Neonode
Neonode Outs Multi-Sensing Touch Technology
Neonode today announced a new touchscreen technology it calls Multi-Sensing. According to Neonode, Multi-Sensing can identify any object and its characteristics (size, pressure, depth, speed, proximity) in relation to the touch surface. It does this using light, which Neonode says has zero latency and can sense input devices such as a finger, pen, or brush at high speeds. It is built into Neonode's existing 2D zForce multitouch technology. The company envisions Multi-Sensing being used in devices such as smartphones and tablets. Neonode didn't say when it expects the technology to reach shipping devices.
Neonode Intros Low-Power Optical Touch Controller
Neonode today announced the NN1001, a single-chip optical touch controller for smartphones and tablets that it developed in collaboration with Texas Instruments. Neonode says that the NN1001 scans at 1000Hz with latency as low as 1 millisecond. The controller uses less than 1mW at 100Hz, which Neonode says puts the NN1001 in a class above most current touch solutions. The controller interacts with multi-touch sources such as fingers, gloved fingers, passive pens, and can power screens up to 20 inches in size. The NN1001 uses Texas Instruments' analog signal chain and power management technologies, which reduces the controller's power requirements and offers a low signal-to-noise ratio. Last, the NN1001 uses Neonode's AlwaysON tech, which lets touch screens register input even with the device it is built into is in sleep mode. The controller is sampling to customers now, and will reach mass production by the second quarter of 2012.
Sonim Licenses NeoNode's Touch Tech
Sonim and NeoNode today announced that Sonim has licensed the optical touch screen technology developed by NeoNode for use in future phones. Sonim makes rugged handsets, but has shied away from touch screen devices. NeoNode's zForce optical touch screen technology differs from resistive and capacitive screens and Sonim believes it is the best option for it to use in order to design touch-based phones. NeoNode used to sell its own touch-based phones, but filed for bankruptcy in 2008. The company now licenses its patented technology. Terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed.
