Virtual keys
Mainly thanks to the smartphone, the world has quickly become familiar with touchscreens. The ease of use of a touchscreen is now also fully utilized in sectors such as industry, agriculture and the medical world. Sometimes as a stand-alone solution, but often also in combination with 'fixed' control buttons. While until recently these fixed buttons were often designed as membrane switches, the so-called 'virtual keys' are quickly gaining popularity.
Virtual keys are fixed control buttons directly next to or below a PCAP touchscreen. In that case, one extra large sensor is used for the touchscreen, which also covers an edge outside the touchscreen itself. The virtual keys are placed and programmed in this 'extra' sensor area, so that they are operated using the same controller.
Applications
One of the first applications of virtual keys was in in-flight entertainment systems in airplanes: the screens in the back of the seat that show films and flight information. In addition to the interactive touchscreen, virtual keys are used here for fixed operating options, such as the volume or brightness of the screen.
Virtual keys are now also widely used in industry, the agricultural sector and medical applications. They are available in different colors, with text or as a symbol and even with LED indicators, so that it is possible, for example, to flash important function buttons.
The use of virtual keys means that certain functions do not have to be visible on the touchscreen itself, leaving more screen space. Another reason to place them outside the touchscreen is when vital functions must remain available if the PCAP touchscreen software crashes.
Important benefits
Virtual keys are relatively easy to add to a PCAP touchscreen. The available options and variations in shape, size, printing technique and function are endless, making a high degree of customization easy to achieve.
PCAP control panels, with their glass surface, are very water-resistant, even in accordance with the strict IP65 standard. When it is required that the screen can be cleaned with liquids or chemicals, a film layer over the glass provides the desired protection. The flat front panel allows seamless integration, without edges where dirt can accumulate. Furthermore, it is possible to design PCAP control panels in such a way that they can be operated with gloves.
All these advantages also apply to virtual keys, because they form an integral part of the control panel. This is not the case for more traditional applications such as membrane switches.
Development and production
To add virtual keys in addition to a PCAP touchscreen, it is sufficient to increase the sensor area and program the desired actions in this extra space using software. The small additional cost investment involved is an additional advantage in efficient product development.
The virtual keys are made visually visible to the user via a print on the glass front panel. It is also possible to process virtual keys invisibly in the panel. This offers possibilities for maintenance engineers, for example, who can call up specific management functions with an invisible button.
In many applications, the display is integrated into a metal housing. When virtual keys are used, the distance between the outer sensor area and the metal parts becomes very small. That can be a risk, as the PCAP sensors are very sensitive. This must therefore be taken into account in the design of the display.
Unique flexibility due to included programming software
In many cases, virtual keys have a fixed function that remains unchanged as long as the application is in use. However, it is possible to supply the control panels with programming software to adjust the virtual keys as desired. The location, size and function can be programmed flexibly.
SCHURTER: specialist in custom solutions with virtual keys
With years of experience in the development and production of PCAP touchscreens with virtual keys, SCHURTER offers high-quality customized solutions for every sector. In close collaboration with the client, our engineers map out all wishes, specifications and requirements. We then develop the most suitable solution based on an optimal combination of hardware, software and visual appearance.
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