Touch Sensing Demonstration

The Embedded System Conference was held in conjunction with Sensors Expo 2011 in Chicago. Rob Ostafia, Group Leader Curriculum Development at Microchip Technology explains the company’s products for capacitive touch sensing through several demo boards.

For more information about Microchip Technology touch sensing, click here.

To watch the video, click here.

The Software Side of Touch Sensing

Proximity Sensing in a Vehicle’s Center Stack

At Convergence 2010 in Detroit Mich., Freescale Semiconductor’s Lydia Ziegler demonstrates how a software library controlled touch sensing can be used for slider and rotary switches in a vehicle’s center stack. The capacitive sensing uses simple metallic electrodes and the software completes the system. The software is an integral part of Freescale’s Xtrinsic touch sensing portfolio.

For more information on Freescale Semiconductor Xtrinsic touch sensing software click here.

To watch the video, click here.

Touch Sensing in a Remote Keyless Entry System

At Convergence 2010, Atmel’s Toby Prescott demonstrates touch sensing in a remote keyless entry system. The capacitive touch sensing capability is provided by the ATA6617, a LIN system in package solution. Atmel’s QTouch Library enables a number of touch applications.

Convergence has been the premier automotive electronics event since 1974. This year’s Convergence had a strong focus on consumer electronics in the vehicle but also brought out the latest products and challenges for future powertrain, safety and other vehicle systems

For more information on Atmel Touch Sensing, click here.

To watch the video, click here.

2010 Embedded Systems Conference Chicago Exhibitor: Microchip Technology Touch Screen Sensing

Held in conjunction with Sensors Expo, I found an interesting sensor application in the exhibits at the 2010 Embedded Systems Conference Chicago. Cassandra Backus from Microchip Technology explained the company’s mTouch projected capacitive touch (PCT) screen sensing technology. With a higher resolution than resistive technology, the PCT approach has found its way into many of the latest consumer products including the Apple iPad and Motorola Droid. To see the video, click the arrow link below.

For more information about Microchip Technology mTouch projected capacitive touch-screen sensing technology including the development kit, click here.

Touch Sensing Applications in Smart Mirrors

Yet another application for touch sensing occurs in smart mirrors. At the Hospitality Design Expo, at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 19-21, Nicole Collins of Electric Mirror, a provider of mirrors that integrate a TV display, LED lighting, touch sensing, and more, demonstrates the functionality and elegance of touch sensing integrated into the company’s Fusion lighted mirror.

 For more information about Electric Mirror and its high tech mirror products, click here.

 For the video demonstration from the Hospitality Design Expo, click the quick play button below.

Touch Sensing Applications in Light Dimmers and Thermostats

Additional applications for touch sensing are in light dimmers and room thermostats. At the Hospitality Design Expo, at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 19-21, Justin Gardner of INNCOM, a provider of integrated room automation systems, demonstrates the functionality of these stylish examples.

 For more information about INNCOM and its energy management products, click here.

 For the video demonstration from the Hospitality Design Expo, click the quick play button below.

Touch Sensing Technology Opens Doors

Touch sensing is finding many applications in the hospitality industry.  In this first of three videos from the Hospitality Design Expo, touch sensing provides access through a backlit and simulated push-button display for a high-tech door.

For the video demonstration from the Hospitality Design Expo, click the quick play button below.

Use Touch Sensing for a New Look and Feel

Companies that want to give their products a distinctive look and feel are turning to touch sensing as an alternative to traditional push buttons. The simple flat surface is also easier to maintain and keep clean. As a result, a variety of medical, industrial, automotive and hospitality industry applications are appearing.

One of the newest touch sensing products is Microchip Technology’s PIC16F707 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) that includes two 16-channel Capacitive Sensing Modules (CSMs). Part of the Microchip’s mTouch sensing, the product is the first in a series supporting projected capacitive touch (PCT) screen solutions that will span the company’s portfolio of 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC MCUs.   

Unlike other capacitive touch sensing approaches such as surface, mutual, or self-capacitance designs, projected capacitive touch technology uses an etched conductive layer in the glass. The layer is either a single layer forming a grid pattern or to separate perpendicular layers of conductive material with parallel lines or traces that form a grid pattern. PCT provides greater resolution allowing operation without direct contact. Coatings, screen protectors and even a glass layer can isolate the PTC depending on the application’s requirements.

The PIC16F707 has 32 capacitive touch channels and additional features such as 14 KB program memory 14-channel, 8-bit analog to digital converter and more to support the touch screen application.

To simplify the design process, the company offers a development kit called the DM160211 for $119.99. The kit includes a 3.5-in sensor mounted on a sensor board, a projected-capacitive board with the PIC16F707 MCU and fully functional firmware.

For more information about Microchip Technology’s PIC16F707, click here.

For more information about Microchip Technology’s DM160211 development kit, click here.

For more information about Microchip Technology’s mTouch sensing solutions, click here.