Fuel dispenser incorporates Zybrid touch screen

A Zytronic product story

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jul 21, 2009

Zytronic has announced that its Zybrid product has been incorporated into an advanced self-service fuel dispensing system developed by Dong Hwa Prime of Korea.

Dong Hwa Prime's latest petrol station system, the Merit self-service dispenser, which also incorporates features such as a built-in security camera, uses the Zybrid touch screen to eliminate the need for external mechanical components, such as buttons or a keypad, and enables customers to select and pay for fuel at the pump.

The 15.1in screen is web enabled, giving motorists access to additional information such as travel news and weather forecasts.

It also shows commercials during filling and even allows instant lottery play, thereby opening up revenue-generating channels for operators.

Dong Hwa Prime tested and evaluated several different touch-sensing technologies before deciding upon Zybrid as the product of choice.

'To meet our criteria for the Merit dispenser, the touch screen had to operate reliably in year-round temperature extremes and offer high levels of resistance to everyday occurrences such as fuel and water splashes, which are common on garage forecourts,' said Minsoo Kim, general manager at Dong Hwa Prime.

'Zybrid delivers excellent optical clarity and can detect touch accurately, even through a gloved finger.

'In addition, to the ease of integration into our system and drift-free properties, Zybrid provides added flexibility to customise the screen size to fit our needs, allowing us to specify a toughened glass front panel for extra impact resistance, and to customise the sensor dimensions to optimise the layout and styling of the system without affecting performance,' he added.

Zytronic's PCT touch sensing uses an array of closely spaced microfine capacitors deposited in an XY grid, which are embedded in a laminated panel and are practically invisible when viewed against a powered display.

This creates a durable touch screen with an intrinsically high light transmission.

The sensor continues to operate even if the touch surface becomes chipped or scratched, for example by car keys, pens or other sharp objects.

As the active sensing element is on the rear face, the touch sensor can be completely sealed into its enclosure to prevent ingress of chemicals such as petroleum, oil or cleaning agents, in addition to natural hazards such as condensation, rainwater, dust or dirt.

The tiny PCT copper capacitors generate a field sensitive enough to respond to the lightest touch, even through gloves, making this technology suitable for deployment in outdoor applications such as the Merit self-service fuel dispenser, and other equipment such as ATMs and public transportation ticket machines.

Zytronic has a range of PCT-based touch sensors optimised for various environments and application spaces, including digital signage, vending, banking, ticketing, security, POS and industrial control systems.

Zybrid touch sensors, as selected by Dong Hwa Prime, are available in custom panel sizes from 5in to 82in, in practically any form/factor.

Smooth, flat-fronted styles may also be achieved as PCT touch sensors can be designed to eliminate the need for a frame or bezel.

Other customisations such as touch controller type, addition of optical filters, special glass thicknesses and the screen printing of logos or a border can also be incorporated.