Five Types of Touch Screen Monitor Technology

Which TYPE OF touch screen Is Best For You?

You interact with a touch screen monitor constantly throughout your daily life. You will see them in cell phones, ATM's, kiosks, ticket vending machines, manufacturing plants and more. All of these use touch panels to enable the user to interact with a computer or device without the use of a keyboard or mouse. But did you know there are several uniquely different types of Touch Screens? The five most common types of touch screen are: 5-Wire Resistive, Surface Capacitive touch, Projected Capacitive (P-Cap), SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave), and IR (Infrared).

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We are often asked 'How does a touch screen monitor work?' A touch screen basically replaces the functionality of a keyboard and mouse. Below is a basic description of 5 types of touch screen monitor technology.

The advantages and disadvantages of type of touch screen will help you decide which type touchscreen is most appropriate for your needs:

Resistive Touch Screen

5-Wire Resistive Touch is the most widely touch technology in use today. A resistive touch screen monitor is composed of a glass panel and a film screen, each covered with a thin metallic layer, separated by a narrow gap. For instance, when a user touches the screen, the two metallic layers make contact, resulting in electrical flow. The point of contact is detected by this change in voltage.

Advantages:

• Can activate with virtually any object (finger, stylus, gloved hand, pen, etc.)
• Has tactile feel
• Lowest cost touch technology
• Low power consumption
• Resistant to surface contaminants and liquids (dust, oil, grease, moisture)

Disadvantages:

• Lower image clarity compared to other touch technologies
• Outer polyester film is vulnerable to damage from scratching, poking and sharp object

Surface Capacitive Touch Screen

Surface Capacitive touch screen is the second most popular type of touch screens on the market. In a surface capacitive touch screen monitor, a transparent electrode layer is placed on top of a glass panel. This is then covered by a protective cover. When an exposed finger touches the monitor screen, it reacts to the static electrical capacity of the human body. Consequently, some of the electrical charge transfers from the screen to the user. This decrease in capacitance is detected by sensors located at the four corners of the screen, allowing the controller to determine the touch point. Surface capacitive touch screens can only be activated by the touch of human skin or a stylus holding an electrical charge.

Advantages:

• Better image clarity than Resistive Touch
• Durable screen
• Excellent resistance to surface contaminants and liquids (dust, oil, grease, water droplets)
• High scratch resistance

Disadvantages:

• Requires bare finger or capacitive stylus for activation
• Sensitivity to EMI/RFI

Projected Capacitive Touch Screen

Projected Capacitive (P-Cap) is similar to Surface Capacitive, but it offers two primary advantages. First, in addition to a bare finger, it can also be activated with surgical gloves or thin cotton gloves. Secondly, P-Cap enables multi-touch activation (simultaneous input from two or more fingers). A projected capacitive touch screen is composed of a sheet of glass with embedded transparent electrode films and an IC chip. This creates a three dimensional electrostatic field. Therefore, when a finger comes into contact with the screen, the ratios of the electrical currents change and the computer is able to detect the touch points. All our P-Cap touch screens feature a Zero-Bezel enclosure.

Advantages:

• Excellent image clarity
• More resistant to scratching than resistive
• Resistant to surface contaminants and liquids (dust, oil, grease, moisture)
• Multi-touch (two or more touch points)

Disadvantages:

• Sensitive to EMI/RFI
• Must be activated via exposed finger, or thin surgical or cotton gloves

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Touch

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) touch screen monitors utilize a series of piezoelectric transducers and receivers. These are positioned along the sides of the monitor's glass plate to create an invisible grid of ultrasonic waves on the surface. When the panel is touched, a portion of the wave is absorbed. This allows the receiving transducer to locate the touch point and send this data to the computer. SAW monitors can be activated by a finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip stylus. SAW monitors offer easy use and high visibility.

