Differentiated Industrial Applications Using Capacitive Touchscreen Systems

There are a variety of differentiated industrial applications which use capacitive touchscreen technology. Included in these are tactile feedback and indicators, capacitive liquid level sensing, security-related designs, and smart keyless lock entries.

Additionally, there are capacitive displays that allow for proximity X-Y gestures over an area, special gestures, the detection of capacitive objects, and harsh-environment automation and industrial applications.

Capacitive Display Special Gestures

An important capacitive touch screen monitors advantage is the ability to identify specific gestures and react accordingly. Recognizing gestures allows for multiplexed functionality for the sensors in the context of a certain type of input. From an ergonomics standpoint, this also helps a system be more efficient.

There is a broad range of potential gestures that might be applied. These include: swipe up/down, flick up/down, single/double tab, long/short press, single/double finger inputs, and even proximity-gestures. The capacitive touch sensors can identify a broad range of inputs.

For example, a business phones (VOIP or video conferencing devices) utilize gestures to activate the following commands:

  • Change volume
  • Select PSTN or VOIP
  • Voicemail access
  • Call history or caller ID
  • Mute/unmute during a conference
  • Projector control
  • Lighting control
  • Additional local environment controls

Capacitive Gesture Application

Capacitive technology is evolving to implement the identification of a variety of gestures. This will improve the overall user experience in commercial and industrial applications. There are essentially two gesture types:

  1. Gestures over an area (Proximity X-Y)
  2. Standard touch gestures on a capacitive sensor that trigger button or slider

Capacitive Display Proximity X-Y Gestures

The X-Y gestures within a display area (as in the case of a capacitive display monitor) occur from using capacitive proximity sensors. This gesture detection interprets a spectrum of human movements, and then transmits the gesture information to the capacitive display. The science of the capacitive proximity sensors can detect gestures even if there is no physical contact with the device.

Proximity Sensor Layout on Capacitive LCD Monitors

Reliable gesture detection that is based on capacitive proximity sensing will require a big proximity-sensing distance. Selecting the precise sort of proximity sensor, along with the exact sensor size and sensor placement, is important when applying a dependable gesture recognition system.

Capacitive Touch Screen Monitor Conclusion

Many different industries can benefit from touch screen technologies. One of the major differences that touch technology makes is a dramatic spike in performance. On the customer side, a process can be streamlined by only providing options that are relevant to the individual using the device. On the employee side, touch technology allows for usage in a broad range of environments that would not be friendly to traditional keyboard/mouse computers.

There are numerous usage cases ranging from research facilities, industrial manufacturing, medical environments, and commercial areas that will benefit from these technologies.

In every situation, the decision must be made to invest in touch monitors versus touch PCs. If significant investments have already been made in computers, then it might make sense to just upgrade to capacitive display monitors. But if your PCs are outdated then it could be a great opportunity to make the move to entirely new systems.

faytech North America is one of the leading manufacturers of capacitive monitor technology. This technology can be applied in a broad spectrum of commercial and industrial applications.

If you have any questions or concerns about integrating capacitive displays or upgrading existing displays, then reach out to us today. Our capacitive technology experts can help you make the best decision based upon your industry, use case scenarios and budget.