Smart-Reset Chip from STMicroelectronics Cures Frustration of 'Frozen' Gadgets

New IC supports safe manual restart using regular function buttons; no need to
find the reset key or risk data loss by removing the battery

GENEVA, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To overcome the frustration people
can feel when electronic products 'freeze' in mid-operation, a new smart-reset
chip announced by STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a world leader in
semiconductors for consumer applications, allows the system to be restarted
safely without removing the battery or finding a tool to push the reset
button, usually hidden behind a hole in the casing.

As more and more people come to use highly featured products such as
smartphones, media players, game consoles, e-books and others, the problem of
how best to recover a frozen device is surely encountered many times, daily,
around the world.

Mechanisms to overcome frozen devices are often less well developed than the
main product features. Most manual reset keys, where provided, are hidden to
prevent resetting the device accidentally. As these can be difficult to
access, a popular "fix" is to remove the battery. This can potentially damage
the system, for example by causing critical data loss.

ST's new STM65xx family of smart-reset Integrated Circuits (IC) has two inputs
that can be connected to two of the device's normal function buttons. When
these are held down for a certain time, which is programmable, the IC will
send a reset signal to the main processor. The two inputs and programmable
delay time allow a combination of button presses and hold-down times to guard
against unintended resets. While other ICs on the market can control one reset
key, only the STM65xx has this smart-reset capability with two inputs and also
includes the system-controlled supervision and reset features that most
product designs require.

The arrival of this chip will enhance users' experiences by providing a safe,
convenient and easily understood means of restarting those frozen gadgets. For
manufacturers, combining an improved manual reset with the system-controlled
reset functions in a single chip offers better performance and saves cost and
pc-board space. Its 2 x 2 mm package has a smaller overall footprint than
using separate chips for system reset and one-key manual reset, or an
equivalent network of discrete components that can occupy as much as 100 sq-mm
on the board.

In addition, by allowing the manual reset to be controlled from the normal
user buttons, the STM65xx can enable product designers to eliminate the
traditional hidden reset requiring an access hole in the casing. This can save
tooling costs and also provides an opportunity to create splash-resistant or
waterproof new products.

The STM65xx is in mass production now, priced at $0.53 for 10,000 units.

For further information, visit www.st.com/reset

About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of
electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to
be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications
leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of
intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing
strength. In 2008, the Company's net revenues were $9.84 billion. Further
information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

SOURCE STMicroelectronics

Michael Markowitz of STMicroelectronics, +1-212-821-8959,
michael.markowitz@st.com