 |
| (Source:Wacom) |
Wacom Co., the renowned Japanese stylus maker, has expanded its intellectual property portfolio with a series of U.S. patent acquisitions focused on stylus and display technology. The company acquired a total of 97 patents across three deals from Waltop International, Japan Display Inc. (JDI), and Sharp Corp.
In April 2023, Wacom purchased 23 U.S. patents from Waltop International, followed by the acquisition of 31 patents from JDI in March 2024. Most recently, in August 2024, Wacom secured 43 additional U.S. patents from Sharp.
The patents acquired by Wacom center on touch panels, capacitive styluses, and touch input devices, indicating a strategic move to bolster its capabilities in precision input technology and touch detection systems. These acquisitions align with Wacom’s goal of enhancing the performance of its digital drawing tablets and related devices.
The Waltop deal primarily included patents related to capacitive stylus technology, with a focus on low-power consumption and improved sensitivity. These patents cover advanced features that enhance the usability of styluses, including energy efficiency and intricate touch sensitivity adjustments. Additional technologies like integrated erasers and magnetic attachments were also part of the acquisition, which is particularly geared towards portable device integration and miniaturization.
In contrast, the patents acquired from JDI emphasize display technologies and input detection systems. These patents address the structural design of display panels, the integration of input detection systems with displays, and the use of both electromagnetic induction and capacitive sensing for input. This acquisition signals Wacom’s efforts to innovate in the integration of input and display technologies, broadening its technical foundation.
The 43 patents acquired from Sharp focus on touch panel systems and sensor technologies, particularly those related to capacitive touch panels and algorithms for touch detection accuracy. The patents also cover techniques for improving touch detection performance, with a strong emphasis on precision and sensitivity, aiming to enhance the accuracy of touch input in large display systems.
While Waltop’s patents concentrate on compact and portable stylus technologies, the patents from JDI and Sharp focus on improving the performance of large-scale display devices and touch panel systems. These acquisitions underscore Wacom’s ongoing commitment to advancing stylus and touch input technologies, reinforcing its market position in digital drawing and input devices.
Comments
Post a Comment