Zytronic develops advanced touch sensor solution for gaming equipment innovator

The Gen7 platform from Aristocrat is a key component in Indago. At the heart of Gen7’s advanced game engine lies an Intel Embedded processor, which provides the power to drive richer game content with outstanding new features, whilst providing a perfect host for ongoing developments in server based gaming.

Indago uses an innovative dual 22-inch widescreen display to enhance the appearance and increase the playing features of modern game terminals. The upper screen captures attention and shows the state of play with stunning visual effects, while the lower touch-enabled screen allows each player to select and play a variety of games. The front panel is designed and manufactured as a complete unit for easy integration with the TruServ system.

By working closely with the Indago design team from the outset, Zytronic has created a stylish pure glass front panel with touch sensor functionality embedded only in the lower display area, using its proprietary Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT)-based touch sensing. Utilising, ZYBRID’s customisation options, ACE Interactive was able to design a unique printed and bezel free user interface, with discrete touch-sensitive and non-touch zones. The unparalleled level of durability offered by PCT in comparison with other available touch sensing technologies, allowed ACE Interactive to confidently offer customers a low maintenance, reliable touch controlled unit for use in a wide variety of public areas.

“Zytronic has fulfilled our entire requirement for the Indago front panel, as a one-stop solution comprising many highly advanced concepts,” says Michael Koch, CEO of ACE Interactive. “Its overall quality also helped us to meet important acceptance criteria, such as EU emissions, immunity and safety standards.”

ZYBRID is drift-free product, which means that recalibration should not be required during the display lifetime. Its pure glass fronted design provides a very high resistance to damage and chemicals and coupled with a zero bezel design, can be easily wiped clean.

Unlike other touch technologies, a PCT touch sensor has no front-face-active elements, but instead uses an array of microfine capacitors – each one a fraction of the diameter of a human hair - laminated behind a protective front surface. This provides an extremely high light transmission and a strong, sealable and damage-resistant glass touch surface.

The Indago front panel uses Zytronic’s patented 64-channel touchscreen controller, which is designed for large format and widescreen displays. By providing inputs for 64 individual sensing elements, the new controller maximises touch resolution throughout the entire area of Indago’s lower 22-inch screen.

“At ACE Interactive, we are committed to utilising the most advanced technologies to enhance experiences for the gaming community,” continues Koch. “Zytronic, with its outstanding knowledge and capabilities, is a perfect fit with our approach, and has played a major role in helping to develop Indago as a highly innovative product delivering unprecedented value for our customers.”

ACE Interactive has supplied Norsk Tipping AS – the Norwegian national lottery company - with TruServ, the company’s server based gaming solution, which includes an exciting portfolio of ACE Interactive and Aristocrat games and the Indago terminal. Norsk Tipping plans to roll out 6,500 Indagos between August 2008 and 2010.