IC partnership targets touch technology

Elo has applied its APR sound-in-surfaces technology to launch a new touch capability in its line of touchscreens, touchmonitors and touchcomputers

AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) and Tyco Electronics' Elo TouchSystems have entered into a joint development agreement to create an integrated circuit (IC) solution.

The solution will enable Elo to port its Acoustic Pulse Recognition (APR) touch technology to consumer electronics, industrial hand-held devices, hand-held medical devices, NAV devices, white goods, portable gaming devices and signature capture devices.

Elo TouchSystems has selected AMIS design services to develop an audio chip for its APR technology.

Elo has applied its APR sound-in-surfaces technology to launch a new touch capability in its line of touchscreens, touchmonitors and touchcomputers.

APR touch technology is based on the physical principle of recording the characteristics of a sound generated by a touch on a surface and comparing that to a pre-measured value, thus determining the location of that touch on the surface.

APR technology already combines the best features of all currently available touch technologies into a single comprehensive solution.

Ken North, Elo's Director of Engineering said "Elo is excited about working with AMI Semiconductor".

"It allows us to extend the boundaries in which our technologies operate".

According to North, the new integrated circuit will extend a singularly successful solution into a new market.

Manufacturers of mobile and handheld devices will now be given a third option over the existing capacitive and resistive technologies they currently use.

"The advantage of APR in this arena is that it can overcome such shortcomings as finger-only input and limitation of stylus and lack of durability" North said.

"The development of an APR IC will provide manufacturers of mobile and hand-held devices with a more durable touchscreen that works with a finger or any stylus".

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