GRiD Introduces PC-Compatible Computer that Recognizes Printed Handwriting

September 28, 1989 — GRiD Systems Corp. Thursday introduced GRiDPad, a computer so light it can be held in one hand and used while standing or walking.

GRiDPad also recognizes printed handwriting, is IBM PC-compatible, operates for four to eight hours on battery and converts into a desktop computer.

”GRiDPad is a revolutionary breakthrough in portable data entry,” said Tim Bajarin, executive vice president of Creative Strategies, a Santa Clara, Calif. market research firm. ”GRiDPad is the first true portable computer to offer handwriting recognition capability.”

The new computer weighs 4.5 pounds and has a full 10-inch 640 x 400 display screen. It’s designed for workers who typically gather data and record it on paper forms. GRiDPad users will include consumer goods detail ”reps,” route-delivery drivers, law enforcement officers, census takers, nurses, airline personnel and claims adjusters.

”GRiDPad is a revolutionary product in the growing field systems market,” said D. Bruce Walter, GRiD’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. ”It is also an evolutionary product in that it represents a logical extension of GRiD’s line of battery-powered, lightweight laptop computers and GRiD’s leadership position in the field systems marketplace.”

Jeff Hawkins, GRiD’s director of advanced programs, explained that: ”GRiDPad brings together leading edge hardware, software, software development tools and communications technologies. This combination allowed us to create a revolutionary interface in a small, lightweight computer.”

GRiDPad is 9 by 12 inches, the approximate size of a clipboard, and 1.4 inches thick. Data is entered into GRiDPad with an electronic pen applied to the screen. Standard business forms can be displayed on the screen, and the forms can be filled out with the pen.

GRiDPad recognizes printed handwriting and can capture and store signatures and graphics in addition to character-based data. Graphics and text are stored as MS-DOS files which can be transmitted by a built-in Hayes-compatible or MNP modem, or by facsimile.

Ken Dulaney, marketing manager for the GRiDPad program, said, ”GRiDPad is intended to improve productivity in a vast market. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of forms in every company, and they generally reside in filing cabinets, totally inaccessible to management.”

Bajarin noted, ”People who enter data on forms by hand constitute the largest data-entry application, and it is largely unautomated in field-based settings. GRiDPad has tremendous potential in this market.”

GRiDPad is based on an 80C86 microprocessor operating at a clock speed of 10MHz. The computer comes with 1MB of system RAM with ”instant on” capability. This allows users to put the system into a low-power state while they are conducting conversations or performing other tasks. Simply pressing a button returns users to the exact point where they left off.

For data storage, GRiDPad contains two card slots that can accommodate removable 256KB or 512KB battery-backed RAM cards. For larger storage requirements, an optional 20MB Hard Disk Expansion Unit that attaches to GRiDPad is available. MS-DOS and LapLink software from Traveling Software are included in ROM.

GRiDPad is powered by a rechargeable NiCad battery. It can also be operated with external AC power or standard AA size alkaline batteries if the user fails to recharge the NiCad battery. A power management system automatically reduces power flow to the computer’s components when not being used, providing up to eight hours of battery-powered operation.

In addition to the tethered electronic pen, data can be entered into GRiDPad by users with a standard keyboard via an XT-compatible external keyboard connector port. A graphic representation of a keyboard displayed on the GRiDPad screen can also be used to enter alphanumeric characters.

The user simply touches the electronic pen to the appropriate individual keys on the display.

GRiDPad users can send and receive electronic mail and data files over GRiD’s proprietary wide area network system, FieldNet. FieldNet links field and office-based computers in large, widely-dispersed organizations.

GRiDPad, which utilizes the MS-DOS version 3.3 operating system, is a combined hardware and software product. GRiD is actively recruiting a wide variety of software developers to write software for GRiDPad.

GRiD supplies a complete set of development tools in the C programming language to take advantage of GRiDPad’s pen-based method of data entry. The company also licenses an applications software developers toolkit, GRiDPen, to allow end users and software developers to write customized applications and user interfaces.

It consists of two modules — one for user interface and one for character recognition. The tools let users easily design graphical forms-based applications.

The reflective, high contrast LCD display is CGA-compatible with a 1-to-1 aspect ratio and a resolution of 640X400 pixels.

A 9-pin RS-232 serial port permits GRiDPad to be used with peripheral input devices such as bar code scanners, an important feature in customer goods distribution and survey applications.

GRiDPad, which starts shipping this month, is priced at $2,370 with systems including software for under $3,000.

GRiD manufactures and markets a comprehensive range of battery-powered laptop computers, industry-standard desktop computers, application software, software development tools, portable peripherals and electronic mail/networking systems. GRiD, with installed systems in more than one-third of Fortune 500 companies, has a worldwide direct sales and support organization.

GRiD provides customers with consulting, training, support and custom software development services through its 34 branch offices and more than 50 systems centers. GRiD is located at 47211 Lakeview Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538.

CONTACT:
GRiD Systems Corp., Fremont
Bruce Walter, or Bob Goligoski, 415/656-4700