Back in 2000 we developed and produced the world-wide first capacitive touch screen for industrial mass production use. Widely used on ATM machines, retail point-of-sale terminals, car navigation systems, medical monitors and industrial control panels, it became extremely popular on touch screen handhelds after Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007.
“Capacitive Touch Sensing” is a capacitive detection technique with a simple construction and decoding. This variant uses a light electrical charge that is spread over the entire screen. When you touch the display with your finger, the electrical current is interrupted (otherwise conducted) as your body conducts electricity. The point where this happens is detected by the software. Capacitive screens can be touched in more than one place at once. Unlike most other types of touchscreen, they don’t work if you touch them with a plastic stylus (because the plastic is an insulator and stops your hand from affecting the electric field).
Unlike some other techniques (resistive, infrared, surface wave, etc.) where the sensor is at the front and therefore more vulnerable, projected capacitance (PCAP) technology mounts the sensor foil behind a protective overlay, so that it does not has shortcomings of, for example, resistive touchscreens, which means that they are used in many high-quality and large-scale applications. Due to the attractive features of touchscreens with projected capacitance, there is an increasing number of consumers who want devices that use this technology.
The PCAP touchscreens have a superior multi-touch performance, durability, excellent optical transmissivity (greater than 90%), scratch-resistance, free of aging symptoms, offer high performance in accuracy, power consumption and refresh rate.
The multi-finger touch input and gestures, enables significant improvements to the user interface. Popular gestures such as two-finger pinch and zoom let users zoom in or out on an image. With multi-touch we are able to develop custom gestures, which add value for end users and can be promoted as product differentiators.
The cover lens and touchscreen sensor are complex structures that constitute a touchscreen’s stack-up. The cover lens, the topmost layer, can be made of a variety of materials. Glass gives the high-end finishing and PC (poly carbonate) or PMMA (poly methyl methacrylate AKA Acrylic or plexi glass) instead of glass is most of the time cheaper, shatter-resistant but may lower signal sensitivity.
Ever since ClickTouch developed the first PCAP-solution for the industrial market in 2000, it has offered various capacitive touch solutions. The world is continuously evolving, thus the needs for standard solutions increase more and more.
The CTG ‘Touch on Glass’ is based on an innovative Glass on Glass construction. The (standard) cover glass is optically laminated with the capacitive ‘ITO on glass’ part. This ensures an extremely high transparency and simple construction.
Clicktouch offers all the needed support in integrating and the custom programming of the touchscreen controller. It impacts performance, functionality, and the user experience by how well it handles processing of noise-sensitive signals. At a minimum, a controller needs high-quality analog front ends, built-in noise handling capabilities, and sophisticated processing algorithms. By providing a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and effective noise handling, a controller can compensate for the signal-strength degradation that comes from noise sources.
We use tailor-written algorithms compatible with the sensors being used. The programming of the controller also determines which advanced features, such as water tolerance, water operation or glove control, the system can support.
Clicktouch offers:
Imagine a sleek, elegant surface in glass that can be used as a touch screen. No wires or electronics are visible anywhere on the screen, just the controls you want when you need them. How can this be done? Simple, just like a magician who performs a magic trick.
Imagine, a shower tap that you can operate just like the screen on your phone. Capacitive technology is all around us, we find it on our mobile phones, tablets, kitchen appliances and in our cars. Why? Because operating a touch screen is one the most intuitive acts possible. After all, mankind has always found ways to work effectively with our hands.
When designing a touchscreen, you have a choice between capacitive and resistive technology. Both offer advantages and limitations. We present both technologies and discuss in which situations and fields they offer you the best solution. Because the choice you make depends upon the application.
Missed our webinar on November 17th focused on "Designing Next Gen Touch Interfaces"? Watch it here on-demand! The webinar takes a specific look at current trends in interface design and manufacturing as well as a look at what materials enable next generation features such as touch buttons on curved surfaces.
High-sensitivity and easy-to-operate resistive touchscreen technology, which can be combined with other types of control panels, such as the membrane keypads, as required. This allows fully integrated systems to be developed. There are 2 types available: matrix and analog.
Capacitive keys or capacitive sensors (CTS) create the most amazing control panel you have ever seen, turning almost any user interface into a control panel that you can activate with a touch or a wave of the hand.
Capacitive operation through every conceivable type of overlay: metal, stainless steel, wood, cork, textile,… UnicTouch® is an excellent solution to offer your customers different material options.
Redundant Technology through a combination of 2 touchscreens, ideal for applications in critical environments where there is no room for errors. TwoTouch is the perfect solution for all your highly critical touch applications!
Sensors based on a technology that converts pressure, weight and force into a measurable variable electrical resistance.