Touch technology alliance founded on sound basis

Agreement between Elo Touch Systems and Sensitive Object aims to accelerate the commercial development of touch sensitive systems based on acoustic technologies.

Sensitive Object and Elo TouchSystems have signed a cross-licensing agreement to further the development of their technologies and expand their respective product offerings.

Sensitive Object is the owner of ReverSys, a patented technology based on the recognition of sound waves in solid objects.

This development opens the way to a completely new approach in the control and interaction with any object or system.

ReverSys can be used in many fields of application from home automation to control panels and from touch screens to intelligent communicating objects.

The starting point for ReverSys is the basic physical principle that touching an object at a particular spot generates a vibration with an acoustic signature unique to that spot.

Sensitive Object conceived the idea of matching specific actions to these signatures, thus laying the foundation for a wide range of applications.

Tyco Electronics owns patented technology based on the characterisation of sound in surfaces called acoustic pulse recognition (APR) and has applied this technology to launch a revolutionary new touch capability in its already extensive line of Elo TouchSystems touch screens, touch monitors, and touch computers.

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

Sensitive Object and Tyco Electronics, both working in the field of acoustic touch recognition, have recognised the commercial benefits of sharing the results of their own research and development programs.

The two companies have agreed to cross-license their intellectual property in the acoustic touch field and to enter into a mutual technology development programme.

According to the terms of the agreement, Sensitive Object and Tyco Electronics will have access to each other's IP portfolio covering acoustic technologies and will co-ordinate their actions on new development projects.

Both companies expect the co-operation and joint developments will be of great benefit in bringing enhanced new products to market.

"The signing of this agreement will enable both companies to accelerate the commercial development of touch sensitive systems based on acoustic technologies", explains Herve Martin, CEO, Sensitive Object.

"We have found in Tyco Electronics a team that really has its finger on the pulse and together with them we have the resources and momentum to move the technology forward".

Mark Mendenhall, Vice President of Tyco Electronics and General Manager of Elo TouchSystems also welcomes the agreement.

"We are delighted to be able to work with the acknowledged expertise of Sensitive Object in acoustic technology, while bringing our own experience in touch screens to the partnership".

"The combination of the two companies' expertise is exciting and allows us to address all the potential of this technology".

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