HP Selects Integrated Systems pSOS+ Operating System For First Interactive Set-Top Box

Business Wire, Nov 2, 1994

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1994 -- Hewlett-Packard Company today unveiled its plans to incorporate Integrated Systems, Inc.'s pSOSystem software into its first interactive set-top box. Integrated Systems' pSOSystem software is a real-time embedded operating system and development environment that enables companies to develop embedded products rapidly. The pSOS operating system cost effectively manages set-top hardware and enables set-top boxes to respond quickly to interactive transactions. HP intends to use the pSOSystem software for development of its interactive set-top box and the pSOS operating system as the resident real-time operating system for the first set-top boxes it deploys.

HP's digital set-top box will be able to provide on-screen display of program guides, video-on-demand, home shopping, banking and other financial services, interactive games, and many more services.

"We're glad to be working with Integrated Systems," said Harry W. (Webb) McKinney, general manager of HP's Home Products Division. "We wanted an operating system and development environment that were readily available and that could help us keep our overall system costs down. Also, with Integrated Systems' pSOS operating system, we can be compatible with the range of equipment used by cable operators and service developers."

"We're pleased that HP selected pSOS as the best off-the-shelf embedded operating system for its entrance into the interactive entertainment market," said Moses Joseph, vice president of marketing for Integrated Systems. "HP's smart set-top is an example of the merger between computers, home entertainment and information technology. With HP's selection, pSOS continues its string of successes in the multimedia and set-top box market."

The benefit of a real-time operating system is that its response to interrupts and transactions can be predicted. This predictability allows interactive TV to respond to viewer requests within a reasonable amount of time. In addition, the pSOS embedded operating system resides in inexpensive read-only memory (ROM).

Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Integrated Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: INTS), is a leading provider of control-systems design and real-time embedded-software development. The company's products are used in the communications, automotive, multimedia and entertainment, office/retail automation, aerospace and process-control industries. Last year's revenues were $41.7 million, representing 30 percent growth. Integrated Systems markets and supports its products and services worldwide.

HP is creating electronics and hardware for two-way interactive television services that include "smart" set-top boxes, printers and other home accessories, and video servers and computer systems for billing and tracking. HP's Home Products Division will manufacture "smart" set-top boxes for two-way interactive programs in the home. To date, HP has agreed to manufacture set-top boxes for TCI and Comcast Corp., two of the nation's largest cable operators.

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP) is an international manufacturer of measurement and computation products and systems recognized for excellence in quality and support. The company's products and services are used in industry, business, engineering, science, medicine and education in approximately 110 countries around the world. HP has 97,900 employees and had revenue of $20.3 billion in its 1993 fiscal year.

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Note to Editors: pSOSystem is a product of Integrated Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard Company

              Casey Sheldon, 408/553-2948
              Golin/Harris
              Kimberly King, 213/623-4200
              Integrated Systems, Santa Clara
              Wanda Cavanaugh, 408/980-1500, Ext. 529