Cypress PSoC® CapSense™ Interface Selected To Implement Touch-Sensitive Controls On JVC's Super-Slim Everio Hard Disk Camcorders

Flexible Solution also Controls LEDs and Manages SPI Interface

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 2, 2008 - Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY) today announced that its PSoC® CapSense™ solution has been selected to control the touch-sensitive user-interface in JVC's new ultra-slim Everio G Series camcorders. The new hard disk camcorders take advantage of Cypress's industry-leading technology to quickly implement capacitive sensing buttons and scroll bar, integrated seamlessly with the graphic camcorder control menu interface.

All Everio G Series models use CapSense to implement an interface that is both aesthetically-pleasing and intuitive for the user. The camcorder's Laser Touch Operation user interface is a touch-sensitive illuminated scroll bar adjacent to the LCD monitor screen. Simply moving a finger up or down along the scroll bar allows the user to browse through and select video clips to view or edit, as well as operate set-up menus.

JVC notes the slim compact size and sleek interface are two of the most attractive new features of the Everio G series camcorders. JVC's development team applauds Cypress's CapSense solution and excellent support on the firmware from Macnica Brilliant Technology Company that allowed JVC to deliver these features quickly and economically.

"We are pleased to have an industry leader such as JVC implement our CapSense solution," said Dhwani Vyas, Vice President for Cypress's CapSense products. "The versatility and integration of PSoC is rapidly gaining popularity with system designers looking to integrate multiple functions in addition to stylish interfaces."

In addition to the user interface, the CapSense solution delivers pulse-width modulation (PWM) to control LEDs that follow finger control movement on the Everio camcorders. The CapSense device also implements a custom, high-level communication protocol on top of the SPI interface.

About CapSense
A single CapSense device can replace dozens of mechanical switches and controls with a simple, touch-sensitive interface. CapSense-based "button" and "slider" controls are more reliable than their mechanical counterparts because they are not prone to the environmental wear-and-tear that affects exposed buttons and switches. Cypress has garnered hundreds of CapSense design wins worldwide in applications that include mobile handsets, portable media players, white goods, computers, printers and automotive, among others.

Capacitive sensing is fast becoming the solution of choice for front-panel display and media control applications. Increased durability, decreased bill of materials (BOM) and a clean, minimalist appearance make this elegant interface attractive to a wide range of designs. With Cypress's CapSense interface, a finger on the interface forms an electrical connection with embedded sensors, which work with the PSoC device to translate data about the finger's presence into various system control functions. The sensor itself is only a copper pad on the PCB, not an actual component. 

Cypress's CapSense solution offers system designers numerous advantages over capacitive sensing products built around modules and sub-assemblies, including increased flexibility, reduced board space and lower cost. Because of the unique PSoC architecture, designers can easily integrate multiple functions (e.g., LED drivers and LCD displays), in addition to capacitive sensing. The PSoC CapSense solution also delivers benefits such as easy communications using either I2C, SPI or USB interfaces, the ability to implement both touchpad (x-y matrix) and linear slider applications with the same device, and the ability to make quick design changes using the flash-based PSoC architecture. In addition, users can complete CapSense designs quickly and easily using pre-configured and verified "user modules" within Cypress's PSoC Designer™ 4.4 Integrated Design Environment (IDE), and experience real-time sensor tuning and monitoring with PSoC Express™ visual embedded system design tool.  Learn more about CapSense online at www.cypress.com/capsense."

PSoC -- Because Change Happens
PSoC devices employ a highly configurable system-on-chip architecture for embedded control design, offering a flash-based equivalent of a field-programmable ASIC without lead-time or NRE penalties. PSoC devices integrate configurable analog and digital circuits, controlled by an on-chip microcontroller, providing both enhanced design revision capability and component count savings. They include up to 32 Kbytes of Flash memory, 2 Kbytes of SRAM, an 8x8 multiplier with 32-bit accumulator, power and sleep monitoring circuits, and hardware I2C communications.

The flexible PSoC resources allow designers to future-proof their products by enabling firmware-based changes during design, validation, production, and in the field. The unique PSoC flexibility shortens design cycle time and allows for late-breaking feature enhancements. All PSoC devices are also dynamically reconfigurable, enabling designers to morph internal resources on-the-fly, utilizing fewer components to perform a given task.

Easy to use development tools enable designers to select configurable library elements for analog functions such as amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, filters and comparators and digital functions such as timers, counters, PWMs, SPI and UARTs. The PSoC family's analog features include rail-to-rail inputs, programmable gain amplifiers and up to 14-bit ADCs with exceptionally low noise, input leakage and voltage offset.

A single PSoC device can integrate as many as 100 peripheral functions saving customers design time, board space and power consumption while improving system quality. Customers can save as much as $10 in system costs. More information about PSoC products is available at www.cypress.com/psoc and free online training is at www.cypress.com/psoctraining."

About Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC)
JVC is a leading international electronics company that achieved success by combining excellence in consumer audio and video hardware with its entertainment software business, and also has a growing reputation for professional equipment. JVC distributes a complete line of video and audio equipment, including high definition displays, camcorders, video players and recorders, home and portable audio equipment, mobile entertainment products and recording media. Headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, JVC was founded in 1927. For more information, visit the JVC Web site at www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/.

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