SFH4545

The rapid development of CMOS imaging sensors and high power infrared (IR) emitters has led to a series of new optical touchscreen technologies. These advancements have enabled a significant decrease in bezel height and cost, making IR touchscreens more accessible for various devices such as bank ATMs, PDAs, mobile phones, and PC displays. Additionally, the development of slim packages has contributed to the reduction of size and cost in traditional matrix-based systems. Camera-based touchscreen setups have also become popular due to their scalability, versatility, and affordability, especially for larger units. These setups typically consist of IR line-scanning optical sensors and IREDs positioned in the upper corners of the screen bezel to illuminate the screen area. Overall, the advancements in CMOS imaging sensors and high power IR emitters have revolutionized touchscreen technologies by offering more efficient and cost-effective solutions for a wide range of applications.

According to Table 1 in the document, the IR camera-based touchscreen technology is rated as excellent for ambient light insensitivity.

IR touchscreens have traditionally faced three criticisms: size, cost, and ambient light sensitivity. The size and cost concerns are related to traditional matrix-based systems, but new technology and slim packages have enabled a decrease in bezel height and cost. Ambient light sensitivity remains a relevant design challenge, with various methods available to address it optically and electrically.