Innovative Applications of Touch Technologies

(Technical Insights) -

Nine Pronged Technology Assessment

Increasing Need in the Consumer Electronics Market

Propels Innovations and Adoption of Touch Technology

October 2013

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Content

Section Slide Number

Executive Summary 3

Technology Overview 10

Year of Impact 21

Market Potential 23

Global Footprint 27

IP Activity Assessment of Patents 29

Funding 35

Impact on Megatrend 38

Breadth of Industries 40

Potential Points of Convergence 44

Size of the Innovation Ecosystem 46

Conclusion 49

The Frost & Sullivan Story 51

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Executive Summary

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Research Outline

. The consumer electronics market is a vital, initial area for touch technologies. Opportunities for touch technologies in this

and other sectors are driven by constant technology innovations to improve user experienceCompanies who want to stay

competitive in the consumer electronics market need to react to these changes and pursue innovations in order to

differentiate their products. Availability of new types of content and popularity of mobile applications has created a need for

advanced display technologies which combine high-performance capabilities with slick form factor and low energy use.

The inherent advantages of touch technologies make it a viable alternative to conventional methods of using buttons and

keys for range of consumer applications, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and television sets. By offering advantages

of efficiency, ease of use, higher human machine interaction and flexible form factor, touch technology open up new

opportunities for the consumer electronics sector. However to increase the wide-scale adoption, it requires producers to

solve certain challenges such as cost-effective manufacturing processes and effective integration into the existing products

in the markets.

The research service provides insights primarily on nine dimensions of touch technology listed below. It analyzes the major

focus areas of technology innovations and penetration prospects among different consumer electronics applications.

• Year of impact

• Market Potential

• Global Footprint

• IP Activity

• Funding

• Breadth of Industries

• Impact on Megatrend

• Potential Points of Convergence

• Size of Innovation Ecosystem

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Nine Dimensional Analysis of Technology Assessment

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Research Scope

This research service covers the key technology trends in the touch technology for consumer electronics

domain assessed based on nine different dimensions. The level of commercialization and adoption of touch

technology in applications such as smartphones, televisions and other consumer applications is analyzed.

Moreover, the research service takes under consideration the adoption rates across different regions and

geographies, aiming to analyze the global footprint and scope of developments across the globe.

Funding analysis reveals current research and development focus areas and challenges faced by the

industry. The analysis of the patent landscape depicts the evolution of the different aspects of touch

technology and the product development. Additionally, the market potential for touch technology in consumer

electronics culminates the report.

Year of Impact

MARKET

POTENTIAL

Global Footprint IP Activity

Size of Innovation

Ecosystem Funding

Breadth of

Industries

Impact on

Megatrend

Potential Points of

Convergence

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Global Technology Adoption Footprint

USA

Universities and

companies in the US play a

major part in innovations in

touch technology.

The patent analysis section of

this report shows that the

highest number of patents

have been filed in the United

states. The adoption rate of

this technology is also high in

this region with a number of

key players and start up

companies in this region. Asia Pacific

The rapidly growing Asia

Pacific market is expected to adopt

this technology this on a larger

scale in the coming years. Currently

there are number of companies

based in Australia and New Zealand

which have started manufacturing

touch displays .

Europe

In Europe, touch screens are

largely used for consumer electronics

such as smart phones , tablets and

laptops. Europe is considered to have

a higher adoption rate of this

technology after the USA.

Intensity of Technology

Adoption

Very High

High

Medium

Asia

Samsung. headquartered in

South Korea, is one of the key

market leaders in manufacturing

touch screen displays. Owing to the

growing demand and high adoption

rate of this technology in this region

there has been an increase in the

number of start up companies

manufacturing touch screen displays

and sensors. Many new companies

like Sollensys Corporation who

manufacture both touch ICs and

sensors are entering into this growth

sector.

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Patent Landscape: Year-wise Patent Distribution

The above exhibit shows the number of patents field for touch technology over the last six years. The patent publishing trend has shown

that the number of patents filed in touch technology has been increasing from 2007. This trend is primarily seen because of the introduction

of the iphone from Apple. The highest number patent filings was witnessed in 2012, and the trend is seen to grow with coming years. With

the demand for this technology increasing and research being carried out by the key players, start ups and also research institutes, the

number of patents filed is only going to increase. The patent publishing trends over the last six years shows an regular increase and

indicates a trend that is to follow.

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Breadth of Applications

Infotainment systems in Automotive's Fridges

Washing Machines

TV’s

Touch

Technology 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2018 2018

Gaming Applications Mobile phones

Laptops

Desktops

Robotic Applications

Music Players

ATM Kiosks

The chart shows the applications that are forecasted to employ the touch technology such as haptics, gesture and

optical imaging in the coming years.

Retail: Adoption of touch based consumer electronics such as tablets and touch screens employed for activities such as billing and updating inventory. This has helped decrease the errors caused by the operators and thereby reducing the loss incurred to the management.

Automotive: Over the years, the need for touch screens in automobiles has increased and it has become more of a necessity than a luxury for the users. Car makers are also looking to come up with innovative touch screens to be integrated into their cars in order to keep with the competition. Many car makers have integrated an eight inch touch screen to their cars thereby driving the home screen into segments for phone, music and for navigation purposes.

Healthcare: Touch technology plays an important role in the health care industry. Consumer electronics such as Ipads are being used in this sector to store the patient records and in complex surgeries touch screens have been very helpful in giving intricate details.

Education: The use and adoption of touch technology has been increasing in the field of education. Schools and universities have been using this technology to provide state of the art learning techniques for students in classrooms.

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The Frost & Sullivan Story

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