Touchscreen interfaces have posed a number of user interface issues since they went mainstream in smartphones and tablets. The lack of buttons and thumbsticks, coupled with the loss of accuracy have meant games needed to change. We’ve also had to get used to typing without the feedback of pressing a key. The situation has improved though, but there are still problems to overcome.

One of those problems is being able to recognize input from different users on the same touchscreen at the same time. At the moment, a multi-touch display only recognizes multiple finger input. It can’t tell the difference between users. However, Japanese company Gunze Ltd. has come up with a way to differentiate between people’s touch input.

The solution Gunze came up with involves a second input being required by each person. If you try and interact with its new touchscreen using just your fingers on the display, nothing happens. You also need to make contact with an electrode on the side of the display. There’s up to four electrodes available, meaning up to four user inputs can be recognized on the touchscreen.

As you’ve probably guessed, the main reason for this solution being developed is for touchscreen gaming. Its first use is going to be in a table-top game for arcade settings.

As well as multiple players, the different electrodes can be used by the same person for different types of input. So not only does this allow for multiplayer touchscreen gaming, it also opens up the opportunity to explore new input schemes for single-player experiences.

It’s unlikely such a system will filter down into consumer tablets any time soon. Tablets are typically single-user devices, and manufacturers would push back against having to find room for several electrodes inside an already cramped tablet case.

Read more at Tech-On!