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Multi Touch Technologies

The evolution of touch technologies has progressed at an extraordinary pace since its conception in the early 1970’s. The aim of touch in modern technology has been to remove the requirement for a hand held device such as a mouse or keyboard, by allowing a user to interact directly with images shown on screen.

Single touch devices allow the user to point and click on the screen, similar to the primary click button on a mouse. These were the first touch sensors to be used; the first of which was made from an opaque material, only being replaced by glass several years later.

Examples of single touch sensors can be seen in many modern day devices. Many phones, portable game consoles, and ATMs utilise single touch technology as it is a simple and effective solution to creating an easy to navigate public user interface.

There is however one major drawback to single touch technology and it’s in the name: single touch. The solution was to include a second touch creating dual touch technology. This opened many doors to the touch screen industry. Devices could now be programmed to recognise gestures as well as touches. Features such as resize, drag, and drop were now possible. It was also made possible for multiple users to interact with the screen simultaneously. This solution worked well for a number of years, all the while the limitation of current technology kept screen sizes relatively small.

However with the recent and significant increase in potential screen size in early 2000, and especially with the introduction of High Definition resolution, a 52” 1080p screen could recognise only 2 touches.

We offer products capable to recognising up to 32 simultaneous touches, using multi touch technology. Our software contains an extensive range of applications for all purposes, an ever increasing array of gestures, and a powerful Content Management System.

Touch Technology

Capacitive: Extremely accurate multi touch solution for use in any environment. An insulator, such as glass, is coated in a transparent conductor which when touched, responds to the body’s natural electrostatic field. An added protective layer of scratch and damage resistant glass can be positioned between the user and the screen significantly increasing longevity and durability.

One of the major benefits of this technology is the separation of the touch responsive and the image producing layers. This permits the use of the latest high definition screens and ultra clear touch glass: The perfect combination of clarity and performance.

Capacitive touch is used in many of apple’s ipods and iphone products.

Infra Red: Arrays of X & Y infrared LED and photo detector pairs are located within the unit housing, similar to Optical Imaging. Touching the screen causes a disruption of IR light and the location of the touch coordinates are calculated.

Any object which breaks the path of light is registered as a touch. Zero patterning on the glass provides increased image clarity and hardware durability.

Optical Imaging: Optical imaging utilises Infra Red emitters and light sensitive receivers in the corners of the screen. A touch is registered when a finger or object breaks the path of the light creating a shadow on the receivers.

This option is perfect for economy of scales purchases, as it is the best value for money for larger or mass produced units.

Resistive: This solution is constructed using 2, thin, electronically conductive layers. Touching the above layer causes a connection with the layer below, resulting in a touch event.

Examples of resistive technology can be seen in many phone handsets and the Nintendo DS.

Touch Foils: The most versatile solution available, transforms any surface into a touch screen surface. Available in sizes up to 167 inches diameter, touch foil can be applied to any window or glass sheet, utilising rear projection for images and content for a through glass experience. Apply touch foil to any standard LCD TV and transform it into an interactive surface.

Similar to Capacitive technology touch Foil is programmable for glass thickness, allowing an additional protective layer to be installed. Unlike many commercially available touch screen options, touch Foil can is responsive to gloved hands.

Want to know more?

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone (+44 (0) 1634 295953) or email ( ) for further information, alternatively please download our PDF brochure which includes key unique selling points.