3M Enhances MicroTouch EX II 7000 Series USB Touch Controllers

Methuen, MA – April 7, 2008 – When display integrators or device manufacturers develop interactive touch products, they require electronics engineered to meet their need for fast, accurate and reliable touch response. To help meet these requirements, 3M Touch Systems today introduces two new capacitive touch sensor controllers based on its industry-leading MicroTouch EX II electronics platform. These new MicroTouch EX II 7000 series USB controllers, when mated with MicroTouch ClearTek II and ToughTouch II capacitive touch sensors, provide integrators with high-performance, easy-to-integrate touch electronics, as well as featuring enhanced levels of CRFI (Conducted Radio Frequency Immunity), “Wake-on-Touch” functionality, and increased MTBF specifications to greater than 700k hours.

EX II 7000 series USB controllers now offer enhanced CRFI levels to help reduce the chance that other system electronics or communication/power lines will impact the touch system’s performance, and can help product developers shorten their design cycles and create more robust products.

Also, these controllers now support the “USB suspend mode” which enables “wake-on-touch” functionality. When a system in suspend mode is activated by a touch, wake-on-touch restores the entire system to full power mode and operation. This enhanced function allows developers to power manage their systems to help customers reduce energy consumption, as well as extend the life of critical system components, such as the LCD’s backlights.

“As a touch industry leader, 3M is committed to providing customers with the best touch components available in the market,” says Chris Tsourides, business unit manager, 3M Touch Systems. “These enhanced EX II USB controllers make the industry-leading ClearTek II capacitive touch system even more robust and versatile to meet customer needs.”

The specifics on these new MicroTouch 7000 series USB controllers are:

• The EX II 7730HC USB controller features fully-compliant USB HID electronics and firmware, which allow the touch system to be used without installing a touch driver. For customers or applications that do not require the sophisticated touch mode selections and multi-monitor features of the MicroTouch MT7 software package, this HID solution is ideal for easy system integration and maintenance.
• The EX II 7760UC USB controller provides integrators already using MicroTouch EX II electronics with these new robust features and is backward compatible to support existing product lines and programs.

3M Touch Systems provides fast, reliable and accurate touch products to customers worldwide under the “MicroTouch” brand. Popular interactive applications include casino gaming, retail point of sale, foodservice, hospitality, self-service, mobile handheld, and interactive signage. For more information about MicroTouch products, visit www.3M.com/touch01.

A high-resolution photo of the MicroTouch EX II 7000 Series USB controller is available by contacting Jane Kovacs, 3M Public Relations, 512-984-6747, http://www.3m.com/PressContact

About 3M Touch Systems, Inc.
3M Touch Systems Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M, operates globally and reports through the 3M Electro and Communications Business, headquartered in Austin, TX. For more information visit www.3M.com/touch01.

About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com

3M, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, MicroTouch, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

For media inquiries, contact Jane Kovacs, 3M Public Relations, (651) 733-6582, http://www.3m.com/PressContact

For all other inquiries, visit www.3M.com/touch