News and Information from Nelson Miller

Exploring a Typical Membrane Switch Stack-Up

Exploring a Typical Membrane Switch Stack-Up

Membrane switches have become a popular alternative to traditional mechanical switches. They are used for the same purpose of controlling circuits. Membrane switches, however, are made of multiple layers. More specifically, they feature at least one contact that's on...

Keypad Backlighting: Everything You Need to Know

Keypad Backlighting: Everything You Need to Know

Backlighting isn't limited to display devices. While most TVs, computer monitors and other display devices do, in fact, feature backlighting, keypads are available with backlighting as well. From traditional mechanical keypads to silicone rubber keypads and more,...

Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Injection Molding

Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Injection Molding

Plastic injection molding is a versatile manufacturing process that's used to make everything from keypads and switches to bottles, medical devices and more. Also known simply as injection molding, it involves the use of a mold cavity. The mold cavity is filled with...

Dead Pixels in Displays: What You Should Know

Dead Pixels in Displays: What You Should Know

Have you ever purchased a display device, only to discover that it has one or more permanent black dots? You can always try to turn off the display, but permanent black dots such as this typically indicate a dead pixel. A Overview of Dead Pixels A dead pixel is...

The Beginner’s Guide to Self-Capacitance Touchscreens

The Beginner’s Guide to Self-Capacitance Touchscreens

When researching touchscreen technologies, you'll probably come across self-capacitance. It's used in tablets, human machine interfaces (HMIs) and countless other touchscreen devices. Self-capacitance touchscreens support touch commands -- just like all other types of...

5 Common Myths About LED-Backlit LCDs

5 Common Myths About LED-Backlit LCDs

When researching display devices, you'll probably come across light-emitting diode (LED)-backlit liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). They are LCDs that use an LED backlighting system. The pixels within an LED-backlit LCD consist of liquid organic matter. Behind the pixel...

The Beginner’s Guide to Bezels: What You Should Know

The Beginner’s Guide to Bezels: What You Should Know

Bezels are commonly used in conjunction with touchscreens, computer monitors and other electronic devices. Even if you're unfamiliar with them, you've probably seen a bezel before. It forms the physical perimeter around the device with which it's used. There are...

6 Reasons to Choose a Piezo Switch for Your Business

6 Reasons to Choose a Piezo Switch for Your Business

If you're looking to buy a new switch for your business, you may want to choose a piezo switch. Short for "piezoelectric," it's a type of touch switch that leverages the properties of a piezoelectric material. Piezoelectric materials have the ability to generate...

The Benefits of Contoured Switch Overlays

The Benefits of Contoured Switch Overlays

Not all switches have a flat overlay. You can find switches with a contoured overlay. Like all switches, they are circuit-controlling devices. You can press one or more buttons on a switch to control a circuit. Switches with a contoured overlay simply featured a...

4 Reasons to Backlighting When Ordering a Keypad

4 Reasons to Backlighting When Ordering a Keypad

Think backlighting isn't worth the added cost? Think again. When ordering a keypad, you may want to choose backlighting for the following reasons. #1) Improved Visibility Backlighting will improve the keypad's visibility. You'll have an easier time seeing the keypad...

Why Resistive Touchscreens Are Etched

Why Resistive Touchscreens Are Etched

Resistive touchscreens are commonly used in commercial devices. From retail point-of-sale (POS) systems to automatic teller machines (ATMs), equipment controls and more, you can find them in a variety of commercial devices. Resistive, in fact, ranks as the second-most...

5 Facts About Light Guide Films

5 Facts About Light Guide Films

When researching lighting options for a keypad or membrane switch, you may come across light guide films. They are used to distribute the light across the device's interface. You can order a keypad or membrane switch with or without a light guide film. With a light...

Touchscreen Controllers: Everything You Need to Know

Touchscreen Controllers: Everything You Need to Know

Touchscreens consist of more than just sensors and an integrated display. Whether it's a capacitive, resistive or surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreen, it will likely feature a controller. The controller is an integral part of most touchscreens. Without it, you...

SDR vs HDR: What’s the Difference?

SDR vs HDR: What’s the Difference?

Do you know the difference between standard-dynamic range (SDR) and high-dynamic range (HDR)? They are commonly used as specifications for displays. Whether you're shopping for a new TV, computer monitor, tablet or any other display device, it may feature SDR or HDR....

What Are Surface Capacitive Touchscreens Used For?

What Are Surface Capacitive Touchscreens Used For?

