EIT week41-2 Multi-Touch Technology Overview

Multi-Touch Technology Overview

Course Information

• Course: Engineering Interaction Technologies
• Professor: Michael Wessely
• Institution: Interactive Matter Lab

Historical Development of Touch Technologies

• 1986: Introduction of the Sensor Frame by McAvinney, utilizing infrared touch panels (ITP).
• 2011: ZeroTouch technology enhances traditional touch interfaces.
• Steve Jobs 2007 Announcement: Highlighting the innovation of multi-touch technology which became foundational for modern interfaces.

Evolution of Pen/Stylus Interaction

• 1963: Light Pen by Ivan Sutherland as part of the SketchPad, a pioneering effort in graphical computing interfaces.
• 2015: Apple Pencil, not the first but a significant modern iteration of stylus technology.

Key Multi-Touch Technologies

• Infrared Touch Panels (ITP): Uses a grid of infrared LEDs and sensors. Interruption of the light by touch is registered as input.

  

• Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR): Involves light injected into acrylic panels; touch points scatter the light, detectable by cameras.

• Rear Diffused Illumination (Rear DI): Shines light from below the surface; touches create bright blobs detectable by cameras.
• Front Diffused Illumination (Front DI): Similar to rear DI but with light from above, creating shadows (dark spots) where touches occur.

Resistive and Capacitive Touch Technologies

• Resistive Touch Panels (RTP):
  • Consists of two conductive layers separated by an air gap. Touching the screen forces contact between these layers, registering a touch.
  • Common in environments like airplane screens where robustness is required.
• Capacitive Touch Screens:
  • The most prevalent technology in consumer electronics today, including smartphones.
  • Works by sensing changes in an electrical field due to finger touch.

Advanced Considerations

• Multi-Touch Interaction:
  • Diamond Touch (UIST 2001): A robust multi-user touch technology.
  • Projection Surfaces: Can integrate with projection technologies for interactive displays.

Future Directions

• Innovation and Consumer Adoption:
  • Historical patterns suggest a long gestation period (30-50 years) from invention to mainstream adoption.
  • Continued advancements are expected in making touch interactions more natural and intuitive.

Conclusion

• The field of multi-touch technology has seen significant advancements since its inception. Innovations continue to make interactions more natural and integrated into everyday devices, pointing towards a future where touch technology becomes even more seamlessly integrated into user interfaces.