Wall-mount touch teminal
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

In November of 2009, industrial PC maker and global ePlatform services provider Advantech announced a product that's very different from its usual system integrator-oriented embedded hardware computing modules, IPCs and rugged systems. The UbiQ-480 is a small touch-terminal with a 7-inch TFT screen and 1.3 Megapixel CMOS camera that can be mounted on walls inside buildings or also onto ot into desks or conference tables.

The small and cleanly designed device is meant to provide an interactive control center that can be operated via touch or remotely controlled via IR, and it is also capable of delivering audio and video. There is a built-in microphone, a speaker and noise cancellation technology so the UbiQ-480 can be used for calls, including video conferencing, without a handset.

Under the hood is not an Intel chip but a 523MHz FreeScale i.MX31 t processor (an ARM-based chip usd in millions of industrial and consumer embedded devices) and the UbiQ-480 is based on the Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 platform with a graphical interface designed for use in business, homes, hotels, or as a video conference terminal. There are six programmable function keys, and changeable faceplates allow a degree of personalization to make the device fit various decors.

The UbiQ-480 is meant to be a novel computing device that can be used to do tasks such as controlling building systems like climate control and lighting, as well as a variety of other devices through its wide array of connectivity options. There are two RJ45 LAN connectors and Advantech offers optional wireless 802.11b/g connectivity. A maintenance port behind the front panel provides USB connectivity.

Since most UbiQ-480s will likely be pckaged and customized by system integrators, Advantech offers a special UBiQ Package Application Development Suite to facilitate optimized time-to-market application development. The device also supports Advantech's SUSI (Secure and Unified Smart Interface).