TOUCH SCREENS

A Touchscreen is a display which can detect the location of touches within the display area

This allows the display to be used as an input device, for interacting with the display's content.

External add on touch screens

This can be added to your home computer Brings touch screen technology to the common user

Integrated Touch Screens

The sensor system is already integrated into the screen or monitor

Working Principle
A clear touch sensor is placed over the viewable video screen A controller (2) takes information from the touch screen (1)

The info is turned into information the computer can understand A software driver is needed to allow the touch screen and computer to work together (3)

Types of Touch Sensors

Resistive Technology
Composed of several layer including two metallic layers separated from each other

Resistive Technology
When metallic layers are connected (touched) they act as like 2 voltage dividers Change in electric current is sent to controller and the location is determined

Resistive Technology

Advantages

High touch point resolution

Low power requirements

Disadvantages

Reduced optical clarity Polyester surface can be damaged

Capacitive Technology

Sensor has a precisely controlled field of stored electrons in horizontal and vertical directions A bare finger draws current from each corner of the electric field, creating a voltage drop that is measured to determine the touch location. The controller then determines the location

Capacitive Technology

Advantages:

High touch resolution

High image clarity

Disadvantages:

Requires bare finger or capacitive stylus (doesnt work with gloved hand) Severe scratch can affect operation within the damaged area

Surface Acoustic Wave Technology

A glass overlay with transmitting and receiving piezoelectric transducers for both x & y axes. The touch screen controller sends a 5MHz electrical signal to the transmitting

transducer which converts the signal into

ultrasonic waves within the glass. These waves are directed across the surface of the touch screen by an array of reflectors

Surface Acoustic Wave Technology

Advantages:
High optical clarity Activated by a finger, gloved hand, or soft tip stylus Proven technology in the marketplace

Disadvantages:
Does not work with everyday pen-tip, pencil tip. Does not support drag or draw effectively

Infrared Technology
An array of infrared sensors are placed horizontally and vertically The sensors send out pulses of light

The sensors detect the interruption of the light

The location is then determined by the controller

Infrared Technology
Advantages:
High image clarity Responds to any input device

Disadvantages:
Does not work with everyday pen-tip, pencil tip. Does not support drag or draw effectively

Technology Comparison
Feature
Touch Technology
Clarity Input Finger, gloved hand, stylus Requires Human Touch Durability

Resistive

78-88%

Average

Capacitive

Up to 91.5%

High

SAW

90%+

Finger, gloved hand, soft-tipped stylus

Stylus Independent

High

Infrared

90%+

High

Touch Screen Applications

Consumer Electronics
Phones Digital Cameras ATM

CONCLUSION

One final Touch

Touch technology is as revolutionary a human-machine interface as is the mouse. For many applications including industrial process control, medical and clean room equipment, handheld devices

Touch systems offer the best combination of functionality, cost, life span and ease-of-use.

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