3M Touch Systems Inc. today announced the availability of its breakthrough touch-screen technology - dispersive signal technology (DST). U.S.-based Richardson Electronics Ltd. Pixelink division will offer an integrated NEC MultiSyncLCD 4010 40-inch TFT touch-screen monitor solution incorporating the 3M MicroTouch DST touch screen and controller. This preliminary release touch-monitor solution is available for sale and shipment from Pixelink Corp. as of today.
The 40-inch MicroTouch DST touch screen is the first in a planned product range of large format (over 30-inches) touch screens. Key application segments for this technology include conference rooms; education; financial exchange; retail signage and billboard; transportation; and other varied indoor venues, such as casino hospitality, trade shows, clubs and restaurants.
Market projections from iSuppli - a leading source of display market data - estimate the total nonconsumer, large-screen LCD and plasma display market to grow to $4.79 billion by 2009 with the markets listed above comprising $4.66 billion of the total. 3M will compete for the touch-interactive portion of the above listed application segments.
"Dispersive signal technology is a unique touch technology due to its feature set and scalability to fit large display sizes," said Larry Loerch, business manager, 3M Touch Systems. "We look forward to leveraging key integrator, ISV and display manufacturer relationships to capture a portion of the burgeoning demand for large format, interactive displays."
Dispersive signal technology represents a fundamentally different approach to touch. Unlike other solutions that recognize touch by the interruption of electrical fields, acoustic waves, optical fields or infrared light, dispersive signal technology recognizes touch by interpreting bending waves created in the overlay substrate via the impact of a touch. This approach helps eliminate performance issues associated with on-screen contaminants and surface scratches, while offering enhanced palm rejection. All of these features represent key functional advantages in the target application segments.
Future commercialized implementations of MicroTouch(TM) DST touch screens will result from 3M's work with both Richardson's Pixelink division and other specialized display integrators. This model leverages 3M's expertise in touch technology and the integrators' proficiency in market-specific display optimization and solution customization. Combined with the proven performance of high quality displays, the result is a high-performance, seamlessly integrated touch display capable of being effectively deployed into the major, nonconsumer large-format display growth segments.
"As it is our responsibility to provide the highest level of service to our customers and ensure that systems operate at maximum performance levels, we were honored that 3M chose the expertise of Richardson Electronics' Pixelink division for an advanced display solution application," stated John Bowab, general manager of Richardson's Pixelink division. "This particular application showcases our ability to customize a display solution to meet the unique needs of a customer."
About 3M Touch Systems Inc.
3M Touch Systems Inc., a subsidiary of 3M, operates globally and reports through 3M Optical Systems Division headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. For more information on dispersive signal technology and other innovative touch products visit www.DSTtouch.com or www.3Mtouch.com
To download a high resolution JPEG image related to this release, visit (URL) www.3m.com/3MTouchSystems/Corporate/News/photos/DST-Product_photo.jhtml
About Richardson's Pixelink Corp.
Pixelink Corp. is a division of Richardson Electronics Ltd.
About Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
Richardson Electronics Ltd. is a global provider of "engineered solutions," serving the RF and wireless communications, industrial power conversion, security and display systems markets. The company delivers engineered solutions for its customers' needs through product manufacturing, systems integration, prototype design and manufacture, testing and logistics. Press announcements and other information about Richardson are available on the World Wide Web at www.rell.com/investor.asp.
About NEC Display Solutions of America Inc.
Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., NEC Display Solutions of America Inc., formerly NEC-Mitsubishi, is a leading provider of innovative LCD displays and integrated display solutions. NEC Display Solutions develops leading-edge visual technology and customer-focused solutions for the consumer, enterprise, professional, medical and digital signage markets. NEC Display Solutions ranked as the No.1 best-selling stand-alone LCD monitor provider in the United States for all of CY2004 according to iSuppli's quarterly monitor reports. For more information, please call 1-866-NEC-MORE or visit www.necdisplay.com
For additional information about NEC Display Solutions of America monitors, consumers can call (866) NEC-MORE or visit the Web site at: www.necdisplay.com/medical. For digital images please visit www.necdisplay.com/mml
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