Interactive video wall technology with multitouch transition

Designed to mirror the narrowest bezel video wall monitors, the glass sensors feature an narrow border (anywhere from 3mm to zero), creating a sleek appearance by using the maximum display area. The sensors can be innovatively linked when used with the associated ZyBrid ^edge controller to enable seamless touch transition between screens, with potentially no gap whatsoever between adjacent active areas.

Typically, AV installers fix a huge protective glass over the entire interactive video wall. They then often use a clip-on infra-red or camera-based touch detection system around the outside of the tiled screens. This arrangement creates a large, unsightly, protruding bezel around the edge of the wall, even if interactivity is only required on some displays. It also means that if a monitor needs to be adjusted or replaced, the entire cover glass (which might measure 3 x 3m or more) has to be unmounted from the touch detection frame. Also, these touch detection technologies tend to be susceptible to false and accidental touches. They can also be confused by strong direct sunlight. Worse still, if dust and debris accumulate on the surface, the effectiveness of optical transmitters or receivers can be impacted, stopping the interactive video wall from working altogether. Current alternative technologies, such as conventional projected capacitive or acoustic based touch systems have wider borders that detract from the very closely tiled, aesthetic appearance that an interactive video wall should have.

“The new Zytronic projected capacitive solution eradicates both these issues, enabling ultra-fast, accurate touchscreen responses and providing borders that match the latest near borderless LCDs,” said Ian Crosby, Sales and Marketing Director, Zytronic. Each narrow-border ZyBrid ^edge sensor is supported by a dedicated ZYX500 based multitouch controller linked via a set of RJ45 data cables. The connected associate controllers then finally connect to a single, leading primary controller. The controllers are fitted with a manual toggle switch that changes the onboard firmware settings, allowing AV installers to quickly choose whether to make it an associate or a primary controller. Only needing one type of controller reduces system complexity and component inventory.

In an innovative development, Zytronic has also designed proprietary firmware for the special ZXY500 controllers. The firmware allows the data from the individual associate controllers to be ‘stitched’ together by the primary controller, which then presents a single set of x-y coordinates to the host computer as a USB HID ‘plug and play’ touchscreen device. “Instead of individual touchscreens, the computer only ‘sees’ one giant touch sensor,” explained Crosby.

This novel approach solves the problem of dropped touch coordinates as a user passes their fingers from one screen to an adjacent unit to achieve a seamless coordinate and touch contact ID transfer ‘handshake’ - no matter how many people interact with the video wall. The individual touch sensors can be attached to the underlying narrow bezel displays using suitably designed frames or optical bonding. When tiled alongside, each screen’s touch controller is linked to create a huge, near-borderless interactive wall.

A further benefit of this individual yet linked and tiled approach is that only the individual monitors within reach of users’ fingertips need to be fitted with the ZyBrid ^edge touch sensors. Just a protective glass can be fitted for those higher up, significantly saving cost and dramatically easing maintenance.

As with all Zytronic touch sensors, the sizes and designs can be completely customised. In terms of size, the main requirements are expected to be 37, 46, 49, 55 and 65”, matching the most commonly available narrow border video wall monitors from suppliers like Christie, LG, NEC, Philips and Samsung. The glass touch sensors can be made from 3, 4 and 6mm thermally tempered glass, with either a plain or anti-glare finish, depending upon customer needs and impact requirements.

“With this latest Zytronic development, accurate and incredibly responsive projected capacitive touchscreen video walls of almost any size can be created by AV system installers,” concluded Crosby. “With virtually unlimited scalability, the Zytronic video wall solution enables endless possibilities for them to create the ultimate interactive experience, from mission control rooms, corporate HQs and museums, to flagship department stores.”