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Screenkey Selection: Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Soft-Touch? What is Tactile?

    2. ScreenKeys are offered with two different switch actions, Soft-Touch and Tactile.

    Many users like to receive "feedback" from the ScreenKey when pressed. This “feedback” is the sensation of the ScreenKey resisting the downward motion of pressing the key. There is a feeling of bounce-back at the bottom of the key press. This bounce, or feedback, is what is referred to as "Tactile feedback".

    Some users prefer not to have tactile feedback and instead prefer more of a cushioning sensation at the bottom of the key press. This “Soft-Touch” effect is registered by a soft thud when the ScreenKey movement reaches the bottom of the key press.

  2. What ScreenKey configuration options are available? How do I specify my requirements?

    3. ScreenKeys are available with several different configurations and options:

    LC | RGB              16 | 24              T | (no designation)

    LC/RGB refers to the base backlighting LED colors:
    LC = two base color LED backlighting - Red and Green
    RGB = three base color LED backlighting - Red, Green and Blue

    16/24 refers to the LCD resolution:
    16 = (32*16) 32 pixels horizontal, 16 pixels vertical
    24 = (36*24) 36 pixels horizontal, 24 pixels vertical

    T/(no designation) refers to the switch mechanism:
    T = Tactile feedback switch mechanism
    (no designation) = Soft-Touch switch mechanism

    Examples:

    LC16: refers to Red-Green LED backlighting, 32*16 resolution, Soft-Touch switch
    RGB24T: refers to Red-Green-Blue LED backlighting, 36*24 resolution, Tactile switch

  3. How many backlight colors can ScreenKeys produce?

    4. The number of distinct backlight colors that a ScreenKey can produce depends on the number of available LED base colors.

    The LC Series have two base colors (red and green) that can be individually turned on a half or full brightness. This allows 3 distinct colors to be produced in either bright or dark:

    • Red (Dark / Bright)
    • Green (Dark / Bright)
    • Orange (Dark / Bright)

     

    The RGB Series have three base colors (red, green and blue) that can also be individually turned on a half or full brightness. This allows 27 distinct colors to be produced:

    • Green (Dark / Bright / Yellow-Green / Bright Yellow-Green)
    • Red (Dark / Bright)
    • Cyan (Standard / Dark / Bright #1 / Bright #2 / Bright #3)
    • Magenta (Dark / Bright)
    • Blue (Standard / Dark #1 / Dark #2 / Dark #3 / Bright #1 / Bright #2 / Bright #3)
    • Yellow / Green-Yellow
    • Pink
    • Blue-White (Blue-White #1 /Blue-White #2 /,Blue-White #3)
    • White

  4. What is the operating temperature range?

    5. The primary factor that limits the storage and operating temperature of ScreenKeys is the LCD display. ScreenKeys use enhanced LCD displays with wide storage and operating temperature ranges:

    • Storage temperature: -20C to +80C
    • Operating temperature: -10C to +70C

  5. What is the lifetime of a ScreenKey?

    6. ScreenKey lifetime is primarily determined by the switch mechanism. Soft-Touch mechanisms are rated for 1 million+ operations. Tactile mechanisms are rated for 3 million+ operations. However, testing and end-user field feedback has empirically shown that the true lifetime is closer to 10 million+ operations.

  6. Can ScreenKeys be used in sunlight?

    7. ScreenKeys use transflective LCD technology which enables them to be used outdoors in direct sunlight but with limited functionality. Transflective LCD technology uses a rear polariser mirror that allows the transmission of the LED backlighting but that also bounces back a portion of the ambient light. The net effect is that indoors the LED backlight is dominant and easily viewed. However, outdoors in direct sunlight the ambient light levels are mostly too strong and overwhelm the LED backlighting. The result is that the pixel pattern is easily viewed on the LCD but the LED backlighting is ineffective and may appear washed-out.

  7. Are ScreenKeys ROHS compliant?

    8. All ScreenKeys are RoHS compliant. There is no special marking or order code to request RoHS compliant.

  8. What approvals does ScreenKeys have?

    9. ScreenKey POS Consoles that incorporate ScreenKeys have been fully approved and certified with the "CE" and "CSA (NRTL/C)" mark for Europe and the USA. ScreenKeys only use UL-Approved materials (see appropriate datasheets). ScreenKey manufacturing is conducted in an ISO9002 certified facility in a class 100k cleanroom environment.

  9. Have ScreenKeys undergone ESD testing?

    10. Screenkeys have been tested for Electrostatic Discharges (ESD) up to 8 Kvolts. Recommendations to combat the effects of ESD are:

    • Refresh Frequency register (0xEE) and the MUX register (0xEE) regularly (e.g. every 60 seconds)
    • Clock signal should be driven for groups of maximum 8 switches
    • Clock and data lines should be as short as possible
    • Place pull ups in clock and data line
    • Use of slow clock frequency is helpful for EMV
    • Use ground planes as big as possible around the switches

  10. What IP rating have ScreenKeys got?

    11. ScreenKeys are not IP rated, however ScreenKeys are used in a wide range of harsh environments including: Process Control, Point-Of-Sale, Industrial Control, Medical, Military and Aerospace applications, without enhancement or modification. Some customers use ScreenKeys in conjunction with silicon membranes for hostile-environment applications.

     

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