Market Application of Touch Membrane
In the sci-fi movie "Minority Report", Tom Cruise's performance of touching images floating on transparent glass to query information has left a deep impression on everyone. The touch technology used in this sci-fi movie is electromagnetic induction technology, which generates signals by cutting magnetic lines and thus locates the touch position. This kind of touch can be completely non-contact with the screen, smooth touch, and precise positioning. The transparent touch membrane is developed based on this technical principle. This touch membrane can be attached to the glass wall, combined with projection, it can turn the glass wall into a large-size (42 inches to 100 inches) touch wall. When someone touches it, it becomes a large-size information query system; when no one touches it, it is an information release system that can release advertisements, publicity information, etc. After years of research and industry application, the ProTouch touch membrane technology of Pinmei Information Technology Co., Ltd. has become increasingly mature, and owns four invention patents in the fields of touch technology and interactive software, and is expected to replace other touch interaction technology products in the field of large-size precise interaction.
Every major social change or great increase in wealth is brought about by technological progress. The touch membrane full of science fiction and magic also brims with business opportunities. In the first half of 2009 alone, there were more than a hundred system integrators across the country joining the ranks of touch membrane applications. After the craze, they found that the application of touch membranes in the interactive projection field was fraught with difficulties. After application, they discovered that touch membranes are more suitable for combining with large-size LCD screens. Therefore, many integrators began to compete with traditional infrared frame-style large-size touch screens. Although there are advantages in technology and appearance when competing with traditional infrared frame-style screens, the price is at a disadvantage. The development of transparent touch membranes has encountered a bottleneck in its strong interactive projection (science fiction) field. Let's take a look at the problems encountered in the application of touch membranes in the interactive projection field:
1) Each time sensitivity adjustment and mouse position calibration require starting the touch membrane management software in the operating system and operating according to the instructions to achieve adjustment and calibration, and the frequency of calibration and adjustment is higher than other touch technologies;
2) Projectors generally need to rest after working for 4 hours, and it is impossible for humans to control precisely, resulting in high maintenance costs;
3) Equipment such as computers and projectors need to be turned on/off daily, software started/closed, etc., requiring professional IT personnel to operate, leading to relatively high maintenance costs;
4) Without the support of visually impactful 3D interactive software, the effect of the interactive projection system is greatly reduced;
5) Information release requires professional IT personnel to operate, making timely releases difficult.
7) Difficulties in placing the computer host, etc.
The existence of these problems has greatly weakened the profitability of integrators, and the high added value is accompanied by high maintenance service fees. In order to develop the application of touch membranes in the interactive projection field, targeting the above problems, Pinmei Information Technology has concentrated its R&D efforts to launch the ProShow Magic Window solution. Supported by the SWPF 3D interactive software platform and ProPC industrial computer, the ProShow Magic Window fully unleashes the sci-fi functions of the touch membrane, featuring cool 3D touch interfaces, real-time information release, wireless remote one-button switch on/off, zero maintenance later, etc. The detailed advantages of the ProShow Magic Window are as follows:
1) Equipped with a dual communication RF remote controller, one-button system on/off makes the system easy to use. The RF remote controller not only realizes on/off but can also adjust system volume and touch sensitivity, making the use of the ProShow Magic Window as simple as watching TV.
2) Industrial computer ProPC, with a size of only 17x17x5cm, the size of an optical drive, features power failure protection function, routing function (remote access to ProPC), silent design: running noise <24dB, even if placed in a five-star hotel room, during quiet nights, human ears cannot hear the sound of the computer running, power consumption during operation <25W, meeting energy-saving and environmental protection requirements, can run continuously for 365 days;
3) After installing the SWPF touch software, the dazzling 3D interactive interface is specially designed for magical effects, offering 20 different special effects to choose from, allowing text, images, videos to interact with guests in 3D sci-fi effects; on the client's laptop, opening a browser and entering the URL allows logging into the backend for remote content updates, achieving timely information release, constantly updated information gives the ProShow Magic Window a soul.
4) Equipped with professional remote maintenance tool software, it can adjust system volume, touch sensitivity, manage system variables, and monitor the system.
5) Pinmei Information provides self-developed mechanical lockout suction cup mechanisms that firmly hold the resonance speakers and adsorb them onto the glass wall, making installation/dismantling extremely convenient, just rotating a button can complete it.
Rather than saying that the ProShow Magic Window is a solution, it might be better to say it is a product. With the efforts of Pinmei Information, the ProShow Magic Window has been standardized. The ProShow Magic Window consists of the following standard components:
• ProTouch nano touch sensing membrane;
• ProDisplay rear projection membrane;
• ProSound resonance speaker and mechanical lockout suction cup mechanism;
• ProPC industrial computer;
• ProRemote wireless RF remote controller;
• Engineering projector and bracket;
• SWPF 3D interactive software platform;
• Connection cables and installation tools.
The ProShow Magic Window has already been applied in military museums, World Expos, exhibition centers, group company showrooms, chain Western restaurants, and other areas, receiving consistent praise from customers.
Market Analysis
The rise of the fifth major media (digital signage), digital signage has indeed become increasingly popular in recent years. Including this year's Computex Taipei International Computer Show, which established an exhibition area dedicated to digital signage for the first time. Precision and interactivity have become the development themes of digital signage. Lin Junda, associate director of embedded and communications products in Intel's Asia-Pacific region, stated that despite poor global economic conditions, the global digital signage market is still expected to grow by 25% to 30% this year. Market research firm DisplaySearch also pointed out that the overall market size of digital signage has grown by more than 300% over the past five years. By 2011, the global digital signage market size is expected to reach $14.6 billion.
Gates said: "Touch walls will become very common in the future, whether in offices or homes." In the post-PC era, in the ubiquitous computing society, touch interaction will be everywhere; electromagnetic induction touch technology is currently the only technology suitable for outdoor interactive media, and the ProShow Magic Window is the culmination of this technology, capable of large-scale deployment, and is the best choice for image display and outdoor media.
Pinmei Information Technology Co., Ltd. (www.pmi-tech.com)
Product Manager Jason Zhao
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 0512-62960949 Ext 801/808