Kontron announces its second generation of the successful Micro Client industrial HMI: the new Kontron Micro Client II. By focussing on intended use as an industrial thin client including touch functionality for operating and monitoring, the new Kontron Micro Client II provides all the latest features required for thin client oriented HMI applications in a cost-optimized design that includes a modular IP65 protected front panel with touch screen.

The Kontron Micro Clients II can be implemented with either SATA, CompactFlash or Ethernet boot functionality. This makes them the perfect fit for all common server-orientated HMI client technologies. Depending on the application needs, the fanless and scalable Kontron Micro Clients II are equipped with embedded processors ranging from the AMD LX 800 processor with 500MHz up to the 1.0 GHz Intel® Celeron® processor. To suit the requirements of numerous control and monitoring applications in machine and plant engineering as well as the building automation, automotive, medical and transport sectors, the Kontron MicroClient II industrial HMIs are available with a resistive touch screen in all prevalent display formats (7, 10.4, 12.1 and 15 inch). As a cost effective, turnkey solution for high volume projects or applications with several decentralized HMIs, the new Kontron MicroClients II help OEMs and application engineers improve operational safety, user friendliness and overall application usability by means of intuitive and easy to use touch menus and web-based visualization without compromising application costs.

For extensive communication capabilities the Kontron Micro Clients II offer 2 x 10/100 Ethernet, 2 external USB 2.0 ports, 1 x RS232 with optional RS422/RS485, as well as an optional CAN bus interface. They also feature sophisticated embedded graphics for intuitive GUIs, as well as touch-beep and optional AC97 sound for multi-media oriented operating and monitoring applications including acoustic feedback. The fanless design enables silent operation, reduced maintenance costs and lower total-cost-of-ownership due to the impressive MTBF of over 40,000 hours.

The new Kontron Micro Client II thin clients integrate all these features in a compact housing with IP65 protection on the front. For versatile use the front panel can be omitted, enabling the Kontron Micro-Client II to be integrated into all custom specific housings including vandal protected systems for public use. In this case, the OEM needs to integrate the optional touch screen functionality. With bolt or clip panel mount plus the optional VESA mount, the new Kontron MicroClient II HMIs are easy to install, even in existing applications. Moreover, since all Kontron panel PCs (Micro Client II and V-Panel Express) with the same screen size are interchangeable, customers can easily scale the performance of their thin client PCs up to systems with multicore processors without changing the design of the (custom) housings.

Shock and vibration resistance, thermal stability and compliance with the strictest EMC standards are standard features of the Kontron Micro Clients II as is long term availability of at least 5 years.

The new Kontron Micro Clients II are certified in accordance with CE and cULus and are available now with support for Windows CE.net, Windows XP Embedded and Embedded Linux as standard along with numerous protocols, including http, XML and Remote Desktop Protocol.

IGX 2009 continues to gain momentum as two more manufacturers confirm their presence at the show. Two major UK manufacturers supplying the pool industry, Hazelgrove Superleague and Heywood Pool, will showcase a wide range of product suitable for the leisure and amusement industry on their stands. Having taken an impressive 40sq.m stand, Eric Lewis, director of Hazelgrove Superleague, told InterGame: “We haven’t exhibited in London for a couple of years due to rising costs but we feel the time is now right for the company to try a new show that is dedicated to coin-op and amusement.”

Adding to this Heywood Pool, which has taken a 16sq.m stand, said: “We have decided to show at IGX in the belief that we can provide our visitors with a more compact, comfortable and relaxed environment in which to discuss our new developments and business issues. “As a leading manufacturer of pool tables to the world market and table suppliers to the World 8 Ball Championship, we are continually seeking to develop our products and business strategy to meet the ever-changing trends and demands of our industry. “We are looking forward to being part of the first IGX and wish fellow exhibitors and the organisers a successful show.” IGX 2009 will run from January 27-29, 2009, at the Hotel Ibis, London Earls

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced the winners of its Top Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) of the World Awards at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The awards recognize the best family entertainment centers throughout the world.

FUN CENTRAL Tecamac and Memphis’ Incredible Pizza Company both won awards after being judged on operational efficiency, décor and ambiance, marketing savvy, and managerial performance. The ceremony was held during the FEC Reception on Nov. 19, which was sponsored by ForeverLawn, Inc.; the International Association for the Leisure & Entertainement Industry (IALEI); Jane Farrell Turf & Carpets, Inc.; Prime Play by Whitewater; and Rhode Island Novelty, Inc.

FUN CENTRAL Tecamac (www.funcentral.com.mx) in Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico, is in its first year of business and houses a variety of activities under one indoor roof—bumper boats, miniature golf, a dark ride, bowling lanes, and a climbing wall, among other attractions. The FEC attracts guests of all ages throughout the year, as attractions like their indoor ice rink transform into a venue for concerts. And FUN CENTRAL has also found success by hosting promotional programs with businesses in the surrounding industrial and corporate areas.

Memphis’ Incredible Pizza Company (www.incrediblepizza.com/memphis) in Cordova, Tennessee, United States, is a franchise of America’s Incredible Pizza Company and was founded in 2007. The FEC features a go-kart track with real trophy prizes, a simulator theater, the“Route 66” bowling alley, and a 30,000-square-foot 1950s-themed restaurant.

Link Pendley, former International Vice President for Brunswick Billiards and Valley-Dynamo, recently announced the formation of his new company, International Billiard Products. International Billiard Products is a manufacturer’s representative for international markets who need access to equipment and supplies for the home game room, commercial billiard, and coin operated industries.

