June 15, 2000
SmartClass USB - Distance is no barrier for USB
peripheral sharing in computer classrooms
Multimedia switching system is first to provide switched USB
keyboard/mouse connections up to 1000 feet for classroom collaboration
Montreal, Canada, June 15, 2000 – Today, Robotel, a leading global
supplier of interactive, multimedia, classroom control systems, introduced
USB keyboard/mouse switching support for its SmartClass computer collaboration
systems.
Breaking the 15-meter barrier
"Keyboard and Mouse switching, in itself, is not new," says Robotel
president Etienne Bouchard, "but USB keyboard and mouse switching in
a multi-computer collaboration environment is both new and significant,
as the distances far exceed the 15-meter limit for USB connections.
Robotel's USB Extender Technology, (patent pending), allows SmartClass
to support connection distances of up to 1000 feet."
USB in the Classroom
The penetration of USB-enabled computers into the classroom environment
is well underway, and is expected to exceed 95% within the next three
years. Corporations and schools setting up new computer classrooms or
upgrading existing computer classrooms are typically installing computers
with USB peripheral support. In many cases, computers with legacy keyboard/mouse
interfaces, (PS/2 for PCs and ADB for Macs), have been upgraded with
USB; in other cases, legacy interface support is being provided at a
substantial cost.
Instructors, who have come to depend on collaboration systems like
SmartClass as a key productivity tool, have been anxiously awaiting
a USB-enabled computer collaboration solution. SmartClass USB delivers
that solution.
USB Extender Technology
SmartClass USB incorporates a newly-developed USB Extender Technology.
This new technology allows USB peripherals to be located up to 1000
feet away from the host computer. The USB Extender design includes a
host interface unit and a device interface unit which are connected
using a single CAT-5 cable. All USB device variations, including low-speed,
full-speed, hubs and compound devices are supported.
Robotel
Robotel is a global supplier of interactive, multimedia classroom control
systems for educational, corporate and government applications. With
nearly 20 years of experience as a manufacturer of teaching tools, Robotel
is a leader in the educational and training systems market. The firm
boasts a top-rated customer services team and has installed numerous
systems to serve the ongoing needs of its customers. The company is
based in Montreal, Canada and has an established distribution network
covering
North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.
For more information on the SmartClass USB, visit the company web site at
www.robotel.ca, or contact Robotel at (800) 964-1448.
