SEOUL, KOREA – August 26, 2014 – Dongbu HiTek today announced it has completed the development of an innovative Capacitive Touch Controller IC for smart phones. The proprietary chip design enables apps to be accessed and controlled via simple touch gestures while the smart phone is in the standby (screen-off) mode, thus streamlining apps access, control and extending battery life.
Current smart phones in the standby mode typically require the user to unlock the phone (activating the screen), navigate to the desired apps icon and then touching the icon to access the app. Next generation smart phones incorporating Dongbu HiTek’s innovative chip design will allow users to rapidly access/control frequently used apps during standby with a simple touch gesture – such as drawing a circle, letter, line or other figure on the darkened screen.
Accessing Audio Apps during Standby
With Dongbu HiTek’s new chip design, audio apps, such as a music player can be accessed via a touch gesture during standby without activating the screen. Moreover, other touch gestures on the darkened screen can be used to control various audio-only functions such as volume control or selecting the next track. Such capabilities further streamline control of apps while reducing power consumption by staying in the screen-off mode.
“Glove Touch” & “Double Tap Wake Up”
Dongbu HiTek’s new chip design also includes a “Double Tap Wake Up” function that activates the screen by tapping it two times as well as a “Glove Touch” function that recognizes touch gestures while wearing gloves – even wet kitchen gloves worn while washing dishes. In implementing the “Glove Touch” function, Dongbu HiTek technologists optimized touch sensitivity so that deliberate touch gestures could be consistently distinguished from random drops of water.
Touch Controller IC Market: $2.8 Billion in 2017
According to IHS Technology, the overall Touch Controller IC market is expected to grow to approximately to US$2.3 billion dollars this year posting a 21% CAGR compared to last year. IHS estimates continued growth to about $2.8 billion in 2017. The segment representing smart phone applications is forecast to grow from $1.2 billion this year to $1.4 billion in 2017, representing more than 5.25% CAGR over the three year period.
About Dongbu HiTek
Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd. specializes in developing superb analog and mixed-signal processing technologies. The company adds high value to advanced ICs with a processing portfolio that encompasses Analog CMOS, BCDMOS, High Voltage CMOS, CMOS Power Amplifier (PA), CMOS Image Sensor (CIS), Display Driver IC (DDI), Touch Screen Controller IC and Embedded Flash technologies. With its best-in-class BCDMOS technology, the company manufactures power management chips that serve numerous applications ranging from home and handheld electronics to automotive and industrial systems. Currently processing technologies at nodes ranging from 0.35 microns to 90 nanometers, the company complements its world class foundry capabilities with top quality design support, prototype verification and packaging/module development. Headquartered in Seoul, Dongbu HiTek publicly trades its stock under 000990 on the Korea Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.dongbuhitek.com.
