Product category:
Optical Filters, Lenses, Gratings etc
News Release from: Design LED Products | Subject: Printed lightguides
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 08 February 2008
Guides shed light on capacitive switches
Illuminating capacitive switches has traditionally caused problems to designers as the electric field from the light source affects the operation of the switch.
Design LED Products and IGT Industries announce the successful integration of thin printed lightguide technology with embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) into capacitive switches Typically 1mm thick, the switches include the capacitive switch sense pad, light-guides with integral LEDs and outer graphic and are used with QTouch sensor chips
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 18 Oct 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Illuminating capacitive switches has traditionally caused problems to designers as the electric field from the light source affects the operation of the switch.
Design LED's thin printed lightguide technology allows the LEDs to be located away from the capacitive sense pad and transports the light to the area to be illuminated.
Additionally the high reliability of LEDs complements the capacitive switch, which has no moving parts.
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Capacitive switches are already used in both consumer and industrial goods.
Design LED's lightguide technology appeals to a wide range of sectors including consumer electronics, white goods, medical, automotive and industrial products.
Iain Kyle, Business Manager of Design LED Products states: "Designers have a new medium to enhance the visual appearance, user friendliness, user feedback and functionality of switch and keypad products".
"If OEMs seek to improve user satisfaction gained from the interface to their products, then Design LED's lightguide technology used with capacitive switches deserves serious consideration".
Hal Philipp, founder and CEO of Quantum Research Group states: "Innovation is what our business is about".
"At Quantum we have repeatedly seen our groundbreaking capacitive touch technology help designers produce stylish, functional and economical products".
"The combination of QTouch chips with this new lighting technology from Design LED will enable customers to deliver high value solutions, by allowing them to differentiate their designs to create real competitive advantages".
With a wide range of intense and eye catching colours, LED illuminated displays give customers' products the presence to stand out from the crowd and enhance the user interface functionality.
Selective illumination of keys or icons is used to guide through programming options by highlighting only the valid key choices.
Simple animation effects communicate the devices' operating mode.
Colour change is achieved by integrating two or more different LEDs into each lightguide.
This is often used to signal a change of device mode to the user.
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