With the formation of this company, international customers will be able to purchase consolidated shipments from leading United States-based billiard and game room manufacturers. Billiard Industry leaders California House, Champion Shuffleboard, Olhausen Billiards, and Landmark Lighting are the first four companies to be represented by International Billiard Products. “I saw an opportunity to bring the leading US based billiard and game room manufacturers to the rest of the world,” said Link Pendley,” president, International Billiard Products. “There will be a huge cost savings to non-US based companies through freight consolidation and one-stop shopping.” International Billiard Products made its debut at the recent IAAPA show in Orlando, Florida.

About California House Furniture
Established in 1953, California House specializes in custom-tailored recreation furniture. They make the finest home game room and country club furniture including gaming tables, billiard spectator chairs, bistro tables, home theater units, and beverage centers.

About Champion Shuffleboard
Established in 1988, Champion Shuffleboard is the number one shuffleboard manufacturer in America. They offer coin-operated and custom designed shuffleboard tables and games.

About Landmark Lighting
Landmark Lighting offers a comprehensive suite of exclusive products to embrace your interior with style and sophistication. An award winning team of international designers and engineers ensure that each product is created with uncompromising detail and unparalleled design. They provide custom products for commercial and residential specifications.

About Olhausen Billiards
Manufacturing at their state-of-the-art 250,000 square foot facility in Portland Tennessee, Olhausen Billiards produces the largest selection of pool tables made under one roof anywhere in the world. With a commitment to quality and American craftsmanship, Olhausen pool tables will provide your 'family fun' for generations to come.

funworld's colourful children’s Touch Toy terminal is a genuine attention grabber for children. Behind this is a unique concept, which is also very useful educationally. The lovingly designed children’s terminal magically attracts the little ones’ attention and invites them to play. Whether in the local or alternative locations, such as shopping centres, hotels, doctor’s surgeries or banks, Touch Toy encourages the young talents with sensible games and gives parents a bit of stress relief as well as some time to themselves to run errands without interruption.

Learning through play
The Touch Toy offer encompasses eight games suitable for children, which sustainably support children’s concentration, creativity and their ability to learn. In the games Counting, Words, Drawing, Puzzle, Painting, Duo, Melody and Detective they train their basic knowledge and memory through play. The games involve them counting objects, filling in missing letters, painting, matching pairs of images, playing back sounds, drawing and finding the differences between pictures. The requirements of the games correspond to children’s developmental milestones, and there are two levels of difficulty in Counting and Words. Despite the games’ high educational content there is never a shortage of fun playing the game, as the amusing games are quite fun for children and excellent gaming experiences overall.

“All games were developed in collaboration with child psychologists and educators and are suitable for children. They demonstrably support the child’s memory capacity and have a pronounced social aspect. They thus have an entertainment, communication and educational impact simultaneously, while offering children a unique game experience”, according to Josef Öhlinger, CEO funworld ag.

In order to keep the children’s terminal game offer interesting and up-to-date, updates can be installed via the terminal’s sophisticated online connection.

Child-suitable terminal
In addition to the entertaining games Touch Toys are distinguished by their ease of use, child-appropriate ergonomics and the sizes, which are ideally suited to children. Operating the game terminal is easy via touchscreen with buttons of appropriate sizes for children.

The terminal’s ergonomics and monitor angle are optimally coordinated for children and free from any danger areas. The terminal’s interactive user prompts were likewise designed to be suitable for children, whereby an encouraging voice guides children through the menu with praise and incentives. This is currently available in 10 languages, including German, English and French. Other languages will be available soon.

Individual Design
The standard Touch Toy comes in a seating format similar to a Punch and Judy show, and these are available in a choice of colours: red, yellow, green and blue. Moreover, there is the option to individually design the front of the terminal so that it perfectly integrates into the respective location. There is relatively little space required, limited to less than 1m2.

Hosts can even convert their own furnishings to the children’s terminal with the OEM KIT, thus achieving optimum integration of Touch Toy into the location. This solution is especially interesting for waiting areas in banks or doctor’s surgeries, where harmonic integration is of particular importance.

“In addition to the standard Punch and Judy format there is the option of adding specific branding to the front of the children’s terminal’s. Moreover the shape of the housing can even be individually designed using the OEM KIT to achieve the greatest possible flexibility and impact,” emphasises Öhlinger.

More successful without coin slots
The individual Touch Toy designs moreover permit advertising to be integrated into the terminal on request and this can be set up with or without coin slots, which opens up a whole new business segment to funworld locations. It has been shown that hosts generate very good proceeds via sale or rental of the children’s terminals, even when they are not coin operated. Particularly in the new locations in shopping centres, furniture shops or banks Touch Toy functions wonderfully as an added service and customer loyalty instrument, as parents can thereby do their shopping and go about their business without interruption.

New market opportunities
Touch Toy is already currently a very successful product in Austria and Finland, which is creating new opportunities for funworld outside of the branch. The children’s terminal, in addition to classic locations in bars or pubs, is also well suited for hotels, shopping centres, furniture shops, banks or doctor’s surgeries.

“With Touch Toy funworld is forging a completely new path as a longstanding pioneer in the touchscreen sector, whereby we are successfully penetrating into promising business segments outside of the vending machine sector and opening up new market opportunities to locations. Around 1,000 Touch Toys are already in use in the initial markets of Austria and Finland at alternative locations with renowned customers, including the fashion house C&A, the furniture chain Lutz and Raiffeisenbank, which are attracting significant attention due to their high entertainment value and the educational content,” relates Öhlinger enthusiastically.