Projected capacitive touchscreens are undoubtedly popular. With thousands of keys, they offer a superior level of accuracy. From smartphones and tablets to monitors and smart appliances, many devices are powered by projected capacitive touchscreen technology. There...

The Productivity-Boosting Benefits of Touchscreens

The Productivity-Boosting Benefits of Touchscreens

Want to increase productivity in your business's workplace? Look no further than touchscreens. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and desktops, touchscreens are everywhere. But did you know that touchscreens can also significantly improve productivity in the...

The ABCs of Capacitive Switches: Terms You Need to Know

The ABCs of Capacitive Switches: Terms You Need to Know

Capacitive switches have become an increasingly popular alternative to mechanical switches. They are touch switches that, like other touch switches, don't contain any moving parts. Capacitive switches leverage a touch-based operation. Touching the interface on a...

Frequently Asked Questions About Piezo Switches

Frequently Asked Questions About Piezo Switches

Touch switches offer a convenient alternative to mechanical switches. They are circuit-controlling devices that work via touch. You don't have to press any buttons or move any knobs. Rather, you can control a piezo switch by touching it. Below is a list of frequently...

The Role of Touchscreen Technology in the Retail Industry

The Role of Touchscreen Technology in the Retail Industry

When most people think of touchscreens, they envision tablet computers and mobile handsets. Touchscreens, however, encompass other types of touch-controlled devices. Some of them are used in commercial environments, such as retail stores. Touchscreen technology, in...

Keypads: What Is Key Height and Why Does It Matter?

Keypads: What Is Key Height and Why Does It Matter?

You should consider the key height when shopping for a keypad. All keypads have keys. By definition, a keypad is a "pad of keys." Each key functions as an electrical switch. You can complete the circuit by pressing a key. The height of these keys, however, may vary....

How Light Guides Work in Wearable Electronics

How Light Guides Work in Wearable Electronics

Light guides are commonly found in wearable electronics. Wearable electronics -- particularly those with an integrated display, such as a smartwatch -- may feature a light guide. It offers several benefits that can enhance the wearable electronic with which it's used....

5 Common Myths About SAW Touchscreens

5 Common Myths About SAW Touchscreens

When most people think of touchscreens technologies, they envision capacitive and resistive. Capacitive and resistive are the two most common touchscreen technologies. Over four-fifth of all new touchscreen devices use capacitive technology to detect touch commands,...

Industrial Keypads: 6 Common Features to Consider

Industrial Keypads: 6 Common Features to Consider

Are you looking to buy industrial keypads for your business? Whether your business operates in the medical industry, the food service industry, the retail industry or any other industry, it can probably benefit from industrial keypads. These high-quality keypads...

The Role of Phosphor in EL Backlighting

The Role of Phosphor in EL Backlighting

Many devices feature electroluminescent (EL) backlighting. Switches and keypads, for instance, often feature this type of backlighting. EL backlighting will illuminate the switch or keypad so that the buttons or legends are easier to see. While EL backlighting is...

Dot Pitch vs Pixel Density: What’s the Difference?

Dot Pitch vs Pixel Density: What’s the Difference?

When shopping for a new display device, you may come across the terms "dot pitch" and "pixel density." They are pixel-based metrics. Whether it's a liquid-crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or any other type of display, it will likely feature...

What Are the Different Types of Touch Switches?

What Are the Different Types of Touch Switches?

Touch switches have become increasingly popular in recent years. Like all switches, they are devices that control a circuit. Touch switches, however, operate in response to touch. Touching them with a finger will change the orientation of the circuit. You can open or...

How Projective Capacitive Touchscreens Register Touch Events

How Projective Capacitive Touchscreens Register Touch Events

Ever wonder how projective capacitive touchscreens register touch events? Different types of touchscreens use different methods to register touch events. Resisitve touchscreens, for instance, use two or more layers of an electrically resistive material. When you press...

What Is a Membrane Switch Overlay?

What Is a Membrane Switch Overlay?

The overlay is an important part of a membrane switch. All membrane switches, of course, feature multiple layers. Like other switches, they circuit-controlling devices. You can press the buttons on a membrane switch to control a circuit. Membrane switches are...

Understanding Light Guides and How They Work

Understanding Light Guides and How They Work

When researching backlighting technologies for keypads and switches, you may come across light guides. They've become increasingly popular in recent years. Keypads and switches typically feature buttons. While some of them only feature a traditional backlighting...

What Is Two-Shot Plastic Injection Molding?

What Is Two-Shot Plastic Injection Molding?

