| No one says, ‘please pass me your <a | | | | and measure its speed |
| rel="nofollow" | | | | • Laptop computers use capacitive sensors |
| onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' | | | | for two-dimensional cursor control |
| outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= sensor</a> to | | | | • Computer monitors are found in retail |
| make a phone call,’ nor do they say ‘the | | | | kiosks |
| capacitive sensor on my laptop isn’t | | | | • Fingerprint detectors and infrared detectors |
| working,’ when referring to their built-in touch | | | | • Capacitive sensors operate soft-touch |
| pad mouse. Even though we may use capacitive | | | | dimmer switches |
| sensors on a daily basis, we don’t call them by | | | | • Wall stud sensors with digital construction |
| that name. | | | | levels |
| What are Capacitive Sensors All About? How do | | | | • Gambling machines |
| Capacitive Sensors Work? | | | | • Automatic bank teller machines |
| In order for the capacitive technology to function, it | | | | • Cell phones and other PDA’s |
| must be touched by something else that also exhibits | | | | • Grocery store check out kiosks |
| electricity- like the human body. When a person’s | | | | Until recent attention was drawn to capacitive touch |
| finger touches a capacitive screen, it sends an | | | | technology, like the explosion of the iPhone, it was |
| electric current to then form a mathematical function | | | | considered too expensive and delicate to use in |
| which signals an action. Capacitive touch works using | | | | touch screen products like grocery store check out |
| a capacitive touch screen panel. The touch panel is | | | | kiosks or toys. The cheaper version of capacitive |
| coated with a thin indium tin oxide material that | | | | touch technology, called resistive touch uses a |
| conducts continuous electrical currents across a | | | | different, more durable technology that was most |
| sensor like using your finger on a touch screen of an | | | | often used in products that are now being replaced |
| iPhone for example. The screen exudes a controlled | | | | by capacitive. Resistive touch sensors are made for |
| electronic field in both a vertical and horizontal axis | | | | to last and often require another function to access |
| and therefore is capacitive. | | | | the sensor, like a stylus pen or a stronger, physical |
| The range of application of capacitive sensors is quite | | | | pressure onto a button which signals the resistive |
| remarkable. Capacitive sensors are built into different | | | | screen in a toy lets say. Now, thanks to the |
| products to sense a variety of things—motion, | | | | popularity of the iPhone and fun products like the |
| chemical composition, electric field—and, indirectly, | | | | up-coming Microsoft coffee table with a capacitive |
| sense many other variables like dielectric pressure | | | | touch screen, we could see an increase in factory |
| and fluid composition. | | | | production of capacitive sensors, thus reducing the |
| Capacitive Sensors in Common Everyday Products or | | | | cost of capacitive touch technology. With all the new |
| Uses | | | | technology with capacitive sensors, it may not be |
| • Motion detectors can detect 10-14 m | | | | too long before capacitive sensors will eventually |
| displacements with good stability, high speed, | | | | become a household name. |
| • Police scanners to detect an automobile | | | | |