The application of touch technology in modern equipment is more and more extensive, among which capacitive touch and infrared touch are two main touch methods. Although they are similar in the goal of achieving touch interaction, there are significant differences in the performance of fine touch.
1. Touch accuracy
Capacitive touch screen
The capacitive touch screen detects the position of the touch by sensing changes in the electric field caused by the finger or conductive stylus, and the touch point can be accurately located to the sub-millimeter level. This high precision is particularly suitable for applications that require subtle manipulation, such as drawing or design applications for smartphones.
It also supports multi-touch and can recognize the simultaneous presence of multiple touch points, providing support for complex gesture operations.
Infrared touch screen
Infrared touch relies on an optical grid of infrared transmitters and receivers mounted on the edge of the screen to detect touch points. Due to the limited resolution of optical mesh, its touch accuracy is usually not as good as capacitive touch screens, and it is difficult to accurately identify small size touch points.
Infrared touch screens are often used for crude touch tasks, such as simple tapping or sliding operations, but are not suitable for fine touch applications that require high precision.
2. Response speed
Capacitive touch screen
The capacitive touch screen is responsive, and the detection and feedback of the touch position are almost instant. With the high refresh rate of modern touch chips, capacitive touch screens can provide users with a smooth touch experience.
Infrared touch screen
Infrared touch screens are slightly slower to respond, especially when dealing with multiple touch points or fast operations. Since the contact point is detected by the location of the infrared obscured, the speed and occlusion mode of the touched object may affect its response time.
3. Limitations of touch media
Capacitive touch screen
Capacitive touch screens rely on electrical conductivity and therefore require the use of fingers, a special conductive stylus, or thin gloves to operate. Accuracy may be limited when non-conductive touch is required (such as ordinary gloves, plastic pens) or in extreme environments (such as high humidity).
Infrared touch screen
The infrared touch screen has no restrictions on the touch media and can be touched with any object, including gloves, pens, and even non-conductive objects. For some special environments, such as operating with thick gloves or special industrial environments, infrared touch has greater flexibility.
4. Environmental adaptability
Capacitive touch screen
Capacitive touch screens may have limited performance in direct sunlight or high humidity outdoors, especially if strong light can interfere with their electric field detection.
Recent technological improvements, such as water resistance and sunlight readability, have partially solved these problems, making it more adaptable in more environments.
Infrared touch screen
The infrared touch screen has a good adaptability to ambient light and humidity, but in dusty or dirty environments, due to dust or foreign bodies blocking the infrared light, it may lead to miscontact or touch failure.
5. Durability and reliability
Capacitive touch screen
The capacitive touch screen uses a full-plane glass surface, no mechanical components, a stronger structure, better scratch resistance, and is very suitable for long-term frequent use of equipment.
However, capacitive touch screens require high surface integrity of the screen, and touch performance can be significantly reduced once the screen is damaged.
Infrared touch screen
The infrared touch screen has no hard requirements for the screen body, and even if there are scratches or stains on the screen surface, the touch function is usually not affected.
However, due to the reliance on the border infrared grid, the border is vulnerable to collision damage, affecting the use of.
6. Comparison of applicable scenarios
Capacitive touch screen
Capacitive touch screens are widely used in consumer electronics (such as smartphones, tablets), medical devices and industrial equipment, especially in scenarios requiring delicate operation, due to their high precision, sensitivity and multi-touch function.
Infrared touch screen
Because of its no media restrictions and good environmental adaptability, infrared touch screen is more suitable for large display screens, public inquiry machines, education and training equipment and other scenes that do not take fine touch as the core requirement.
7. Future development direction
Capacitive touch screen
Future capacitive touch screens will further improve anti-interference performance and broaden applicability in extreme environments, such as industrial and outdoor applications.
Artificial intelligence algorithms combined with capacitive touch technology will bring more accurate gesture recognition and dynamic adjustment functions.
Infrared touch screen
Infrared touch technology may improve in terms of resolution and accuracy, but due to its physical principle limitations, it is difficult to fully achieve the fine touch level of capacitive touch screens.
However, combined with smarter bezel design and material improvements, infrared touch screens will remain competitive in large screens and special scenes.
conclusion
Capacitive touch screens occupy an absolute advantage in the field of fine touch, with higher touch accuracy, sensitivity and multi-touch functions, becoming the first choice for complex operations and user experience. However, because of its low cost, flexibility and applicability, infrared touch screens still have an irreplaceable position in large equipment and special environments. According to the specific application scenarios and needs, choosing the right touch technology is an important part of the device design.