Dynapro Near Field Imaging™
Touch Screen System
D Y N A P R O technology profile
What is NFI?
Simply put, it’s a touch screen where the screen itself is the sensor.
NFI uses a sophisticated sensing circuit that can detect a conductive
object – a finger or conductive stylus – through a layer of glass, as
well as through gloves or other potential barriers (moisture, gels,
NEAR FIELD IMAGING™ paints, etc.). This is achieved with a high degree of accuracy using
TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEM data acquisition and image processing techniques that generate a
precise profile of the touch.
The NFI touch screen sensor uses a transparent conductive film
Introducing a New patterned with a proprietary topology applied to the base layer of
Touch Screen System glass. The front layer of glass is bonded over the base layer with
Touch screens are widely used in numerous industries and an optical adhesive. An excitation waveform is supplied to the
applications that require exacting combinations of accuracy, touch conductive layer by the controller to generate a low strength
sensitivity, and durability. Each touch screen application has its electrostatic field in the front layer of glass. The near field is
own unique challenges, and traditionally, customers chose the modulated by finger contact with the front layer of glass, and a
touch screen technology with the fewest disadvantages and resultant differential signal is created, making it possible to
technical limitations for their specific application. Enter Dynapro’s accurately resolve the electrostatic loading on the face of the
Near Field Imaging (NFI) Touch Screen System. Patented by screen.
Dynapro in 1997, it is uncompromising in both performance and
toughness, making it the perfect choice when high clarity and Dynapro’s data acquisition expertise was instrumental in designing
durability are at issue. the method by which the system firmware recognizes and decodes
the location of the touch. The controller scans continuously until it
receives signs of an impending touch. At this point it shifts into a
different mode and subtracts the baseline associated with the
conditions immediately preceding the touch. This way, static and
noise do not affect the image of the touch. The profile of the touch
is constructed from a dynamic array of data points, and resolved
to an actual touch point through continuous re-imaging of the
electrostatic field. Touch coordinates are fed back to the operating
system as fully compliant Microsoft mouse coordinates.
Once a touch is registered, its effect is zeroed out, so a subsequent
touch in another location can be detected. The system resolves
and reports concurrent touches without averaging, allowing for
advanced touch input capabilities.
Any long-term changes in the electrostatic image are compensated
for, allowing the system to ignore unwanted objects directly on the
screen such as water droplets, insects, conductive dirt, or other
adhering contamination. Imaging also enables the touch screen to
ignore unwanted loading effects from large or distant objects such
as hands or arms, and to reject false touches.
Sophisticated data acquisition and image processing ensure NFI is
accurate enough to control equipment consistently and precisely,
yet sensitive enough to detect finger touches through gloves, and
work through moisture and other contaminants. The sensor’s glass
construction provides superior optical performance, and will
continue to operate despite scratching, pitting, and other surface
damage from abrasives, chemicals or vandals.
NFI touch screens can be reliably sealed for applications that
require high pressure washdown or protection from contaminant-
filled environments.
NEAR FIELD IMAGING™
TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEM
NFI Addresses Needs The Benefits of NFI
NFI offers significant advantages in performance and durability
without compromises, and it’s the only touch screen technology Designed for Ruggedness
that overcomes the technical limitations found in other touch NFI technology offers protection against scratches, scrapes,
screen technologies, by addressing three main factors: gouges, and severe abrasion. The sensor layer of the screen is well
protected beneath the glass surface, so performance remains
• Accuracy - the ability to control equipment consistently and
unaffected even if the front glass layer is damaged.
precisely despite extreme environmental conditions
• Touch Sensitivity - the ability to operate the touch screen with Contaminant Proof
gloves through moisture, dirt, and other surface contaminants Surface contaminants such as moisture, dirt, grease, and chemi-
• Durability - the ability to withstand scratches and other surface cals do not affect the performance of the touch screen and can
easily be cleaned. The touch screen stands up to virtually all
damage caused by abrasives, chemicals, or vandalism
chemicals and continues to function accurately through any sub-
stance.