Plastic injection molding offers a fast and efficient way to produce plastic parts. Also known simply as injection molding, it involves injecting heated plastic into a mold cavity via a plunger. As the molten plastic begins to cool, it will solidify. The solid casting...

What Is Embossing for Membrane Switches?

What Is Embossing for Membrane Switches?

When researching optional features for membrane switches, you may come across embossing. Membrane switches are used in countless consumer and commercial electrical applications. They feature multiple layers that are laminated together to achieve a thin interface for a...

Why Capacitive Switches Are Replacing Mechanical Switches

Why Capacitive Switches Are Replacing Mechanical Switches

Switches are found in nearly all types of electrical devices. They are circuit-controlling components that either allow or prevent electricity from traveling through them. Switches can create a closed circuit, in which case electricity will be able to travel through...

The Types of Touchscreens That Work With a Stylus

The Types of Touchscreens That Work With a Stylus

Not all touchscreens work with a stylus. By definition, a touchscreen is any device that supports touch commands. While some types of touchscreens do, in fact, support the use of a stylus to perform these touch commands, others only support bare finger touch commands....

Dome Arrays: How Long Do They Last?

Dome Arrays: How Long Do They Last?

If you're thinking about ordering a switch or keypad with a dome array, you might be wondering how long they last. Dome arrays are synthetic films. Typically consisting of polyester and adhesive, they are placed on top of a circuit layer where they provide a user...

The Beginner’s Guide to Touchscreen Haptics

The Beginner’s Guide to Touchscreen Haptics

You can't ignore haptics when shopping for a new touchscreen. There are over a half-dozen touchscreen technologies, each of which uses a different method to detect and respond to touch commands. Resistive, for instance, is a simple touchscreen technology that uses...

Why Resistive Touchscreens Require Pressure to Use

Why Resistive Touchscreens Require Pressure to Use

Resistive is one of the most popular touchscreen technologies. Available for both consumer and commercial devices, it receives its namesake from its use of electrically resistive layers. All resistive touchscreens have layers made of electrically resistive material....

How LCDs Protect Against Eyestrain

How LCDs Protect Against Eyestrain

Do your eyes hurt and feel fatigued after staring at an electronic display? The problem could be attributed to the specific display technology. Some display technologies are more likely to cause eyestrain than others. Fortunately, liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) offer...

IR Grid Touchscreens: What Are LED Detectors?

IR Grid Touchscreens: What Are LED Detectors?

Not all touchscreens use capacitive or resistive technology to detect touch commands. While capacitive and resistive are the most common touchscreen technologies, there are others available, including infrared (IR) grid. Also known simply as IR, IR grid is a...

6 Common Industries That Use Touchscreens

6 Common Industries That Use Touchscreens

Touchscreens aren't used exclusively in consumer applications. They are commonly used in commercial applications as well. Some businesses use capacitive touchscreens, whereas others use resistive touchscreens. Regardless, touchscreens aren't limited to consumer...

How Does Electroluminescent (EL) Backlighting Work?

How Does Electroluminescent (EL) Backlighting Work?

Backlighting is a common feature of many keypads, switches and other devices. As the name suggests, it's a lighting system found in the rear or back of a device. When you turn on the device, the backlighting will illuminate it. While some devices use light-emitting...

What Is Backlight Bleeding? Get the Facts

What Is Backlight Bleeding? Get the Facts

Have you heard of backlight bleeding? With the exception of electroluminescent (EL) displays, most displays feature a backlighting system. The backlighting system is designed to illuminate the display's pixels so that the pixels become visible. Some displays, however,...

Touchscreen Response Time Explained: What You Should Know

Touchscreen Response Time Explained: What You Should Know

Touchscreens have become increasingly popular in recent years. You can now find them integrated into smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart appliances, human machine interfaces (HMIs) and many other devices. Touchscreens, of course, are interfaces that support touch...

What Are the Benefits of In-Mold Decorating?

What Are the Benefits of In-Mold Decorating?

Have you heard of in-mold decorating? It's a finishing process that leverages the properties of polycarbonate (PC) foil printing with plastic injection molding. Plastic injection molding, of course, is a molding process. It involves forcing plastic into a mold cavity....

What Is Shielding for Membrane Switches?

What Is Shielding for Membrane Switches?

When shopping for membrane switches, you might be wondering whether you need shielding. All membrane switches, of course, are circuit-controlling devices that contain at least one electrical contact on a flexible substrate. They are made by pressing together multiple,...

