Pressure Sensors / Detectors / Transducers
Zytronic Develops Customized, Large Format, Heavy Duty Touch Sensing Solution for Advanced Vending Machines
Share:
Presenting commuters in Japan with resilient user interfaces capable of coping with arduous operating conditions
Zytronic has, through its Japanese distribution partner Minato, secured another major contract for its ruggedized touch sensor products in Asia. The company's ZYBRID® sensors, based on its innovative proprietary Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT(TM)), have been specified by the beverage dispensing division of the JR East Group, for inclusion in acure - a next generation digital vending machine being deployed through its expansive network of railway stations.
Payment can be made using traditional cash/card methods or via smartphone (using NFC technology). Acure also has the capacity to employ targeted marketing techniques. An integrated sensor located above its display/touchscreen allows the age and gender of each customer to be determined. This allows the machine to recommend the drink options most likely to fit with that specific demographic. It can also collect valuable data based on customers' actual choices (though no identifiable images or information are stored), which is then transferred to the company's central management server via WiMAX connectivity. Already deployed in the cities of Tokyo and Shinagawa, JR East Water Business plans to roll out 500 of these machines into transportation hubs throughout Japan within the coming months.
This project builds on Zytronic's broad experience in bringing durable touchscreen functionality to displays for public use, self-service and digital signage applications. The complete solution delivered to JR East Water Business consists of a customized toughened glass 47-inch ZYBRID sensor, with an optional anti-reflective coating applied to the rear face to enhance display brightness, plus sophisticated ZXY touch controller electronics. As a further demonstration of the technology's flexibility, Zytronic worked with the customer to create bespoke controller firmware incorporating special noise filters to maintain consistent performance of the touchscreen's electronics, even when in close proximity to the high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by passing trains.
The large touchscreen on each smart vending machine allows customers to select from a wide range of different bottled drinks. These networked machines have the advantage that they can update in real time, so that items which are out of stock are quickly reordered and not shown on the screen in the intervening period.
The sensor mechanism employed in PCT-based touch sensors is unique to the industry. It consists of a micro-fine copper capacitor matrix embedded into a laminated substrate. The substrate can be situated behind a protective glass overlay which can be more than 10 mm thick, depending on the application. The upshot of this arrangement is that the touch sensor is not exposed to the external environment. This means that the various sources of damage that can affect touchscreen operation are guarded against, whereas most conventional touch sensing technologies are left vulnerable to them - shortening their period of effectiveness. In the case of self-service applications, such as the JR East Water Business digital vending machine, this maximizes the amount of equipment uptime, increasing customer satisfaction, revenue and the eventual return on investment (ROI).
"The setting for these vending machine units is in extremely busy train stations. With a very large number of users every day, as well as potential exposure to the harsh weather conditions and extremes of temperature experienced on train platforms, plus other sources of damage, the robustness of the selected touch solution was mandatory," says Hitoshi Aida of JR East Water Business. "Zytronic was chosen because of the strong durability its offering demonstrates, as well as water and dust resistant operation."
"By specifying our PCT touchscreen technology in the acure vending system, JR East Water Business has been able to deploy state-of-the art technology in a demanding public setting and to provide a compelling, convenient and reliable channel for putting its products at its customers' fingertips," states Ian Crosby, Sales & Marketing Director for Zytronic. "The customized solution we have been able to deliver maintains consistently high level touch performance in even the most challenging of settings."
About Zytronic
Zytronic designs and manufactures a range of technologies that optimize the performance of electronic display applications. The company's principle products include award-winning touch sensor technologies, optical filters for enhanced performance and protection, and special filters to minimize electromagnetic emissions. In addition, the company can offer complex shaped glass composites for specialized applications.
Zytronic products are used in electronic displays for information kiosks, web phones, ATMs and gaming machines, as well as by military, computer, telecommunications, medical and lighting OEMs, and are available from its network of worldwide distributors.
The company has its headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Blaydon, Tyne & Wear in the UK. In addition to ISO-approved manufacturing, these facilities are home to Zytronic's team of lamination, material science and electronics specialists who are responsible for ongoing product development in composite technology.
For more company information, visit Zytronic's web site at www.zytronic.co.uk
About JR East Water Business
More than 17,000,000 people a day use JR East Railway Company's stations in Japan. JR East Water Business has developed next generation vending machines to serve this market.
For more company information, please visit: www.jre-water.com
Contact details for editorial enquiries:
Sheila Dean, Zytronic
Whiteley Road, Blaydon on Tyne, Tyne&Wear, NE21 5NJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 191 414 5511
Fax: +44 (0) 191 414 0545
Email: sheila.dean@zytronic.co.uk
Contact details for sales enquiries and regional representatives:
Americas - www.zytronic.co.uk/how-to-buy/sales-channel-partners/americas/
Tsuyoshi Kato/ Mayu Okuya
JR East Water Business
Tel: +81 3 6853-6005
Fax: +81 3 6853-6009
Jun Yamaguchi
Minato Electronic
4105,Minami Yamada-cho,Tsuzuki-ku,Yokohama 224-0026,Japan
Tel:+81-45-592-5546
Fax:+81-45-591-9389
Email: touch@minato.co.jp
Issued by:
Mike Green / Birgit Schöniger, Pinnacle Marketing Communications Ltd, Prosperity
House, Dawlish Drive, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5LN, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 84296543/554
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8868 4373
Email: m.green@pinnaclemarcom.com / b.schoeniger@pinnaclemarcom.com
www.pinnacle-marketing.com
