TOUCH APPLICATION: Movie Rental Kiosk
TOUCH TECHNOLOGY: MicroTouch 8-wire Resistive
and Near Field Imaging
3M Touch Systems Plays Starring Role in Redbox
Automated DVD Kiosks
From coast to coast, thousands of movie fans are seeing red and loving it - every time they rent a film on DVD from
Redbox. This innovative company, based in Oakbrook Terrace,
Illinois is revolutionizing the DVD rental industry with its
automated kiosks.
Customers simply walk up to the big red kiosk, reach out and
touch the interactive screen to make their DVD selections, and
pay just $1 per DVD per night as long as they want to keep
them. The DVDs can be returned to any Redbox at any time of
the day or night, thus offering unprecedented convenience to busy
consumers tired of paying late fees because they didn't make it
back to the video store on time. To date, there are nearly 800
Redbox kiosks located in a major fast food restaurant chain and
select grocery stores in such cities as St. Louis, Houston, Denver,
Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hartford, and
the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area.
While consumers in these markets are taking full advantage of the
convenient access to their favorite big-screen performances by
Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, or Johnny Depp, Redbox's Director of
Engineering and Machine Support, Franz Kuehnrich, knows that
the real stars of the show are the touch screens from 3M Touch
Systems, Inc..
Working closely with systems integrator Kristel, Redbox began
the development and prototyping of the DVD rental kiosks in
September 2004. "Redbox kiosks are located in both indoor and
outdoor installations, so one of the main challenges was to
develop a touch solution that could stand up to a wide variety of
conditions across the United States, everything from heavy usage,
to hot temperatures and to exposure to sunlight and extreme
cold," Kuehnrich says. "After building several prototypes with
screens from a few different manufacturers, we asked our
systems integrator Kristel what they would recommend. Kristel
selected the 3M Touch Systems, Inc. MicroTouch™ 8-wire resistive touch screens for indoor applications and MicroTouch™ Near
Field Imaging (NFI) touch screens to handle the extreme demands
of outdoor environments."
The Resistive Solution - Spotlight on consistent,
reliable use.
Redbox selected the MicroTouch™ 8-wire resistive touch
screen as the touch component for their indoor kiosks.
MicroTouch™ Polyester Laminated (PL) resistive touch
screen technology from 3M uses a full sheet of specially
formulated optical-grade adhesive to bond the switch
layers to strengthened glass.
As a result, each Redbox kiosk is able to ensure
consistent, reliable use with a shatter-resistant touch
screen. MicroTouch™ 8-wire resistive touch screens not
only stand up to heavy consumer use, they also withstand
a variety of environmental conditions including a wide
range of temperature and humidity conditions as well as
accommodating most spills, scratches, bangs, bumps and
dirt. Kristel selected the 8-wire design for its proven
compatibility with kiosks and its sophisticated sensing
technology that maintains accuracy, even in heavy-use
applications, throughout the product's lifecycle.
The NFI Solution - Spotlight on Sunlight
Readability, Brightness, and Durability
For the outdoor kiosks, Redbox selected MicroTouch™ Near
Field Imaging (NFI) touch screens from 3M. These highly
durable touch screens are ideally suited for harsh environments where vandal-resistance as well as touch access with
gloves were necessary. According to Kuehnrich, system
integrator Kristel also added a 3M film in front to reflect
the sun and reduce extreme heat build-up behind the glass.
As a result, the screens operate accurately even in severe
outdoor conditions.
Screen brightness and readability were also key requirements
fulfilled by the 3M Touch Systems, Inc. NFI solution. Again,
because the kiosk's screen reflects the sun and doesn't absorb
much light due to the 3M reflective film, consumers can read
the text on the screen clearly, even in high-altitude areas such
as Denver where the UV light is especially intense.
The MicroTouch™ touch screen also provides the strength
and durability needed in a touch solution that could be used
by many hundreds of people daily. "Unfortunately, we do
have instances of vandalism with people trying to break the
glass, so it must be strong," Kuehnrich says. "If the glass
does break, it must be tempered to reduce the risk of injury to
the consumer. Also, it has to be scratch-resistant so that the
touch functionality isn't affected. 3M Touch Systems delivers
what Redbox needs on all of these points.
Anticipating a Long Run with
3M Touch Systems
3M Touch Systems worked closely with Kristel in designing
a touch screen solution with a configuration specific to
Redbox and its unique challenges.
"We were very impressed with the 3M Touch Systems
screens from the beginning, especially their accuracy and
durability," Kuehnrich adds. "We have had no failures in the
field and we are confident that they will stand up to the
upcoming winter."
3M Touch Systems
3M Optical Systems Division
300 Griffin Brook Park Drive
Methuen, MA 01844
U.S.A.
1-866-407-6666
www.3Mtouch.com
Worldwide Manufacturing Plants
Methuen, Massachusetts
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Vancouver, BC Canada
For more information
on 3M touch products,
visit 3Mtouch.com or
call toll-free 1-866-407-6666
NOTICE: Given the variety of factors that can affect the use and performance of a 3M Touch Systems Product (the “Product”),
including that solid state equipment has operation characteristics different from electro mechanical equipment, some of which
factors are uniquely within User’s knowledge and control, it is essential that User evaluate the 3M Touch Systems Product and
software to determine whether it is suitable for User’s particular purpose and suitable for User's method of application. 3M Touch
Systems’ statements, engineering/technical information, and recommendations are provided for User’s convenience, but their
accuracy or completeness is not warranted. 3M Touch Systems products and software are not specifically designed for use in
medical devices as defined by United States federal law. 3M Touch Systems products and software should not be used in such
applications without 3M Touch Systems’ express written consent. User should contact its sales representative if User’s opportunity
involves a medical device application.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PURCHASER: Specifications are subject to change without notice. These 3M Touch Systems’
Products and software are warranted to meet their published specifications from the date of shipment and for the period stated in
the specification. 3M Touch Systems makes no additional warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to any
implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. User is responsible for determining whether the 3M
Touch Systems Products and software are fit for User's particular purpose and suitable for its method of production, including
intellectual property liability for User's application. If the Product, software or software media is proven not to have met 3M Touch
Systems’ warranty, then 3M Touch Systems’ sole obligation and User's and Purchaser’s exclusive remedy, will be, at 3M Touch
Systems’ option, to repair or replace that Product quantity or software mediator to refund its purchase price. 3M Touch Systems
has no obligation under 3M Touch Systems’ warranty for any Product, software or software media that has been modified or
damaged through misuse, accident, neglect, or subsequent manufacturing operations or assemblies by anyone other than 3M
Touch Systems. 3M Touch Systems shall not be liable in any action against it in any way related to the Products or
software for any loss or damages, whether non-specified direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential
(including downtime, loss of profits or goodwill) regardless of the legal theory asserted. (7/02)
MicroTouch is a trademark of 3M
© 3M 2005
Printed in USA
3-05