Development Agreement
Zytronic PLC
25 October 2001
ZYTRONIC PLC
Development Agreement with Synaptics
Zytronic Plc, a specialist manufacturer of touch screens and optical filters
for electronic displays, announces a development agreement with Synaptics,
California for the joint development of touch panels for ATMs, gas pumps,
interactive kiosks and web-enabled telephones. The two companies will jointly
develop and market large projected capacitive touch panels for use with all
types of electronic displays.
Synaptics(R) Incorporated (San Jose, California) is the acknowledged leader in
TouchPads and other human interface solutions.
Under the agreement, Synaptics will develop the touchscreen electronics
controller and software, while Zytronic will design the glass sensor. The
partnership allows each company to focus on their areas of expertise, while
providing an opportunity for both companies to make a strategic move into the
market for large interactive touchscreens.
Unlike most existing touch panels the active component is embedded within the
glass which makes the new touch panel ideal for external, unattended
applications. Target applications include ATMs, gas pumps, interactive kiosks
and web-enabled telephones, where the projected capacitive touch screen offers
customers compelling benefits, including accuracy, clarity and durability.
Richard McCaskill, Synaptics Vice President of Marketing and Business
Development commented:
'The two companies have highly complementary technologies. By combining
Zytronic's world-class display optical filters and glass sensor capabilities
and strong customer relationships with Synaptics' expertise in capacitive
touch sensing and software we have the opportunity to bring our proven and
reliable capacitive technology to new markets.'
John Kennair, Chairman, Zytronic Plc stated:
'Utilizing Synaptics precision capacitive sensing technology, we will be able
to provide customers with clearer, rugged, accurate, and tightly integrated
touchscreen solutions that are cost effective. We are looking forward to the
market opportunities this relationship will provide to us.'
25 October 2001
ENQUIRIES:
Zytronic Plc Tel: 0191 414 5511
John Kennair, MBE
Chairman
College Hill Associates Tel: 0207 457 2020
Michael Padley
Nicholas Nelson
cont
Editors' note
Synaptics Incorporated
Known as The Human Interface CompanyTM, Synaptics develops advanced interface
solutions for products as diverse as notebook and desktop computers, mobile
computing and communications devices, Internet appliances, automotive
applications and security solutions. Synaptics products include: the industry
standard notebook pointing device, TouchPadTM; ClearPadTM, a capacitive touch
screen solution; TouchStykTM, a modular and capacitive pointing stick
solution; Spiral(R), an inductive, proximity sensing pen input system, and
QuickStroke(R), a Chinese handwriting recognition software. Synaptics is a
California-based, venture-backed, private company. The company can be
contacted at (408) 434-0110, on the web at www.synaptics.com, or via email at
sales@synaptics.com.
Zytronic Plc
Zytronic Plc, floated on the London Alternative Investment Market in July 2000
and specializes in the manufacture of optical filters for electronic displays.
Its products are used in a wide range of applications including ATM's and
navigational equipment, to improve viewability in adverse lighting conditions,
military computers to provide electromagnetic/radio-frequency shielding and
privacy filters for secure viewing of displays
Web: www.zytronic.co.uk
Copies of this statement will be available for a period of 14 days from the
Company's registered office: Patterson Street, Blaydon on Tyne, Tyne &Wear
NE21 5SG