Infrared touch, also known as infrared touchscreen technology, is a type of touch technology used in interactive displays and touchscreens like CommBox Classi, Infiniti and Horizon. It operates based on the interruption of infrared light beams to detect touch input.
In an infrared touch system, a frame is placed around the display screen, containing pairs of infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on one side and infrared sensors on the opposite side. The LEDs emit infrared light beams across the surface of the screen, creating a grid pattern. When a user touches the screen, it interrupts the infrared beams, and the sensors detect the interruption at the corresponding location.
The infrared touch technology can be implemented in two different ways:
Bezel-based Infrared Touch: In bezel-based infrared touch systems, the infrared LEDs and sensors are placed around the edges of the display screen. The touch is detected when the interruption occurs within the infrared grid, allowing precise touch tracking. Bezel-based infrared touch is commonly used in larger displays such as interactive whiteboards or digital signage. This is what is used for CommBox touchscreens.
Optical Overlay Infrared Touch: Optical overlay infrared touch systems involve placing an infrared overlay panel on top of the display screen. The overlay panel consists of the infrared LEDs and sensors, creating an infrared grid over the screen surface. When a touch occurs on the screen, the interruption of the infrared beams is detected by the sensors. Optical overlay infrared touch is often used in smaller displays like kiosks, interactive monitors, or touch-enabled laptops.
Infrared touch technology offers several advantages and this is why it is used in CommBox Interactive touchscreens:
High Accuracy: Infrared touch systems can provide high accuracy in touch detection, allowing precise tracking of touch input. This accuracy makes them suitable for applications that require precise and detailed interaction, such as drawing or writing.
Durability: Infrared touchscreens are durable since they do not require direct contact with the screen surface. The absence of physical contact reduces the risk of wear and tear or damage due to frequent touching.
Multi-Touch Support: Infrared touch technology supports multi-touch gestures, allowing multiple touch points to be detected simultaneously. This capability enables gestures like pinch-to-zoom, rotate, or two-finger scrolling, enhancing the user experience and supporting collaborative interactions.
Transparency: Infrared touch overlays or frames can be designed to be highly transparent, minimizing the impact on the display's image quality. The transparency ensures that the visual clarity and brightness of the screen are maintained.
Resistance to Environmental Factors: Infrared touch technology is less susceptible to environmental factors like dust, moisture, or ambient light. The infrared sensors are designed to detect interruptions specifically caused by touch, making them less affected by external conditions.
If you would like to find out more about interactive touchscreens from CommBox click here.