News

New touch technology uses digital cameras, software

March 11, 2003

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada -- SMART Technologies Inc. has introduced what it calls DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology, which uses proprietary digital cameras and software to determine the contact of a finger, stylus, pointer or other object on a display screen.

Cameras, situated in each corner of the display, communicate position information back to a digital signal processor that determines the exact point of contact, according to a news release. No special pens or tools are required to interact with the display, nor are special materials required on the touch screen.

Unlike touch systems in which the technology resides in the surface material, all DViT technology resides in the frame around the display. According to the release, this helps protect the technology from day-to-day wear and tear.

According to the release, multiple U.S. and foreign patents for DViT technology are pending.

SMART will use DViT on two of its own products, the Rear Projection SMART Board 3000i and the SMART Board for Plasma Displays interactive whiteboards.

According to the release, SMART was able to improve the brightness of the 3000i by 34 percent and increase contrast ratio by 133 percent by replacing analog resistive technology with DViT.

On the SMART Board for Plasma Displays interactive overlay, DViT makes the image 21 percent brighter and the contrast 15 percent better, according to the release.

The Rear Projection SMART Board 3000i and SMART Board for Plasma Displays interactive whiteboards with DViT technology will be available in mid-March.

The suggested retail prices remain unchanged, according to the release, with a suggested $16,999 for the 3000i and $3,299 to $4,999 for the  SMART Board for Plasma Displays interactive overlay.