Touch panel packs multi-touch input functions

SMK has developed a capacitive touch panel featuring multi-point and gesture input functions for cellphones, smart phones and digital still cameras.

Demand has significantly grown in the handset segment for user interfaces using multi-touch input technology with fingers, which is more suitable than the conventional touch operations using a pen. In response to such market needs, SMK has developed the capacitive touch panels for portable applications. The capacitive system is structured to sense changes in capacitance in the electrical charge on the sensing surface to read touched points. A soft touch with fingers on a touch panel will be sufficient to lightly operate the panel, freeing users from hard pressing as required with resistance sensing touch panels. Further, the provision of multi-touch input and gesture input capabilities makes gesture operations such as zooming in or out or page scrolling possible.

On development of this product, the company considered visibility of LCD panels and light operation feeling for products with built-in touch panels. SMK sought compatibility of highly transparent and colorless visual performance and light input sensitivity, which used to be considered to be difficult.

In the future, SMK plans to supply modules comprising a touch panel with a decorative sheet for more extensive application opportunities in small equipment.