Most large interactive displays use one of two touch technologies: infrared (IR) or projected capacitive (PCap). Both support true multitouch, and CyberTouch builds both with up to 100 simultaneous touch points. The right choice depends on the size of the surface, the setting and how people will use it.
How infrared touch works
An infrared touch frame surrounds the screen with a grid of invisible light beams. Emitters on two edges send light to receivers on the opposite edges. When a finger, glove or stylus breaks the beams, the frame calculates exactly where the touch happened.
Because the sensing lives in the frame rather than the glass, infrared scales to very large sizes. CyberTouch builds infrared touch surfaces from 32 inches to 40 feet diagonal and larger on request, which makes it the usual choice for touch walls and overlays on existing video walls.
How projected capacitive touch works
Projected capacitive touch senses a finger through the glass itself, the same principle used in smartphones and tablets. It delivers a smooth, phone-like feel, and because there is no frame of beams around the edge, it allows a flush, sealed surface.
CyberTouch builds projected capacitive touchscreens from 1 inch to 90 inches diagonal, so PCap is the natural fit for touchscreens built into devices and equipment, as well as tables and monitors where a clean, edge-to-edge surface matters.
Which should you choose?
- Choose infrared for very large surfaces, touch walls, and adding touch to a video wall you already own.
- Choose projected capacitive for built-in device screens, sealed surfaces, and a phone-like feel.
- For tables and monitors between roughly 32 and 90 inches, either can work. The setting, the look you want and how the surface will be cleaned usually decide it.
Not sure which fits your project? Tell us the size and the setting, and a CyberTouch engineer will recommend the right technology.