News

Zytronic develops advanced touch sensor solution for gaming kiosk innovator

June 9, 2009

BLAYDON ON TYNE, England — Display technology designer Zytronic has applied its in-house glass processing capabilities and ZYBRID PCT-based touch sensors to enable ACE Interactive, a subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Ltd, to create the Indago video lottery kiosk for increased interactivity and excitement in lottery and casino games.

In addition to the Zytronic technology, Aristocrat's Gen7 platform is a key component in the Indago solution. The Gen7's advanced game engine features an Intel Embedded processor, which provides the power to drive richer game content with outstanding new features, while providing a perfect host for ongoing developments in server-based gaming.

Indago uses a dual 22-inch widescreen display to enhance the appearance and increase the playing features of modern game terminals. The upper screen captures attention and shows the state of play with stunning visual effects, while the lower touch-enabled screen allows each player to select and play a variety of games. The front panel is designed and manufactured as a complete unit for easy integration with the TruServ system.

By working closely with the Indago design team from the outset, Zytronic has created a stylish pure glass front panel with touch-sensor functionality embedded only in the lower display area, using its proprietary projected capacitive technology (PCT)-based touch sensing. Utilizing ZYBRID's customization options, ACE Interactive was able to design a unique, bezel-free user interface, with discreet touch-sensitive and non-touch zones. The unparalleled level of durability offered by PCT, in comparison with other available touch-sensing technologies, allowed ACE Interactive to confidently offer customers a low-maintenance, reliable, touch-controlled unit for use in a wide variety of public areas.

"Zytronic has fulfilled our entire requirement for the Indago front panel, as a one-stop solution comprising many highly advanced concepts," said Michael Koch, CEO of ACE Interactive. "Its overall quality also helped us to meet important acceptance criteria, such as EU emissions, immunity and safety standards."

ZYBRID is drift-free product, which means that recalibration should not be required during the display lifetime. Its pure glass-fronted design provides a high resistance to damage and chemicals and, coupled with a zero-bezel design, easily can be wiped clean.

Unlike other touch technologies, a PCT touch sensor has no front-face-active elements, instead using an array of microfine capacitors — each one a fraction of the diameter of a human hair — laminated behind a protective front surface. This provides an extremely high light transmission and a strong, sealable and damage-resistant glass touch surface. 

The Indago front panel uses Zytronic's patented 64-channel touchscreen controller, which is designed for large format and widescreen displays. By providing inputs for 64 individual sensing elements, the new controller maximizes touch resolution throughout the entire area of Indago's lower 22-inch screen.

"At ACE Interactive, we are committed to utilizing the most advanced technologies to enhance experiences for the gaming community," Koch said. "Zytronic, with its outstanding knowledge and capabilities, is a perfect fit with our approach, and has played a major role in helping to develop Indago as a highly innovative product delivering unprecedented value for our customers."

ACE Interactive has supplied Norsk Tipping AS — the Norwegian national lottery company — with TruServ, the company's server-based gaming solution, which includes an exciting portfolio of ACE Interactive and Aristocrat games and the Indago kiosk. Norsk Tipping plans to roll out 6,500 Indagos between August 2008 and 2010.