Qtenboard Infrared Touch: Engineering Reliable Multi-User Interactive Whiteboards

The Role of Infrared Touch in Large Interactive Whiteboards

Infrared (IR) touch technology is the preferred solution for large-format interactive whiteboards, typically ranging from 65 inches to 110 inches. Unlike capacitive touch, which relies on detecting the electrical properties of a user’s finger, IR touch detects touches by creating an invisible grid of infrared beams across the screen surface. When a user touches the screen, the system senses beam interruptions and calculates precise touch coordinates.

The advantages of infrared touch for interactive whiteboards include:

• Compatibility with fingers, gloves, styluses, or pointers
• No pressure needed for accurate registration
• Independence from glass thickness or LCD layer
• High scalability for large screens
• Reliable performance in classrooms, corporate spaces, and public collaboration environments

For large interactive whiteboards, infrared technology ensures multi-user interaction without ghost touches or lag, a scenario where high-point capacitive systems often struggle.

Precision Engineering Behind Qtenboard Infrared Touch Frames

A Qtenboard infrared touch frame is more than a collection of LEDs and sensors. Each component is engineered to provide consistent accuracy and reliability.

Infrared Emitters and Receivers

Controller Algorithms

The touch controller is critical to the performance of an infrared interactive whiteboard. It interprets beam interruptions, filters noise, and resolves multi-touch conflicts. High-quality controllers enable:

• Filtering of accidental touches from palms or pens
• Smooth handwriting and drawing experiences
• Elimination of ghost points even in high-traffic environments

Frame Construction

• High flatness and mechanical stability are essential to prevent dead zones
• Tight mechanical tolerances ensure consistent edge responsiveness
• Proper assembly guarantees long-term reliability without drift

Infrared touch frames are precision mechanical and electronic systems, not just sensors. The performance of an interactive whiteboard is defined by the integration of these components rather than by a single number of touch points.

Multi-Touch Considerations: More Isn’t Always Better

The number of touch points indicates the maximum simultaneous inputs a display can detect:

While higher touch points may appear advantageous, in practice they can reduce reliability due to:

• Signal overlap from denser beams
• Increased controller processing requirements
• Higher likelihood of false touches
• Minimal benefit in most real-world classrooms or meeting rooms (rarely exceeding 15 simultaneous touches)

Qtenboard insight: A well-tuned infrared touch frame with 20–50 touch points often outperforms an unstable “high-point” system in both stability and user experience.

Infrared vs Capacitive Touch: Matching Technology to Display Size

Choosing the right touch technology is essential for optimizing an interactive whiteboard.

Capacitive touch is suitable for small panels requiring precision, while infrared excels on large collaborative screens, offering cost-efficiency, flexibility, and robustness.

Real-World Advantages for Classrooms and Collaboration

Infrared touch enhances the interactive whiteboard experience by providing:

• Stable multi-user input: Multiple participants can touch the screen simultaneously without errors
• Glove and stylus compatibility: Users can interact naturally without removing gloves or switching tools
• Reduced maintenance cost: Replaceable frames minimize downtime
• Consistent performance: No ghost touches, lag, or drift over time

These benefits are critical for educational institutions, corporate training centers, and public spaces where interactive whiteboards see high traffic and continuous use.

Qtenboard Customization Capabilities

As a direct manufacturer, Qtenboard offers tailored solutions to meet specific OEM and end-user requirements:

• Adjustable touch points (20–80) to balance performance and reliability
• Custom LED spacing and scanning frequency for different screen sizes
• Integration with various glass thicknesses and OPS modules
• Controller algorithm optimization for smooth handwriting and palm rejection

Our engineering-first approach ensures that each interactive whiteboard is optimized for its intended environment, providing both performance and long-term stability.

Writing and Collaboration Experience

The ultimate goal of an interactive whiteboard is to enable smooth, intuitive interaction.

For large-scale collaboration, infrared technology provides the best balance between stability, accuracy, and usability.

Environmental Adaptability

Infrared touch technology ensures that interactive whiteboards perform well under varying conditions:

• Works effectively with gloves, styluses, and pointers
• Tolerates diverse user behavior and high interaction frequency
• Simple maintenance ensures long-term reliability

Capacitive touch may be limited by moisture sensitivity, stylus compatibility, and higher repair costs. Infrared panels, by contrast, are more robust for public and educational environments.

Madalas na Nagtatanong na mga Tano

Conclusion: Engineering Systems, Not Numbers