Multi-Touch Control Wheel combines 4 devices in one unit.

Press Release Summary:



With expanded array of sensor data options, Series T2 MTCW can interpret many different finger gestures for machine command and image manipulation. Unit combines functionality of multi-touch touchpad, virtual 4–256 position rotary encoder, virtual 4-position joystick, and proximity sensor. Measuring 4.5 in. in diameter, wheel utilizes Instinct™ Touch Technology, which integrates Gesture Recognition Library to track movements on device’s touch pad, using as many as 5 fingers simultaneously.



Original Press Release:



Grayhill's New Multi-Touch Control Wheel



LaGrange, IL – Grayhill, Inc. announces the release of its latest model in a line of Multi-Touch Human Interface Devices (MT-HIDs) as part of its Instinct™ Touch Technology control system. The new Series T2 Multi-Touch Control Wheel (MTCW) offers an expanded array of sensor data options, allowing the system to interpret many different finger gestures for machine command and image manipulation.



Approximately 4.5” in overall diameter, the MTCW is available in standard white, black or custom colors. It has the functionality of four devices in one unit:



1. Multi-touch touchpad

2. Virtual 4 to 256 position rotary encoder (reads finger motion when it runs around a circular groove in the outer circumference of the wheel)

3. Virtual 4 position joystick (touching points at North, South, East, West)

4. Proximity sensor



Multi-touch gestures are becoming a highly popular means of controlling electronic equipment in areas such as medical imaging, gaming, industrial control, cleanroom environments and more. However, the T2 MTCW can be used in any application where instinctive and intuitive finger movements can be used to initiate a variety of commands. Menu search, selection, navigation, image manipulation, and many more commands are executed by a single HID that can easily be integrated into OEM equipment. This intuitive, easy-to-use interface improves operator productivity. “Our T2 innovation is consistent with our company mission to deliver intuitive human interface solutions” says Brian May, President of Grayhill, Inc.



Instinct Touch Technology combines a robust Gesture Recognition Library with the T2 MTCW to track movements on the device’s touch pad, using as many as five fingers at a time. The data is then read as gestures, which are fed to the user’s application or operating system, allowing the T2 to function in a similar manner as the iPhone®.



Application Benefits for Medical and other OEMs

The T2 MTCW is manufactured as a complete sealed package, without any cracks, crevices or holes where bacteria and other pathogens can hide. These areas are difficult to disinfect in bacteria-ridden environments such as hospitals. Dr. Frank Facchini, the Global Director of Medical Affairs at Angio Dynamics states “control devices without cracks or crevices are needed to reduce or eliminate bacteria on medical equipment. We are very concerned about hospital-acquired infections, as they are not desired patient outcomes, and they affect our operating costs. We are looking for every opportunity to mitigate risk with hospital-acquired infections.”



Another key feature of the T2 MTCW is its small height profile, which allows for efficient and clean integration into a control panel. The robust MTCW allows the equipment manufacturer to consolidate many control functions in one HID. As a result, the manufacturer can eliminate superfluous trackballs, joysticks, touch screens, keypads and other switches, reducing the size and complexity of the control panel, while also reducing costs. Dr. Faccini further indicates “We need products like the MTCW to modernize our use of imaging equipment. It will do for imaging what the iPhone did for cell phones.”



About Instinct Touch Technology

Instinct Touch Technology is a growing family of hardware and software solutions to improve a device’s ease-of-use by facilitating multi-touch interaction with the user. This family of products currently includes the Multi-Touch Ring Encoder (MTRE) and Multi-Touch Control Wheel (MTCW) to capture touch data, along with the Instinct Gesture Recognition Library to interpret touch data. Users can select whatever gesture data is relevant and configure variables such as timing, sensitivity, momentum and 2D/3D data interpretation.



Getting Started

The software parameters within the Instinct Gesture Recognition Library are fully customizable and developed utilizing Grayhill’s Instinct Software Development Kit (SDK). This design tool provides engineers with a common development platform for prototyping and evaluating different solutions. In addition, the kit includes access to example projects with step-by-step instructions. The kit is comprised of a mounted T1 Multi-Touch Ring Encoder (MTRE) or T2 Multi-Touch Control Wheel (MTCW), a standard USB cable and demo software.



For more information on Grayhill Instinct Touch Technology, call 708-354-1040 or visit www.grayhill.com/instinct.



Intuitive Human Interface Solutions



About Grayhill, Inc.

Grayhill, Inc. designs and manufacturers intuitive human interface components and solutions that make life simpler, safer and more efficient. Standard products include rotary switches, encoders, keypads, joysticks and pushbuttons; all with finely tuned haptics. Grayhill specializes in creating ergonomic front panels and portable product shells that integrate various interface technologies, including displays, touch technology and motion sensing. With headquarters just outside of Chicago, and multiple state-ofthe-art facilities around the world, Grayhill’s team has the engineering, development and manufacturing expertise to deliver both standard and customized products quickly and cost-effectively.



Press Contact: Jason Kandik

email: jason_kandik@grayhill.com

Telephone: 708-482-2177



* Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

** iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

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