July 15, 2004 - Edmonds, WA.
Codetelligence, Inc announced today the availability of UsbSoftMux™, the world's first dynamic Universal Serial Bus (USB) personality changer for mobile devices such as PDA's, Smartphones and Media Players. UsbSoftMux provides the most flexible USB-to-host connectivity and satisfies the mobile user's desire to use a single device to carry out specific tasks. Mobile devices are advancing with an ever-increasing set of features. Many of these devices fall short in making these new capabilities easily available to general computing hosts (i.e. desktop personal computers). The devices contain combinations of internal storage (Flash, RAM, Hard Disks), external storage readers (CompactFlash, MemoryStick™, MMC/Secure Digital), digital cameras and built-in wireless capabilities (GPRS, Bluetooth, WLAN); of which, none are usable outside of the device. Most devices today use a single, fixed USB "personality" for file and personal information (PIM) synchronization using proprietary protocols for specific host PC operating systems. An on-board card reader, digital camera or wireless network can not be easily or seamlessly extended to other hosts running a variety of operating systems. A UsbSoftMux-capable mobile device has the potential of replacing a handful of separate USB peripherals that perform similar functions, thus increasing the total value of the device.

UsbSoftMux facilitates traditional file and PIM synchronization as well as other USB standard class or custom personalities. UsbSoftMux allows a user to switch between USB personalities on-the-fly to accommodate a specific connectivity scenario. UsbSoftMux gives the consumer absolute control in selecting the right USB personality for the task at hand. A personality using a standard USB class can extend functionality to the widest range of hosts (Apple®, Linux®, Windows®) and with no host side driver installation. UsbSoftMux allows OEMs or independent software vendors (ISV's) to create and field-install custom personalities that can extend a device in new and creative ways.

"Consumers want to make better use of the capabilities on their mobile devices and improve connectivity to desktop systems. Using USBSoftMux a mobile device can be easily attached to desktops running a wide variety of operating systems. The device can make its USB port look like a disk, an ActiveSync port, a camera or a custom personality.", said Paul Lever, President of Codetelligence, Inc. "UsbSoftMux gives the consumer great flexibility in how their device USB port is used and gives device manufacturers a cost effective, fast time-to-market means of providing it"

Key User benefits:

•  Ability to select the best USB personality for a given situation.
•  Increased connectivity ease for the mobile user
  • Mass storage alleviates compatibility issues with proprietary file transfer techniques.
  • Easier file manipulation since storage units appears as physical drives.
•  Greater interoperability with various desktop hosts: Windows®, Apple®, Linux or any operating system that understands standard USB classes.
•  Dynamically add new capabilities for future scenarios.

Key benefits to Device OEMs:

•  This is an opportunity for OEMs to add differentiating features without additional hardware.
•  USBSoftmux is a software solution utilizing the pre-existing USB device controller and operating system services.
•  USBSoftmux has a minimal ROM footprint (< 150KB for the basic personalities).
•  Build into your system a multi-function, extendable architecture that can be populated with personalities that meets customer and product requirements today and allows for upgraded personalities in the future.
•  Expands market by supporting USB hosts that use a variety of operating systems (Apple, Linux, Windows).

 

UsbSoftMux is available to device manufacturers for integration directly onto their mobile devices. The UsbSoftMux software stack utilizes the existing USB function controller hardware and only requires a modest amount of system ROM and RAM. The software stack is written in C/C++ and can be ported to virtually any operating system. Versions for Windows® CE are available and ready to be adapted to a specific hardware platform. You can visit our UsbSoftMux information page on our website at http://www.codetelligence.com/productsUSBSOFTMUX.htm, or contact us at sales@codetelligence.com for more information.

 

About Codetelligence, Inc.:
Codetelligence is a privately held company that delivers innovative tools and consultation for the Embedded Programming industry. Combining many years of code generation tool experience and internally developed technologies, Codetelligence supplies off-the-shelf and semi-custom development tools for domain specific applications.

Editor's note: For additional company background visit: http://www.codetelligence.com/company.htm
or contact Paul Lever at 206-527-4344 paull@codetelligence.com

Codetelligence and CodePalette are trademarks of Codetelligence, Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.
MemoryStick is a trademark of Sony Corporation
Apple is a trademark of Apple Corporation