New human interface solution to debut at the Society for Information
Display Exhibition
TOKYO and VANCOUVER, Wash., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wacom
announced today a major innovation in capacitive touchscreen technology,
called Reversing Ramped Field Capacitive (RRFC(TM)) touch, that will be
publicly unveiled at the International Society for Information Display
Exhibition, booth #1129, May 20 to 22, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Wacom's patent-pending technology employs newly designed low-power
circuitry and revolutionary reversing ramped electro-static fields to
deliver pinpoint precision and drift-free performance to touchscreen users.
The technology can be integrated into dual-input applications with Wacom's
market-leading EMR(R) pen-input technology for Tablet PC OEMs or work by
itself on other platforms that require only a finger touch interface. With
this newly developed technology, Wacom can provide true flexibility to OEM
partners seeking best-in-class interface solutions.
"Wacom's latest capacitive touch innovation is truly another technology
breakthrough for Wacom," said Masahiko Yamada, President and CEO of Wacom
Company Ltd. "It demonstrates our calling and commitment to bringing human
interface products to market that make computing more natural, easy and
fun."
Intuitive Integration
Wacom's RRFC touch technology overcomes many limitations that are
inherent in surface capacitive touchscreens available today. For starters,
Wacom employs new static field engineering for increased stability and
drift-free performance. With advanced ASIC design and high resolution
signal processing, RRFC touch is effectively immune to noise. It is also
the only surface capacitive touch technology that can demonstrate excellent
accuracy, stability and sensitivity even when working on battery power. As
an additional benefit, both Wacom's RRFC touch and EMR pen input
technologies can work together off of a single ASIC and MCU pair,
significantly reducing overall bill of materials and manufacturing costs.
Furthermore, Wacom incorporates highly durable and transparent glass
sensors with multiple coating and bonding options as well as intuitive
driver software, creating a compelling portfolio of human interface
solutions for OEM partners seeking cost-effective, state-of-the-art
technology for system integration.
"Our new proprietary RRFC touch technology is exciting on a couple of
fronts," said Shawn Gray, Wacom's Director of Touchscreen Operations. "New
controller processing methods and system design provide extremely accurate
pointing at much lower power consumption levels and without increased cost.
These factors and others, such as ease of integration and stability,
position Wacom RRFC touch as a natural alternative to resistive, surface
acoustic wave and infrared touch technologies. Any OEM should seriously
look at Wacom's solution when deciding to move beyond resistive touch
solutions on portable devices or when seeking to find new and exciting
capacitive touch performance in AC-powered applications."
Benefit of Wacom's RRFC Dual Touchscreens
Compared to touchscreens with resistive capacitive, an older
touchscreen technology, Wacom's RRFC touch offers superior optical
performance, while having increased sensitivity and durability. Wacom
touchscreens have greater transmissivity of up to 95 percent, compared to
transmissivity of only 80 to 85 percent in resistive capacitive touch
screens. Wacom RRFC touch technology requires less pressure, that is, only
a very light stroke to activate a signal, compared to the force required in
a resistive touch screen. The hard surface in Wacom's RRFC touchscreen is
also tougher than glass, which helps eliminate wear and scratching.
History of Innovation in Human Interface Technology
For the last 25 years Wacom has brought people and technology closer
together through its natural and highly intuitive line of pen tablets and
interactive pen displays. The company's electro-magnetic resonance (EMR(R))
technology, bolstered by its patented battery-free and cordless digital
pen, dubbed Penabled(R), has played a significant role in the development
and success of the mobile computing industry, culminating with the
introduction of the first Tablet PC in 2001. As OEM and consumer demand for
new and more natural input options increased, Wacom took the lead by
offering electronic solutions for its pen together with 3rd party resistive
touch input to manufacturers of Tablet PCs. To date, Wacom's pen and
resistive touch systems can be found on some of the world's leading
convertible notebook computers including, Lenovo, HP, Toshiba and Gateway.
Wacom's introduction of its own RRFC touch technology continues the strong
tradition of developing human interface solutions solely aimed at creating
and delivering affordable, ergonomically sound, efficient and enjoyable
computing experiences to both consumer and professional users.
Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management Expertise
A global company with a wealth of experience producing large volumes of
components for PC OEMs, as well as its own branded products, Wacom's
engineering, manufacturing and supply chain management teams will work
closely with OEMs looking to integrate Wacom's technology into their
computing devices. Wacom's modern, high-capacity manufacturing facilities
provide OEM system integrators with low-cost, high-quality products. Its
extensive design and testing services allow integrators to find the right
solution so that they may compete for larger, more profitable business.
About Wacom
Wacom Company Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727), is a global company
based in Japan with subsidiaries around the globe. Founded in 1983, Wacom's
vision to bring people and technology closer together through natural
interface technologies has made it the world's leading manufacturer of pen
tablets, interactive pen displays and digital interface solutions. Wacom's
patented Penabled technology and its patent-pending RRFC touch technology
are also offered as an OEM solution to manufacturers of PC and Macintosh
computers. Many of today's Tablet PCs count on the advanced features and
reliability of Wacom's input technology. Additionally, Wacom's pen and
touch technology is playing a leading role in the development of such
mobile devices as smart phones and PDAs. Wacom is committed to expanding
the components brand and will continue to roll out new input technologies
that provide a natural and intuitive computing experience. For more
information, please visit http://www.wacom.com.
Product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered
owners.
For more information, please contact:
Douglas A. Little
Public Relations Manager
Wacom Technology Corp.
360-896-9833 x174
douglas.little@wacom.com
SOURCE Wacom Company Ltd.
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Related links:
http://www.wacom.com
CONTACT:
Douglas A. Little, Public Relations Manager
of Wacom Technology Corp., +1-360-896-9833, ext. 174,
douglas.little@wacom.com
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