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Vandal-resistant Capacitive Touch Screens with backlighting
Released 18 May 2009

IGT Industries, one of Europe's leading designers and manufacturers of custom Human Machine Interface (HMI) assemblies, has developed an innovative method of combining the benefits of Capacitive Touch Screens with multi-colour area-specific backlighting. Capacitive switching is a well-established technology; the absence of moving parts and the isolation of the operating mechanism from the user provides long life and minimal maintenance. It is particularly beneficial in applications such as public information kiosks, ATM, self-service tills and ticket machines, vending machines and other applications where accidental damage or vandalism are potential hazards. Historically, illuminating capacitive switches has caused problems for designers because the electric field from the light source affects the operation of the capacitive switch. By employing the latest Atmel/Quantum QT chips and thin film light guides with remote LED light sources, IGT has successfully combined the two technologies. The currently achievable screen size is 10.4" with a 6 x 8 touch matrix; larger sizes are available. Units with 7 x 8 matrix are in development and 8 x 8 matrix devices will be available in the future. Depending on requirements of the host system, the MMI / HMI can be supplied with an SPI, UART, RS232, I2C or USB interface.

The backlit capacitive switched touch screen is mounted to the rear of the any transparent non-conductive material, typically either glass or Margard polycarbonate, up to 10mm thick. The surface does not have to be flat, so the HMI assembly can be embedded into more ergonomic and aesthetically attractive units. Thin film light guides are integrated into the multilayer structure of the touch screen, enabling secret-until-lit areas, colour changes on key operation and colour coded visual directions to be given to the operator.

The MMI / HMI units are extremely reliable and can be fully sealed into ruggedised assemblies, enabling them to be installed in environmentally demanding environments such as onboard ships, in applications subject to shock and vibration such as trains, in manufacturing areas, in public buildings or in the open.
	
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Notes to Editors.

For further information contact:

Derek McLaughlan	
Sales & Marketing Director
IGT Industries Limited
Woodside Road
Woodside Road Industrial Estate
Eastleigh
SO50 4ET
tel: + 44 (0)23 8061 0818
fax: + 44 (0)23 8061 0828
sales@igt-industries.com
www.igt-industries.com

Agency contact:	
Nigel May	
Parkfield Communications Limited
Parkfield House
Damerham
Hants
SP6 3HQ
tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321
fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378
nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk
www.parkfield.co.uk