Glossary A–ZLetter I
Infrared touch
Infrared touch is a touch technology in which a frame around the screen creates an invisible grid of light beams and detects a touch because beams are interrupted.
Infrared light-emitting diodes sit on two sides, with the receivers opposite. The controller calculates the position from the interrupted beams.
The technology responds to any object: finger, glove or stylus. It can also be retrofitted to very large screens, because the frame is simply placed in front of the glass. For this reason, infrared touch is often found on large-format information terminals, totems and interactive boards in schools and meeting rooms. Several simultaneous touches are possible, but the number is often more limited than with capacitive methods.
Because the frame sits slightly above the glass, a touch sometimes registers before the finger reaches the surface. Direct sunlight can interfere with the sensors, as can dust, insects or stickers in the frame. The raised edge collects dirt and is more vulnerable to vandalism than a smooth glass front. Operators should check the location for direct sunlight and include the frame in the cleaning routine.