A touch
controller IC is an integrated circuit aimed to provide a touch
user interface (TUI) which is
basically a computer-pointing technology based upon the sense of touch. Unlike
a graphical user interface (GUI) which
uses the sense of sight, the TUI enables not only the sense of touch to innervate
and activate computer-based functions; it also allows the user with visual impairments, an added level of interaction based upon tactile input.
A touch
controller IC or TUI takes pressure or presence with a switch located outside
of the printed paper as the input. Nowadays the popularity of smart phones, tablets and many types of
information appliances is driving the demand and acceptance of common touch
screens, for portable and functional electronics. With a display of a simple
smooth surface, and direct interaction without any hardware (keyboard or mouse)
between the user and content, fewer accessories are required. Touch screens are
popular in many fields for example the medical field, and in heavy industry, as
well as kiosks such as museum displays or room automation, providing a suitably
intuitive, rapid, or accurate interaction by the user with the display content.
The market for the touch controller IC has emerged due to the
heavy penetration of touch screens in electronics devices. More than 80% of the
revenue of the touch controller IC market is contributed by the consumer
electronics segment. The reason for the high share of the consumer electronics
segment is due to the rapid adoption of touch screens for mobile phone and
tablets.
The technology segment of the touch controller IC market can be
split into four different IC types used for different applications. These types
are; ASIC, MCU, Custom Controller, and Analogue Controllers. ASIC and MCU are
the ones with maximum market share. Analogue Controller’s share is on decline.
According to a report published by
Marketsandmarkets, in 2011, revenue of the touch controller IC market was only
0.4% of the total semiconductor industry, which grossed $312.5 billion in the
same year. By the year 2016, this share is expected to increase to 1.65%. This
indicates increase in the adoption of touch controller IC for various
applications. As more number of touch screen products is made available, the
market will see growth in verticals such as retail, ticketing, smart
advertisement, and interactive displays. The product market for the touch controller IC is segmented in
three different ways; by functionality, by module type, and by the panel
technology type. Panel technology is the working principle of a touch
panel/module. These technologies are resistive, capacitive, infrared, optical,
on-cell, and in-cell. Capacitive technology heavily dominates the market
because of the advantages such as multi-touch, zero pressure touch, and long
life. Because of these advantages, many mobile phones and tablets come with
capacitive technology.
The product market for the touch
controller ICs is divided according to the touch panel working principle. Panel technology is the working
principle of a touch panel/module. These technologies are resistive,
capacitive, infrared, optical, on-cell, and in-cell. Capacitive technology
heavily dominates the market because of the advantages such as multi-touch,
zero pressure touch, and long life. It is observed that
resistive type and capacitive type together acquired about 85% of the total
market in the year 2011. The capacitive touch controllers are expected to
continue their dominance and by the year 2016, about 55% of the total market
would be acquired by them.
The report can be found at
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/11/prweb11342424.htm
The report can be found at
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/11/prweb11342424.htm
