AirInput panel uses high sensitivity capacitive sensing

AirInput Panel is a new input method created by Alps Alpine. It supports both touchless and touch input and is based on original high sensitivity capacitive sensing technology.

Capacitive touch panels are increasingly used for input in devices ranging from smartphones to industrial equipment. They are valued for their intuitive input and control. Conventional capacitive touch panel input is hampered by wet or oily hands, hands which are dirty from handling chemicals or gloved hands. Touching the control surface with dirty hands means it has to be cleaned, while having to remove gloves before use can be inconvenient or incur delay. In situations where hygiene needs to be strictly controlled, or contamination prevented, even touching a touch panel can be problematic, said Alps Alpine.

Its AirInput panel makes use of the space directly in front of the panel for input using no-touch operation, thereby improving the work or operating environment.
The panel has been adapted for 15.6-inch-wide, general purpose displays, a market which is expected to enjoy growth in the industrial equipment market. In addition to X-Y co-ordinates, the panel can also output a count value for proximity in the height direction (Z axis). Used in combination with a user interface that continuously conveys the position of a detected finger, the panel enables intuitive control in mid-air operation, helping to realise quick input with few errors.

Alps Alpine can also provide dedicated control software, jointly developed with StellarLink, for Windows for customers who wish to convert existing applications designed for touch operation into touchless applications. Installing the software allows customers to omit the software development process and utilise existing input screens in a touchless setup. Customers can adjust user interface settings, colours, sizes and other parameters on the settings screen to achieve the desired operating feel and realize a wide range of touchless operation scenarios.
The input is suitable for control displays on food processing machines and other industrial equipment, input panels on control monitors for commercial kitchen and cooking equipment, input panels on control monitors for housing installations and public computer terminals, input panels on control monitors for medical and testing systems and control monitor panels for explosion-proof equipment.

Alps Alpine has also announced that it will expand the line up to include varieties for use with eight to 10-inch and 21.5-inch wide displays, as well as for non-contact switch applications.
http://www.alpsalpine.com