SMK Develops Capacitive Touch Panel for Polarized Sunglasses

　SMK Corporation has developed a capacitive touch panel to reduce the effect known as “blackout phenomenon” while wearing polarized sunglasses. This application is focused primarily for but not exclusive to automotive environments.
　Depending on the angle of the polarized sunglasses worn by a driver, the display of a car navigation system or center console may cause a blackout phenomenon, in which the screen turns completely black, or a newton ring. This phenomenon may have an impact on the safety of the driver. SMK’s new touch panel suppresses the occurrence of the blackout phenomenon or a newton ring from any angle when wearing polarized sunglasses. This is achieved by adding a unique process to the structure onto which the cover panel and touch panel are adhered.
　Moreover, we have successfully reduced the coloring of screens looked at on polarized sunglasses compatible touch panels that use retardation film that was traditionally the main measure for dealing with this. SMK Corporation has mass produced touch panels with a single glass sheet (G2), with two film sheets (F1F) and with two glass sheets (G1G) all of which has capacitive touch functionality. We have now expanded our capacitive touch panel offering with the addition of this product. SMK Corporation plans to have production capacity of 100,000 units per month at our Philippines facility.　　

Note: This product may not be compatible with all LCD models in the market.