With a tip that boasts 1-mm accuracy, Cypress Semiconductor’s TrueTouch solution may transform the stylus market for the next generation of capacitive touchscreen phones. It provides additional levels of accuracy and control for text entry, keyboard applications, handwriting recognition, and other functions. For example, users can enter complex signatures and Asian characters. They also can easily point to the shrinking icons used by today’s user interfaces.

TrueTouch uses a capacitive sensor screen that lays over the LCD. It comprises a matrix of indium-tin-oxide capacitors and conductors that are fully transparent. Touching the screen changes the capacitance at that point, generating an X-Y coordinate for the host baseband processor. TrueTouch is available a in single-touch version, a multi-touch version for two-finger gestures, and an all-points version for unlimited touch points.

Cypress was the first company to introduce multi-touch all-point functionality, which enables designers to create new usage models for mobile handsets, portable media players, GPS systems, and other products. Further, the company’s next-generation, high-performance TMA300 multi-touch all-point controller provides best-in-class scan times for true multi-finger touch and superior signal-to-noise ratio for the most demanding touchscreen applications.

As the industry’s most flexible touchscreen architecture, TrueTouch enables designers to implement differentiated features and make last-minute design iterations without board changes. It allows customers to rapidly develop leading-edge solutions without having to buy turnkey modules.

Customers can use touch sensors (glass or film) and LCDs from preferred partners. They also can develop innovative mechanical designs ranging from flat to curved surfaces of varying thickness. In addition, TrueTouch devices offer the company’s legendary noise immunity with patented capacitive sensing technology that enables flawless operation in noisy RF and LCD environments.

Also, Cypress offers stylus support. Traditionally, stylus support has been limited to resistive touchscreens, which require users to apply pressure on a multilayer screen. These screens are vulnerable to scratches and exhibit poor visibility in sunlight. As a result, many mobile device manufacturers have moved to capacitive touchscreen technology.

Yet the lack of stylus support has limited the further adoption of capacitive touchscreens, as many companies have only offered large 3- to 4-mm styluses designed for large icon selection. The highly accurate Cypress passive conductive stylus solution, though, makes it possible for end customers to adopt capacitive touchscreens. Users can even use a common number 2 pencil as a stylus.

Cypress is currently working with lead customers on stylus support for the TrueTouch touchscreen solution. A stylus support module is expected to be broadly available in the second quarter of 2010 (see the figure). For a video demonstration of the stylus touchscreen, go to
www.cypress.com/go/stylusvideo. 

Cypress Semiconductor