5 Facts About Polarizers in LCDs and How They Work

5 Facts About Polarizers in LCDs and How They Work

Light-filtering layers play an important role in liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). Known as polarizers, they work in conjunction in with a backlighting system to illuminate the liquid pixels. All LCDs have liquid pixels. Since they aren't made of an electroluminescent...

The Little-Known Benefits of Edge-Lit LCDs

The Little-Known Benefits of Edge-Lit LCDs

Edge-lit liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are one of the most common types of displays on the market. Like all LCDs, they feature liquid pixels. Edge-lit LCDs, however, feature a specific type of backlighting that's not found elsewhere. They leverage a series of...

The Complete Guide to Surface Capacitive Touchscreens

The Complete Guide to Surface Capacitive Touchscreens

Think all capacitive touchscreens use the same technology to detect and respond to touch commands? Think again. All capacitive touchscreens leverage a uniform electrostatic field, but there are different capacitive technologies available. Among the most popular are...

What Is Conductive Ink and How Does It Work?

What Is Conductive Ink and How Does It Work?

Conductive ink is an essential component of many electronics. It's commonly used in flexible printed circuits (FPCs) and printed electronics. Without conductive ink, electronics such as these won't work. When most people think of ink, however, they envision pen ink....

What Is a Transreflective LCD?

What Is a Transreflective LCD?

When researching liquid-crystal display (LCD) technologies, you may come across transflective. Transflective LCDs contain liquid pixels and polarizers -- just like all LCDs. They are distinguished from other types of LCDs, however, by the way in which they are...

Will Magnets Damage Touchscreens?

Will Magnets Damage Touchscreens?

It's no secret that cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays and magnets don't mix. When exposed to a magnetic field, CRTs may become permanently disclosed. In the past, TVs and other displays that used CRT technology would often succumb to magnet-related damage. This leads...

How to Choose a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC)

How to Choose a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC)

Are you planning to buy a flexible printed circuit (FPC)? FPCs have become a popular alternative to traditional printed circuit boards (PCBs). They still contain conductive pathways, and they are used for the same purpose of controlling an electrical circuit. Only...

The Dos and Don’ts of Choosing a Commercial Touchscreen

The Dos and Don’ts of Choosing a Commercial Touchscreen

Touchscreens are used exclusively for consumer applications. While many smartphones, tablets and other touchscreens are, in fact, used for consumer applications, others are used for commercial applications. You can find them in hospitals, retail stores, restaurants...

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Capacitive Touchscreens

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Capacitive Touchscreens

Capacitive touchscreens are used in many different consumer and commercial applications. In addition to mobile devices, for instance, they are commonly used in human machine interfaces (HMIs) and other machinery control systems. Capacitive touchscreens are...

How Are the LEDs Arranged in LCDs?

How Are the LEDs Arranged in LCDs?

It's not uncommon for liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) to feature light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LCD isn't an electroluminescent display technology. Only electroluminescent display technologies, of course, contain self-illuminating pixels. LCDs still have pixels, but...

Membrane Switches: What Is the Circuit Layer?

Membrane Switches: What Is the Circuit Layer?

The circuit layer is an important part of all membrane switches. Membrane switches, of course, are circuit-controlling devices. Unlike mechanical switches, though, they feature multiple layers that are compressed and joined together using adhesive. While there are...

5 Benefits of Active-Matrix LCDs

5 Benefits of Active-Matrix LCDs

When researching liquid-crystal display (LCD) technologies, you may come across passive matrix and active matrix. They both involve the use of liquid pixels, and they both require backlighting to illuminate their pixels. Passive matrix is an older LCD technology,...

An Introduction to Common Touchscreen Commands

An Introduction to Common Touchscreen Commands

Touchscreens are on the rise. Since their origins in the 1970s, they''ve become more and more popular. You can now find touchscreens in smartphones, tablets, computer monitors, smart wearables, human machine interfaces (HMIs) and other consumer and commercial...

Capacitive Touchscreen Coatings: What You Should Know

Capacitive Touchscreen Coatings: What You Should Know

Ever wonder what capacitive touchscreens are coated with? Capacitive touchscreens don't feature a plain glass layer. While most of them do, in fact, feature a glass top glass, they have an invisible coating over this glass layer. Known as a coating, it plays an...

Silicone Rubber Keypads: What Is Tactile Feedback?

Silicone Rubber Keypads: What Is Tactile Feedback?

Tactile feedback is a native feature of silicone rubber keypads. When you press a button on a silicone rubber keypad, it will respond with tactile feedback. There are different types of silicone rubber keypads. They are available in different sizes, configurations,...

