Press Releases

ACCESS, Koto, and HI Corporation Collaborate to Develop Multimedia Platform for Embedded Devices

Jointly Developed Solution Provides Rich User Interface While Significantly Reducing Time-to-Market

TOKYO, Japan – January 2, 2006 – ACCESS Co., Ltd., (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813), a global provider of mobile content delivery and Internet access technologies, Koto Co., Ltd, a manufacturer of unique entertainment devices and their related technologies and HI CORPORATION, a leading multimedia software developer, announced today that they have jointly developed a multimedia platform for embedded devices. The platform combines ZEVIO, an application processor architecture whose 3D graphics core was developed by Koto and the U.S. company LSI Logic, with ACCESS’ µMore^™, a real-time embedded operating system. The new platform also includes HI CORPORATION’s 3D engine MascotCapsule^®, thus delivering one-stop multimedia functionality.

LSI’s ZEVIO is a processor architecture with extremely high cost-performance designed for devices with multimedia capabilities (e.g., sound, 2D/3D graphics) in compact design. Koto and ACCESS have developed an API for I/O operations (e.g., sound, 2D) and combined this with ACCESS’ µMore OS, producing a platform that supports advanced multi-media interfaces. In addition, the solution includes HI CORPORATION’s 3D API MascotCapsule^®. Application development is already facilitated on the platform, but ACCESS also provides a PC emulator to further facilitate development.

The multimedia platform enables manufacturers of products like education/training devices, embedded game devices, and audio-visual equipment to reduce development time and costs, while the addition of ACCESS’ NetFront^™ browser provides advanced networking functionality.

ACCESS president and CEO Toru Arakawa said, “I am extremely pleased that the three companies were able to develop this multimedia platform together. I feel that the adoption of this platform will enable manufacturers of products like next-generation educational and game devices to shorten time-to-market, and present consumers with a more enjoyable and user-friendly end-user experience.”

According to Koto president and CEO Kazuhiro Kubota, this multimedia platform is the product of three of the top companies in the embedded industry and strikes the perfect balance between price and performance. President Kubota says, “I am proud to be a partner in the production of this platform. Koto has begun development of a groundbreaking next-generation platform, and we will work hard to support the creation of fun and easy-to-use devices going forward.”

HI CORPORATION president and CEO Kazuo Kawabata has a confidence that this new platform has huge potential, and notes that MascotCapsule^® has been customized for use with ZEVIO. President Kawabata says, “This platform will deliver impressive performance, and I am proud to be a part of the development of such a superior product. I would like to thank Koto and ACCESS for being able to participate.”

There will be a demonstration of this multimedia application on an evaluation board at LSI Logic’s booth (#15044) at the upcoming CES in Las Vegas (held from Thursday, January 5 though Sunday, January 8).

About ACCESS
ACCESS is a global provider of Internet technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets. Its NetFront browser, widely recognized as one of the most advanced Internet browsers in the world, is a cornerstone to the company’s vision of enabling Internet access anywhere and on any device. NetFront technologies are delivering full Internet browsing and related services to next-generation mobile devices and consumer electronics ranging from digital TV to automobile telematics. For more information: www.access.co.jp or www.access-us-inc.com.

About Koto Co, Ltd.
Koto plans, develops manufactures and sells the entertainment devices, such as portable video games. Koto has unique technology which can enhance the development of appropriate functions and performances with low energy consumption while retaining a low price. Koto jointly developed WonderSwan, a portable video game player, with Bandai, the leading toy manufacturer, LSI architecture for mobile educational devices and application software for educational software. LSI’s “ZEVIO”is a processor which combine the Koto’s comprehensive knowledge of developing entertainment devices and LSI Logic’s semiconductor technology. ZEVIO is acknowledged for its high cost performance and its compatibility for application development. Koto is an ISO9001 company. (http://www.koto.co.jp)

About HI CORPORATION
HI is a leading R&D focused corporation in the area of multimedia software development. HI’s flagship product, MascotCapsule^® , the 3D rendering engine, is deployed by three major carriers in Japan. Outside of Japan, China Unicom, KTF, SK Telecom, Sprint and Verizon use MascotCapsule^®. HI licenses both with leading Japanese manufacturers as well as with global manufacturers, such as LG Electronics, Motorola, Samsung Electronics and Sony Ericsson. The total number of mobile devices which deploys HI’s product exceeds 70 million (as of March 2005). Please see the details at the website http://www.hicorp.co.jp.

ACCESS, NetFront, and µMore are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACCESS Co., Ltd. in Japan and other countries.
MascotCapsule is a registered trademark of HI CORPORATION in Japan.
The other company and product names contained in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks.

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