Press Release
Wacom Technology and A.T. Cross Announce New Penabled™ Executive Pens for Tablet PCs
VANCOUVER, WA, NOV. 7 - Wacom Technology, the world's leading maker of computer graphics tablets and electronic pens, and A. T. Cross Company (ASE-ATX), a leading manufacturer of fine writing instruments, have partnered for the first time in the development of two executive pens for the Tablet PC. The pens are for use with any of the Penabled Tablet PCs announced today at Microsoft's launch of the Tablet PC platform. Tablet PCs provide the functionality of notebook computers while offering natural pen-based computing capabilities. Penabled Tablet PCs use patented Wacom technology that allows the pens to be cordless and batteryless, provide 256 levels of pressure and have optional electronic erasers. The Tablet PCs shown today include the Acer Travelmate C100, the Fujitsu and Fujitsu-Siemens Stylistic ST Series, the Motion Computing M1200 Tablet PC, the Toshiba Portégé 3500 Tablet PC, the Viewsonic Viewpad V1100, the WalkAbout Hammerhead XRT, and the Xplore Genesys IIITPC. Other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to announce Penabled Tablet PCs in the future. Tablet PCs must be Penabled to use the new executive pens, and the pens are necessary for optimum pressure sensitivity and eraser functions. The two new pens have a sleek, modern metallic look. One model is with a cap and one is without a cap. The pens have a single side switch, which can be set as a right mouse button. They are capable of 256 levels of pressure so line and signature width, as well as darkness, can vary according to hand pressure. Both have a pocket clip, and both have an electronic eraser, which is a unique feature of Wacom Penabled pens. "We are excited about working with A.T. Cross in providing new levels of quality and style for computer pens," said Joe Deal, Wacom president. "These new pens with their patented cordless, batteryless, pressure-sensitive features are ideal for use by executives and information workers with Tablet PCs for taking notes in meetings for later reference." "Tablet PCs represent the future of mobile computing, and we are delighted to be partnering with Wacom in this more natural, pen-based form of computing that blends the simplicity of pen and paper with the productivity of a notebook computer," said John Ruggieri, president of the Pen Computing Group at A.T. Cross. Price and AvailabilityThe two executive pens will be available for sale to OEMs and also in the Wacom and A.T. Cross retail channels during the second quarter of 2003. Prices have not been announced. Tablet PC users can use the executive pens to control their PC, and they can create handwritten documents by writing directly on the computer's LCD screen. Handwritten documents are displayed as ultrasharp vector-based digital ink objects that vary in line thickness depending on hand pressure applied, just as when using a regular ink pen. The Windows Tablet PC system also allows handwritten notes to be stored, searched and reviewed. Documents can be annotated and handwritten notes converted for repurposing into other work documents. How Penabled Technology Works
Wacom Penabled pens operate without batteries or connecting cords by taking advantage of an electro-magnetic signal sent from a sensor board under the LCD to the pen and returned for analysis. A grid of wires in the sensor board alternates between transmit and receive modes about every 20 microseconds. In transmit mode, the sensor board's signal stimulates oscillation in a coil-and-capacitor resonant circuit in the pen. In receive mode, the energy of the resonant circuit oscillations in the pen is detected by the sensor board's antenna grid and analyzed for position, pressure and other information. A Penabled pen also has the ability to "hover," allowing it to move the cursor without actually touching the LCD screen. Another advantage is that the sensor board is embedded so it is located not above but beneath the LCD panel, which allows a clearer, richer display. About A.T. Cross
A.T. Cross Company is headquartered in Lincoln, RI, and is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of fine writing instruments with distribution in major markets around the world. The company also designs and markets time pieces and manufactures pen computing products. Its Pen Computing Group was established to develop and market pen-based products that facilitate electronic communications. For more information contact John Ruggieri, A.T. Cross Company, One Albion Road, Lincoln, RI 02865; phone 401-335-8470; email jruggieri@cross.com. The company's website is: http://www.cross.com. About Wacom
Wacom is best known for having introduced the world's first cordless, batteryless, pressure-sensitive pen in America in 1989. Wacom Co., Ltd., a worldwide corporation, is headquartered in Japan. It operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Wacom Technology Corp., Vancouver, WA; Wacom Europe GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany; and Wacom Components of Europe, Cambridge, UK.