What Are LCD Subpixels? Get the Facts

What Are LCD Subpixels? Get the Facts

Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are all around us. They are used in TVs, computer monitors, infotainment systems, smart wearables, smart appliances, mobile devices and countless other devices. Like all other displays, LCDs are comprised of pixels. They use backlighting...

What Are Rigid Flex Circuits?

What Are Rigid Flex Circuits?

When most people think of circuits, they envision rigid printed circuit boards (PCB) and flexible printed circuits (FPCs.) Nearly all electronic devices feature one or both of these circuit types. Circuits, of course, are electrical components consisting of conductive...

The Beginner’s Guide to LED Displays

The Beginner’s Guide to LED Displays

Whether you're shopping for a new TV, computer monitor or any other device with an integrated display, you'll need to choose the right display technology. There are several different types of display technologies, one of the most common being light-emitting diode...

6 Reasons to Choose a  Resistive Touchscreen

6 Reasons to Choose a Resistive Touchscreen

If you're looking to buy a new touchscreen, you may want to choose a resistive touchscreen. Resistive is one of several touchscreen technologies. It receives its namesake from its electrically resistive layers. Resistive touchscreens feature two electrically resistive...

What Is Aspect Ratio and Why Does It Matter?

What Is Aspect Ratio and Why Does It Matter?

When shopping for a display, you'll need to consider the aspect ratio. Computer monitors, TVs and other displays are available in different aspect ratios. Some of them feature a 4:3 aspect ratio, whereas others feature a 16:9 or even a 21:9 aspect ratio. What is...

How Surface Contaminants Affect SAW Touchscreens

How Surface Contaminants Affect SAW Touchscreens

If you're planning to buy a surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreen, you'll need to keep it clean. All touchscreens will inevitably accumulate dust and dirt on their top layer. While surface contaminants may have little or no effect on capacitive touchscreens, though,...

IPC Standards for Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs)

IPC Standards for Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs)

Are you familiar with IPC standards for Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs)? FPCs are available in different IPC standards. Like with other standards, IPC standards determine how a particular product is designed. IPC standards, though, are among the most trusted and...

LCDs and Color Gamut: What You Should Know

LCDs and Color Gamut: What You Should Know

You can't ignore color gamut when shopping for a liquid-crystal display (LCD). LCDs support a variety of different colors. They feature subpixels with color filters that, when illuminated by the backlighting system, result in colored images. But some LCDs are able to...

The Beginner’s Guide to Membrane Switches

The Beginner’s Guide to Membrane Switches

From computers and TVs to calculators, appliances and more, switches are found in all types of electronics. A switch is nothing more than a circuit-controlling device. You can activate a switch to open or close a circuit. Some switches, however, feature an electrical...

What Is Refresh Rate Flicker and How Do You Prevent IT?

What Is Refresh Rate Flicker and How Do You Prevent IT?

Refresh rate flicker is a common phenomenon from which many display devices suffer. Not to be confused with screen burn-in, it lives up to its namesake by involving a flickering motion. Rather than producing images that transition smoothly from frame to frame, some...

Can Silicone Rubber Keypads Be Used Outdoors?

Can Silicone Rubber Keypads Be Used Outdoors?

If you're looking for a keypad to use outdoors, you might be wondering whether silicone rubber is a smart choice. Not all keypads can withstand outdoor environments. Some of them are designed exclusively for indoor environments where they are protected from the...

6 Common Myths About Keyboards

6 Common Myths About Keyboards

Keyboards are commonly used to control computers. As you may know, they are rectangular-shaped "boards" with "keys." When plugged into a computer, you can type by pressing these keys. Whether you're trying to write an email or enter a website address, a keyboard will...

The Benefits of LCDs in Touchscreens

The Benefits of LCDs in Touchscreens

Of all the different display technologies, none are more popular in touchscreens than liquid-crystal display (LCD). Whether it's a capacitive, resistive or surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreen, it may feature an LCD. LCDs are display devices that are characterized...

The Beginner’s Guide to Resistive Touch Switches

The Beginner’s Guide to Resistive Touch Switches

Touch switches offer an easy-to-use solution for controlling a circuit. All switches, of course, are designed to control a circuit. While some switches use a mechanical method of operation, though, others are touch based. Resistive is a type of touch-based switch. You...

