Professional Windows® Embedded Compact 7

FOREWORD

It’s July 2011, I’m in New York judging the Embedded competition at the Imagine Cup (www.imaginecup.com), Samuel Phung and Thierry Joubert (two of the authors of this book) are also embedded judges. I’ve known Sam, Thierry and David Jones for a number of years and consider them to be good friends. They have been involved with Windows Embedded as MVPs, through the community, the Windows Embedded Student Challenge and Imagine Cup. Each has extensive knowledge of Windows Embedded technologies and is able to provide experience-based insight into building and deploying embedded systems.

Imagine Cup is a worldwide competition that challenges students to solve big problems through innovative use of technology. The theme for the competition this year is, “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems.” Students are given an embedded hardware reference board and a copy of the Windows Embedded Compact 7 development tools and are then let loose on building something cool that also solves real world problems. Projects range from smart control of street lights, controlling the growth of Algae (for use in bio fuels), self-guiding robots, patient monitoring systems, self-navigating helicopters for use in disasters, harmonica-based lung function training device, smart baby monitoring, intelligent fire escape systems, and TV-based social/communication systems for the elderly.

Now think about all the embedded devices you touch in a single day. This might include a ...