A different approach to touch screens

3M Touch Systems has exhibited new touch screens based on Dispersive Signal Technology (DST), a unique touch sensitive technology set to revolutionise the European touch landscape.

3M Touch Systems has exhibited new touch screens based on Dispersive Signal Technology (DST), a unique touch sensitive technology set to revolutionise the European touch landscape.

DST is featured on a 40" LCD panel for the first time in Europe on the stand at Electronica in Munich.

DST offers a fundamentally different approach to touch.

Unlike other solutions that recognise touch by the interruption of electrical fields, acoustic waves, or infrared light, DST recognises touch through vibrations made to the substrate.

Specific vibrational energy is measured via sensors in each corner of the substrate and, through advanced digital signal processing, dispersion adjustment algorithms are applied to analyse the signals and report an accurate touch.

This approach helps eliminate issues with screen contaminants and surface scratches, while allowing for accurate touch recognition even when a palm and/or object rests on the screen.

The touch creates a vibration, which radiates a bending wave through the substrate from the point of contact spreading out to the edges the other resting items are ignored.

Also, since the substrate is pure glass, DST provides exceptional optical clarity and light transmission.

"Dispersive Signal Technology distinctly offers new ways to implement touch while offering great optics, touch input flexibility, and the durability expected by customers in the retail, point-of-sale, finance, hospitality and gaming industries," said Doug Kuller, programme manager, 3M Touch Systems.

This break-through touch technology is the result of significant research and development through joint collaboration between 3M and NXT plc.

3M is excited to share this new technology with the European audience and looks forward to the release of DST products in 2005.

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