PushGate | thiNcoderRT | MagnaMouse | Transparent | Light Bar | Flex-Rocker | Flex-Push | IPS | Rubber Protos

IN2TEC has been utilisiing moulded elastomers in  its  keymats as the actuator layer for membrane  switch circuits  on both   flexi circuit and pcb based  products for more than 10 years. This system  allows the design to be used in a wide  variety of  environments. IP67 sealing is a relatively simple  option using this technology. The development of an  elastomer based light   diffuser and an innovative  design  approach resulted in significant cost savings  when compared  to standard light bars.   These can  be incorporated into a  flexcircuit , front panel  assembly or mounted as stand alone  products. The  design allows   indication in high ambient light  conditions and can also provide low level back  ground light  within a panel. The unit which   can be  installed simply and is  able to be easily customised  to suit serpentine applications.

  There are thousands of potential applications for IN2TEC's Transparent Switch. Here's a small sample of the endless   range of possibilities:

  Public-Use Equipment

  As a durable replacement for fragile touchscreens, the tranpsarent switch can be used in a variety of public use equipment:

• ATMs and bank machines
• gas pumps
• internet kiosks
• self-service checkout equipment
• vending machines

  Biomedical

  Biomedical applications can benefit directly from the robust non-contact sensing that can be provided by the Transparent   Switch. Non-invasive sensing is a critical feature for biomedical applications.

• fluid level sensing in plastic or glass containers from the outside
• bubble detection
• droplet metering - the Transparent Switch can actually sense the formation and departure of a droplet
• non-contact conductance measurement

  Home Automation & Lighting Controls

  Touch controls are easily supported with the Transparent Switch. Simply place a metal foil behind a surface to create a '   virtual control' almost anywhere. If you need a visual cue, just emboss, mold or mark the user-side in a manner of your   choosing.

• room light switches - run a wire alongside a door to act as a light switch
• touch lamps - make even ceramic lamps touch sensitive
• hidden controls - bury a wire or sense plate into furniture
• under carpet sensing - detect when a person steps in a particular place
• object sensing - sense when somebody touches something they shouldn't
• seat sensing - detect when someone sits in a chair

  Proximity Sensing

Wave your hand over something - virtually anything - to control an appliance or light. Project a sense field many centimeters into thin air to create 'hand-wave controls'. Make controls as invisible as you want without holes for buttons or knobs. A designer's dream come true. Terrific for hidden-camera actuation and other types of security sensing too. Turn these things and more into 'sense objects'...

• lamps & fixtures
• plants (real or fake)
• part of a couch or chair
• door frames, door knobs
• door annunciator button replacement

  Plumbing Controls

Unlike most switching technologies, the Transparent Switch and water can work together. With an appropriate design, you can monitor and control water in the home. Create entirely new classes of product like a home version of the automatic faucet.

• fill-level sensing for spas and pools
• automatic faucets complete with temperature controls
• fill-level sensing in washing machines
• leak sensing around water heaters and furnaces
• ice maker control
• plant/ lawn watering detection

  Audio/Video

Create seamless control surfaces in stereo and video equipment for the ultimate High-Tech look - without busting the budget.

• seamless touch controls - no pushbuttons required.
• slider touch-controls for volume adjustment
• 'Wave of Hand' sensing control - make it power-up when you wave your hand in front of it.
• tray sensing - detect a finger on a CD tray to push the tray in or pop it out
• touch screen controls - create low-cost touch areas over VFD or LCD displays

  White Goods

Create the most astonishing appliance controls you've ever seen. Turn almost any appliance panel area into a control surface that can be activated by touch or just the wave of a hand. Transparent Switch technology is 100% self-calibrating for life - which means it will adapt itself over the full life of the appliance. No mechanical parts - nothing to wear out.

• warp a touch-panel matrix over compound surfaces
• backlight a touch-panel using LEDs behind clear Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) sense pads
• 'Wave Hand Here' proximity controls - wave your hand over a touch-panel to activate the appliance - then touch the keys for control.
• use with rotary knobs to implement a low-cost, non-contact encoder device

  Internal Controls

Use Transparent Switch sensors to help sense and control the internal workings of appliances. It's non-contact nature allows for extremely high reliability compared with mechanical or even optical switches (which wear out and get dirty).

• detect leaking water in washing machines
• sense the movement of a washing machine drum
• detect a valve position for positive control
• sense the position of a user knob (contactlessly)
• sense a door ajar or closed - (oven, refrigerator etc)

  Electronics for the Disabled

• touch/ prox controls to sense small body movements
• electronic sensing canes
• household controls to reduce need for pressure or pull strength
• panic call buttons

  Security Devices

• detect object touch by visitors to sound a warning signal
• unauthorized entry area detection
• object theft detection
• use battery-powered sensors with small transmitters to eliminate wiring

  Commercial and Retail

• point detection of precious objects
• hidden bank/ cash register alarms
• trip sensors
• access controls - touch keypads, human presence sensing
• file cabinet/ PC monitoring (camera triggering, silent alarms)

  Residential

• power tool auto-shutoff (dead-man switches) - also lawnmowers
• child detection in unsafe areas
• door knob sensing
• doormat/ under carpet sensing
• pet sensing

  Automotive Controls

• Use for passenger controls and lighting...
• electronic controls on driver wheel (cruise, radio controls)
• door switches (window, mirror controls, etc)
• seat control switches
• dome light (touch the dome light to switch it on/ off)
• rain detection on windshield

  Automotive Safety

• airbag inhibit sensing
• occupant classification
• occupant position
• collision detection (bending metal detection)
• rear bumper strip-detection (parking aid)

  Automotive Security

  Security sensing and entry access controls

• door handle touch or prox sensing
• window touch or prox sensing
• touch-controls on glass for keyless entry

  Machine Control & Robotics

• encoders for flow metering - contactless design provides minimum drag
• hardened keyboards
• end-effector object/tactile sensing for robotic arms
• collision avoidance sensing
• dead-man switches
• panic buttons (with large sensing plates)
• fluid level sensing: continuous or point level sensing
• display monitor controls - on/off, adjustment controls
• wake-from-sleep sensing
• joystick replacement
• mice/ pointing devices - multidimensional sensing (XY or XYZ axis)

• Custom applications please contact factory for further details

  Click here to view Transparent Switch documents available for download.