Multi-touch sensing solution incorporated into touch table

When the development process was embarked upon, it was stipulated that the table had to possess a sleek, aesthetically pleasing design, which would complement other furniture found within the target environment. Its touch response had to be fast, smooth and extremely natural, with the ability to recognise and react to gestures such as swipes, drag/drops, page flicks, zooms, etc. To achieve this, each table has been fitted with a 46" ZYBRID sensor using Zytronic’s patent pending MPCT multi-touch technology. Each touch sensor is linked to a ZXY200 multi-touch controller capable of reporting up to 40 independent simultaneous touch points. To create a flat, bezel free all-glass fronted design suitable for unattended public use in strongly lit areas, Zytronic manufacture the screens with an integrated printed black border using thick, thermally toughened anti-glare glass.

Most large format multi-touch technologies are unsuitable for touch table applications. Optical touch detection based on cameras or infrared touch sensing has the major disadvantage of requiring a bezel around the perimeter of the screen to house the optoelectronics. The upstanding plastic frame detracts from the appearance of the table, as well being vulnerable to potential damage, whether it is of an accidental or deliberate nature, and dirt accumulation. Furthermore such optical solutions are also very prone to false touches, as users lean over the surface, spill liquids or place objects upon it.

The MPCT touch sensor structure consists of a matrix of micro-fine (only 10µm thick) copper capacitors fashioned into intricate patterns to deliver high touch resolution. This matrix embedded into a laminated substrate with a thick, toughened glass front, which shields it from the various forms of mechanical stress that can be present in the external environment including scratches, impacts and extreme temperatures, as well as drink spillages and exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals.

The durability of Zytronic’s MPCT sensors is matched by their performance and functionality. The sensor only reacts to the presence of a finger (gloved or ungloved) or a conductive stylus, and will not react to inanimate objects such as ties, sleeves brushing the surface or cups and papers placed on the screen. Furthermore, sophisticated ‘palm rejection’ firmware within the ZXY200 controller eliminates potential false touches caused by users accidentally leaning the touchscreen with hands, elbows, etc.

The Touchwindow interactive table supports a wide variety of both entertainment and business-related activities, such as watching film clips, exploring interactive maps, annotating documents, reading newspapers/magazines, and writing, making video calls or browsing the Internet via the multi-touch enabled interface. The table is compatible with Windows operating systems - with users able to plug in USB memory sticks, so they can use the table’s large HD display to work on files and documents without the need for laptops or tablets. The table utilises Touchwindow’s own proprietary multi-touch software, Touchviewer, which has been specially adapted to meet the particular needs of the leisure and hospitality sectors. Through this users can manage and share their media content in a highly intuitive manner. User-friendly navigation means they can quickly browse various menus in order to quickly select any topics that prove of interest.