6 Facts About Printed Electronics

6 Facts About Printed Electronics

Have you heard of printed electronics? When most people think of printing, they envision traditional printers that work with paper. But some printers are able to print conductive pathways on electronics. Here are six surprising facts about printed electronics. #1)...

The Pros and Cons of SAW Touchscreens

The Pros and Cons of SAW Touchscreens

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreens are used in many commercial and consumer applications. Like all touchscreens, they support touch commands. You can control a SAW touchscreen by tapping the display interface. SAW touchscreens, however, are distinguished from...

What Is Plastic Injection Molding and How Does It Work?

What Is Plastic Injection Molding and How Does It Work?

When researching manufacturing processes for custom products, you may come across plastic injection molding. Also known simply as injection molding, it supports products in a variety of custom shapes and sizes. What is plastic injection molding, and how does it work...

Do All Touchscreens Require a Controller?

Do All Touchscreens Require a Controller?

Touchscreens have become increasingly popular over the past few decades. They are characterized by the use of a touch-based interface. You can touch or tap the interface to perform commands. Some touchscreens use capacitive technology to detect touch commands, whereas...

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Plastic Keypads

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Plastic Keypads

Plastic keypads are one of the world's most common types of device interfaces. You can find them on everything from calculators and remote controls to ATMs, retail point-of-sale (POS) terminals and human machine interfaces (HMIs). All plastic keypads are made of...

Exploring the Backlighting Options for Capacitive Switches

Exploring the Backlighting Options for Capacitive Switches

If you're thinking about a capacitive switch, you may want to choose backlighting for it. Backlighting isn't limited to mechanical switches. Both mechanical and touch switches support backlighting. Capacitive switches, of course, fall under the latter category. They...

How Do Surface Capacitive Touchscreens Work?

How Do Surface Capacitive Touchscreens Work?

Capacitive touchscreens are distinguished from all other types of touchscreens by their use of capacitance to detect touch commands. When turned on, they generate a uniform electrostatic field. They will constantly measure this field while looking for changes in...

What Is a Mini-LED-Backlit LCD?

What Is a Mini-LED-Backlit LCD?

Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are often categorized according to their backlighting technology. Unlike electroluminescent displays, they don't feature self-illuminating pixels. All LCDs feature liquid pixels that are illuminated via a separate lighting system, the...

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Piezo Switch

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Piezo Switch

Not all switches contain moving parts. There are touch switches available that will open or close their respective circuit upon contact. Piezo switches, for instance, are touch switches. They feature a piezoelectric element without relying on moving parts. While all...

Which Touchscreen Technology Should You Choose?

Which Touchscreen Technology Should You Choose?

Different types of touchscreens use different technologies to detect command commands. They all feature a touch-controlled interface with an integrated display. Rather than using a keyboard and mouse -- or other traditional input peripherals -- you can tap the...

Curved Displays: What You Should Know

Curved Displays: What You Should Know

Not all display devices feature a flat screen. Many of them now feature a curved screen. Curved displays such as this are commonly used in consumer electronics. TVs and computer monitors, for instance, may feature a curved display. For a better understanding of curved...

5 Facts About Mutual Capacitive Touchscreens

5 Facts About Mutual Capacitive Touchscreens

Capacitive has become the world's leading touchscreen technology. It's used in smartphones, tablets, infotainment centers, smartwatches and other touchscreen devices. Capacitive touchscreen technology receives its namesake from its use of capacitance. It detects touch...

What Is EL Backlighting for Keypads?

What Is EL Backlighting for Keypads?

Keypads support several backlighting technologies, one of the most common being electroluminescent (EL). If you're planning to buy a keypad, you may want to choose EL backlighting. Like all backlighting technologies, it will illuminate the keys from behind. EL...

5 Facts About Capacitive Keyboards

5 Facts About Capacitive Keyboards

Capacitive technology isn't limited to touchscreens. Some keyboards use this same technology to detect key presses. Capacitive keyboards leverage capacitor pads. With these capacitor pads, they are able to detect key presses without the need for separate moving parts....

5 Facts About Smartphone Touchscreens

5 Facts About Smartphone Touchscreens

Touchscreens are synonymous with smartphones. Smartphones no longer use a physical QWERTY keyboard. While there are dozens of brands of smartphones, nearly all of them feature a touchscreen interface. You can control them by tapping and touching the display interface....

What Are Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) Used For?

What Are Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) Used For?

Flexible printed circuits (FPCs) feature similar conductive pathways as their rigid counterparts. Electricity can flow through these conductive pathways. The conducive pathways will essentially guide electricity from a given source to a particular destination. Only...