Advantages:

• Excellent image clarity
• Even better scratch resistance than surface or projected capacitive
• High 'touch-life'

Disadvantages:

• Will not activate with hard items (pen, credit card, or fingernail)
• Water droplets remaining on the surface of the screen can cause false triggering
• Solid contaminants on the screen can create non-touch areas until they are removed

IR (Infrared) Touch Screen

IR (Infrared) type touch screen monitors do not overlay the display with an additional screen or screen sandwich. Instead, infrared monitors use IR emitters and receivers to create an invisible grid of light beams across the screen. This ensures the best possible image quality. When an object interrupts the invisible infrared light beam, the sensors are able to locate the touch point. The X and Y coordinates are then sent to the controller.

Advantages:

• Highest image clarity and light transmission of all touch technologies
• Unlimited 'touch-life'
• Impervious to surface scratches
• Multi-touch (two or more touch points)
• Palm Rejection Capability

Disadvantages:

• Accidental activation may occur because the infrared beams are actually above the glass surface
• Dust, oil, or grease buildup on screen or frame could impede light beam causing malfunction
• Buildup of snow and pooling of water (such as rain) can cause false triggering
• May be sensitive to direct high ambient light interference
• Higher cost

We hope you found these touch screen basics useful. TRU-Vu provides industrial touch screen monitors in a wide range of sizes and configurations. This includes UL-1 Medical touch screens, Sunlight Readable touch screens, Open Frame touch screens, Waterproof touch screens and many custom touch screen designs. You can learn more by viewing TRU-Vu Touchscreens or call us at 847-259-. To address safety and hygiene concerns, see our article on 'Touch Screen Cleaning and Disinfecting'.

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Ahead, we'll take a look into why it's a good idea to invest in touch monitor technology and discuss the potential of touch screen monitors to benefit your business. To understand this potential, we need to dive into the different types of touchscreen technology.

The usefulness and practicality of touchscreen technology is undeniable. So much so, in fact, that businesses have realized the benefits of adopting the technology. However, despite its simplicity for end users, there is more to this tech than meets the eye.

One of the technologies facilitating this transition is touchscreen technology. Most of us are familiar with it. After all, if you own a smartphone, then you likely interact with a touchscreen on a daily basis.

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Resistive, optical, projected capacitive, and infrared are four of the most common touch screen technologies. Each has different applications and can support your business in a meaningful way. For example, if you're looking to a build and deploy touch screen solutions for a public space such as a outdoor shopping center, it would be useful to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different touch screen technologies in order to choose the right one for your application. There are panels that are optimal for creating monitors that your customers can easily read and interact with when in bright sunlight. Other types of panels are preferable for touch screen applications that need to resist harsh outdoor weather conditions. Below is an outline of the characteristics commonly associated with each of these technologies.

When it comes to touch screen technology, there are a number of different types of technologies on the market, each with its own set of characteristics.

Because of these layers of film, the transmittance of light is not as strong as with other types of touch technology. Resistive touch panels are also known for being the most durable touch panel technology because pressure needs to be applied to the screen.

Unlike other touch technologies, resistive touch panels are covered by two layers of transparent electrode film separated by spacers. This pressure-based input method means that resistive panels can be operated with just about any type of touch, including finger, stylus, and even gloved touch.

Resistive touch screens are generally single-point-touch displays and are typically less than 20 inches in size.

Resistive touch technology can be found in an array of applications, including touch monitors and car navigation systems. Resistive panels are pressure sensitive, which means they use pressure placed directly on the screen as a means of detecting commands.

Light transmittance on optical imaging touch screens tends to be very good because there are no obstructing coatings used over the screen itself. In addition, optical touch displays tend to last for a long time because the light touches associated with this tech variant do not generally result in wear and tear.

Optical imaging touch panels are multi-touch and typically range from 19 ' 100 inches in size. Since touch recognition on these devices works by way of imaging, any form of touch, whether it be finger, stylus, gloved touch, etc. can be used to input commands.