Touch Sensitivity
You can activate NFI with a touch of a finger – gloved or
ungloved – or other conductive stylus.
Stability
Variations in temperature, humidity, and altitude do not affect NFI.
The touch screen remains drift-free and does not require field
calibration to maintain accuracy. NFI is also immune to electrosta-
tic discharge and electromagnetic interference.
Sealing Capability
NFI touch screens can be reliably sealed for applications that
require high pressure washdown or for protection from
contaminant-filled environments. Systems incorporating NFI touch
screens can readily achieve a NEMA 4X rating.
Performance
NFI requires very light contact and responds instantly to an
operator’s touch. With NFI’s linearity and resolution, you can
effectively perform drag and drop operations. And the NFI touch
screen also resolves and reports concurrent touches without
averaging.
Shock and Vibration
NFI touch screens can withstand significant vibration and shock
without jeopardizing safety or performance. With chemically
strengthened glass and no mechanically sensitive components, NFI
performs reliably when used in a high vibration environment.
Optical Clarity
NFI’s solid glass layer provides excellent image clarity. With
extremely high transmissivity, and unobtrusive glare and reflection
protection, NFI provides a clear window for any application.
Advanced Performance Compared to Other Touch Technologies
Dynapro NFI Capacitive Acoustic Wave Infrared
Optical Solid glass for excellent Front coatings and Solid glass outer layers Solid glass outer layer
Performance image clarity - over 88% layers limit light for excellent image for excellent image
transmissivity. transmission. 80 - clarity. clarity.
85% transmissivity,
subject to drift.
Calibration Drift free. Not affected by May require frequent Drift free. Drift free.
Stability variations in ambient recalibration.
conditions or wear of
coatings.
Contaminant Not affected by dust, dirt, Not affected by moder- Affected by moderate Performance can be
Resistance and water droplets. ate dust and dirt. dust and dirt, or affected by dust, dirt,
moisture. and ambient light.
Touch Activated by finger, glove Touch response may Finger, some gloves, False touch can be
Response or conductive stylus. vary due to user’s or energy absorbing caused by contamina-
body size or ground stylus. tion or insect breaking
path. Can’t be readily infrared beam.
glove activated.; needs
direct contact with
conductive stylus.
Durability Difficult to scratch. Thin coatings can be Difficult to scratch. Difficult to scratch.
Scratches, gouges and scratched or worn
abrasions do not affect affecting linearity.
performance.
Impact Able to withstand shock, Able to withstand Shock or impact may Shock, vibration or
Resistance vibration, and impact. shock, vibration, and affect transducer and impact may affect LED
and Vibration
impact. reflector alignment. and receptor alignment.
Mounting technique
lessens vibration impact.
Touchpoint 1024 x 1024 touchpoint 1024 x 1024 touch- 0.030” resolution. 0.125” resolution.
Density density. point density.
Recognition +/- 1.0% in X and Y +/- 1.0% in X and Y +/- 1.0% in X and Y +/- 0.125”
Accuracy directions. directions. directions.
Operating -20ºc to +70ºC -15ºC to +70ºC 0ºC to +50ºC 0ºC to +50ºC
Temperature
Range
Dynapro simplifies interaction between people and technology by
designing and manufacturing world-class touch products, from
touch screen components to touch computers, terminals and monitors.
For more information call Dynapro at
1-888-222-9214 – sales – Touch Screen Components – TouchPro Monitors
1-800-667-0374 – sales – Industrial Computers, Terminals and Monitors
1-800-667-0374 – support
Visit our web site at [Link]
D Y N A P R O
Dynapro Dynapro (Milwaukee)
800 Carleton Court 7025 West Marcia Road
Annacis Island Milwaukee, WI
New Westminster, BC USA 53223
Canada V3M 6L3
Tel: 414-365-3555
Tel: 604-521-3962 Fax: 414-365-1133
Fax: 604-521-4629
Near Field Imaging and NFI are trademarks of Dynapro Systems Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies and
are hereby acknowledged.
Printed in Canada. December 1998
14424 Rev2