was the only one we felt was ready for the retail environment," says Bill Fischer, vice-president of DVD Station, which uses a SMART interactive overlay with a 42" (107-cm) plasma display at San Francisco's Sony Metreon complex to enable customers to select and rent DVDs. "Having a large touch-sensitive display is a big advantage for our kiosk application and really sets us apart from our competitors."
"Giving customers instant access to relevant information through large, touch-sensitive digital signage creates an interactive and engaging experience suitable for a diverse range of public settings," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "Digital signage applications represent a growing market for our proven interactive technology."
Features
Touch system: SMART's DViT(TM) (Digital Vision Touch) technology lets users control the display's content simply by touching the surface of the overlay. DViT technology uses state-of-the-art digital cameras embedded in the overlay's frame to detect contact on the screen. Touch accuracy remains consistent across the entire screen area, and image quality is not compromised. DViT's durability, reliability and simplicity ensure maximum uptime for interactive stations.
Protective surface: The durable, touch-friendly, anti-glare, scratch- and chemical-resistant surface protects displays without compromising image quality.
Mounting brackets: Four brackets make it easy to securely attach the overlay to most PDPs and LCDs.
Orientation: Portrait or landscape installation.
Supported flat-panel displays: SMART's interactive overlays are compatible with large-screen plasma and LCD panels from more than 17 manufacturers. Sizes range from 37" to 63" (94-160-cm) diagonals. For a complete list, visit smarttech.com/actalyst/panels.
Software: The driver, which provides touch control of the interactive overlay, is available for most Microsoft(R) Windows operating systems and is compatible with content-development software.
Pricing and availability
Depending on size, Actalyst interactive overlays are available at suggested list prices between US$2,199 and US$2,999. For more information, specifications or a list of authorized resellers, visit smarttech.com/actalyst or call 1.888.42.SMART.
About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and global market leader in easy-to-use interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools. SMART products include the family of award-winning SMART Board(TM) interactive whiteboards, as well as interactive pen displays, interactive digital signage, multimedia cabinets and software. Using SMART products, groups can access and share the information they need to meet, teach, train and present. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous other U.S., Canadian and foreign patents pending. SMART customers include NASA, Texas Instruments, BMW, Toyota Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Boeing, Lucent Technologies, NTT, the Los Angeles Lakers, Novartis, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, British Telecom, Disney Imagineering and Harvard University.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 550 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ottawa and Calgary, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, New York City and Washington, D.C. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel(R) Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel's equity ownership in SMART. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com.