Optical imaging touch technology uses infrared cameras and light to detect touch input. Touch detection accuracy on optical imaging touch displays can vary based on the components used.

The light transmittance of projected capacitive touch panels is very good, as is touch detection accuracy. In addition, the glass and plastic coatings on projected capacitive touch panel displays are generally very durable and dust resistant.

Since projected capacitive touchscreens detect touch commands by way of electrical currents, it is more challenging to make larger sized projected capacitive touch panels than it is to make smaller ones. Unlike resistive touch technology, projected capacitive touch panels can function with input from a finger or conductive pen, but not gloved touch.

Projected capacitive touch is typically used on smaller touchscreens and is known for highly precise touch recognition and speedy response times. Projected capacitive touch panels are capable of multi-point touch and are usually less than 32 inches in size.

Projected capacitive touch is the touch technology commonly used for making smartphones. If you use an iPhone then you're already familiar with using projective capacitive touch.

Infrared touch panels tend to have good light transmittance and are quite durable, however sunlight can cause glare and reflection, negatively impacting the user experience.

Infrared touch screens are capable of multi-point touch and can be found in sizes ranging from 20 ' 150 inches. Commands can be inputted on an infrared touch panel by way of a finger touch, a thick stylus, or gloved touch, though touch detection accuracy can vary based on the internal components used.

Infrared touch technology uses light beam interruption to detect touch commands. In infrared touch displays, infrared beams are organized in a grid over the panel itself and touch points are calculated when the beams are interrupted.

Just how are these industries implementing touch screen technology? Let's discuss a few examples of how touch panels are being used today.

The reason for this is that businesses are realizing just how advantageous touch panel technology can be, thanks to their simple to use interface and ability to increase productivity and improve customer experiences Industries using touch panel technology include:

As we have outlined, there has been a strong shift towards touch panel technology, with more and more businesses adopting touch panels every year. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a business today that isn't implementing some form of touch panel technology.

Streamlined Processes

Touch panel tech puts the power controlling your display at your fingertips, resulting in faster display operations. In business settings, this reduction in time can give way to a multitude of benefits including shorter queue times and faster service for your customers. Moreover, these benefits can create a domino effect of positive outcomes, including higher customer satisfaction, better customer experiences, and greater brand loyalty from your customers.

Ease of Use

Since the introduction of touchscreen smartphones, the use of touch technology has become nearly universal. As such, everyone has become a master. In this case, this technology's benefit is two-fold; it's easy to implement and it's faster for employees to operate. Easy implementation will enable employees to begin using the technology immediately without a learning curve, thus enabling faster operations.

Engaging & Interactive

Because touch panels are so versatile in the ways they can be implemented, they possess the ability to positively affect the user experience. Displaying engaging content for consumer interaction, for instance, is a good way to elevate your business above the competition.

Self-Service Feature

Beyond employee interactions, touch panels can be beneficial to customers. Therein, touch panel technology allows users to serve themselves. This functionality can be useful for mall or hotel information services and restaurant meal selection, to name just a few applications. This allows employees more time to focus on higher priority tasks and allows customers to take ownership of their own experience.

Durability

Inherently, touchscreens must be able to withstand constant physical interaction. With durability and limited replacement in mind, touch panel producers aim for the greatest possible lifespans and accidental damage prevention.

Clutter Reduction

Non-touch panels often require additional peripherals for operation. Implementation of touch technology eliminates the need for these accessories and, through its faster operation, results in a more streamlined workspace.

Increased Efficiency

Touch panel technology can increase efficiency in the workplace by, for example by reducing queue times. This efficiency increase translates into bottom line benefits by allowing employees to service more customers, thereby enhancing the customer experience.

Cost Effective

Digitizing your workflow with touch panel technology can reduce costs by eliminating office supply expenditures. Touch displays also can reduce storage costs by eliminating the need for physical document storage.

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