Zytronic to debut Hybrid Touch in U.S. at DSE 2019 (27-28 March)

Zytronic will demonstrate a new Hybrid Touch technology that enables full integration of physical controls embedded within a dynamic touchscreen at DSE (March 27 & 28, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, booth #2034). Zytronic’s booth demo will feature a ultra narrow border 55-inch touch table with different software applications showcasing practical uses for the novel technology.

Zytronic’s Hybrid Touch allows electromechanical buttons and dials to be mounted and invisibly connected within the active area of projected capacitive touchscreens which can be used in video walls, touch tables and kiosks. This gives designers the flexibility to utilize touch sensors and still provide the tactile feedback for critical controls, without needing to incorporate a separate button deck below or alongside the screen. If suitable transparent buttons are used, then button functions can be dynamically changed by altering the GUI design beneath the button, further improving the flexibility of the touchscreen. This is the first time the two most frequently used control technologies have been so closely integrated in this way.

“At DSE, we’ll demonstrate the Hybrid Touch functionality of our new ZXY500 controller in a fun yet functional table that combines the two most commonly used control technologies in the world,” said Ian Crosby, VP of Sales & Marketing at Zytronic. “Our proprietary Hybrid Touch technology deepens the touch-interactive capabilities we offer, bringing additional flexibility to the design process. We’re excited to demonstrate our new technology for the first time in the U.S., and we look forward to sharing the experience with attendees at this year’s show.”

Zytronic designs and manufactures Hybrid Touch sensors with precisely machined apertures in the touch sensor located and shaped according to the system designer’s specifications, allowing their chosen dials or switches to be placed exactly where required. Zytronic then deposits power and data lines to the mechanical controls embedded within the touch interface using the same proprietary approach used to deposit the touch electrodes, ensuring they are invisible to the user of the system. These microfine traces are taken to a flex tail at the edge of the screen, where a connection can be implemented to the electromechanical controller. The system’s response to the mechanical control can be context-sensitive, giving a very high degree of flexibility in user interface design.

Supporting up to 100 simultaneous touches, the ZXY500 controller allows touch sensors to be designed with an ultra-narrow inactive border, creating a sleek appearance by using the maximum display area. The increased speed of the controller updates touch coordinates in just 1ms at the controller output, reducing touch latency by a third compared to previous-generation controllers, and improving the user experience. Easier to integrate into a system than ever before, ZXY500 controllers enable a faster, more responsive user experience even in demanding outdoor and unattended locations where users may be wearing gloves or applying only a light touch.