Consumer Electronics
TechEn has designed and developed electronic circuits for a broad range of consumer products where high volume consumer product design was essential. Other important product elements include small size and low power, ease of use, and readable display.
Examples of some of TechEn's electronic design experience, specific projects, and electronic equipment manufacturing capabilities in projects requiring the design and development of electronic circuits include:
Bose Corporation:
Bose headphones Our multiple projects for Bose include: the design of their Home Music Center Amplifier and the electronic equipment manufacturing of associated Volume Controls, Aux Panels and CSI Units; production of Driver Life Test Detector; and prototype design and production of the Noise Cancellation Headphones (pictured) used in the first non-stop flight around the world on the Voyager. The Noise Cancellation Headphones are currently displayed in the cockpit of the Voyager at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. TechEn’s staff has experience with consumer hi-fi receiver, equalizer, professional audio mixer and speaker design.
Cybex International (formerly Trotter Treadmills):
Cybex exercise equipmentFor more than a decade, TechEn has collaborated with Cybex as they grew from a $1 million start-up to an established $100 million company. When we began product development, the fitness boom was just starting and exercise treadmills were a concept, not a proven product. TechEn designed the original electronics, packaged as an integral assembly, and incorporated the first calorie counter algorithms ever provided in treadmills. TechEn has introduced other sophisticated software features into Cybex exercise equipment. Cybex treadmills are considered to be the "best exercise treadmills for club use," and lower cost models are now being introduced for the consumer market.
Eveready Battery Company:
TechEn has a long history in the development of ni-cad batteries, charging circuits and low power devices. In fact, TechEn developed the first commercial one-hour ni-cad battery chargers. The product re-charges any battery size combination in one hour when other products took five. (Patent filed in 1988). Eveready had worked on this project for three years without results. TechEn provided a full range of electronic design and development services, as well as additional coordination for packaging, industrial design, UL/CSA/FCCB compliance, and electronic equipment manufacturing of 200,000 units. The focused effort was concluded and products delivered to the client within ten months.
Eveready Battery Company:
Child locator and Smoke Detector Design of the Child locator and smoke detector. The Child Locator light activates when a smoke detector sounds an alarm. The Child Locator's flashing red light helps firemen locate a child’s room. TechEn designed the electronic circuits and printed circuit boards, as well as firmware for the product. In collaboration with others, we were involved in the development, packaging and electronic equipment manufacturing of a full product line of safety products. TechEn coordinated production of these products (shown at right) at several facilities in China.
M-Power Corporation:
Internet phone A group of executives from the banking industry had a vision for an Internet phone to streamline remote transactions. With funding from GTE, the group approached TechEn to develop the hardware and software for the telecommunications product. We incorporated DSP technology, telephone technology, a modem and a browser into a single, user friendly product with the cost goal that each unit could be sold for approximately $500 in high volume.
Assistive Technologies Portable Communication Device (Link®):
Portable Text-to-Speech Device TechEn developed a low-cost, portable electronic device that would allow vocally impaired individuals to “speak.” TechEn developed a three processor design that supports a full implementation of DecTalk natural language text-to-speech system. TechEn implemented a full featured editor, PC and MAC computer keyboard compatibility, and comprehensive file system in this battery powered unit. The product’s success has expanded to provide a language-learning tool for readers with dyslexia and remedial needs.
Low Cost Consumer Production:
Filter Check Timer Microprocessor TechEn has developed a broad range of low-cost consumer products. Products have developed using microprocessor solutions from Microchip, Atmel, Texas Instruments and others. The Filter Check Timer product (shown at right) utilizes a Microchip device to provide a HEPA filter life timer function for The Holmes Group.
The “filter-check” electronics were designed by TechEn for use in a number of models in a Home Air Purifier product line. The design goals were to develop new low cost control that tracks usage for filter replacement. A picture of one of the pre-production prototypes is shown at right.
Low Cost Consumer Production:
Design and development of an improved hand-held, contact heart rate monitor for use with exercise equipment. Safety 1st: Provided design review and consulting services for wireless nursery monitors, both video and 900 MHz audio. TechEn has also provided design development and cost reduction services.
Wireless
2.4GHz transmitterTechEn has developed a number of low-cost short range wireless products. These include hand-held audience response systems, and the laboratory hood glass position sensing systems, simple data transfer links, and the 2.4GHz transmitter shown at right.
A wireless system has been developed for use in laboratory equipment. The wireless control monitors the air flow for safe use of the biohoods.
Wireless Sensor:
Wireless sensor transmitter Techen has developed a wireless sensor transmitter and data acquisition receiver for a novel medical device used in glucose monitoring.
TechEn has also developed products using the latest wireless technology for consumer products that will be on exhibit at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2007.
