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:
For large interactive whiteboards, infrared technology ensures multi-user interaction without ghost touches or lag, a scenario where high-point capacitive systems often struggle.
A Qtenboard infrared touch frame is more than a collection of LEDs and sensors. Each component is engineered to provide consistent accuracy and reliability.
Use industrial-grade LEDs with a wavelength of 850–940 nm for stable output
Precise spacing between LEDs ensures accurate detection and smooth touch resolution
Emitters and receivers are carefully aligned to maintain uniformity across large interactive whiteboards
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:
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.
The number of touch points indicates the maximum simultaneous inputs a display can detect:
| Touch Points | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| 20 | Standard multi-user interaction |
| 30–40 | Education and collaborative activities |
| 50 | Group collaboration in classrooms or meetings |
| 60–80 | Custom high-performance OEM projects |
While higher touch points may appear advantageous, in practice they can reduce reliability due to:
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.
Choosing the right touch technology is essential for optimizing an interactive whiteboard.
| Feature | Infrared (IR) | Capacitive (PCAP) |
|---|---|---|
| Touch Principle | Beam interruption | Electrical capacitance |
| Medium Supported | Finger, glove, stylus, pointer | Finger or conductive stylus |
| Large Screen Scalability | Excellent (65–110”+) | Limited beyond medium sizes |
| Accuracy | High (algorithm-dependent) | Very high |
| Writing Smoothness | Very good | Excellent |
| Ambient Light Sensitivity | Moderate | Low |
| Dust/Debris | Requires cleaning | Minimal |
| Glass Thickness Impact | None | Significant |
| Cost for Large Panels | Lower | Much higher |
| Maintenance | Replaceable frame | Full glass replacement |
| Typical Use Cases | Classrooms, meetings, collaboration | Precision input, design-focused applications |
Capacitive touch is suitable for small panels requiring precision, while infrared excels on large collaborative screens, offering cost-efficiency, flexibility, and robustness.
Infrared touch enhances the interactive whiteboard experience by providing:
These benefits are critical for educational institutions, corporate training centers, and public spaces where interactive whiteboards see high traffic and continuous use.
As a direct manufacturer, Qtenboard offers tailored solutions to meet specific OEM and end-user requirements:
Our engineering-first approach ensures that each interactive whiteboard is optimized for its intended environment, providing both performance and long-term stability.
The ultimate goal of an interactive whiteboard is to enable smooth, intuitive interaction.
Infrared touch: Slightly softer stroke edges, excellent for multiple users interacting simultaneously, stable across large screens
Capacitive touch: Extremely smooth handwriting, strong palm rejection, ideal for small panels requiring high precision
For large-scale collaboration, infrared technology provides the best balance between stability, accuracy, and usability.
Infrared touch technology ensures that interactive whiteboards perform well under varying conditions:
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.
Q1: Can Qtenboard provide infrared touch beyond 50 points?
A1: Yes, custom high-point IR frames are available for special OEM projects.
Q2: Why recommend 20–50 points instead of the maximum?
A2: Stability, accuracy, and long-term usability are more important than headline numbers.
Q3: Does higher touch point count improve writing smoothness?
A3: Not necessarily. Smooth writing depends more on controller algorithms and panel alignment than raw point numbers.
Q4: Which display sizes are best for each technology?
A4: ≤55 inches → Capacitive | ≥55 inches → Infrared
Q5: Can infrared touch work with gloves?
A5: Yes—one of its key advantages for large-format interactive whiteboards.
At Qtenboard, we design interactive whiteboards to deliver stability, scalability, and usability rather than chasing the highest touch point count. By combining size-based technology selection (infrared for large, capacitive for small), customizable infrared touch points (20–80), and optimized LED alignment and algorithms, we provide high-performance interactive whiteboards that excel in classrooms, corporate spaces, and collaborative environments.
For real users, stability, responsiveness, and reliability matter more than any datasheet number. That’s the Qtenboard difference.
Click to read the product details and learn about its functional features and actual performance.
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