Press Release

2009.9.16

Re: Announcing to PC manufacturers the launch of a new sensor system that supports the multi-touch functions of Windows 7

Wacom Co. Ltd., announced today the beginning of mass production and shipment of its multi-touch sensor system technology which the company developed for laptop PCs running the next version of Microsoft’s OS, Windows 7. (refer to “Qualitative news for consolidated business performance” in Summary of Financial Results after FY08 3Q”)

Wacom’s multi-touch product consists of touch panels and controller circuits to support the multi-touch functions of Windows 7 and allow users to intuitively control a PC by touching the display screen with their finger tips. In addition, it can be incorprated together with Wacom’s pen sensor system which provides for intuitive handwritten input and image-editing by pen, as well as the multi-touch PC control.

Although the pen sensor and the multi-touch sensor share a common controller circuit, Wacom’s sensor system allows them to be controlled individually. In that sense, high performance, reduction in size of the control circuit and power-saving can all be realized together. More details are below.

1. Name of the product.
   Multi-touch sensor system for laptop PCs installed with Windows 7
2. Main features of the product.
• Supports the multi-touch function of Window 7, simultaneously and accurately detecting the position touched by two fingers and in addition supporting a gesture function that recognizes the movement of the fingers as commands.
• With the speed capability double the touch detecting speed required for Windows 7, it detects the touching position even with high-speed finger movements, achieving smooth control.
• As with a laptop PC on battery, it stably detects signal even when the signal that detects the finger position is small or when there is limited electric power.
• The touch sensor structure of just a single layered glass panel is simple and light. The display enables high transmission and no deterioration in displaying images, compared to the structure of film being sandwiched between 2 layers of glass.
• If loading it together with the pen sensor system, input control can be done through both pen and finger. A simple and intuitive user interface combination can be chosen and put together depending on the needs. (Only touch, pen and touch, only pen and so on.)
  
3. Future development and effects on the financial forecast of the product.
   The multi-touch sensor system market for laptop PCs installed with Windows 7 is expected to rapidly grow which led Wacom to promptly develop and launch this product, promoting growth of its component business by preparing EMS production to meet the market scale expansion.
   There will be no revision of the consolidated financial forecast of 1H and full year in FY09 although the shipment and mass production of the multi-touch sensor system will be influenced by the sales trends of PCs installed with Windows 7.